Page 34 of To Ensnare a Duke

"But what good are such skills when I cannot even choose my household?"

"Unfortunately, most men do not get to choose either. You think every pairing is a love match? Far from it."

Finally a tear rolls down her cheek. "I just wish to be happy."

"And you will be." With someone else, I add to myself, ignoring the sharp pang in my heart.

Now, more than ever, I know our match would be beyond ill-advised. Though I long to discipline her, to be that show of force she obviously needs, I worry I'll never be able to fully control her. And that is what makes her dangerous.

CHAPTER 17

BENEDICT

Her body quivers, crying out to me as I fashion a plug from the ginger. This sacrifice is one of the hardest I've ever had to make. Between the looming threat, which could turn out to be nothing more than a person playing a farce, her brother's edicts, and her own recklessness, I cannot indulge.

I am her discipliner, her enforcer, while her brother is away. Nothing more. "Boredom is easily rectified, Madam. But you must look for other avenues than this destructive behavior. If you care nothing for yourself, then perhaps you'd care for your brother. What would it do to him to know how close you've come to losing everything?"

She glances down, her long lashes sparkling with tears. Unfortunately, I cannot take her seriously while she's still dressed as a man. I set the ginger aside and haul her to her feet.

"Now then, let us rid you of these clothes and makeup."

She gasps, pulling away from me. "I am to be naked in front of you?"

"Now you care about your honor? Funnily enough, you didn't seem to care when man after man sat at your table. What was your end game? Really, I'd like to know? Where were they to deliver their debts?"

This time, Augusta smiles, almost preening as she rocks back and forth. "I never played on credit. To these men, I was a transient visitor, an artist who liked to dabble in gambling."

"I see. Intelligent, I'll grant you. But what if one of them recognized you?"

Lips pulled down into a frown, she grabs the hat from off of her head and tosses it to the floor. Chocolate strands drift over her shoulders, instantly softening her angular features. Next, she undoes her outer clothing, leaving just her shirt and breeches.

I shouldn't find her so alluring like this. There's something so forbidden, so wanton, seeing her undress for me. However, once her fingers tug at the linen of her shirt, that blush races up her cheeks, nearly hidden by the false beard. It reminds me that for all her brazen actions, she's still quite the little innocent.

Her fingers tremble as she tugs even more, pulling the tails out so they drape over the front of the breeches. "I- I cannot go any further. I-"

"Then allow me. There is no way you're keeping this ridiculous outfit only to do it all over again." Yanking her forward, I grip the shirt and wrench.

Once it's free of her body, I force it up, desperate to see just how she hid her breasts from view. Thick bandages wrap tightly around her body, snugger than any amount of stays I've undone.

"Jesus, Mary, and Joseph," I curse under my breath, taking in the angry lines where they bind into her skin. "How are you not in agony?"

She shrugs, the motion offhanded, yet something dark lurks in her gaze. "I… I cannot say."

"Cannot," I hedge, "Or will not?"

Again, her shoulders rise and fall, but this time, there seems to be a desperation behind her actions. "I honestly cannot. I suppose the excitement of the gaming hell drowned it out?"

There's more there, but now is not the time to interrogate her. I need to apply swift correction then make sure she's home safe. Thankfully, with a ball tomorrow, she'll have something far more appropriate to keep her occupied. After that, I'll have to find some manner with which to keep her inside where she belongs. If I have to drag her to events nightly until her brother comes home, then that's what I'll do.

"Your breeches."

"But, Your Grace-"

"I care naught about your delicate sensibilities. I've already seen you the first time I had to take you in hand. There is nothing left for me to wonder about. Either take them off of your own will, or I'll extend the punishment."

"Yes, Your Grace."

With tentative tugs, she pushes the buckskin over her round hips and urges it to the floor. How anyone could mistake her for a man is beyond me. Yet, when she uses the shirt to remove the makeup and loosens the bands to where they still cover her but allow her natural shape to blossom, I can see it.