Page 3 of The Duke’s Lessons in Temptation

Chapter 2

Cora stood with several other women as Christopher shared a tale about traveling in France. When he first arrived, he’d greeted her warmly, but now she found herself one of many ladies clamoring for his attention. She didn’t like it.

“The stability of France continues to be a work in progress,” he explained.

“What place did you enjoy visiting the most?” Lady Hannah asked, fluttering her eyelashes at him.

Cora forced herself not to roll her eyes. There were a great many women at her family’s estate party because her mother hoped to find a bride for her brother. Yet they all seemed most interested in Christopher.

“Marseille.”

“Where is that?” Lady Eliza asked.

Christopher frowned. “I’m trying to think how best to describe the location.”

Cora loved maps and anything related to geography. “It is in the Mediterranean. Located in the central area of the French southern coastline.”

All the ladies stared at her, surprised. Christopher grinned at her. “Lady Cora is an avid collector of maps. And yes, she described the location perfectly.”

Hannah scrunched up her nose. “Maps. What use does a lady have for such things?”

“She explained Lord Bellamy’s location to you,” Cora’s friend Abigail stated.

Hannah glowered at Abigail, who only smirked back at her. Christopher added, “We all have hobbies. There is nothing wrong with Cora’s being a little peculiar.”

Her gaze flew to Christopher’s face. He’d never found her map collection strange before. Still, before she could remind Christopher of that, his interest seemed to shift completely to Hannah, who stood shockingly close to him. The brazen lady murmured, “Will you escort me to fetch some lemonade?”

“Of course,” he said.

All the other ladies dispersed, marking this as a victory for Hannah. Cora stared after them. She was still surprised, and if she was truthful, somewhat hurt that Christopher called her maps peculiar. They’d used those same maps to dream up places to travel to as children. Something felt amiss between them.

“Well, he is enjoying the attention,” Abigail said.

Cora studied Christopher. He was different, bronzed from the sun and bulkier. The last two years had transformed him. Unease settled in her stomach because he seemed almost too changed. Stop it. Christopher only appeared unlike himself because so many people wanted to hear about his adventures. Once they had a quiet moment, it would be the same between them.

“He returned from a grand tour. I don’t think there is any other option but to share the details.”

“Yes, with Hannah’s bosom.”

His gaze had dipped down more than once to the lady’s front. Cora turned away, certain Christopher would choose her. Their friendship and being neighbors made them well-suited. What more could either want? “I look forward to discussing his travels at length without so many around.”

Abigail shook her head. “I don’t know how you can be so confident about someone whom you haven’t seen in years.”

“We are well-suited.”

Her dear friend snorted. “Well, right now, your well-suited friend is very distracted. Though I will admit it may be difficult to untangle himself from all the interested ladies. His travels make him the most intriguing man at your house party. He is even more popular than your brother and the roguish Blythe. They are dukes!”

Cora glanced at her brother and his friend, Blythe. They seemed happy not to be the center of attention for once. Women, both unmarried and wed, often flocked to Blythe. She pondered what made him a rogue. While flirtatious at society events, he always stayed respectful. Maybe it was what he did in private. Cora flushed. Why was she imagining what Blythe might be up to alone?

He stood taller than most of the men in the room. His chiseled face, full chestnut hair, and broad form made him well-liked among the ladies. Still, Cora suspected the tragic tale of his marriage was why he was so popular. He’d fallen madly in love with his wife, only for her to perish a few years later. His life read like a dramatic romance novelette. Many ladies hoped to be the one to mend his broken heart.

She didn’t understand the appeal. What was the interest in marrying someone who’d loved another so deeply? Would they ever have room in their heart for you? Truthfully, a match with Blythe seemed impractical and exhausting. He looked across the room, and a slow, enticing smile spread across his face. His gaze roamed over something, savoring it.

Cora’s cheeks went warm as she watched him. Of course, there was no denying the allure of Blythe. She glanced in the direction he looked and found it was Lady Clark at the end of his heated stare. She supposed it wasn’t marriage that ladies fantasized about when it came to the wayward duke.

“Even you find him fascinating,” Abigail pointed out with a grin. She’d caught Cora contemplating Blythe.

She sighed. “He is appealing, but long-term, I find him unsuitable as a husband prospect.”