Three weeks later, the Duke of Ashworth announced his engagement to Lady Evangeline. Society gasped. Her brother was found in Italy, safe and solvent. And the journal? Burned in the study fireplace the night before the wedding.
“And if I refuse?”
“A lady must protect her interests.”
He stopped behind her. She felt the warmth of his chest, the whisper of his breath against her ear. “Then you will stay here, Lady Evangeline, and learn what it truly means to be ruined by a duke.” Patimile Iubirii De Stephanie Laurens Pdf Download --LINK
Six months ago, her brother had vanished after accusing the Duke of ruining a young woman’s reputation. Now, with her family’s name hanging by a thread, Evangeline had only one weapon: herself.
She said nothing. Her pulse hammered.
“Looking for this?”
He pulled her close, his smile pure wickedness. “No, my love. I decided the moment I saw you tremble—and still refuse to run.”
Her body betrayed her. A shiver—not of fear, but of longing—raced down her spine. She had heard the rumors: the Duke of Ashworth did not marry; he conquered. But standing in the dark, with his voice like velvet and steel, she wondered if the conquest might be mutual.
She spun. The Duke leaned against the doorframe, holding a folded letter. Moonlight carved sharp angles across his face—hawkish nose, strong jaw, eyes the color of a stormy sea. He was not handsome in the polished way of London’s dandies. He was beautiful in the way a wolf was beautiful: untamed and utterly aware of his power. Three weeks later, the Duke of Ashworth announced
“Your Grace.” She forced her voice steady. “That letter belongs to my brother.”
She had come for the truth.
The Duke’s smile was slow, dangerous, and heated. “I have waited six months to meet the woman brave enough to steal from me. I did not expect to find her so… captivating.” And the journal
“Because,” he murmured, lifting a hand to brush a curl from her cheek, “your brother also stole something from me. A journal. And I suspect he gave it to you.”