Page 21 of The One With the Rogue Duke

“I’ve just arrived,” the man chuckled.

“Good to have you here, Ash,” Soren walked up and clapped him on the shoulder, and Verity couldn’t help but notice his emphasis on the name.

Ash.

The name sunk in like the warmth of his hand on her forearm and the heat of the sun on her cheek.

Her stablehand was Ash Calder, the Duke of Quelston.

There was a moment of murmuring between the guests in which Ash leaned in and whispered, “I’ll explain everything later, but I’d go along with this for now. It’s your best bet.”

Her best bet?

What did that even mean?

A moment ago he was a stablehand. A man without status or money. Now he was apparently one of the wealthiest and highest ranking men in all of England. Not to mention a notorious rake. Her heart pounded out an unprecedented rhythm.

His mouth was still near her ear. “Don’t swoon, Verity. Be strong. As always. I’ll tell them I’ve been courting you. Don’t worry—”

“So you…” the countess repeated her half sentence, full thought question.

“I’ve been courting Verity for a while now, but I guess it’s time to share our news. Wouldn’t you agree?” Like he was asking her.

No. He had trapped her, like the manipulative bastard that he was. But she didn’t have another option. She could look like a fool in front of everyone declaring him a stablehand, or she could play off the joke and have him fake court her.

“Yes, of course. I thought our guests would have a laugh finding out this way.”

“Clever, as always, Verity.”

Except she felt anything but clever. She felt played. And that was decidedly not how she ever liked to feel.

Chapter 12

Verity

“I can’t believe you lied to me,” Verity accused the dratted man. Once they had returned home, all of the guests had gone their separate ways to relax before an evening full of food and dancing. Currently, she stood in his now occupied guestroom with one finger pointed directly at his chest. His distracting chest.

She blinked hard and long.

“Why were you even posing as a stablehand? I don’t understand.”

“It was a promise I made, in the event Alec passed away, that I would support Grice for as long as needed.”

“I didn’t know you and Alec were close. He never mentioned that.”

“He wouldn’t have.” The grimace on his face spoke of resentment.

“But why did you lie to me?”

“I never said I wasn’t who I am.”

“Oh my God. That is your excuse? A lie of omission. Please, Your Grace. You’re better than that. You knew exactly what you were doing. I simply have no idea why you did it. And now we’re stuck in this mess. Of you—” she pointed distinctly higher, aimed precisely at the opening in his shirt where the small hollow of his throat was imprinted “—courting me. It’s laughable.” She tried to laugh, but only a small puff of dry air came out.

“It’s laughable, really?”

“I loathe you and everyone knows it. My sisters will not believe it.”

“You loathe me? Are you quite sure about that?”