Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 94964 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94964 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
* * *
Percy Weasley had come into Arthur’s chambers, ordered his mother to leave him alone and go with Percy, because the exhibit was about to start and she was to wear the piece de resistance, a large diamond necklace from the south of Africa.
* * *
The duchess had begged and pleaded for her to be excused and all she’d gotten for her trouble was a slap that had her spinning across the room and slamming into an armoire. She hurt her belly quite badly but had to go and get dressed, smile wide, and indulge in petty conversation all night.
* * *
Arthur had been in and out of it for three days before his fever broke. His arm had never quite healed right and still throbbed when it was about to rain. He’d woken to his mother keening as she swayed back and forth in the chair by his bed. She was talking to herself and didn’t seem to notice him.
* * *
“The devil is coming. He’ll kill us all,” she was saying.
* * *
Arthur had tried to sit up but screamed as he put weight on his broken arm. She’d looked around and began to scream as well. “He’s here! He’s here!” She was hysterical.
* * *
Her lady’s maid ran into the room and wrestled her away while Arthur watched with distress. By the time Arthur was able to get out of bed, his mother had been taken away to Bedlam.
* * *
He tried to plead with his father, to bring her back or at least show Arthur where she was so he could get her himself. All he got for his trouble was more beatings. Percy told people that his wife had died, and they sympathized with him. All Arthur could do was watch with increasing rage.
* * *
He vowed to himself that he would find a way to destroy his father’s name, and his legacy, if it killed him. One of Arthur’s biggest regrets was that his father hadn’t lived to see what a debauched, dishonorable rake he’d become.
Janice had been watching the duke surreptitiously all night. She knew of his reputation of course. The entire country knew. But looking into his eyes, she suspected that there was more there than drinking and debauchery.
* * *
And I am going to find out what.
* * *
She leaned towards him as they listened to her sisters’ play, wanting him to keep scenting her since he’d commented on it. She looked down at his hands, folded politely in his lap, his knuckles huge and veined, his nails cut short and neat. Those hands could crush or cradle with ease.
* * *
Janice found that she was curious to find out what those hands could do. As she glanced at him, she caught him looking back and they both smiled awkwardly. Then to her surprise, the smile dropped from his face, and he looked away.
* * *
She swallowed down the unexpected hurt and faced forward, a frown on her forehead as she tried to understand why he suddenly turned cold.
* * *
“Are you enjoying the music?”
* * *
He gave her a sidelong smile. “It’s passable.”
* * *
Janice’s eyebrow rose. “Well, that’s a bit rude do you not think?”
* * *
He shrugged. “I like to be honest. Your sisters clearly had better things to do than pay attention to their piano teacher.”
* * *
Janice gasped. “That was unnecessary.”
* * *
“Probably. But I’m afraid I’m not the most refined sophisticate. You’ll have to bear with me.”
* * *
Janice eyed him closely with narrowed eyes. “Is that so? Is it because your family were something of recluses?”
* * *
He smiled, a tad bitterly. “You could say that.”
* * *
“Well, as my father said, we do not stand on ceremony. Your honesty might even be refreshing.”
* * *
He met her eyes, his own wintry and cold, even angry. “Is it?”
* * *
She found that she was lost in his gaze, the pain she could see beneath the anger. Her curiosity was aroused. “Well, I for one think so.”
* * *
“Well then, you’re a strange one.”
* * *
“It’s been said.”
* * *
He gave her a surprised glance. “You truly do not mind.”
* * *
She shook her head slowly, her hand twitched, wanting to reach out and cover his. “I do not,” she said softly.
* * *
His intent gaze shifted away. “Do not build castles in the air. I am not some misguided prince, waiting for the right princess to save me.”
* * *
She huffed a soft laugh. “Isn’t it supposed to be the other way around?”
* * *
“I would not know. I am not really interested in fairy tales.”
* * *
“Are you interested in friends?”
* * *
“Men and women cannot be friends.”
* * *
“And why not?”
* * *
“Because society will not allow it.”
* * *
She smiled, peering at him. “Do you not go around flouting society’s rules quite blatantly? I remember the incident with Lady Barbara Sanford. She said you kissed her on the balcony at Almack’s and instead of making an offer, you called her a liar.”