Taming the Duke by Jackie Manning Page B

his outward appearance, he still felt shocked at Elizabeth for her behavior to Alicia. The sooner he found Elizabeth and settled the matter, once and for all, the sooner he could assure Alicia that she wouldn’t have to put up with such tactless conduct again.
    Elizabeth! What had provoked her to blurt out that she was his fiancée? In his mind, he could still see Alicia’s surprise, then accusing look before she schooled her features behind an emotionless mask. He winced inwardly. No doubt she learned to mask the pain in her life since her fall from grace.
    It was bad enough that Dalton’s bargain with Alicia had thrust her amid the ton, but the poor woman wasn’t used to Elizabeth’s jealousy. No telling what lengths she was willing to go to make Alicia’s life hell. Elizabeth’s conduct toward Alicia was cruel, and he wouldn’t permit such behavior at his estate.
    Through the shrubbery up ahead, Dalton sawa flash of blue, then Elizabeth rode into view. His jaw clenched as he reined back and waited for her.
    “I expect you came looking for me,” she said when she rode alongside him. Her voice held none of the anger that flashed from her eyes. When he said nothing to deny it, she raised her chin in haughty censure.
    “Dalton, I want an apology for your outrageous behavior this morning.”
    It took all of his control not to speak his mind. Instead, he remained silent, waiting for her to finish. She didn’t disappoint him.
    “Why is that scandalous woman here? Surely you must know that her kind aren’t fit to be around respectable people.”
    “Respectable people don’t lie about being engaged when they’re not, Elizabeth. There’ll be an apology, but it will be you who’ll apologize to Lady Alicia.”
    Her eyebrows raised. “Why…she’s your mistress!” She spit the accusation. Her horse skittered uneasily.
    “Alicia is not my mistress. Although she is at Havencrest at my request.”
    Elizabeth’s eyes narrowed. “I usually find your attempts to shock the ton rather amusing, Dalton. But this time, you’ve gone too far.” Her mount took several steps to the side. “Although we haven’t officially announced our engagement, everyone knows that you and I will eventually marry. I know your mother expects the announcement before she leaves. I’ll not be put off any longer.”
    Dalton felt as though he were dealing with a spoiled, willful child. “Elizabeth, please listen. I’m not going to repeat myself.”
    Elizabeth’s green eyes glittered with anger, but she remained silent.
    Beneath her outrage, he knew she felt hurt. How much of her pain was due to the hope of marrying his brother Drake, then losing him in the war? he wondered. “My dear Elizabeth, I’ve never led you on.” His voice was gentle but firm. “I’m not ready for marriage. To you or anyone. Now let’s not speak of this again.”
    She glared at him, her pale skin mottled with blotches of red.
    “I expect you to apologize to Lady Alicia in front of my sister and myself when we have tea, tomorrow afternoon in the garden.”
    Elizabeth’s lips thinned. “Why are you doing this, Dalton? What possible pleasure do you receive—”
    “I’ll expect you to be there.” Without another word, Dalton tipped his hat, and wheeled his horse back across the fields. He didn’t have to look back to know that Elizabeth was cursing his name to hell and back.
    “Her grace will see you now, my lady.” The maid opened the door to the dowager duchess’s bedroom as Elizabeth sailed past.
    Mildred, the dowager duchess of Wexton glanced up from the writing correspondence spilled across her desk, her blue gaze taking in Elizabeth’s ridinghabit. “My dear, what a pleasant surprise.” Glancing above her spectacles, she added, “Ah, you’ve been riding, I see. Did Dalton accompany you?”
    Elizabeth curtsied, then stood, her shoulders hunched. “Your grace, it’s because of Dalton that I’m here. I’m so upset. I don’t know what I am to