The Duke Heist

by Erica Ridley

  For one thing, the jewel of tonight’s rout was not the orchestra and the dancing but rather the once-private library now open to guests. A hundred people were on the dance floor, but dozens milled about the renovated library, settling into a plush sofa to thumb through the pages of an intriguing book, or admiring the angelic vase on its pedestal of honor or the artwork upon the walls.

  Thanks to Marjorie’s tutelage, Lawrence had even hung one of his own paintings: a landscape featuring Elderberry and Mango.

  He and Chloe split their sets evenly: one to dance, one to mingle with guests, and back again. It was the best kind of exhausting. She had never smiled so much in her life. Her cheeks ached from laughter, her feet were numb from dancing, and her throat was sore from delightful conversations with so many friends, old and new.

  Chloe tilted her mouth toward her husband’s ear as they waltzed.

  “Is the Leader of the House of Commons fighting with Lady Quarrington over marzipan?”

  “Your brother has Tiglet stuffed in his waistcoat,” Lawrence whispered back. “We can unleash him if necessary.”

  Chloe grinned back at him.

  At first she had worried that it would be a struggle for him to learn to rule society rather than allow society to rule him, but her spirited duke had been more than a match for the challenge.

  As for her fear that she would never be memorable enough to be bon ton, Chloe had discovered that their prejudices were irrelevant. She didn’t need their approbation. The Duchess of Faircliffe did—and wore—what she wished. Hadn’t they seen the caricatures?

  She and her husband had gleefully accumulated their own circle of powerful people: some peers, some from the fashionable world, some thinkers, some poets. A few statesmen and agitators. A smattering of artists. And every single member of Chloe’s reading circle, a few of whom appeared to have brought Chloe’s book recommendation with them to the gala: Pierre Choderlos de Laclos’s shocking Les Liaisons dangereuses.

  Over the last weeks of Parliament, she and Lawrence had worked day and night disseminating pamphlets, participating in charities, parsing research, rewriting proposals for parliamentary acts, and putting together planned remarks and incisive questions to fashion a series of watertight speeches. He had been magnificent.

  “After this,” her husband murmured, “it will be heaven to do absolutely nothing for a while.”

  “Oh, I don’t know.” Chloe trailed the tip of her finger up his lapel and wiggled her brows suggestively. “I’m sure we can think of something.”

  He caught her hand and brought it to his lips. “How soon can we leave this party?”

  “It’s our party. Of course we can disappear if we like.” She glanced over her shoulder. “Let me speak to my sister first. She’s been standing next to the refreshment table for half an hour, and hasn’t eaten a single thing.”

  “Tommy? Stoically resisting the allure of fresh lemon cakes?” Lawrence let go of Chloe’s hand with obvious reluctance. “Perhaps she has a fever.”

  “Or something,” Chloe agreed.

  It took more time than she liked to weave through the well-wishers to the refreshment table, but when she arrived, her sister still had not changed position.

  Tommy stood in shadow two paces from the dish of meat pies, her face half-obscured by a profusion of false curls.

  “Eat one,” said Chloe.

  Tommy blinked at her. “Eat one what?”

  “Whatever you like. This table is covered with all of your favorites.” Chloe gestured at the towers of lemon cakes and meat pies.

  Tommy looked startled to discover the treats in front of her.

  Chloe hid a smile.

  “Hmm.” She linked arms with Tommy and lowered her voice. “Miss Philippa York is here tonight.”

  Tommy’s gaze flew back across the room. “I know.”

  Chloe tilted her head. “She looks nice.”

  “She’s beautiful,” Tommy corrected. “She’s always beautiful. The cerulean trim beneath her bodice really brings out the blue of her eyes.”

  “Mm-hm,” said Chloe. “And she’s no longer spoken for. Unbetrothed and completely free.”

  Tommy swallowed. “I know.”

  “You could attend the reading circle as Tommy now, instead of Great-Aunt Wynchester,” Chloe suggested. “I could formally ‘introduce’ you.”

  Tommy shook her head. “I can’t.”

  “Or,” Chloe said, “you could just…talk to her.”

  “I can’t.” But Tommy’s gaze was locked on Philippa.

  “Of course you can,” Chloe said. “You’re a Wynchester, and Wynchesters can do anything.”

  Tommy took a nervous breath. “Even this?”

  “Even this,” Chloe promised. “Just do three impossible things: walk over to her, introduce yourself, and smile. It could mark the beginning of a wonderful adventure.”

  Tommy straightened her shoulders. “No Wynchester can resist adventure.”

  “That’s right.” Chloe let go of her sister’s arm.

  “Wish me luck,” Tommy whispered.

  Then she straightened her wig and strode toward Philippa.

  Acknowledgments

  This book would not exist without the invaluable support of so many incredible people: Lauren Abramo, my brilliant agent, for all of the wisdom and encouragement. Leah Hultenschmidt, my fabulous editor, who started the ball rolling and is phenomenal. The entire team at Forever, from art to promo to edits: you are fantastic.

  Huge thanks to Rose Lerner, whose knowledgeable and thoughtful suggestions are incomparable. Intrepid assistant Laura Stout, who has been assisting me since birth (Hi, Mom!) and handles the mailing of prizes and all other tasks I cannot do from Costa Rica. My fabulous beta readers: Erica Monroe and Emma Locke, plus my awesome early reader crew. Thank you all so much!

  I wouldn’t have made it through the past year without the unflagging support and encouragement from too many people to name, but I’ll try: Bernardita, Caro, Darc, Heidi, Jean, Julie, Karen, Lace, Lenore, Mary, Rachel, Susan, my Jewel sisters, and the Elite 8, whose Zoom happy hours are an absolute delight.

  Muchísimas gracias and all of my love goes out to my personal romance hero, Roy Prendas, who not only came up with the idea for our Regency-themed wedding but also helps in countless ways to enable me to spend as much time as possible writing the next chapter. ¡Te adoro! You give me Happy Ever After every single day.

  Lastly, I want to thank my amazing, wonderful readers. You’re all so fun and funny and smart. I love your emails and adore chatting books together in the newsletter VIP List, on social media, and in our Historical Romance Book Club group on Facebook. Your enthusiasm makes the romance happen.

  Thank you for everything!

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  Don’t miss Tommy and Philippa’s story in

  The Perks of Loving a Wallflower,

  available fall 2021.

  About the Author

  Erica Ridley is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of historical romance novels. When not reading or writing romances, Erica can be found riding camels in Africa, zip lining through rain forests in Costa Rica, or getting hopelessly lost in the middle of Budapest. She loves to hear from readers.

  You can learn more at:

  EricaRidley.com

  Twitter @EricaRidley

  Facebook.com/EricaRidley

  Instagram @EricaRidley

  Books by Erica Ridley

  The Dukes of War

  The Viscount’s Tempting Minx

  The Earl’s Defiant Wallflower

  The Captain’s Bluestocking Mistress

  The Major’s Faux Fiancée

  The Brigadier’s Runaway Bride

  The Pirate’s Tempting Stowaway

  The Duke’s Accidental Wife

  The 12 Dukes of Christmas


  Once Upon a Duke

  Kiss of a Duke

  Wish Upon a Duke

  Never Say Duke

  Dukes, Actually

  The Duke’s Bride

  The Duke’s Embrace

  The Duke’s Desire

  Dawn with a Duke

  One Night with a Duke

  Ten Days with a Duke

  Forever Your Duke

  Rogues to Riches

  Lord of Chance

  Lord of Pleasure

  Lord of Night

  Lord of Temptation

  Lord of Secrets

  Lord of Vice

  Gothic Love Stories

  Too Wicked to Kiss

  Too Sinful to Deny

  Too Tempting to Resist

  Too Wanton to Wed

  Too Brazen to Bite

  Magic & Mayhem

  Kissed by Magic

  Must Love Magic

  Smitten by Magic

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