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last update publish date: 2026-03-08 09:09:51

That love wasn’t something he could give. That it was easier to be angry with his father and the brother he’d never really known. Easier to blame them than to think it was something in himself. Something that meant they could never love him. He would never know the answer to that now, though. They were gone. You have to let them go.

The pain fractured inside him, and for some reason all he could see was Anna in the bathroom the night of the gala. Anna standing tall and fierce. The light that fi
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  • A LADY FOR A DUKE    110

    He still held her arm, and although his touch had been a bit rough when he grabbed her, it was gentler now, and Susan could feel his thumb moving so softly against her skin. It was weird how his touch could go from fierce to tender in seconds, just as it had when they kissed. Firm, yet not unkind. With the kind of man he was, she'd have expected him to be… Well, rough.“Why did you regret your response?” he asked again, his dark eyes trained on Susan’s face. “Why regret something you clearly enjoyed?”She felt the heat radiating from him, an intensity that sent a rush of conflicting emotions through her—fear, frustration, and something far more dangerous she couldn’t name.“I regret that night because,” she began, her voice low but steady, trying to meet his gaze without faltering.A flicker of something unreadable passed over Leo’s face when she paused again. “Why?” he pressed, his tone deceptively casual. “It was just a kiss. Why does it bother you so much?”Susan’s breath caught. T

  • A LADY FOR A DUKE    109

    The bottle slipped from her fingers, landing with a soft thud on the counter. Her heart lurched into her throat as she spun around, eyes wide.Leo.He stood in the doorway of her kitchen, casually leaning against the frame, a small, knowing smile tugging at his lips. His dark eyes were locked on her, that same predatory look she’d seen before, as if he enjoyed watching her squirm.“Jesus Christ, Leo!” she gasped, clutching the counter to steady herself. Her pulse was racing, the sudden rush of adrenaline making her lightheaded. “You really have to stop doing that. What the hell are you doing here? How did you even get in?”He didn’t answer right away. Instead, his eyes swept over the room, taking in every detail, as if he owned the place. He stepped forward, his gaze returning to her, amusement dancing in his eyes. “So many questions. I have my ways,” he said smoothly, walking further into the kitchen. “You look like you’ve been busy.”She stared at him, her heart still pounding in h

  • A LADY FOR A DUKE    108

    “I want to see you naked, Suzy,” he told her gruffly as one of his hands moved to the zip on her jumpsuit, “Naked and wanton!” She felt hot, feverish—she was making out with Leo! Had she forgotten who he was? “No!” She pulled out of his arms, her expression one of panic as he reached for her again. “Let me go,” she instructed coldly.Puzzlement darkened his eyes at her vehemence, but he sat back in his own seat, his hands held up defensively. “Think all you want of me, but I've never tried to force a woman,” he assured her raggedly.She knew he had never needed to, that his brand of lovemaking could become addictive. “I know that,” she conceded shakily, shaking back the swathe of her hair. “I—it was a mistake, that's all.”Leo shook his head, his eyes steely. “I don't make mistakes, Suzy. I want you. And a minute ago you wanted me too—”“No,” she denied heartedly. “I told you, it was a mistake. I have to go in now.” She swallowed hard, wishing she had found the strength to go in ear

  • A LADY FOR A DUKE    107

    “What does it all mean?” She frowned when he at last straightened, wiping his hands on a cloth from his pocket.The young man shrugged. “It means I'm going to have to tow your car back to the garage and work on it there.”That's what she had thought it meant! “Thank you,” she sighed. “I suppose I'd better go and call a taxi—”“No need for that,” cut in a voice that really was beginning to grate on her nerves.Susan turned to Leo with icy eyes. “What?” she bit out resignedly.He strolled over to join them, enjoying a few minutes' consultation with the mechanic about her car before acknowledging her presence once again. “I'll drive you home,” he stated arrogantly. “I have my car over there.” He nodded in the direction of his car.“Like hell—”“Whew, some of these women aren't at all as cool and ladylike as they all like to make out,” he confided in the mechanic. “They aren't forgiving either.”“What—”“I offer to drive her home as an olive-branch after our argument and she throws it ba

  • A LADY FOR A DUKE    106

    She could feel him watching her as she walked to the doorway, a tingle of awareness down her spine, telling herself she mustn't look back, that she shouldn't give him that satisfaction. It was a compulsion, instinct, and she paused in the doorway to turn and look at Leo one more time.Leo was ordering himself another drink, his attention turning to Susan as he saw her standing in the doorway watching him. He gave her a mocking acknowledgement with his head, laughter in his eyes as Susan gave him a fierce glare before turning away.She was still fuming when she swung into her car, her bag landing with a thud on the seat beside her. Who did he think he was, trying to pick her up in that way! Especially after everything he'd done. No man had ever tried to pick her up in a bar before. Or so nearly succeeded! If she was being honest with herself, she'd admit that there was something about Leo that was extremely appealing, his rakish charm a challenge, his almost casual confidence in his o

  • A LADY FOR A DUKE    105

    As the bartender nodded and began mixing her drink, Susan’s mind raced. She was playing a dangerous game with Leo, and she knew it. But every time she thought she was ready to walk away, something pulled her back. Maybe it was the fear of what would happen to Samuel. Maybe it was something else. Something about him.The bartender placed her drink in front of her, and Susan took a long sip, the alcohol burning its way down her throat. The buzz settled into her veins, calming her nerves for a brief moment. But the tension was still there, lingering just beneath the surface. And deep down, she knew it wasn’t over. Not by a long shot. __________Leo hadn’t expected Susan to take him up on his offer, not with how furious she’d been when she stormed out of the lounge. But as he watched her from the shadows, standing there at the top of the stairs, he noticed something flicker in her. Her steps faltered, and instead of heading straight for the door like she had intended, she veered toward t

  • A LADY FOR A DUKE    24

    He did have her try on numerous wedding dresses before finally approving some white silk and tulle concoction, accented with gilt thread, that Anna told herself she didn’t care about. Yet at the same time, as she looked at herself in the mirror, she was conscious of a strange ache somewhere deep in

    last updateLast Updated : 2026-03-21
  • A LADY FOR A DUKE    26

    “The staff will introduce themselves to you properly tomorrow morning,” Cedric told her as he led her upstairs, then added as she turned and met his gaze, “You look tired,”“I am,” Anna replied softly, unable to say anything else. “It's been a long, weird day,” Cedric nodded in agreement, “I agree

    last updateLast Updated : 2026-03-22
  • A LADY FOR A DUKE    25

    A lump rose in her throat. She’d loved her father, but he hadn’t loved her. He’d never said it to her, hadn’t ever demonstrated it to her. She’d been the baby he hadn’t wanted, the child that had ruined his career. A lasting reminder of what his beloved wife had wanted and didn’t survive long enoug

    last updateLast Updated : 2026-03-21
  • A LADY FOR A DUKE    33

    Oh, she’d wanted him so badly. His heat and his hands on her. Wanted the electricity that danced between them. Wanted his danger, his wicked edge. Wanted his hunger for her to consume him as much as she was consumed by her own. And it had. She’d loved him ripping her nightie from her and her lacy

    last updateLast Updated : 2026-03-24
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