Devil Take the Duke (Lords of the Night Book 1)

by Sandra Sookoo

  “That’s a beautiful way of looking at life, Alice.” Elizabeth laid a hand on her shoulder. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

  Her smile widened. “Why is this room never used? Do you not play an instrument?”

  Elizabeth snorted with laughter. “I am not skilled nor do I have the patience. Please, make use of the room and all that’s in here. I’ll have someone in to tune the pieces.”

  “How splendid! I look forward to countless hours finding my music again.” As tears swam in her eyes, she impulsively grabbed the other woman in a hug. “That means so much to me.” She peered into Elizabeth’s face, caught the surprise in her brown eyes so much like Donovan’s. Then she pulled away. “You and your brother have been so kind. I keep wondering when the dream will end.” A shiver ripped up her spine and she gave into it. “Or when I’ll have to return to Shalford and my tiny room where I was an obligation to everyone.”

  And mayhap it would end, and soon, for Donovan didn’t want her for anything beyond breaking his curse, but being here in London, in this townhouse with the duke and his sister was so different than the life she’d known previously, she didn’t know quite how to act. And having the title of duchess behind her, which could effect change to anyone she so wished both staggered and humbled her.

  “It’s best to remember this isn’t a dream.” Elizabeth patted her arm. “You are truly here and this is where you belong now—with people who love and appreciate you.”

  “Except for your brother,” she added in a harsh whisper.

  “Alice, please know you have brought a change to my world simply by marrying Donovan.” Elizabeth grasped her hand and squeezed her fingers. “Do not give up on him, even if things seem hopeless. Sometimes men take longer to convince their hearts of what’s there in front of them.”

  A tear fell to her cheek and she dashed it away. “I shall try my best, for I do care for him, despite my misgivings.” Her voice wavered. “If only he knew how valuable he is even with the curse.”

  “Oh, you dear girl.” Elizabeth laughed, and the lightness of the sound wrapped about Alice, further bolstering the hope that bloomed in her chest. “He’s never seen it, though. Perhaps you can help show him the way. Lord knows I’ve tried for years, but all he can see is the curse, how he is unsavory because of it.”

  Companionable silence fell around them, and once more Alice drifted to the harp. She rapidly played a scale and then plucked out a few lines of a favorite song.

  Eventually, Elizabeth sighed and roused herself. “Come. You have fittings this afternoon and menus to approve and invitations to look through. Your new status of duchess might attract curiosity seekers, but I’m hopeful that some of the invites are genuine and that you’ll forge an unforgettable path through society that Donovan hasn’t been able to make.”

  A near hysterical laugh escaped Alice, and she sighed. “My biggest fear is failing at being his duchess. It is quite an overwhelming responsibility, even for a woman at full sight.” She worried her bottom lip with her teeth as she stepped away from the harp. “Perhaps I made a mistake in marrying him.”

  “No.” Elizabeth squeezed her hand. She assisted her down the steps and then led her from the room. “You are here, and that in itself is an enormous step for my brother. Forget the reasons why he did it; it is done and he cannot erase that. Spend time with him. Show him you won’t reject him or let him down. Mayhap fate will give him a nudge.”

  How much did she already appreciate having a sister? Alice nodded. She blinked away the remaining tears. “Let us hope for the best, and you’re right. I’m here now. I won’t waste the opportunity, for many things.” With excitement trickling through her voice, she told Elizabeth about her dream of opening a school for children with impaired vision and to help them integrate into society with confidence.

  “How wonderful that sounds!” Her genuine enthusiasm echoed in the corridor. “I, myself, work with the poor by bringing them bread a few times a week. Just now that takes me into the Dials, much to Donovan’s chagrin.”

  “Does he accompany you?”

  “He does not.” She lowered her voice. “At least he doesn’t in human form, though I suspect he might follow me as the wolf. For protection.” She giggled. “It makes me feel safe, but he never interferes and thus allows me to have my work as mine alone.”

  A twinge moved through Alice’s heart. “I’m glad for you.” He must have some honor about him if he played at being his sister’s watchdog.

  Elizabeth leaned closer. “For what it’s worth, Donovan has ordered his apartment renovated.”

  “Truly?” He’d taken what she’d said to heart?

  “Oh, yes.” Elizabeth chuckled as if she found everything concerning her sibling a great joke. “As of this morning, in fact. It has thrown poor Griggs into a tizzy, but my brother is quite adamant. Says he cannot live with the old décor.” She snorted and another peal of laughter escaped her. “He has even ordered every piece of furniture replaced. Can you image the upheaval he’s causing?”

  “I can, indeed.” Alice smiled, and a host of tingles erupted inside her. “How… encouraging though.” That the powerful Duke of Manchester had abruptly ordered a change of his whole suite of rooms after she’d vowed not to lie with him there amused her. Perhaps there was hope for their union after all.

  “Yes. You know the whims of dukes,” Elizabeth replied with a grin in her voice. “Or perhaps the quiet direction of their wives.” Another laugh tinkled from her. “Oh, you and I are going to have such fun bossing him. He’ll be quite the changed man once we’re through.”

  Alice kept her own counsel, but the smile wouldn’t leave her lips.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  September 28, 1815

  Donovan sat at the head of the table while dinner stretched on. He wasn’t particularly hungry, at least not for the fare on his plate.

  He’d been married to Alice for just over two days, and for the most part, he hadn’t seen her since she’d left his bedchamber after they’d talked on their wedding night. Yesterday, as his sister familiarized his wife with the townhouse and the staff, he’d spent his time with his solicitor, drawing up legal documents that would see Alice cared for if something untoward happened prematurely to him. He may be a scoundrel and a rake, but he took his duty to the title seriously. His man-of-affairs had also been summoned, for there were properties to catalogue and put into her name.

  If nothing else, she’d married him, and he had a responsibility toward her.

  The lilting notes of her laughter recalled him to the moment, and he rested his gaze on his wife. She talked animatedly with Elizabeth on a variety of topics. As the dulcet tones of her voice washed over him, his wolf paced restlessly inside.

  Want to run. Need exercise.

  Not tonight. He picked at the roasted pheasant on his plate but kept his focus on Alice.

  Want her.

  So did he.

  She is ours and we should be with her.

  He ignored his wolf.

  Last night she’d retired to her suite of rooms while he’d had no choice except to either bunk down in his study or sleep in the room next to Elizabeth’s. His wife hadn’t requested his company and he’d not pushed the issue for fear she’d reject him. It was one of the reasons he’d stayed away from her yesterday as well as today; he didn’t wish for her to leave, especially not before the full moon. But he’d trailed after her a few times throughout both days, watching her as she embraced her new role with enthusiasm.

  The warmth of hope stirred in his chest. It was all to the good she hadn’t slipped out of the house in the night. Neither had she spoken to him about the curse. The hope faded as anxiety clutched at him. Were they already estranged so early in their union? Even his parents had lasted longer than that, or so he’d assumed.

  “You are quiet tonight, brother,” Elizabeth said, and once more he was yanked out of his thoughts.

  Desultory rain tapped against the windows at his back and fu
rther added to his maudlin mood. “I apologize for not attending the conversation. My mind is on other matters.”

  “So I can see.” She bounced her gaze between him and Alice then back again. A grin tugged at her lips. “Perhaps, since it’s raining, you should take your nightly constitutional by walking the house.” His sister gestured with her head toward Alice. “It might be nice, and I don’t wish for you to catch your death in the wet.”

  Again, he flicked his gaze to Alice, who looked fetching in a green satin gown. The pale blue wrap she wore to ward off the autumn chill reflected in her eyes. “Perhaps you’re right. Thank you for the concern.” When his wife turned her head and glanced at him, a faint smile curving her kissable lips, her upswept hair curled and cascading from new glittering combs, every muscle in his body tightened.

  “I know you’re both talking about me,” his wife said in a soft voice. “I’m not deaf.”

  Donovan exchanged a laugh with Elizabeth. “We meant no disrespect.” He shoved his half-eaten dinner plate away. “Alice, will you do me the honor of walking the house once we’re done here?” Regardless of what the future held between them, it would behoove him to continue courting her with charm and romance to ensure the feelings she held for him didn’t fade.

  “That sounds lovely.” When a footman came forward and whisked away her empty plate, she smiled up at him. “Would you please tell Cook that I will pop down later tonight for her dessert. I’m not in the mood for it at present.” Then she slid a glance to Donovan, and the twinkle in her gorgeous eyes had tiny fires erupting in his blood. “My time has been otherwise engaged.”

  “I will, Your Grace, but you don’t need to come down. Just ring and someone will bring it up with tea,” the footman responded with a besotted expression.

  Donovan tamped the urge to roll his eyes. How had she enchanted the bulk of his staff in forty-eight hours? It had taken them years to warm to him. He grunted. Of course, he wasn’t the most congenial of men due to the curse.

  “I know that; I enjoy chatting with Cook and the maids.”

  The young footman gawked. He frowned. “But you are a duchess, my lady, and they—we—are servants…”

  Alice’s eyebrows rose. “People are people, Thomas. Should I not treat everyone around me with kindness despite my elevated station?” She shook her head. “I rather think that’s unfair, for I know what it’s like to be ignored or taken for granted.”

  When the footman opened his mouth to argue, Donovan cleared his throat. “That will be all, Thomas. Thank you.” Once more he contemplated his wife. His respect for her rose. Yes, she’d been a perfect choice for his duchess, and she managed to convey a regal elegance while maintaining a humbleness of spirit. How? How did she find balance in everything?

  Inside his mind, his wolf whined at the delay. Go to her, kiss her, claim her. Spend more time with her.

  Do shut up, beast. Subtlety is needed lest she tip the delicate truce we have. But Donovan pushed back his chair and stood. “Apologies, Elizabeth, but I intend to steal Alice away for a while.” Slowly, he made his way around the table to his wife’s location, almost stalking her, tracking her. Did she realize she was already caught?

  She is not an imbecile, his wolf was quick to remind him.

  Elizabeth squeezed Alice’s hand that rested on the tabletop. “I shall see you tomorrow when we interview women for your lady’s maid. Call for me in the night if you need me.”

  “Thank you.” Then she turned her full attention to him as his sister departed the room. “Impatient, are you?”

  “Perhaps.” He assisted her into a standing position. “I simply wish to spend time in your company, for I haven’t seen you since our wedding night.”

  “Are you blaming me?” One of her eyebrows rose in challenge.

  He grinned. “I believe we are both at fault.” As soon as he drew her hand through his crooked elbow, he led her from the dining room. “However, I promised to make this week unforgettable, and now that my business has concluded, I will do just that.”

  The soft intake of her breath was barely noticeable. “Before you are free of your responsibility. You’ll either send me to another property or you and I will reside here, growing more cold toward each other until resentment is the only thing we share.”

  Silence was his answer. After all, what was there to say, when exactly that would happen?

  You are a coward, said his wolf.

  Silently, Donovan agreed. The aroma of apricot and vanilla fanned the flames of his hunger. “You smell nice. I like it much better than roses, which is my sister’s scent.”

  She turned her head and focused on his face. “The perfume was delivered to me yesterday, from a shop in St. James Square.” Then a tiny smile curved her lips and he couldn’t tear his gaze away. “How did you know?”

  Perhaps he wasn’t as big a coward as he thought, for he grinned. “When I was out yesterday, I dropped by a perfumery and described to the chemist the scent I was after.” He shrugged. “The man immediately knew, so I bought a bottle. I thought you might have missed it from home.”

  Her hand trembled in his hold. “I appreciate your kindness. The one bottle I owned, I’d used the last drop the morning of our engagement. I’d had it for years, barely using it to make the scent last.”

  “It’s special to you?”

  “Yes. It was a perfume my mother favored. She’d given me a bottle for my birthday before she died.” Her voice wavered. “I kept it for years, only wearing it on days I wanted to feel particularly feminine, to remind myself I was more valuable than people assumed.”

  “Never let the opinions of others tear away at your own self-worth.” Donovan escorted her into the music room. Elizabeth had informed him of Alice’s pleasure regarding the harp, and she’d had a man in that morning to tune the instruments. “Do you know where we are?” he asked quietly as he left her side long enough to close the door. A quick turn of the lock guaranteed their privacy. “Would you like for me to light a candle?” As it was, the room resided in shadows. The moon’s glow didn’t penetrate the cloud cover.

  Remarkably, Alice laughed. “I am blind. Illumination has little effect, but if you are uncomfortable in the dark…”

  “I am not, for darkness is very much a part of my soul.” The words held a bitter edge he wasn’t proud of.

  “Poor Donovan. Can you not let yourself see the light that is always there?” She moved about until the toe of her slipper hit the first step of the raised stage. “You brought me to the music room. Why?”

  “I would enjoy it very much if you would play the harp for me.” It intrigued him that Alice had such a talent. It would seem she was indeed every inch the duchess, even if she hadn’t been bred for such a station.

  “You are interested in this, when you’ve previously shunned music?”

  “I never shunned it, I merely didn’t wish to cool my heels in such an activity.” He chuckled. Clever girl who thought it was he who had ordered the room closed. “Since Elizabeth doesn’t play and none of the other females in my circle did either…”

  “Are you quite certain that’s the only reason?” she asked and her quiet inquiry reached through his chest to tug at his secrets. Perhaps wisely she ignored his reference to previous females in his life.

  The heat of embarrassment crept up the back of his neck. “For a woman who has abbreviated sight, you certainly see much.” He clasped his hands behind his back. “My mother used to play the pianoforte when Elizabeth and I were small. I have enough sadness and angst in my life that I don’t wish to come here and gather even more.” Never had he admitted such a thing, not even to Elizabeth.

  Alice moved onto the stage. Navy velvet curtains shot with gold thread draped the walls in an effort to provide better acoustics. She slipped onto the brocade stool that sat beside the white-painted harp with gilded swirls and feathers. “Then remember your mother in the happy times. They are the only recollections worth bringing forth.”

  “
I’ll endeavor to keep that in mind.” Donovan sat in a chair with a blue brocade seat and back. Its dainty frame was painted gold—another relic from his mother’s time as duchess, before she died of a broken, lonely heart.

  A product of the curse when his father toiled under it.

  “Please, play for me.” Emotions strained his voice, whether from old memories or the fear Alice would follow the same path, he didn’t know. In his mind, his wolf restlessly paced, hated the inactivity, deprived of his nightly run, while Donovan drummed the fingers of one hand upon his leg.

  “I might need a few attempts to remember the notes, but I’ll do my best. I tinkered about yesterday while your sister was with me.” She uttered a self-depreciating laugh. “I haven’t played for years, but this is an unexpected treat.”

  “Take all the time you require.” He rested an ankle on a knee and attempted to quiet the beast within, but the wolf grew ever more anxious. Nerves crawled within Donovan.

  Why are we waiting? She is ours by law now, his wolf complained with the snap of his jaws. Claim her, lay with her, impregnate her.

  Not until after the full moon. He didn’t wish to risk anything, for Alice was too valuable to his plans to spook her.

  No! Now. We need her.

  Donovan ignored the wolf in favor of attending to the actions of his wife. She’d begun to play more than practice scales. Now, it was as if her fingers were the instruments of magic, for the music she wove was transcendent, almost magical, ethereal.

  Internally, his wolf immediately quieted, and all the while, Donovan stared. The sound of her playing built into billowing crescendos only to fall in low swoops as if the notes rushed down a hill. Never did she falter, so sure and swift were her fingers on the strings. The notes wrapped around him, knitting a soothing cocoon of invisible comfort until he could only gawk at the woman he’d wedded.