How to Lose a Duke in Ten Days Read Online Free

the door, and addressed the maids who were waiting just outside his study. “Come, girls. We’re done here.”
    And with that, she and her flock were gone.
     
     

 

Chapter Three
     
    The visit to Arlington’s hadn’t gone quite as expected. Indeed, it had gone rather awry toward the end. She’d kissed him— deliberately —which had not been part of the plan. For that matter, enjoying it hadn’t been part of the plan either. 
    She shook her head. It was never happening again. She’d done it to set him off balance, which she most certainly had. She’d emerged victorious! Now that that feat had been accomplished, there was no reason whatsoever to tread that ground again—even if there was a small, wicked part of her that might want to…
    Arlington’s elegant town house was only two short blocks from her father’s and therefore there’d been no need to take a carriage. The brisk walk home was just what she needed to cool her frayed nerves.
    Arlington unsettled her. His presence was powerful, domineering, and he was far more handsome than he had any right to be. Indeed, it must be a hanging offense to be that wealthy, powerful, and shockingly handsome. 
    More shocking, perhaps, was his determination to marry her .
    Except Arlington had never actually proposed. He’d commanded, but in actuality the question, “Will you marry me?” had never crossed his lips.
    You’re mine.
    The words were said as a declaration, a claim of ownership.
    A shiver of something—disgust, surely—rolled through her at the memory of those roughly spoken words. The man certainly knew what he wanted, and it appeared she’d somehow captured his interest. But why ? That was the question.
    It didn’t matter. She’d won their little game and he would call off the ball. She needn’t encounter Arlington ever again.
    When Pippa finally arrived home, she thanked the maids and dismissed them to their duties. Inside the parlor, she was surprised to see Charles Hurst lounging on the settee like a drunken sailor. He wasn’t drunk, and in fact he never drank to excess, but one would never know it by his waggish character.  
    She’d always loved his droll humor. They’d been best friends since childhood, when their fathers had gone into the mining business together. Indeed, he was like a brother to her. Over the years, they’d weathered society’s cruelty together—and she rarely went out into society unless Charles was in attendance. The very idea of facing the sneers and whispers without him was terrifying.
    Charles lowered the newssheet he’d been reading and flashed her a brilliant, pearl-white smile. “There you are, my pet. Where in heaven’s name have you been?”
    She plopped down onto the chair opposite him, leaned back, and sighed heavily. She’d hoped to confront Arlington and make this all disappear without anyone ever being the wiser. “Just taking a walk.”
    He raised one elegant eyebrow. “Half of London saw you arrive on the Duke of Arlington’s doorstep this morning.”
    “How?” she asked, sitting up straighter. “I was excessively cautious.”
    He flashed her a bored expression. “You walked there, as I am told, with a dozen maids, like Joan of Arc leading her army—and at the fashionable hour, no less. You weren’t likely to go unnoticed, were you?”
    Pippa blew out a breath. She should have thought of that, of course, but this morning in her anger, all she could focus on was confronting Arlington and telling him exactly what she thought of his preposterous engagement ball.
    “What I’d like to know,” he continued, “is why you visited a man you detest?”
    Pippa sighed. He ought to know the truth.
    “Arlington offered for my hand.”
    Charles nodded. He didn’t seem surprised, which was curious, but perhaps she was wrong.  He lowered his foot to the ground and straightened, all seriousness now. “Do you want to marry him, Pip?”
    Her heart skipped a beat at his question. “Heavens,