Never Dare a Duke by Gayle Callen

Table of Content

• 1. Chapter 1 London, England1845 “T here he is!”Miss Abigail Shaw craned her neck in the most unladylike fashion. “Where?” she hissed. “Are you certain it’s the duke?”The driver of Lady Gwendolin Warfield’s open carriage continued to maneuver down the crowded lane in the middle of Hyde Park. Much to Abigail’s frustration, Gwen waved and smiled at the passing carriages, her black hair shining in the sun beneath her neat little hat.“Gwen!”Still holding a smile and speaking between her teeth, Gwen said, “He is riding his horse with no one else in attendance. Do you see him now, coming toward us? The dark-haired man who just tipped his hat to the Fogges.”Abigail saw him now. Christopher Cabot, the duke of Madingley, had the black hair, black eyes, and olive complexion of his mother’s Spanish heritage. He rode his horse with the grace of a king, and she knew that all of the ton in attendance this afternoon admired him greatly for all his good and noble works.But Gwen had said there was more in
• 2. Chapter 1
• 3. Chapter 2 “W hat is it?” Gwen asked with concern in her voice.With a sigh, Abigail looked away from the hedgerowed countryside that seemed to roll past their carriage. She was trying not to show her emotions, but with Gwen, even a twitch of her eyebrow could be a signal.They both glanced once more at Miss Imogene Bury, Gwen’s elderly spinster aunt, who’d spent almost the entire morning dozing.Suddenly serious with determination, Gwen said in a quiet voice, “You have been…strange all week, when you should be excited. After all, your father thinks you’re on a visit with me—and that’s the truth!”Abigail looked at her lap, fingering her reticule, which matched the green of her gown. “Something has been on my mind and I…I did not know how to tell you.”Gwen took both her hands and leaned close. “Tell me what, my dear?”“The Journal’s circulation has been decreasing the last year. My father would never be the one to tell me. His managing editor, my ‘employer’”—she gave a bitter smile—“did so.
• 4. Chapter 2
• 5. Chapter 3 C hristopher had no difficulty hiding his dismay and anger. He’d always done his duty as the sixth duke of Madingley, even if it meant riding down Rotten Row in London, displaying himself like a stuffed peacock for the well-dressed masses. His sister Elizabeth had just come out, and he knew how important it was that she marry happily and well, and his own behavior affected that. After all, he should be used to hiding everything he felt behind a mask of civility.But he did not like surprises, and his mother knew it. A crowded house party, for God’s sake, just when he’d come home hoping for a peaceful week to untangle his thoughts.He could not miss that Lady Gwendolin, Lady May, and Lady Theodosia were in attendance, the three women he’d mentioned to his mother. He had thought he was safe discussing his future wife with the woman who’d borne him, but apparently not. There were also bachelors scattered in the crowd, and he knew they must be meant to interest Elizabeth.But althou
• 6. Chapter 3
• 7. Chapter 4 C hristopher caught a glimpse of bright blue in the middle of greenery. Someone was listening.“Christopher?” his mother said, when he didn’t continue. “What have you been doing to distract yourself?”He gave her a brief smile. “I’m not sure that you deserve to know after what you’ve done here.”She rose to her feet, scowling. “You cannot tease me, then withdraw. It is…” She looked like she was struggling to find the right word.“Maddening? Now you know how I felt when I arrived today.”She reached up and pinched his cheek as if he were five years old. “You never could keep a secret from me for long.” And then she whirled and walked away.Christopher remained still, staring into a woman’s wide eyes, waiting for his mother to be gone. The woman didn’t run away, and reluctantly, he had to admire that. And then he reached for her and pulled her right through the bushes. He heard her gasp, saw the way a strand of her hair caught on a branch before pulling out of her chignon to trail ac
• 8. Chapter 4
• 9. Chapter 5 A fter Elizabeth’s announcement, Christopher saw many female eyes turn toward him, while his sister blinked at him with studied innocence. She didn’t know that he’d wanted peace and quiet for the week to finish his project. She wanted something different, success in her first house party, and he could not begrudge her that. Yet now strangers on a ghost hunt would be running through his home, prying into things that didn’t need to be disturbed.To avoid the expectant look in the three eligible ladies’ eyes, Christopher found himself glancing at Miss Shaw. She looked intrigued and excited, and he didn’t know why he should feel disappointed. Women loved a mystery.He waited for the others to begin choosing partners, but there was an unnatural silence, and more than one glance his way. Even the men hesitated, as if waiting for Christopher to make the first choice.He resisted a sigh. “Elizabeth, I am not sure how much I will be able to participate, so it is best I work alone.”Of his
• 10. Chapter 5
• 11. Chapter 6 C hristopher stared down at the surprising Miss Shaw. Was she actually offering to allow herself to be used, to be gossiped about, and someday to be pitied when he didn’t choose her? It made no sense.And though he didn’t know her well, he already guessed that she was too smart a woman not to realize the consequences.So why was she doing it? He didn’t trust her motives, but he would discover them.Though he had her backed against a wall, she didn’t seem afraid. There was a forthrightness and courage about her that he wanted to admire, yet his suspicions kept getting in the way.She thought she understood him, did she? After only twenty-four hours in the same house? She obviously trusted him in naïveté, for he could do anything he wanted to her, and only his version of the truth would count. He could be a lecher out to deflower her, by God.Yet she stood there so brazenly offering her services.And he found himself thinking about what a real offer from her would be like. For just a
• 12. Chapter 6
• 13. Chapter 7 I t was too easy to follow the duke, Abigail thought, as she walked quietly through the garden, keeping shrubbery and trees between her and the guests, and peering between them to follow the duke’s path.She’d passed the first step, where he’d accepted her offer of help. So while she slowly earned the next level of his trust, she could not waste the opportunity to learn more about him.So she followed him up to the house, watched him enter through the double doors off the stone terrace. When she stepped into the coolness of the house, she saw him at the far end of the corridor, where he left the public rooms and headed toward the family wing. She turned a corner just in time to see the duke disappear behind double doors at the far end of the wing. The master’s bedroom, by chance?And then she waited behind draperies for what seemed like hours. What was he doing in there during the day? Sleeping, or trying to escape the guests? If he was working, why was he not in his study? It w
• 14. Chapter 7
• 15. Chapter 8 A fter dinner, the men decided to retire to the billiards room for the rest of the evening. Abigail stood at the edge of the drawing room, watching as the ladies brought forth embroidery, walked by twos about the perimeter of the room, and even read.Then she saw that the duchess was alone, watching her. Abigail straightened, and to her surprise, the duchess motioned her forward. It was at moments like this that she truly regretted the underhandedness of her behavior.The duchess graciously offered the seat beside her on the sofa. “And how are you enjoying yourself thus far, Miss Shaw?” she asked, her faint accent making her intriguing and different.Was that one of the things her husband had seen in her—that she was so different from the English-women he’d known?“Everything you have done for me has been so gracious—Your Grace.”They exchanged smiles.“Your home is warm and welcoming,” Abigail continued. “How could I not be enjoying myself?”“I know little about you, Miss Shaw, exc
• 16. Chapter 8
• 17. Chapter 9 A fter luncheon, Miss Shaw seemed to disappear. As Christopher skirted a game of croquet, he saw that Miss Shaw was not among the players. He put her out of his mind as he headed for a meeting with the bailiff of the estate, only to see a bonneted, petite woman setting off by herself down the hedgerow-bordered lane that led to Comberton. He would recognize those curves anywhere, regardless of how Miss Shaw disguised them beneath a plain shawl.With a houseful of people, she was going for a walk alone. Did she not understand the danger? Or was she going somewhere with a purpose, deliberately escaping a chaperone? He could only assume she was meeting someone.Even as he hesitated, he remembered his appointment with the bailiff. At the horse barn where they were to discuss the breeding program, he rescheduled the meeting. And then he set off in search of Miss Shaw, walking instead of riding, since he didn’t want to overtake her.Though it was foolish, he still couldn’t shake his in
• 18. Chapter 9
• 19. Chapter 10 A t dinner that night, Lady Elizabeth announced her intention to have a dance the following evening, but there was to be one stipulation: It was to be a costume dance in honor of the ghost. And she promised to guide them all to the attics tomorrow, where they could look through old trunks to find the perfect garments.Excited, Abigail could only think that she was being given permission to explore the attics, when all along she had been prepared to sneak up there. Who knew what secret letters and journals she could uncover?After dinner, when the men rejoined them in the drawing room, conversation was cheerful. Abigail sat conversing with Gwen in the corner, but really she was watching the duke—who was watching Lord Keane with Lady Elizabeth. Although Abigail thought the duke would be happy to see his sister surrounded by admiring men, there was something different about him this night, as if a pleasant expression was particularly difficult to wear.He hadn’t joined them for di
• 20. Chapter 10
• 21. Chapter 11 “W here have you been?” Abigail whispered to Gwen, who had finally joined the group of women at the bottom of the stairs to the attics. The men had all decided that their regular evening clothes would suffice as costumes, and had left the house for a shooting competition.Lady May and Lady Theodosia were looking bored, as if every moment not involving the duke was unimportant. But they made sure to crowd ahead of Abigail at the stairs to get the best costumes. Abigail wasn’t interested in luring a duke; she already had enough of his attention.Just a couple days ago that would have thrilled her; she would have thought all her problems solved. But now she knew that she was on the edge of revealing too much to him, and he hadn’t yet revealed enough to her. His suspicions worried her.Gwen was still breathing unevenly. “Heavens, it is such a climb to get from the drawing room all the way up here. I do believe I am perspiring!”Abigail rolled her eyes. “And it will only make you loo
• 22. Chapter 11
• 23. Chapter 12 A bigail knew at once that he was no longer referring to the difference in their classes, and the sensation that swept through her almost made her gasp. What was he saying? And why was he implying things no gentleman should?Yet just those few words sent an answering heat through her and a curiosity no lady should feel.But she wasn’t a lady.And she could admit that he made her feel…desired, beautiful. And that was too tempting by half. Why was he treating her so intimately? And what was she supposed to say?Suddenly, they both heard footsteps on the stairs below. They stared at one another in shock, and she saw his eyes narrow. Being discovered alone together would ruin everything they had—every bit of trust that was already so damaged between them.The duke leaned over and blew out the lamp, then sank down onto the floor at her side, so close that his shoulder brushed hers. The back of the old sofa rose high enough to block them from sight. They could see the bobbing light of
• 24. Chapter 12
• 25. Chapter 13 “A nd you found nothing?” Gwen asked Abigail in disappointment, as they took turns looking at themselves in a mirror in Abigail’s bedroom.“Nothing.” The logical place to search would have to be his bedroom. And she couldn’t think about that right now.The Madingley maid had done wonders with their gowns and proved herself even more valuable in dressing their hair, for their tresses were piled high in the Georgian style, laced with bows and flowers; Gwen even had a bird’s nest perched on her head, and she confessed that she might have to steal the talented girl away with her when she returned to London.“There was nothing but old clothing?” Gwen continued.“Oh, I found plenty of ancient account books and notebooks dealing with the servants, but nothing of a personal nature. Although I hardly had time to look before—”“Before what?” Gwen said.Abigail shook her head, hardly imagining being able to tell her dearest friend how much she’d embarrassed herself and betrayed every standar
• 26. Chapter 13
• 27. Chapter 14 C hristopher hadn’t realized how long he was gone from the dance until he glanced at a mantel clock—only a quarter of an hour. But the Delanes were doing their best to convince Christopher to support Sutterly, and they’d had valid arguments.When Christopher’s reappearance was noticed, he decided to do his duty and dance several dances with the older ladies. Lady Gwen’s aunt, Miss Bury, was particularly amusing, and she kept referring fondly to Mr. Fitzwilliam, who was dozing in a chair, as if the elderly gentleman were watching them.And then Christopher surprised Lady Gwen by sweeping her into a waltz. She was energetic and athletic, and he enjoyed how well she kept up with him. It was a shame she didn’t want to marry a duke, he thought. But then maybe that was a good thing, because he was realistic enough to admit to himself that he shouldn’t marry a woman whose best friend was Abigail Shaw.“So you have driven Miss Shaw away, Your Grace,” Lady Gwen said.Christopher frowned
• 28. Chapter 14
• 29. Chapter 15 T he next morning, after looking through the outgoing post and finding nothing for Abigail, Christopher chose not to stop Elizabeth’s archery lesson. At the last minute, he backed out of a hunting trip with the men, so that Abigail wouldn’t know he was still nearby. He watched surreptitiously from the house as the women followed the gardeners, who were setting up targets on the lawn—far from the house. Even the gardeners knew that Elizabeth couldn’t be trusted with a sharp object.Christopher had decided that turnabout was fair play. If Abigail could search his room, he could search hers. But just when he reached her door, Miss Bury opened hers.“Your Grace!” she cried enthusiastically.Christopher stiffened, glad he had not already put his hand on the doorknob.“Miss Shaw is not here,” Miss Bury said, lowering her voice and looking about. “Although I must admit, it is rather daring of you to look for her in the ladies’ wing. But it is your house!” She grinned.Christopher gave h
• 30. Chapter 15
• 31. Chapter 16 A t luncheon, Abigail had to listen to Elizabeth praise her archery skills to everyone in attendance, and before she knew it, the men had decided to plan a tournament for the following morning. They were deep into their discussion of the rules when Elizabeth suggested to the ladies an outing to visit the village shops. Abigail would have rather avoided the afternoon—she really did have an aching head after the stress of dealing with Christopher—but Gwen squeezed her arm with such excitement.“Perhaps I can see Mr. Wesley!” Gwen whispered into her ear. “He mentioned he was visiting an ill parishioner today. I would so love to see him minister.”Abigail hid a smile.She felt Christopher’s gaze briefly linger on her, but she did not meet it. She was certain a riotous blush would betray her thoughts of him and what had just—almost—happened between them.And how close she’d come to being discovered. The fact that he hadn’t insisted on reading her notebook was a true miracle. How much
• 32. Chapter 16
• 33. Chapter 17 A bigail almost screamed as a hand gripped her hard. But as she was drawn through the shrubbery, feeling a long scratch across her arm and leaves brushing her cheeks, she saw the dark, angry face of the duke.And she knew that he’d heard everything.She hadn’t imagined the pain would hurt so, but she found her eyes stinging as she looked up at him. He grabbed her hard by both arms now, staring down so contemptuously at her. She couldn’t allow herself to fall apart, to regret what she’d done. Even knowing her lies would someday be revealed, she’d made her choice to investigate him.She’d just foolishly assumed she wouldn’t see his face when he found out. She’d been wrong about everything.“You’re a journalist,” he said coldly, leaning down into her face.She didn’t cringe although she wanted to.“Do not bother to deny it,” he commanded before she could answer. “I heard everything. Lawrence Shaw’s daughter, are you?”Her mouth was so dry with fear that she had to lick her lips even t
• 34. Chapter 17
• 35. Chapter 18 F or Christopher, the hour seemed to pass with excruciating slowness. He remained with the men in the billiards room, not concentrating when he played, losing badly. Walton was not here, and he imagined the man watching Abigail, wondering what she was up to.Just as Christopher was.At last, the wondering got to be too much for him, and he excused himself and went to hide in his study. Would she be able to succeed in bringing the suspicious journalist there?Of course she would—it was the duke’s study, after all. Christopher made certain that his desk contained only minor papers pertaining to the estate. He didn’t want to look like it had been cleared deliberately. And then he closeted himself within the bathroom, steadying the washstand as he bumped it. There was no window, and he could not risk lighting a candle.He left the door very slightly ajar and tried to ease the tension within him. This was almost over. He would survive this close call and be more cautious with strange
• 36. Chapter 18
• 37. Chapter 19 A bigail was not asleep when she heard her door open late that night. She did not even think of being afraid. The moon streamed in her open windows, and Christopher walked into the pale light. He looked boldly down on her, and she wondered how she looked to him, her nightgown covered by only a sheet in the summer warmth, her hair pulled back in a simple braid.He was dressed in only trousers and shirtsleeves, with his collar open to reveal the lines of his throat. His dark hair was mussed as if he’d run his hands through it. Even his bare feet made her shudder.He stared down at her with eyes that had lost their cool, composed expression. “I’ve come to fulfill the bargain we made,” he said in a low voice.She sat up slowly, wanting to catch the sheet as it fell into her lap but at the last second deciding against it. Her nightgown was plain and covered her almost to her throat, but the knowledge that it was all that stood between them made it seem like nothing.“Which bargain?”
• 38. Chapter 19
• 39. Chapter 20 A bigail tried not to gape as she watched Christopher, in his shirtsleeves, fence against Lord Paul on the terrace. They wore no fencing masks or chest protection, but their sword points were covered with safety tips. The Lords Greenwich and Swarthbeck acted as judges to interpret what constituted a hit. Both competitors, speckled with perspiration, ignored the cheers by the various spectators seated on benches and chairs out of harm’s way. They were intent on winning, using their muscles to thrust forward and jerk back to dodge a well-placed counter.Abigail felt so overheated at the masculine display that she could have fanned herself. She felt as if everyone could see the way her eyes were glued to Christopher. She had to keep reminding herself that she’d volunteered to help him keep the ladies at bay, that she was allowed to gaze worshipfully at him. But enough was enough. To master her control, she turned to Gwen, expecting her friend to say something witty to distract h
• 40. Chapter 20
• 41. Chapter 21 C hristopher watched the blood drain from Abigail’s face. She winced without trying to hide it. The yellowed papers were like a chasm between them.“Abigail, answer me. What do you mean, a writer just like me?”He saw moisture gather in her eyes.“I…came to see you this afternoon, meaning to wait when you weren’t here. I could not stop thinking about last night, and I wanted you to show me…but that doesn’t matter.”Her voice trembled, and he almost couldn’t hear her.“You’d left your manuscript on your desk. I…saw your penmanship…and then I couldn’t help myself.”A tear slipped from the corner of her eye, but he was unmoved.“You read my private papers,” he said coldly. He couldn’t stand just sitting on the floor next to her, so he rose to his feet, pulling her up with him. “Are you so determined to make sure I never trust you? How are you going to use this in your article?”She briefly closed her eyes as she moaned. “I told you that I will not write an article about you! You can ke
• 42. Chapter 21
• 43. Chapter 22 W hen Abigail awoke in the morning, she was pleasantly achy with sated passion. She bathed and dressed in a fog, remembering Christopher’s kindness, his gentleness, the way he focused on making her happy.And he’d called her “my love.”At the time, she hadn’t thought about the endearment, but later it had kept her from falling asleep easily, and now she could not stop thinking of it.What had he meant? Surely it was only a slip of the tongue, an accident that had no meaning for him. He would never allow himself to love her, not he, the “perfect duke.”Would they both only hurt each other in the end?Before she reached the breakfast room, she found Elizabeth in the entrance hall, gaping at the morning’s newspaper with tears running down her face.Abigail rushed to her. “Elizabeth? What is wrong?”Absently, she wiped one tear-stained cheek with the back of her hand. “It is a terrible article about my brother.”Abigail felt cold inside, remembering Mr. Walton and his threats. She came
• 44. Chapter 22
• 45. Chapter 23 A bigail didn’t know how she kept her tears inside until she reached her room, but somehow she did. And then she cried as she hadn’t since she was a little girl. She’d known her affair with the duke could never last, but hadn’t imagined how tragic and sad the ending would be.At last she dried her tears, washed her face, and concentrated on her resolve. She could never have him, never let him know she’d fallen in love with him, but she could write this article and counter the blows to his reputation.His mistrust hurt, she could not deny it. But as she became more rational, she understood and even accepted it. He was a private man whom she was once going to betray. Because of her promises, he’d thought she wouldn’t, had thought their intimacy was more important than a story, and now she was proving him wrong.When he read it, he would understand. It was the last gift she could give him.There was a soft knock on her door, and for only a moment, she thought it might be he. But sh
• 46. Chapter 23
• 47. Chapter 24 O ver the next week, Abigail conducted many interviews, the first—and the most important—of which was with Michael Preston. Though she’d been prepared to take the train as far north as she had to, Mr. Preston had already arrived in London, fearing his sister’s plans. The duchess’s letter of introduction made him treat Abigail as a valued friend, and she was so taken aback and flattered that she wished she knew what the duchess had written about her. Mr. Preston humbly admitted that he’d been a bully, and that Christopher was justified in fighting him. After his initial shock and acceptance of his condition, he had not blamed Christopher for what he considered an accident, and it had taken a long time for Christopher to forgive himself, so that they could become friends.But what was most revealing—and what had made Madeleine truly desperate to take her last chance to marry the duke—was that after many years of effort, Mr. Preston’s condition was improving. He could wiggle his
• 48. Chapter 24
• 49. Epilogue