Page 2 of The Duke’s Lessons in Temptation

“Thank you, Mother. Don’t you think I’m old enough to know what I want?”

Her mother nodded. “I do, but I also think there is nothing wrong with being more open-minded.”

The drawing room was filled with plates of tarts, sandwiches, and other treats for the arriving guests. Her mother began to rearrange them. Cora sat on the sofa, pondering her mother’s words. Why would she consider any other suitors?

She knew who she wanted. If Christopher asked for her hand, she would still be close to her family estate and socialize with all the same people. Marrying her friend and neighbor made perfect sense. Still, Christopher had offered no formal promises to her. Cora wouldn’t fret. She was confident of how everything would work out.

***

Damion, the Duke of Blythe, settled into one of the wingback chairs in the Duke of Stanton’s study. He was one of the first to arrive at his host’s country estate. Stanton handed him a glass of brandy before raising his own in a silent toast. Damion joined him.

The signet rings they both wore gleamed in the light filtering in through the windows. The gold jewelry was special, worn only by a group of dukes who, for years, vowed to be there for each other. The Duke of Cranbrook, many years ago, founded the Alliance to make sure gentlemen shouldering the responsibilities of a dukedom had a way of seeking help.

The corners of his mouth twitched upward. Still, he was surprised that Stanton requested his assistance for the current matter. “When you asked for my help, I never thought it would be to find a wife.”

Stanton chuckled. “It is time. I want to choose wisely.”

“I will do my best to assist you, even though most mothers would deem me unacceptable to give advice. My reputation, to be frank, is the complete opposite of a contented husband.”

His host took a sip of his drink, considering his words. Eventually, he said, “But you’ve been married and known love.”

It was Damion’s turn to take a large sip of his brandy. His wife passed away when he was only twenty-four. London loved to gossip about him and often whispered his roguish behavior was because he’d sworn never to love again. Truthfully, he never shared anything about his marriage with anyone, especially the society gossipers who enjoyed whispering about his life.

Still, Damion was determined to help if he could. “You want love?”

He hadn’t expected Stanton to say that. Of all the dukes in the Alliance, he was by far one of the more pragmatic ones.

“I want more than a society marriage.”

He smirked at his friend. “I wouldn’t have picked you as a romantic.”

Stanton shrugged. “I’m not sure I am. Maybe simply averse to being married to someone I don’t like.”

“It is a smart move. What are you looking for?”

“I’m not sure. I hoped you could tell me,” his host admitted.

Love. Everyone thought he was an expert in the damn emotion. “I believe most say you will know when you know.”

“Well, then help me dodge anyone who seems to be seeking a title.”

A bark of laughter escaped Damion. “I will do my best.”

The butler entered the room. “Your Grace, the Bellamys have arrived.”

Stanton rose. “I suppose I’ve been hiding long enough.”

Damion stood and followed him into the drawing room. A man who looked far younger than Damion’s thirty-two years talked with Stanton’s sister and two other ladies. Lady Cora beamed at the man as if he hung the stars.

“My sister fancies Bellamy, but I’m not so sure,” Stanton muttered.

The man seemed to be enjoying the attention of all the ladies, not any one in particular. Damion's gaze darted back to Lady Cora. She was taller than most of the ladies in the room and quite striking. He found himself wondering how long her legs were. Stop. Damion was horrified that he was imagining anything about Lady Cora’s form.

She was Stanton’s sister, an innocent, and clearly infatuated with Bellamy. “I will return. I’m going to step outside.”

Stanton nodded, already heading toward his guests. Damion wandered out to the terrace. He smirked as he looked over the gardens. Stanton was insane to think he could help him find love. He wasn’t sure anyone in the Alliance had requested something similar before.

Damion pressed his hand against the two rings hanging on a gold chain under his clothes. Society thought he was a rogue because he refused to move on from his wife, but the truth was far more complicated than that.