Read Online Rules to Catch a Devilish Duke by Suzanne Enoch - Free Book Online Page A

staring, Adam took a breath. Yes, she seemed to be the sole saving grace in what had become a very grim holiday even before the bridge’s collapse, but generally he had a firmer grip on cynicism. “I have a few more letters to write to innkeepers across the river,” he said, inclining his head. “If you require anything further this evening or wish to be rid of these monsters, Udgell will see to it. Good evening, Sophia.”
    “Good evening, Adam.”
    On his way to his private quarters, Adam detoured to the large sitting room that connected to his sister’s bedchamber. With a cursory knock he pushed open the door. “You let my dogs out.”
    Eustace looked up at him over the rim of her cup of tea. “Beg pardon?”
    If he hadn’t known her as well as he did, he would almost have believed that she had no idea what he was talking about. “Rather petty and infantile of you, don’t you think?”
    “I am not the one insisting on keeping an ill-mannered light-skirt about simply to annoy a member of my own family.”
    “I’m beginning to lose patience with this argument, Eustace. Especially when I only stopped in to thank you.”
    “Thank me? For what?” She sat forward, setting her cup of tea aside. “That thing wasn’t frightened away by those brutes of yours, was she?”
    “Far from it. She likes Brutus and Caesar. I’m letting them roam the house now, by the way, so don’t be startled if they wander in here at all hours. And I’m considering using them as a test of any potential bride’s mettle. I can’t have a chit about who’s afraid of my dogs. Good night.”
    Leaving the room again, he shut the door behind him. Nearly, anyway. If a large mastiff should find a way in, well, it was no more than Eustace deserved. He’d even warned her about it. A moment later, porcelain smashed against the far side of the heavy oak. With a grin, Adam continued on to his own bedchamber. This could very well turn out to be an exemplary Christmas, after all. Even if it did mean he would have to rush his selection of a bride when the parade did finally arrive.
    *   *   *
    Sophia awoke to the sound of heavy curtains being pulled open. “Lucille, it’s too early,” she groaned, turning over and pulling the covers up under her chin. “And close the blasted window. It’s freezing.”
    “That would be the fine Yorkshire winter saying good morning,” the lilting voice of Mrs. Brooks announced.
    Shaking free of the cobwebs of her dreams, Sophia opened her eyes and sat up. “Mrs. Brooks. I apologize. I was dreaming I was in my room at The Tantalus Club. I share quarters with Lucille Hampton, and she is always far too cheery in the morning.” In her dream all her friends had been safe and happy, and the club hadn’t been threatened with ruination simply for taking her in when she had nowhere else to go. And the Duke of Greaves had been sitting at her faro table, and for some reason no one else had noticed the way he kept flirting with her and touching her hand. Sophia rubbed her fingers.
    The housekeeper chuckled, but continued pulling back curtains. “My late husband Charles was just the same; he always awoke with a song on his lips. Ah, there were times I wanted to hit that man with a shovel, fine as he was.” She leaned down to push a footstool out of the way—then shrieked as the furniture stretched and came to its feet. “God have mercy!”
    Sternly stifling a grin, Sophia scooted to the edge of the bed and stood. “Have no fear, Mrs. Brooks. It’s only Caesar.”
    Putting a hand to her ample chest, Mrs. Brooks sagged against the back of a chair. “Good heavens. You’d think I’d be accustomed to those beasts by now, but they always spend the night in His Grace’s rooms.”
    Did they? That was interesting. “After they escaped last night, Adam said he would let them wander. I don’t know where Bru—”
    Her door burst open. “What’s wrong?” the Duke of Greaves demanded, striding into the