The Accidental Duke (The Mad Matchmaking Men of Waterloo Book 1) by Devlin, Barbara (the best electronic book reader .txt) 📗

Wallace believe?” He compressed his lips and vowed not to fall prey to her considerable allure, which tempted him beyond reason.

“She knows I am with you.” Averting her gaze, she furrowed her brow. “In regard to my purpose, I would wait until we arrive at our destination. Once I make the introductions, I will explain everything.”

“How far must we travel?” When he posed the question, he peeked beyond the shade. To his surprise, the coachman drew to a halt. “Are we there, already?”

“I suspect so, because we do not venture beyond Mayfair.” A footman opened the door. Arabella scooted to the edge of the bench and stepped to the sidewalk. “Come, my lord, and keep an open mind.”

Curious, he did as she bade. When he exited the coach, he glanced about the immediate vicinity and discovered they journeyed to Albemarle Street. The nondescript residence, comprised of red brick with Portland stone trim, boasted a sign near the front window.

Anthony stopped in his tracks.

“Arabella, just what are you about?” His chest tingled, and his stomach rolled. “Why have you brought me to see Dr. Handley?”

“As I said, he is a friend, and he wants to help us.” She tugged on his arm, but Anthony gnashed his teeth and remained rooted to the ground. “Please, do this for me. I beg you, do not refuse what could mark a new beginning for us.”

“What does he plan to treat, given you have told me, time and again, there is nothing wrong with me, or do you claim some mysterious malady?” Anger mixed with fear, forming a formidable blockade, and he retreated a step. “Did you lie to gain my compliance? Did you conspire with my father to bring me here?”

“Never, and His Grace is no friend of mine.” When she reached for his hand, he recoiled. “My lord, you must believe me, I would never betray your trust.”

“Hello, Lady Arabella. You are prompt, as usual.” A bespectacled gentleman loomed in the doorway, and he narrowed his stare when he looked at Anthony. “This must be Lord Rockingham. What an honor, sir.” The stranger bowed. “Dr. Handley, at your service. Will you come inside, to get out of the rain, and enjoy a spot of tea?”

“I do not drink tea, sir.” Shaking with irrepressible anxiety, Anthony knew not what to make of what he considered an unforgiveable betrayal. “There seems to be a misunderstanding, and I apologize for wasting your afternoon.”

“Well, my wife is shopping, and the host provides brandy in lieu of tea.” The doctor smiled. “If you decline my hospitality, I shall return to my study, smoke my pipe, and peruse the papers, so you see you keep me from nothing of importance.”

“Anthony.” Positioning herself opposite him, Arabella said in a low voice, “If you do this for me, I shall take a turn about the park with you, with the shades drawn, and I shall abide whatever you ask of me.”

“Indeed?” Now that was enough to sway him, but he needed to dictate terms. “You give me your word, you will deny me nothing, regardless of what I require in recompense?”

“I will do anything.” Clasping his hand, she gulped and twined her fingers in his. “If you indulge me, I shall return the favor, in equal measure. In fact, you need not even converse with Dr. Handley. Just hear what he has to say, but I wager you will like him.” Again, she swallowed hard. “Thereafter, I am yours to command.”

“All right, but I intend to collect on our bargain, in full.” When she prompted, he followed her into the residence. “However, I do not appreciate being ambushed, and you will never do it again.”

“Of course not.” Glancing over her shoulder, she cast an expression of contrition. “But my cause is just, and I had to try, else I could not live with myself.”

“It means that much to you?” He cursed himself when he spied tears in her blue eyes, because he did not want to hurt her.

“Yes.” She nodded. Not for an instant did he doubt her.

“Why?” In the hall, after Anthony and Arabella shed their outerwear, the doctor motioned toward a modest but elegant drawing room, and Anthony strolled to the sofa. After he unbuttoned his coat, he sat. To his surprise, Arabella perched beside him and clasped his hand in hers.

“My lord, I cannot fail you.” She scooted closer, while Handley poured a couple of glasses of brandy, one of which he sat on the table before Anthony. “As your wife, it is my duty to serve you.”

“And that is what you are doing, now?” Confused and wounded by her breach of faith, he sighed and shook his head. He believed her incapable of dissemblance. “We are not yet wed, and you deceived me.”

“I did no such thing.” She squeezed his fingers. “In fact, I am here to reveal a simple truth, which you have inquired about on more than one occasion.”

“What is that?” Reflecting on previous exchanges, he clung to the hope she had not fooled him, and somehow he misconstrued her scheme. “Because I recall nothing of the kind.”

“My lord, often you have remarked on my ability to calm you, when you are out of sorts.” When he blinked, she peered at Dr. Handley and then met Anthony’s stare. “Like the afternoon in the park and the evening of my father’s impromptu dinner. Do you remember?”

How could he forget?

“Then why did you not tell me, last night?” Releasing her hand, he cleared his throat and grabbed the balloon of brandy, the contents of which he downed in a single gulp, despite his trembling. “You could have warned me.”

“I planned to do so.” She opened her mouth and then closed it. “But you distracted me, in the gazebo.”

Oh, he distracted her, all right. For several minutes. A series of salacious vignettes flashed in his brain, and familiar warmth spread from his center to his limbs. When his cheeks burned, he swore under his breath and shook himself