Page 69 of The Duke Meets His Match

The beginnings of a smile tipped the corners of her mouth. “Chloe fancies herself in love with you.”

His body vibrated with life. He’d never forget the moment she’d spoken the words to him in his library. She loved him. His breath had caught in his throat at the miraculous words. He wasn’t worthy of such affection. “Lady Huntingdon, I—”

“Please, call me Eliza,” she said.

“Very well, Eliza. I know about Chloe’s past, and I assure you it means nothing to me. It’s not her past that is the issue, but mine.”

She tilted her head to the side and studied him. “Ah. I know about that, too. Your war experiences must have been tragic. My cook’s husband, Ben, suffered after Waterloo.”

She must have been referring to the soldier Chloe had mentioned.

“The last time I saw your sister at your home there was an altercation with Lord Sefton. You should know that Chloe sustained an injury, and that it could have been worse,” he said.

“She told me about that, too. Other than a minor injury, she is fine. You do more harm to her by keeping your distance from her.”

His determination faltered. “I’m thinking only of her. I live in fear that it could happen again.”

“Chloe assures me it was an accident, and I trust her judgment. I also suspect you love her as well. I was slow to see it until my sister, Lady Vale, pointed it out to me. Artists can see much more than ordinary people.”

He did love Chloe. Deeply, with all his heart. “That’s why it is best if I stay away. I care for Chloe very much,” he conceded.

“I must ask. Are you certain it is not her past that has dissuaded you from considering her as your duchess?”

“No. Like I said, I care nothing for her past. But I was dismayed that she felt she had to keep it hidden for so long,” he said.

Eliza’s face fell. “I, too, am saddened that Chloe didn’t tell us. I’m upset that she thought she was a burden to us. Looking back, I understand why she did what she did. She had it hard as a child. Always sick.” Eliza sat back in her chair. “I want nothing but happiness for both of my sisters. That’s why I’m here. You should know Chloe is set on leaving town.”

His gaze snapped to hers. “Leaving?”

“She plans to return to Huntingdon’s country estate. She even mentioned traveling to Scotland from there.”

“Scotland?” he repeated dumbly.

“Huntingdon’s aunt is elderly and needs a companion. I suspect she will overlook Chloe’s talkative nature, should she even hear it, since I’m told she’s mostly deaf.”

Like hell. It wasn’t fair that he’d experienced how it should be, how it could be, only to have it snatched away. No one else could offer him a chance at happiness. No one else could heal his battered soul and make him feel human again. And no one else could make him desire so fiercely.

Only Chloe.

And she belonged with him.

He’d been a fool.

A complete and utter fool.

Could he sit back and let her go?

The answer was a resounding no.

Eliza rose. “I fear I have said too much already and taken your time.”

Michael leaped to his feet. “How soon is she planning to leave?”

She halted by the door and looked back at him. “She’s packing as we speak. The coach leaves early tomorrow morning.”

After Lady Huntingdon left, Michael remained in the room. He poured himself a glass of brandy, chose a leather chair, and started to plan. There was no way he could let Chloe leave London. Despite what she claimed, he knew deep in his gut that if she left the country to nurse an old woman in Scotland, it would not be temporary.

Chloe Somerton turned men’s heads. Her cascade of golden hair, her sapphire eyes, and her curvaceous figure was a fascinating combination of allure and innocence that could tempt any red-blooded male. But it was her keen intelligence, her determination and strength that had enabled her to survive abandonment, poverty, and illness…and her empathy toward others that could capture hearts.