Read Online Duchess of Sin by Laurel McKee - Free Book Online

sometimes, Mama. I am quite well, I promise. Just had the breath knocked out of me for a moment.
     Luckily, these two gentlemen, Sir Grant Dunmore and the Duke of Adair, were nearby and came to my rescue.”
    “Adair?” Katherine twisted around to stare at the duke. “Yes, I thought I recognized you.”
    He gave her a bow, the polite gesture at odds with his rakish dishabille. “Lady Killinan. It has been a long time.”
    “Indeed. I suppose it is fortunate you decided to show your face in Dublin after all this time to help my daughter.”
    “I am glad I happened to be nearby, though I’m sorry I was not able to prevent the—accident.”
    “That is what happened then? You saw it all?” said Katherine.
    Adair’s eyes narrowed, and Anna gave him another pleading look. “Yes,” he said shortly.
    “And you, Sir Grant? You saw it, too?” Katherine demanded, her stare moving above Anna’s head to where Grant was standing.
    “I—yes, Lady Killinan,” she heard Grant answer. He did not sound terribly convincing. “It was most unfortunate. Such a relief
     that Lady Anna is unhurt.”
    “That remains to be seen,” Katherine said crisply. “I must get her home and send for the doctor, then we will be sure.”
    “Mama, I don’t need a doctor,” Anna protested.
    “You shall have one nonetheless. And no parties until next week at least.” Katherine looked back at Adair sternly. “Don’t
     just stand there, Your Grace. Help me get my daughter to the carriage.”
    “Lady Killinan, let me…” Grant said hastily.
    But Katherine shook her head. “One assistant is quite enough, thank you, Sir Grant. Perhaps you would be good enough to fetch
     Psyche and see her home? She seems to have wandered over to that patch of dry grass, quite unconcerned about all the fuss
     she has caused.”
    “Of course, Lady Killinan,” he answered, most grudgingly.
    Anna heard him move away. One more cool, sweeping glance from her mother dissipated the crowd, but their whispers still echoed.
     Anna could just imagine their words—
How trouble does seem to follow those Blacknall girls.…
    Adair knelt beside her, sliding his arm gently around her shoulders and helping her sit up. Suddenly, she was surrounded by
     the smell of him, the scent of citrus-scented soap she remembered all too well from their dance at the Olympian Club. The
     heat of his large,strong body supported her, and it seemed to tie her to him. She leaned against him and rested her cheek on his shoulder. The
     roughness of his beard scraped against her brow, tickling. It made her laugh, feeling quite reckless.
    How could she possibly have such longings—the longing to wrap her arms around his neck and hold him close, the longing to
     kiss him—after what had happened? It was obvious the trouble that followed
her
around was nothing to the trouble surrounding the Duke of Adair. Secret clubs, shootings in the park—and that was only on
     the surface, the part she could see. Who knew what darkness he kept concealed?
    If she was smart, she would push him away now and run, never looking back. Never think of him again. But she had definitely
     never been able to resist a puzzle.
    “Hold on to me,” he murmured close to her ear. The sound of his voice slid over her like fine brandy, deceptively smooth and
     alluring.
    Anna clutched at his shoulders as he lifted her from the ground. The pain in her bruised hip, so distant while she was distracted,
     shot down her leg. “Ouch!”
    “You see, Lady Anna, your mother is right—you need a doctor,” he said. He held her as easily as if she were a feather, cradling
     her against him as he followed her mother toward the carriage.
    “You don’t know me, Your Grace,” Anna protested. “You can’t possibly know what I need.”
    “Oh, I think you would be surprised by what I know.” He laid her carefully against the velvet cushions and took her hand in
     his. He raised it again to his lips, his stare frighteningly solemn