Read Online The Duke of Morewether’s Secret by Amylynn Bright - Free Book Online

narrowed her eyes, and looked at him long and hard as if she was still deciding. The smile returned, and Christian exhaled a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. “No. I’m not angry. I should have put my foot down. Besides, I can’t really expect anything more from you.”
    Christian didn’t think she meant to insult him, but he felt maligned nonetheless. “Is that a cultural difference I’m not aware of?” he asked. Thea raised her eyebrows. This time is was her turn to be confused. “Why would you expect nothing better from me?”`
    Thea pulled at their linked arms effectively stopping them under an oak tree. They were far enough away from any other couple to avoid their conversation being overheard. “Oh, Christian, I apologize. I never meant to insult you. I only meant I know your type, the type to rise to a wager,” she explained. “My father was a rogue, too, you see.”
    “You didn’t like your father?”
    Thea shrugged. “I loved my father.” Her answer was cryptic. He hoped she would elucidate so, when she turned from him and headed further into the depths of the garden, he eagerly followed. “He was like you, your reputation.”
    “I hate that you think you know so much about me and my reputation.”
    Thea glanced back at him again, her expression harder to discern in the darkness. “I can hardly help it. I’ve heard plenty about you from every member of the ton . You’re a favorite topic of discussion.”
    “Besides some youthful indiscretions, really, what have you heard about me that is so awful?”
    “You admitted your mistress burned her clothes in your foyer only a couple of months ago? How old are you now? Thirty? That’s not so youthful.”
    “I told you it was the garden, and I am two and thirty,” he corrected. Was this how he was really seen? If he was so unlikable, why were so many of the ton clambering for his attention? Invitations constantly deluged him. How and when did he become so frivolous? “I’m working to perfect a change.” He looked inward for a moment, something Christian was not used to doing, and recognized that he meant it.
    The half moon disappeared behind the ever present London clouds. She asked, “You know my deep, dark dancing secret. What’s yours? Why don’t you dance?”
    “As you saw, I do dance. Very well as a matter of fact. I’m not sure you noticed with your head down the whole time.”
    She tossed him a withering look but it lost its effect when she rolled her eyes. “I noticed. You could partner with Terpsichore herself.”
    “The Muse of dance? Thea, you flatter me.” He touched his hand to his heart in an expressive, over-the-top gesture.
    “So then, why don’t you dance?”
    Christian sighed. “If I tell you why, it won’t make your already dubious opinion of me any better.”
    Thea’s eyebrows rose on her forehead. “Well now you have to tell me.”
    “Because it’s not fair to the ladies.”
    Thea snorted. “This ought to be interesting. Please continue.”
    “It’s not fair to the young ladies. It gives them and their bulldog mothers unnecessary hope.” He paused and glanced at her before continuing. “It gives the other” — chose your words carefully here — “women unfortunate … misconceptions and unrealistic … expectations.”
    Thea nodded as if she understood the underlying sentiment. “You could dance with Francesca or Anna. Your mother.”
    Christian shook his head and wrinkled his nose. “I find it is best not to open the flood gates.”
    “And yet —” Thea paused in the grass and tilted her head slightly to the side as she eyed him “— you forced me to dance with you.”
    Christian blinked at her. Dear God, he certainly had.
    Thea smiled at him again as they emerged from a copse of trees. The moon shone on her face and he saw she was sublime. No wonder he wanted to dance with her. She didn’t speak, and he didn’t want her to inadvertently say anything to make him feel bad about