Page 7 of The Duke’s Lessons in Temptation

Opening the note, he frowned. The scrawl didn’t look like Meredith’s. Who was it? Lady Bennett? The writer requested to meet in the library in thirty minutes. Damion set the note down and considered not going. He had no plans to carry on a rendezvous while at Stanton’s party. Truthfully, he’d promised he wouldn’t.

Yet, Lady Bennett’s vulnerability when they had spoken earlier lingered in his mind. He was damn surprised to receive a note from her. She appeared to be in deep mourning for her husband a year later. Maybe he would go to the library and politely decline. He liked her and didn’t want to add any more hurt.

He kept the note with him and quietly made his way to the library. Everyone appeared to be fast asleep, even Stanton’s staff. Only a few candles lit the way. The library door was slightly cracked, and a fire still burned. It wasn’t uncommon for the staff to let them go out on their own.

Damion would enter and tell Lady Bennett now wasn’t a good time. He pushed the door open and stopped in his tracks. The figure standing before the large fireplace wasn’t the petite Lady Clark or Lady Bennett. No, the lady was tall and slender with curls trailing down her back to almost her waist.

His first thought was how damn tempting she looked, but that was replaced by horror that the lady who wrote the note was his friend’s sister.

“Lady Cora, you must go to bed.”

Startled, she jumped and dropped the poker stick. It clattered loudly, and Damion shut the door. They stared at one another. What was her game? He said, “I won’t seduce or marry you.”

Her eyes widened, and she frowned at him. “I have no plans for either.”

Damion stayed away from her and folded his arms. “Then why am I here?”

Christ, she looked lovely in her night wrap with her hair falling around her. Damion shouldn’t see her like this, but didn’t think he’d ever forget it.

She nervously wrung her hands and remained quiet.

“Lady Cora, what is this?”

“I want you to teach me how to be tempting to a lord,” she said in a rush as if she had one chance to get the words out.

He blinked multiple times, at a loss for how to respond. Why would she think he was the person to assist her? She reached down and grabbed the poker stick, messing with the fire again. He sighed. “Would you stop that? What do you mean?”

She placed the poker stick against the mantel. “Perhaps we could sit and talk about it.”

He shook his head. “I’m fine here. Explain yourself.”

She frowned at his stern tone. “The last few Seasons, I’ve been uninterested in considering suitors, and I believe that has caused me to lack certain skills. Most of the ladies here are far more adept at flirtation or capturing a man’s interest than I am.”

Damion didn’t believe that for a minute. He wanted to tell her that her words were absurd or she was flat-out wrong. Yet, he said nothing. She swallowed and added, “I hope to capture Lord Bellamy’s attention.”

Shockingly, jealousy uncoiled in his belly. Damion found it wasteful that this woman spent her time fixated on the young lord. He wanted to tell her the fool was unworthy of her. Yet, Stanton had mentioned there was a history between them, and they might marry. Maybe he was the one making an inaccurate assessment. It didn’t matter. None of this was his business. Flatly, he said, “No.”

“You are good at being charming. Please, Blythe.”

The earnestness in her eyes stopped him from leaving the room, even though it was in her and his best interest. Damion's own marriage flashed in his mind. He understood wanting someone, because on paper it seemed so perfect, but he also knew what happened when reality was far different. “Find someone else or wait until he grows up.”

Chapter 4

Cora frowned at Blythe’s advice. He seemed uninterested in helping her, and more embarrassing, his words suggested that he didn’t approve of Christopher. She bristled, telling herself his opinion didn’t matter. Still, obtaining his help did.

“Your Grace, you are a known expert when it comes to flirtation and how to tempt someone.”

He said nothing but stared at her. She fidgeted with the tie of her wrap, realizing this meeting may be unwise. Blythe might tell Jeremy about the encounter. “I apologize. I shouldn’t have sent you the note.”

She headed toward the door but stopped when he said, “Why Bellamy?”

Cora turned back to him. Confusion marred his face as if Christopher wasn’t a suitable husband. She stepped closer to Blythe. “We are neighbors and dear friends.”

He shook his head. “What does that have to do with marriage?”

She flushed at his question. Cora’s response, she felt, explained exactly why she and Christoper were well-suited.

“It is a strong foundation for a happy union.”