The Duke and the Lost Night

 

Amelia raised and lowered her hand three times before she finally rapped her knuckles on the heavy wood door. She’d known Spencer since they were children, but tonight was different. She hadn’t seen him in almost a year, but she was going to have to take advantage of their friendship. There was nothing he could do about it.

There was one thing he could do, he could say no.

She knew he was inside, she saw him walk by the window. Why was he taking so interminably long to answer the door? She raised her hand to knock again, irritation replacing nerves.

He liked to spend time in his smaller guest house, by himself. Spencer grew up in a life of luxury, but that didn’t mean he particularly liked servants. Unlike most dukes, she knew he preferred to live without people constantly under foot.

She almost stumbled forward as the door swung open.

“Amelia?” Surprise washed over Spencer’s face. He looked back in the room at the clock above the fireplace. “It’s half-past one. What in God’s name are you doing out at this hour?” He drew the suspenders over his shoulder, but he was still partially undressed.

“I need to talk to you.” Her nerves were frayed. She fought to keep the tremor from her voice.

 “How did you know I was out here?”

“You’ve told me a hundred times you come here to spend your evenings.”

“Maybe I have.” He eyed her dubiously. “Are you alone? Where’s your handmaid?”

“I waited until she was sleep. I had to see you.” She chewed her lip. He was probably thinking of all the reasons it was wrong to let a single young woman into his house. At this hour, he was right on all counts.

 “Come in. Come in,” he finally said and stepped to the side to allow her to enter.

Amelia shivered against the stark contrast in temperature. “It’s freezing outside,” she exclaimed and rubbed her hands briskly together.