Read Online To Dare the Duke of Dangerfield by Bronwen Evans - Free Book Online Page A

kissed his cheek. “Why not simply ask for her hand? You think she won’t accept?” At his nod she laughed. “I believe this girl might be perfect for you. You need a woman who sees past that smile of yours.” Her own smile died and she looked dismayed. “But Jeremy won’t like it.”
    Harlow rubbed his jaw. “I can’t think of what else to do. This way everyone wins. Jeremy can still have Mansfield Manor, Caitlin is protected by marriage to me and you, mother, get your much sought-after grandchild, while I get my heir.”
    “Your solution sounds logical, but I have a feeling this will become far more complicated. What happens if you don’t win the wager?”
    “Then I am honor-bound to give her back Mansfield Manor.”
    His mother shook her head. “Then you best ensure you win. Jeremy would never forgive you for gaining him his dream and then gambling it away. I don’t want him hurt. He has been hurt enough. Did you see his face? School is not easy but he refuses to give in and leave.”
    “Don’t worry. I have no intention of losing. There is no way I will lose the first challenge and Marcus is overseeing the final challenge. A horse race over a mile. I believe he is picking a course more suited to Hero . Caitlin thinks she has the fastest horse. She has no idea I own a horse like Hero .”
    “ The best laid schemes o' mice an' men... Take care, Harlow. Nothing is certain where people’s lives and feelings are concerned.”
     
    Outside the door to his mother’s sitting room Jeremy let the fury Harlow’s words released flow through his veins like a river in flood.  
    His brother was about to betray him.  
    Harlow had promised Mansfield and the estate would be his by right, and that Harlow would procure it for him. It was Jeremy’s boast of ownership that earned him his latest fight at school. But he hadn’t cared about the pain of the beating because he’d done it. He had Mansfield and he no longer cared that his father, his sire, abandoned him and left him to wallow in illegitimacy.
    So, how could his brother go back on his promise after everything Jeremy had endured? Now he risked losing it—and to Caitlin Southall.
    He crept back to his room, his mind in turmoil. Beautiful women were Harlow’s weakness, and Caitlin was very pretty. But to wager Jeremy’s birthright when his brother had sworn he’d get it for him? No. Many women lay down and opened their legs for his brother. Why did Harlow have to lust after Caitlin Southall when he could have any woman he chose?
    Jeremy’s stomach roiled and churned. Had Harlow sold him out for a pretty smile and a woman to bed? He could not let that happen. Mansfield Manor was his by rights. The Earl of Bridgenorth had denied him his birthright when he made him a bastard. He would not let the man’s daughter destroy his rightful future a second time.
    He needed to think. He needed to plan. He needed to ensure Caitlin Southall did not win.  
    Whatever it took, he would become the owner of Mansfield Manor.  

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Six
    Caitlin presented herself at Ashley House a little before seven in the evening. The Faro match would begin at seven-thirty. Thankfully, her father had gone to London the previous day.
    Her body hurt with each step, her muscles drawn tight as a bowstring about to be released. Nerves jangled and her stomach churned. She wondered if the duke was regretting his behavior. Could she, perhaps, play on his conscience and get him to withdraw.
    Either way, she wanted it over. She’d learned all she was going to learn of Faro in the past few days. Her nerve would either hold or it wouldn’t. She had just as much chance of winning as Harlow did.
    However, just in case, she’d taken great care with her appearance tonight in order to give her an advantage. Her dress was cut indecently low. Very daring. Extremely daring, for her. She tried to ignore the chill settling on her chest. A good portion of her décolletage was