The Forbidden Duke Read Online Free

up.” Titus climbed the stairs to the first floor and entered the drawing room, where his stepmother was speaking with a maid.
    When Lady Satterfield saw Titus, her eyes lit, and her lips spread into a broad smile. “Kendal, you came.”
    She came toward him, and Titus bussed her cheek. “I told Satterfield I was coming. Didn’t he inform you?”
    “He did, but I wasn’t going to believe it until I saw you for myself.” She looked up at him and brushed her hand across his shoulder. “You had a speck of lint.”
    “Thank you.”
    “No, thank you . I know events like my tea today are not of your particular interest.”
    He glanced around the drawing room, which the maid had just vacated. “Where is your companion?”
    His stepmother had sent word that she’d hired someone. “She’ll be down directly. You’ll like her, I think.”
    Titus had no intention of getting to know the woman well at all, but supposed he must at least be polite for his stepmother’s sake.
    Lady Satterfield’s gaze moved toward the door behind Titus. “Ah, here she is.”
    Titus turned. The companion was not at all what he expected. He’d anticipated a middle-aged woman with graying hair, perhaps wearing spectacles and a lace-edged cap. She at least ought to have been unremarkable, but this woman was the exact opposite. In fact, Titus might have expected to see her at the Cyprian ball he’d attended last night, if she’d been dressed quite differently. Instead, she wore a charming day dress that only hinted at the curves cloaked by the gentle drape of the fabric. But it was her eyes that captivated him, at once sharply inquisitive and lushly inviting. He would’ve spoken with her last night and perhaps even employed her.
    However, this was neither a Cyprian ball, nor was he in the market for a mistress any longer.
    His stepmother’s voice drew him briskly and sharply back to the present. “Kendal, allow me to present my new companion, Miss Eleanor Lockhart.”
    As stunned as he’d been by the woman’s appearance, he was aghast at her identity. He was also distinctly uncomfortable. Which he should be. She’d been utterly ruined by one of Titus’s former inner circle, the idiot Haywood.  
    Led by Titus, their select group of bucks had gallivanted all over London, doing whatever they damn well chose. Titus had set the tone—gambling, racing, and romancing women had been among his chief pursuits. He’d thought nothing of flirting with and perhaps stealing a kiss or two from a young miss. It had been a foolish practice, as were most of their activities, and in retrospect, Titus was shocked he’d never been caught. But then he hadn’t been as stupid as Haywood, whom Titus had encouraged in his endeavor to lead some poor young woman into an embrace. That poor young woman had been Miss Lockhart, and they’d been caught.  
    Haywood, coward that he was, hadn’t risen to the occasion and offered for her. He’d needed a moneyed bride, and so he’d skulked off to the country to bide his time until he could try again. Three years later, he’d snagged a wealthy wife, while Miss Lockhart had been left with nothing, and worse—no chance for anything.
    Masking his recognition and discomfiture, Titus offered a benign smile. “Good afternoon, Miss Lockhart. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.” It was no lie—they’d never been formally introduced, despite his awareness of who she was.
    Lady Satterfield pivoted to her young and distractingly attractive companion. “Nora, this is my stepson, His Grace, the Duke of Kendal.”
    Nora. A strong but feminine name. It suited her.
    Miss Lockhart dipped a curtsey. “It is an honor to meet you, Your Grace.”
    Her behavior was completely appropriate—necessary even—but he didn’t want her showing him deference. Which was silly since he expected that from everyone else. “The honor is mine.”
    She looked at him, her brown eyes the color of his favorite tawny port, and he had