Page 11 of Stolen By the Heartless Duke
The butler entered. His expression was unusually uncertain.
“My lady,” he said.
Jane frowned immediately. “What is it?”
The older man hesitated. “You have a visitor.”
Jane blinked. “A visitor?”
“Yes, my lady.”
“At this hour?” Jane asked. It had to be nearly one o’clock in the morning. “Who?”
Before the butler could answer, another figure appeared in the doorway.
Jane’s breath caught. For a moment, she simply stared. The man was tall—exceptionally so—with powerful, broad shoulders, his dark coat hugging the muscles of his arms perfectly.
Rain glistened upon his dark hair. The shadows in the room sharpened the strong lines of his face and highlighted his piercing eyes. His jaw looked like it had been carved from stone. He was the most striking man Jane had ever seen.
She set down her teacup. “What are you doing in my house?”
The question came out sharper than she intended.
The stranger remained completely unbothered.
His gaze met hers, steadily. “I apologize for the hour.”
His voice was deep. It was the sort of voice people listened to.
“Who are you?” Jane demanded. At this hour of the day, niceties were not foremost in her mind.
The man inclined his head. “Hector Lockwood.” A brief pause. “Duke of Sunderford.”
Jane blinked. A duke. Standing in her parlor. At one o’clock in the morning. For several seconds, she could think of absolutely nothing intelligent to say.
The Duke of Sunderford. Everyone had heard of him. One of the most powerful men in England. Notorious for being private. Rarely seen in society except when necessary. And currently standing, uninvited, in her house.
Jane cleared her throat. “Pardon my directness, Your Grace… but what are you doing in my house in the middle of the night?”
The duke stepped fully into the room. “I came because our situations may be connected.”
Jane frowned. “What do you mean?”
“My brother disappeared.”
The statement instantly captured her attention. She sat straighter.
The duke continued. “Several days ago.”
Jane stared. “I’m sorry… I hadn’t heard.”
“Most people haven’t.” His expression remained unreadable. “Unlike your brother’s disappearance, my brother’s attracted little attention.”
“What does that have to do with Colin?”
The duke regarded her carefully. “I would like to discuss that.”
“Oh. Well, Your Grace, you can call tomorrow morning, when my mother is awake. It isn’t proper for us?—”
