Page 8 of The Duke’s Rejected Mate

I slam my palms against his desk, fury fueling my words. “Such a declaration when you cannot know my heart.”

“You are a man. An Alpha. I know your nature true enough.”

Snarling, I glower at the man. “And if I find a blemish on Henhaven fit for scandal?”

A weary sigh passes through his lips as he shakes his head. “Bring me such evidence, irrefutable, mind you, and I’ll break the engagement, shattering his reputation in the process. Then, and only then, will she be free for you to scoop up. But hear me when I say this, Norhaven. I will not have you turning her head. I will not have you trifling with her affections or leading her to believe you will succeed in this futile quest. I will have my daughter unscathed by the heat of your affection.”

At this point, all I can do is nod as I tear out of the modest house. If the only thing that stands between me and Miss Campbell is Henhaven’s downfall, then I will ferret out every scandalous secret until he’s destroyed.

Chapter 4

Charles

Henhaven strides up the stone walkway, his head bent low as he studies his steps. What the devil is he doing here? It’s bad enough I’ve been summarily dismissed, but to see the object of my vexation so soon after is not to be borne.

As we near each other, he looks up and gives me a polite smile that refuses to meet his eyes. He grips the brim of his hat and gives a small bow. “Your Grace. I didn’t expect to see you here. Nothing amiss, I hope.”

“Why would there be something amiss?” I grind out as my teeth clench together. “‘Tis a fine day, if not a tad cold. You have announced your engagement. What could possibly be wrong?”

“Well, seeing as you are leaving my intended’s home in such a rush, I find myself anxious to hear what could be driving you from their doorstep. It looks as if hellhounds nip at your heels. Or is it that their accommodations are too rustic for the tastes of a duke?”

I long to not pay his words any mind, to not give credence to the fact that I lost Miss Campbell because she, herself, was too modest in my brother’s eyes. For him to hit on that sore point, however, I find that it’s all a bit disconcerting. It’s not as if the chap is clairvoyant. I’m sure a power like that would have come forth at some point.

“I merely wish to take a light luncheon with my family before working in my study.”

“Nonsense,” he cries out, clapping my shoulder with his hand. “Any friend of my betrothed is certainly a friend of mine. I’m sure they will not mind you taking luncheon with all of us.”

Just the very idea of sitting across from him, making idle chatter while the woman I desire most of all is there as well, is enough to make my stomach churn. However, to leave now would be to show weakness at best and scandal at worst. Besides, her father gave me a way out of all of this, didn’t he? I simply have to find the scandal hidden beneath the kind veneer.

All of us in the peerage have the dark, dastardly part hidden away, but if one digs deep enough, it will always come to light. Smiling, I take a step back toward the door. “If they can spare some food for me, I will gladly take you up on that offer.”

As we both step back inside, Kirden pauses at the door and slides his spectacles down his nose as he glances between the both of us. “Norhaven, I thought you had quit this house. How is it I find you back here with Henhaven in tow?”

“Forgive me, Kirden,” Henhaven smirks. “It’s my doing. You must put the blame on me. I thought it would be good to take luncheon with Norhaven since he was here with you just moments ago. I worried it would be rude to send him on his way hungry and thirsty.”

Kirden looks back over at me and raises a single eyebrow. To his credit, he does not disclose the nature of our meeting, but that doesn’t mean he won’t allow his tongue to waggle at an inopportune time.

With a false smile, I put on an air of nonchalance. “I was on my way home when this gentleman requested that I stay. If you would rather tend to his hunger alone, I am well to leave.”

“No, no, Norhaven,” Kirden chuckles. “Far be it said that I rejected a duke. We have more than enough food prepared to satisfy your hunger. Besides, it would do our happy couple good to have others bear witness to their interactions and spread the word of just how delightfully they fit together.”

Bastard. The twinkle in his eyes tells me he knows just what he’s doing. He thinks that by forcing my hand, by keeping me there with them will show me my place. Or rather, it will show where I don’t belong. Happy couple indeed.

As we gather our small plates of meats and cheeses and recline in the parlor, Miss Campbell and her mother stride in to join us. The moment they enter, the young omega looks over at me, her eyes wide and face ashen.

“F- forgive me, Your Grace,” she murmurs as she curtsies to both Henhaven and me. “We were not expecting you.”

“I do hope my presence isn’t a vexation. I could leave if I cause you distress.”

“Nonsense,” Henhaven cries out, making his way over to Miss Campbell. “My intended will soon be hosting all manner of peerage. She should take this moment to learn to be comfortable with it. Especially since she seems so enamored of your sisters. I dare say, she’ll be hosting balls and inviting them soon.”

Miss Campbell’s lips twitch into a thin smile as she nods and takes her seat next to Henhaven. Misery pours from her small frame, but I’m sure only I’m aware. I’ve seen her at her most vulnerable. I know when she’s distraught, something Henhaven hasn’t seemed to learn yet.

All around me, they talk and chatter. For sheer preservation, I drown them out. Glancing over at Miss Campbell, I watch as a bead of sweat slides down her throat and disappears into the swell of her breasts. God, has she always smelled that delightful?

Even now, the scent of peony and parchment swirls around my head, setting my teeth on edge. I want to grab her from off of that patched-up settee and drag her over my lap, spanking and teasing her until the scent blossoms all the more.

My balls draw up as I sit there, cock hard as stone trapped between my stiff linen shirt and my lower abs. I smother a groan with a bite of bread with a bit of jam. I just have to make it through luncheon. After that, I can contrive to not see her again until it’s to break the news of scandal to her father.