Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 95222 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 476(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95222 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 476(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
‘You do not support my career?’ Eliza asks, indignant. ‘Am I to remind you that––’
‘Never a need to remind me of anything, my sweet duchess.’ The Duke pulls her into his side and pushes his mouth into her hair. ‘I simply hoped that after weeks of you writing as if you may never write again, I might get you all to myself for a while.’
‘Well,’ Eliza says, practically sighing. ‘I’m sure you can wait a little while longer.’
A little while longer? And how long is that? ‘How far can you possibly stretch this story?’ I ask. ‘Christ, Eliza, write a bloody novel if you want to drag this out.’
She laughs a little. ‘Need I remind you that it was, in fact, your idea to break my story down into segments? For the benefit of sales, I might add.’ She raises her glass. ‘A very prudent business move, I must say, brother.’
I scowl but quickly correct it, for clashing with my sister will not help, and, actually, I love her too much to argue with her. So I shall appeal to her softer side, as I know she has one, even if she conceals it, and since it appears I may have the support of the Duke, I am open to try. ‘Come now, Eliza,’ I implore with a soft voice. ‘You must start married life and enjoy it.’
‘I’m sure your encouragement is purely selfless.’
‘He is right, Eliza,’ Johnny says, raising my hopes. If anyone can get through to my sister, it is her new husband. He has his methods. I refuse to acknowledge what, indeed, those methods are, as one does not wish to think of their sister in such a way. ‘I fear you are becoming a little obsessed with the story.’ He pouts a little, thinking as he takes a sip of his wine. Obsessed. I certainly know how that feels, so I can sympathise. But I do not have a marriage to concentrate on. ‘Not unlike how obsessed you became with me, I suppose,’ he adds, thoughtful.
She swats his arm, prompting a chuckle from both him and me. ‘Be warned, Winters,’ Eliza says in a steely tone that even I am wary of. We both pipe down.
‘Consider me warned.’ The Duke shrugs, giving me sorry eyes, and I inwardly deflate. I should know by now, after nearly twenty years with my sister, she is a determined little thing. I’m not going to win this, therefore I shall have to revise my battle plan. ‘Now, I need to feed my wife,’ Johnny says, ‘so if you will excuse us.’ He places a hand on Eliza’s back and pushes her onward, and I grimace when I see her look up at him all dreamily.
Love.
‘God, I’m surrounded,’ I mumble, switching my empty glass for a suitably full one.
‘Surrounded by what?’ Taya asks, joining me. I look out the corner of my eye to her wild blonde hair splayed unconventionally all over her shoulders as she, too, enjoys some champagne. ‘I thought we agreed to avoid each other?’ My eyes fall to her lips as they press to the glass. A slither of her pink tongue appears. Her neck lengthens as she sips, extending the smooth, flawless skin.
‘You don’t like me, do you, Frank?’
That is a very loaded question. ‘No,’ I laugh lightly, and it is without humour. ‘I do not.’
‘You’re such a gentleman.’ She looks up at me. ‘Tell me, what is this breaking story you’re preparing?’
‘Excuse me?’
‘I overheard you speaking with Her Grace just last week.’
‘Her Grace?’ I ask, in a complete muddle.
‘Your sister, Mr Melrose. She is a duchess now.’
Of course. How could I forget? ‘You were eavesdropping?’
Her indignance is quite charming. ‘No, I was passing the library and overheard.’ Her eyes drop to my breast pocket, her teeth sinking into her lip. ‘I don’t suppose it has anything to do with the piece of paper you dropped in the carriage, does it?’
Good Lord, did she have a peek? I back away. ‘It’s been a pleasure as always, my lady.’
Her smile falters, and I quickly turn away before she can correct it, taking a few deep breaths as I go. I finish another champagne, replace it with yet another, and start to mingle with the partygoers. I will, as everyone else seems to be doing, even the bride and groom who are supposed to be on their way to Paris, damn it, enjoy the party.
Chapter 4
Quite some hours later, I am far more intoxicated than I should be, along with the rest of the family, including, and it’s a surprise, for I have never seen her drunk, Eliza, but not including, and it’s no surprise because he is somewhat of a control freak and quite committed to taking care of my sister, something I cannot fault, my new brother-in-law.