Taming A Duke's Reckless Heart: Victorian Historical Romance by Tammy Andresen Page B

own.
    Piper blushed a deep shade of pink and Ethan cocked an eyebrow. Barrett answered, his voice surly. “None of your business.”
    “Were you trying to buy her affection and when she refused you thought simply to force yourself on her?” Ethan grinned as he gave this accounting.
    “The dresses were a gift to her mother. What Mrs. Baker decided to do with them was her business. It is perfectly respectable. If you must know, Piper and her mother are family friends and I was simply helping them.”
    “By searching her mouth with your tongue?” Ethan smiled turned wicked then.
    “Sir!” Piper pulled away from Barrett. He let her go. Her shoulders were straight as she walked up to him. “I appreciate you have caught me in a delicate situation but please do not say such things.”
    “Ethan. Miss Baker must maintain her reputation. Her mother is gravely ill and if she does not marry this season…” Barrett stopped talking.
    “Well Miss Baker, if a husband is what you need then let me present myself as a suitor.” Ethan bowed to her looking completely sincere. Piper stopped to consider him again. He did not make her feel the way Barrett did but she had received far worse offers.
    Barrett growled behind her. Piper stopped momentarily in surprise but then she returned a wicked grin of her own.
    “Most kind. Thank you.” She turned back to Barrett. “If I can get a proposal looking like this, surely I won’t need those dresses.”
    Barrett charged between the two of them. “Ethan, I am going to kill you. You lay one finger…” Barrett turned back to her, “As I said. They were a gift to your mother. Therefore, they are not yours to return.” He walked next to her again. His hand lightly pressed to the small of her back. “You will take them home. Wear the cream one tomorrow night.”
    “What are you talking about?” Her mouth formed a thin line.
    “The Westchester’s Ball, didn’t your aunt tell you? I am escorting your family.” He looked exasperated.
    Her mouth dropped open. “You cannot come with us.” No one in her family had mentioned the ball or the fact the Barrett would be escorting them. It was a terrible idea. How could they keep their hands to themselves for an entire ball?
    “Of course I am coming with you.” He waved his hand to dismiss her comment.
    Piper stared at Barrett. She could feel his jealousy over Ethan rolling off him in waves. She walked up to Ethan and struck her most perfect pose. Her shoulders straight, her back curved. One hand delicately holding out her skirt. Her lashes fluttered and she let a small laugh trill across the room. Barrett started growling again. “Mr. Wright would you do me the honor of a dance?” A lady would never ask a man but she was making a point.
    “I most graciously accept.” He did his best English accent as he bowed. Ethan’s hand reached for her waist but before he could get it there, Barrett stepped next to him and grabbed his hand. “I told you what I would do if you touched her.”
    Piper dropped her façade, “Are you going to beat every man who asks me to dance?”
    He was momentarily surprised. Then he grimaced as he rubbed the back of his neck with his hand.
    Piper sighed. She had made her point. Well the last one anyway. “I should return to my mother. It was nice to meet you Mr. Wright. I am sure my mother will thank you for the dresses Mr. Maddox.” He was right, she couldn’t refuse a gift to her mother. While he was not directly propositioning her to be his mistress, he wasn’t denying it either. And since he offered to help her find a suitable husband, he had no intention of asking her himself yet he kissed her at every opportunity. When had her life gotten so complicated?

TAMING A DUKE’S RECKLESS HEART

    CHAPTER SEVEN
    Barrett watched her walk out the door. He had the urge to call her back. He wanted to punch Ethan in the face after he pushed him out the door. Then he wanted to carry Piper upstairs.
    “You’re in