The Duke's Redemption. Carla Capshaw
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mantel, the dark one, he startled me is all. I turned to see him staring a hole in my back.”
Zechariah observed the man covertly. “That, my dear, is Drake Amberly, the man you’re to investigate. You’d do well to encourage his interest. If he were to become besotted with you, it would make your task that much easier.”
Elise bit back a sharp retort. Her instincts warned that Amberly was the one man in the Colonies she should avoid at all costs. “I have a troublesome feeling about him.”
“Perhaps meeting him will alleviate the sensation.” His amiable tone cloaked a rod of iron. “Allow me to introduce you.”
She took a deep breath and released it slowly. The unease she’d labored under for much of the day increased. Her palms grew moist. The closer she walked toward Amberly, the faster her heart raced.
When they came abreast of the man, Zechariah extended his beefy paw in greeting. He spoke loudly, competing with the party’s din of music, dancers and conversation. “Amberly, I’m pleased to see you’ve joined us. I hope the journey from Charles Towne was not too taxing.”
“Not in the least. The river was smooth, the boat swift. I arrived in no time at all.”
“Excellent, I’m glad to hear it.” Zechariah rocked on his heels, his hands clamped behind his back. “I trust the maid saw you settled?”
“Most comfortably, thank you. Your hospitality is much appreciated.”
Even as he spoke with Zechariah, Amberly’s eyes returned to her face again and again. Heat rose to her cheeks. She hoped the powder and rouge she’d applied before the party disguised her reaction.
“We’re pleased to have you here.” Zechariah turned to her. “Amberly, I’d like you to meet my ward, Miss Elise Cooper. Elise, this is Mr. Drake Amberly, direct from London. He’ll be staying with us for the next few weeks while he convinces me to contract his shipping line.”
No one told her he’d be a long-term guest. She offered her hand politely, schooling her features to prevent her dismay from reflecting on her face.
His large, tanned hand engulfed her much smaller one. He bowed and kissed the back of her knuckles. His scent of spice and soap teased her senses. She shivered, aware her response to him was profoundly peculiar. Every nerve in her body warned her to make an excuse and run away. Only the force of her will kept her planted before him.
Intense, lushly lashed eyes caught and held hers. “The pleasure is all mine, Miss Cooper. I am most fortunate to make your acquaintance.”
His voice was deep and smooth except for a few clipped words that reminded her of the English upper class. The observation brought her halfway back to her senses. She had to remember her orders and not allow herself to be waylaid by a handsome face.
She giggled, resorting to her role as a featherbrain. Experience had taught her a man let his guard down around a woman he considered a simpleton. “I’m charmed, Mr. Amberly. A girl could lose her head with a man as handsome as you in the room.”
“Why thank you, Miss Cooper. I’m flattered.”
He seemed more amused than complimented. She tapped him playfully with her fan and gifted him with a flirtatious grin. “Surely not. I’ve seen the other ladies swarming you tonight. Most likely you’ve grown weary of praise.” She motioned toward the dancers behind her. “Forgive my boldness, but would you be so kind, sir? I truly love to dance. Since my escort is the guest of honor, he’s obliged to take a turn with the other ladies tonight. I fear I’ll be left to sit with the matrons if one of you fine gentlemen doesn’t take pity on me.”
“It would be my honor, Miss Cooper. However, I never acquired the skill of dancing. May I interest you in some refreshment instead?”
“You never learned to dance? How unusual,” she remarked, her eyes as wide and innocent as a babe’s.
“Dancing isn’t a sport in large demand on a ship.”
She smiled coyly. His refusal to dance might work to her advantage. Perhaps she could get him alone, away from the crowd and music that would disrupt conversation and her ability to uncover more about him. “I so wanted to dance, but I suppose a glass of refreshment will do. Why don’t you fetch us a drink? I’ll gather my shawl and meet you in the garden. It’s such a pretty night. I see no reason to waste it indoors.”
Amberly grinned. “A superb idea, Miss Cooper. To the garden it is.”
Drake enjoyed the view of Elise’s slim back as she departed. What an intriguing female. He wondered how many men swallowed her act. She played the part of an empty-headed chit, but intelligence shone from her startling green eyes. He wondered what game she played at. In his experience, all women had something to hide. Despite his earlier decision not to pursue her, he found uncovering her secrets might provide an interesting diversion during his stay in South Carolina.
Zechariah cleared his throat, reclaiming Drake’s attention. “I apologize, Amberly. Our Elise possesses a double portion of boldness. I hope you weren’t offended.”
“No, indeed I find her delightful.”
“Excellent. She’s a wonderful girl, if not the smartest one. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I must see to my other guests.”
With a nod, Zechariah left and entered conversation with a nearby couple. Drake made his way to the refreshment table and accepted two glasses of punch from a servant before heading to the garden.
Not far from the open French doors, Christian Sayer intercepted him. “Evening, Amberly. I trust you’re enjoying our hospitality.”
“Very much. I just spoke with your father and his ward—”
“That’s why I’m here. Is one of those glasses for Miss Cooper?”
Drake nodded.
“Then I’ll tell you this as a friend,” Christian’s smile held an edge of warning. “Miss Cooper requires the greatest respect. Should you harm her, I’d be gravely disappointed. Treat her well. I’d hate to have to shoot you.”
Drake cocked an eyebrow in mild disbelief. The puppy was actually warning him off—an unusual event to be sure for a man used to being hounded by every flesh-peddling mama in England. His sister would howl with laughter if she were here to witness Sayer’s threat.
Drake suppressed his amusement and considered Christian with new eyes. The younger man possessed the demeanor of an open, friendly individual, yet it was clear he had darker, hidden depths. Could he be the Fox?
Making a mental note to watch Christian more closely, Drake tipped his head. “Save your threats for someone who will be impressed by them, puppy. Now, if you’ll excuse me, Miss Cooper is waiting for her drink.”
Chapter Three
Drake shouldered his way past the unyielding younger man and followed the sparsely furnished hall to the front of the red-brick mansion.
A servant in a white-and-scarlet uniform opened the door for him to cross into the balmy night. A full moon shone from the velvety black sky. Strategically placed lanterns lit the English garden spread out before him. Beyond its hedges and curved walkways, a wide, well-tended lawn sloped into the inky ribbon of the Ashley River.
He searched for Elise among the strolling guests partaking of the floral-scented air, but it seemed she’d disappeared. His fingers clenched round the glasses he held as disappointment assailed him. He found himself quite put out at the idea of not being able to speak with her. She was by far the most captivating woman he’d met in the whole of his twenty-eight years.
His eyes lit with pleasure when he finally located her across the expansive lawn, near the water’s edge. She stood half turned toward him, a lace shawl draped around her slender shoulders. She appeared to be speaking with someone, but he saw no one in the shadows cast by a towering oak. He hoped it wasn’t another man because