Read Online My Wicked Marquess by Gaelen Foley - Free Book Online Page A

second into those piercing eyes and seemed to forget all about his indignation, as though falling under the stranger’s unfathomable spell, much as Daphne had experienced a few moments earlier.
    â€œCome, think back,” the stranger intoned in silken menace, as though his brooding eyes and soft voice and his slight, dark smile could mesmerize any unsuspecting victim. “We were only boys then.”
    â€œIt can’t be,” Albert whispered. “Max…Rotherstone? Is it you?”
    The stranger nodded slowly while Daphne committed his name to memory.
    Perhaps it was due to drink, but Albert now appeared quite entranced. He shook his head vaguely. “I don’t believe it,” he uttered while “Max Rotherstone” continued to control him, rather like a snake charmer. “You have been gone for as many years as I can remember, you just…vanished.”
    â€œYes,” he said. “But now I have returned.”
    â€œWhy?” Albert demanded at once, suspiciously.
    â€œI have done and seen all that I wished to do or see.” He tilted his head intently. “And what have you been doing, Albert, with your life all this time?”
    Albert’s sculpted countenance went blank.
    Nothing . The sorry truth was written all over his face. Daphne almost pitied him when he could not find an answer, but the pointed reminder of his lack of purpose in life seemed to jar the leading dandy from the spell.
    Albert changed the subject, suddenly eager to be rid of his old acquaintance, it seemed, this long-lost friend who had posed such an uncomfortable question. “Well, Max, you said you were off to meet someone. Don’t let us keep you.”
    â€œAh, yes. The Grand Duchess of Mecklenburg.” The handsome smile he flashed made Daphne catch her breath.
    â€œGrand Duchess?” Albert echoed in a dubious tone.
    â€œMm, yes, charming lady. I met her in the course of my travels on the Continent.”
    â€œI say!” Richard Carew mumbled with reluctant admiration.
    Max Rotherstone folded his hands politely behind his back. “Shall I introduce you?”
    Albert seemed to remember himself then. He shot Daphne a gloating look past the stranger’s shoulder. “Meet a Grand Duchess? I’m sure any man would fancy that.”
    â€œIndeed.” Rotherstone sent Daphne the merest, dismissive glance over his shoulder, barely paying her any mind. “Of course, I don’t wish to interrupt—”
    â€œNot at all,” Albert cut him off, sending an icy look her way. “We were finished here, believe me.”
    â€œGood, then! Come with me,” he commanded, clapping Albert on the shoulder. “Her Highness is seated this way. After you, old boy.” With his other hand, he gestured toward the far end of the room; his brawny arm rose like a turnpike before Daphne’s face. None of the men paid her any further attention. She might as well have been invisible.
    â€œI am a frequent guest among the highest circles myself, you know,” Albert remarked to Rotherstone, unable to resist one last, self-congratulating look in Daphne’s direction. “I hear I’m quite a favorite with the Regent.”
    â€œFascinating. You must tell me all about it.”
    â€œWell, His Royal Highness first complimented the cut of my coat one day…” As Albert eagerly obliged his utterly insincere inquiry, he walked ahead of the stranger, as obediently as you please.
    Daphne stared after them in amazement, not quite sure what in blazes had just transpired.
    But as “Max Rotherstone” deftly steered the Carew brothers away, all three neatly under his control, he glanced back oh-so-casually over his shoulder at her, a discreet glimmer of deviltry in his eyes.
    Daphne shook her at head at him in bewilderment.
    His wicked smile in answer and his slight, private nodmerely seemed to say to her, You’re welcome…again