The Duke’s Lessons in Temptation (Wayward Dukes’ Alliance #41)

Chapter 1

Lady Cora Stanton sat in front of the vanity mirror in her bedchamber as her lady’s maid, Beth, did her hair.

Today was the beginning of her family’s country estate party.

It would be a week of festivities and revelry.

Her mother insisted she only wanted to celebrate the lovely spring weather, but Cora suspected her goal was to find a bride for Jeremy.

Her mother was beside herself because Cora’s brother, the Duke of Stanton, remained unwed at the old age of twenty-eight.

She was equally upset that Cora, at the age of twenty-three, also continued to stay husbandless.

To a woman like Margaret, the Dowager Duchess of Stanton, Cora’s status as an unwed lady after three years of Seasons meant spinsterhood was barreling down on her.

She studied her reflection and smiled. All those fears would hopefully end soon.

Cora’s neighbor and friend, Christopher, the Earl of Bellamy, recently returned from the Continent.

They’d been close their entire lives, and he’d hinted more than once that he, too, expected them to wed.

Christopher wrote to her monthly about his travels, but she couldn’t wait to see him in person.

He would be arriving today with all the guests. Beth added a pin with a crystal flower to her hair. “You look beautiful.”

Cora stared at her reflection. She was taller than what society deemed fashionable.

Petite ladies were all the rage. She towered over most other women and at times felt like all legs.

Her blonde, thick hair and blue eyes were her most admired features.

Christopher had complimented them more than once.

“Do you think he will find me pretty?”

She didn’t have to say his name. Cora spent many days talking with Beth about Lord Bellamy. Her lady’s maid patted her shoulder. “Of course. Though I wish you had considered other gentlemen while he traversed the Continent.”

Cora frowned at her. “He is our neighbor, and we are perfectly suited. What more could I want?”

“I just worry you didn’t consider all your options. Several lords wanted to spend time with you over the last few Seasons,” Beth replied, amused.

“I found it unnecessary.”

Beth helped her up. “Lord Bellamy would be lucky to have you. Just remember your wants and desires matter too.”

Cora grinned at her. “They all lead to Christopher, the Earl of Bellamy. I chose him when we were children, and my mind hasn’t changed since.”

“Cora,” her mother called from the hallway. “Come, guests are arriving.”

“Enjoy yourself,” Beth said as she waved goodbye to her.

Her mother stood in the hallway. She was also tall and slender, with a touch of gray hair. The few strands bothered her horribly. When she spotted Cora, she beamed. “You look lovely, my dear.”

“Thank you. Who is expected to arrive first?”

“I believe your brother’s friend, the Duke of Blythe, recently arrived. If he weren’t a duke, I would have pleaded with your brother not to invite him. He is a known rogue. I did beg Jeremy to make sure he behaves.”

Cora had only met the Duke of Blythe a handful of times, but she couldn’t imagine her brother lecturing him. While the man oozed charm, he didn’t seem to care what anyone thought of his behavior. “I’m sure he will be a perfect gentleman.”

Her mother, shockingly, snorted in an unladylike manner. “Blythe will behave the way he wants. Enough about him, though. Our next arrivals will be Lady Abigail Spencer and her family.”

She grinned. Abigail was a dear friend. Cora couldn’t wait to spend time with her. Her mother added, “Then it will be Lord Bellamy and his parents. I know you are excited to see him.”

“Aren’t you? He is our neighbor and a dear family friend.”

“Yes, but your father always found him a little self-centered.”

Cora stopped in the hallway, shocked. Her father never expressed that opinion to her. “Father loved Christopher.”

“Your father, God rest his soul, liked him well enough.”

“He wanted him to court me.”

Her mother shook her head. “I don’t think he ever said that.”

Cora didn’t understand why two people on the same day acted as if she and Christopher didn’t suit.

Her whole life, it seemed as if everyone hinted that they would wed.

Now, those same people appeared surprised at the suggestion.

What was taking place? She and Christopher’s families always paired them up for everything.

They reached the drawing room, and her mother grasped her hand.

“Don’t be upset. I only want you to be happy.

I just wish you had at least considered other suitors while Christopher was away.

Still, he is back now, and I would be delighted with a union between the two of you.

I want to see you wed sooner than later. ”

“Thank you, Mother. Don’t you think I’m old enough to know what I want?”

Her mother nodded. “I do, but I also think there is nothing wrong with being more open-minded.”

The drawing room was filled with plates of tarts, sandwiches, and other treats for the arriving guests. Her mother began to rearrange them. Cora sat on the sofa, pondering her mother’s words. Why would she consider any other suitors?

She knew who she wanted. If Christopher asked for her hand, she would still be close to her family estate and socialize with all the same people.

Marrying her friend and neighbor made perfect sense.

Still, Christopher had offered no formal promises to her.

Cora wouldn’t fret. She was confident of how everything would work out.

***

Damion, the Duke of Blythe, settled into one of the wingback chairs in the Duke of Stanton’s study. He was one of the first to arrive at his host’s country estate. Stanton handed him a glass of brandy before raising his own in a silent toast. Damion joined him.

The signet rings they both wore gleamed in the light filtering in through the windows.

The gold jewelry was special, worn only by a group of dukes who, for years, vowed to be there for each other.

The Duke of Cranbrook, many years ago, founded the Alliance to make sure gentlemen shouldering the responsibilities of a dukedom had a way of seeking help.

The corners of his mouth twitched upward. Still, he was surprised that Stanton requested his assistance for the current matter. “When you asked for my help, I never thought it would be to find a wife.”

Stanton chuckled. “It is time. I want to choose wisely.”

“I will do my best to assist you, even though most mothers would deem me unacceptable to give advice. My reputation, to be frank, is the complete opposite of a contented husband.”

His host took a sip of his drink, considering his words. Eventually, he said, “But you’ve been married and known love.”

It was Damion’s turn to take a large sip of his brandy.

His wife passed away when he was only twenty-four.

London loved to gossip about him and often whispered his roguish behavior was because he’d sworn never to love again.

Truthfully, he never shared anything about his marriage with anyone, especially the society gossipers who enjoyed whispering about his life.

Still, Damion was determined to help if he could. “You want love?”

He hadn’t expected Stanton to say that. Of all the dukes in the Alliance, he was by far one of the more pragmatic ones.

“I want more than a society marriage.”

He smirked at his friend. “I wouldn’t have picked you as a romantic.”

Stanton shrugged. “I’m not sure I am. Maybe simply averse to being married to someone I don’t like.”

“It is a smart move. What are you looking for?”

“I’m not sure. I hoped you could tell me,” his host admitted.

Love. Everyone thought he was an expert in the damn emotion. “I believe most say you will know when you know.”

“Well, then help me dodge anyone who seems to be seeking a title.”

A bark of laughter escaped Damion. “I will do my best.”

The butler entered the room. “Your Grace, the Bellamys have arrived.”

Stanton rose. “I suppose I’ve been hiding long enough.”

Damion stood and followed him into the drawing room. A man who looked far younger than Damion’s thirty-two years talked with Stanton’s sister and two other ladies. Lady Cora beamed at the man as if he hung the stars.

“My sister fancies Bellamy, but I’m not so sure,” Stanton muttered.

The man seemed to be enjoying the attention of all the ladies, not any one in particular.

Damion's gaze darted back to Lady Cora. She was taller than most of the ladies in the room and quite striking. He found himself wondering how long her legs were. Stop. Damion was horrified that he was imagining anything about Lady Cora’s form.

She was Stanton’s sister, an innocent, and clearly infatuated with Bellamy. “I will return. I’m going to step outside.”

Stanton nodded, already heading toward his guests. Damion wandered out to the terrace. He smirked as he looked over the gardens. Stanton was insane to think he could help him find love. He wasn’t sure anyone in the Alliance had requested something similar before.

Damion pressed his hand against the two rings hanging on a gold chain under his clothes. Society thought he was a rogue because he refused to move on from his wife, but the truth was far more complicated than that.