The Duke's Secret Desire (Regency Romance) (Regency Lords Book 4) Read Online Free PDF

between the Maharajah and the Empire. If word gets out that his sister has been abducted by the British, there’s no telling what reaction the populace will have. We can’t risk a revolt. We must find the Duchess.”
    “Is she in danger?”
    “I won’t pretend that she is safe. Param Singh is an opportunist. He’d throw his sister to the wolves if it meant striking a blow against the Crown. I’ll investigate this further. For your part, return home. She may return, or you may receive a message from her brother.” The Major General paused, “ You know, Middleton, there are rumours that the child she’s carrying is not her husband’s.”
    “Sir,” Bartholomew replied frigidly. “You impugn the honour of my wife.”
    “Yes, well, that honour is only intact if the rumours are false,” the Major General replied. “I’m a practical man, Middleton, and I’m of a mind to wonder what kind of woman marries a man less than a week after her husband dies.”
    “I told you, sir, I prevailed upon her to marry to because her husband, my friend, begged me to keep her safe.”
    “A woman of delicate sensibilities, carrying the child of her dead husband, would surely have been reluctant to engage in matrimony with such undue haste. But if she had something to hide, perhaps she was eager for this marriage? You must at least consider the possibility that your Duchess is not quite what you believe her to be.”
    “I am surprised at the direction of this conversation. You, yourself gave permission for our arrangement to go ahead. You agreed that Param Singh is a potential threat.”
    “So he is,” the Major General said, pouring himself a drink from a decanter of whiskey. “But now that your wife has done a bunk, I’m wondering if those rumours that I’ve been hearing have some basis in truth. I advise you to think this matter through, Middleton. Some crucial parts of this puzzle are missing and I won’t allow an unfaithful wife to jeopardize the interests of the Crown.”
    “I understand.”
    The Major General dismissed him and Bartholomew rode back to his residence. He stabled his horse himself and went into his home, deep in thought. Entering the drawing room, he came to an abrupt halt at the door. Arya was sitting before the fireplace.

EIGHT
     
    “Arya! Where have you been?”
    She was unused to hearing Bartholomew address her in such a peremptory tone of voice.
    “I was out on an errand,” she replied evasively.
    “You were told not to go out,” he reminded her. “And I know where you went.”
    Arya lifted her chin defiantly. “And am I forbidden to see the members of my family?” she demanded. “You have brought me here as a captive, and now you scold me as if I were a child because I chose to go out!”
    “I brought you here because your husband said you were in danger and I want to protect you!” he flung back. “Your brother is a threat to your safety and yet you met him.”
    “You are the one who claims that my brother is a threat. I have no indication that this is true. Am I expected to mindlessly obey you with no proof of your accusations?”
    “You met with him.”
    “I did not!”
    “I know that you did, Arya. Do not lie to me! I read the message. I know that you left in secret, telling none of the servants that you were leaving or where you were going. It seems that you are far more adept at deception than I realised.”
    “If I am deceptive by your appraisal, who can blame me? You have accused my brother of intending to do me harm, but I have received only consideration from him since my husband’s death. Yes, you are correct and the message came from my brother. I followed the instructions in his message, but I was not taken to my brother. I met with a member of his household, who simply wanted to let me know that if I need help, my brother will be of service. He does not trust the British and he fears that some plot is afoot.”
    “Does he also fear for your reputation if the rumour