The Duke's Dastardly Mistake (Unlikely Pairs Book 2)

by Ginny Hartman

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright © 2017 by Ginny Hartman

  To Sara,

  L is for Lessons

  Levi and Lydia

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Epilogue

  About the Author

  Copyright © 2017 by Ginny Hartman

  All rights reserved.

  Cover design by Ginny Hartman

  Book design by Ginny Hartman

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the author. The only exception is by a reviewer, who may quote short excerpts in a review.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names and characters are a product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  First printing: December 2017

  ISBN-13: 978-1981879359

  To Sara,

  For your willingness to discuss my novels with me,

  even in the early stages. You inspire me,

  encourage me, and motivate me tremendously.

  L is for Lessons

  “Emotions are experienced in the extremes. You cannot hate so deeply if you have not loved with the same ferocity.”

  Levi Worthington, the Duke of Ludington, has known Miss Lydia Phelps his entire life. He's never thought of her as anything more than his sister's best friend, until one fateful night when everything changed between them.

  When Lydia's impetuous choices leave Levi reeling, he wants nothing more than to teach her a lesson and finds himself forcing a situation both of them instantly regret. A tumult of emotions war within him as he tries to undo the damage he's created which only results in more mistakes.

  Join two imperfect people on their journey as they try to discover how to control the mixture of emotions experienced with young love while navigating in a world neither of them realizes is lurking with danger.

  Lydia left the house without a lantern, not wanting to be detected as she trespassed through the gardens and ran across the field leading to the edge of the woods. She allowed her pace to slow as she approached the forest and quickly pulled her cloak tightly around her. The moon was full, causing eerie shadows to dance across her pale skin.

  “Hello? Is anyone there?” she called out in a loud whisper, but was only met by silence.

  Mustering every ounce of courage she possessed, Lydia walked further into the woods and called out a bit louder, “Hello?” but the only response she got was the sound of leaves fluttering in the gentle breeze.

  Disappointment consumed her as she looked about, hoping to find someone but seeing nothing. Though she was exhibiting an extraordinary amount of bravery this night, she wasn't quite certain she dared venture too far into the woods by herself.

  She'd only come this far because the letter she'd received summoning her had been mysterious, piquing her curiosity. And, if she were honest with herself, a bit of the romantic in her as well. How enticing was it to receive a mysterious summons beckoning her to the forest at midnight for a lover’s assignation? The only problem was, she had no lover, and she couldn't think of who might be the one who had sent for her in the absence of one.

  “Hello?” Her voice sounded larger in the silent cocoon of the forest.

  Ten minutes passed before Lydia finally concluded that no one was going to meet her. Feeling saddened by the realization, she turned on her heal and began huffing back to Trenton Hall. It was apparent someone was playing a silly game with her, and she wondered who'd be so cruel.

  Stomping through the undergrowth, Lydia suddenly heard the sound of horse's hooves combine with her own soft footfalls and stilled, turning quickly to see who had approached. In the dark, she could only make out the figure of a man sitting atop his horse.

  “Who's there?” she asked, feeling a bit of apprehension for the first time that night.

  “I didn't think you'd come,” the vaguely familiar male voice said, surprise apparent in his tone.

  “Why wouldn't I come?”

  The man dismounted, then grabbed the reins and walked over towards Lydia, leading his horse along. “Because it was foolish for you to do so. I suppose that's precisely why you did it though. Am I correct?”

  As the man drew near Lydia recognized him at once and found that she was suddenly very perturbed. It was her best friend's brother and her sworn enemy—Levi Worthington, the Duke of Ludington.

  “You!” she hissed, glaring at him angrily. He was the last person she'd wanted to see. “What is this all about?”

  Levi cocked his head and gave her a half grin. “I thought I would teach you a lesson.”

  Lydia hated the smug look he was giving her. His chestnut hair was windblown, one dark lock falling casually across his brow, and it looked as if he hadn't been shaved for several days.

  She balled her fists angrily at her sides and through gritted teeth asked, “Why would I need a lesson from you?”

  “Because you don't seem to grasp the fact that your actions have consequences.”

  It was the beginning of the longest night of Lydia's life. She unwisely did as he bid, changing into the male clothing he'd brought her and allowed him to assist her into his saddle so he could teach her a lesson. She only did it because he threatened to tell her father about her foray into the forest if she didn't. And again, if she had to be honest with herself, which she wasn't, she did it because there was something about Levi Worthington that caused her skin to tingle and her heart to race.

  The horseback ride was exhilarating. The frigid air whipped through her hair and her skin prickled into goose-flesh. One of Levi's hands held deftly to the reins, but his other hand snaked around her waist and pulled her close to him. She was very aware of the contact and hated the fact that she found it enjoyable.

  Levi slowed the horse as they approached the Pig and Crow. Lydia glanced up at him strangely. “You brought me to a tavern?”

  “Yes,” he replied gruffly.

  “But why?”

  He helped her to dismount then slid from the horse and began rummaging through his saddle bag until he found a stocking hat. “Put this on and stuff your hair inside it.”

  Lydia wrinkled her nose and just stood there. “No.”

  He stilled as his eyes met hers. “No?”

  “You heard me,” she quipped. “I refuse to keep doing as you bid.”

  Leaning in closely, he lowered his voice menacingly and said, “I'm attempting to prove a point, my dear. You and Alexandra are foolish enough to think you can do whatever you want without falling in harm's way. I've set out to prove to you otherwise. I still haven't forgotten that you once dressed as boys, believing you could come to this exact pub and go undetected. I'm here to disprove that foolish notion.”

  “You think if I put this,” she said, swinging the hat between them, “on my head and pretend to be a boy, no one will believe the act?”

  He grinned, but it was without
humor. “Precisely. I brought you here to prove you wrong.”

  Everything in Lydia tensed up at his words. She felt anger roll over her body like waves and at once pulled the stocking hat on her head and began tucking her long, thick curls up inside. “Well, that's a shame, because the only one I foresee learning a lesson tonight is you. No one,” she spat irritably, “will recognize me, and just you wait and see.”

  Without waiting for a response, Lydia turned on her heal and headed into the tavern. It was dark and smoky inside, and it took a minute for her eyes to adjust to the haze. A measure of her courage evaporated as several men paused and stared at her. She went to smile at them but at once remembered she was playing a part and quickly averted her eyes and scurried towards the bar.

  “Care for a mug of ale?” the thick man behind the counter asked her.

  Lydia nodded at once, but Levi interjected, “Water for the boy and ale for me.”

  She glared at him before protesting in a voice she'd lowered to sound more manly. “I'm a grown man and will decide what I will drink myself. Give me an ale,” she called out, never taking her eyes away from Levi's.

  His jaw twitched, but he didn't protest. Soon, two mugs of ale were placed on the counter before them. Levi grabbed his ale and took a hearty gulp. Lydia made to do the same and ended up spitting out the contents across the counter as she sputtered and coughed.

  Levi slapped her heartily on the back, “I warned you,” he grumbled. The man behind the counter laughed.

  Lydia finished coughing and glared at him as she took a much daintier sip of the ale and managed to choke it down. Levi watched her with one cocked brow but otherwise didn't say anything.

  They sat at the counter drinking their ale until the man disappeared. When he did, Levi leaned in close and said, “Now's your time to prove yourself.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Go mingle with the other men, play a game or two of cards.”

  “Why would I do that?”

  “What else would you do at a pub?”

  Lydia looked around the establishment and noticed there was not much going on besides cards and drinking. She shrugged her shoulders. “I suppose I thought a tavern would be more exciting.”

  “Oh, it can be,” he said with amusement as he caught the eye of a woman across the room. “Shall I show you how diverting it can be?”

  Without waiting for Lydia's response, Levi cocked his finger, and she watched as the woman immediately started in their direction, a look of eagerness on her face. From across the dark room, the woman had looked almost pretty. She had golden hair and blue eyes and a low-cut dress that revealed an ample bosom. However, up close she appeared slightly old and haggard as if her life had been one of hardship. Lydia didn't miss the look of appreciation Levi gave the prostitute.

  He pulled a coin from his pocket and handed it to the woman. “My friend has taken a fancy to you and would like to pay for your favors.”

  Lydia gasped. Was he serious?

  The woman wasted no time taking the coin he held out, leaving her hand lingering in his longer than Lydia thought was necessary. “Are ye certain it not be ye who has taken' a likin' to me, Yer Grace?”

  Her look of hopeful longing made Lydia sick. “Yes, Your Grace,” Lydia piped in. “I think it was you who had taken a liking, not I. If you don't mind, I just recognized my friend across the room. Excuse me,” she hissed as she shouldered passed the pair, disgusted that Levi would try to embarrass her in such a way.

  Of course, she hadn't really spotted her friend, but now she wasn't precisely sure what she should do. Her eyes quickly scanned the crowded room until she found the table with the least intimidating men and she promptly marched over to their table and sat down, uninvited.

  The three men looked at her curiously, pausing in their game of cards. One of them, a slender man with a hawkish nose, sneered at her, “What be the purpose of this?”

  Clearing her throat, Lydia tried once more to sound like a man. “I'd like to play.”

  “Have you any money?” the oldest of the three men asked her.

  Lydia lied. “Yes, I've got plenty.”

  “Then place your wager before we deal you in.”

  Lydia looked sheepishly in Levi's direction before saying, “Give me just a moment.”

  Rising from the table, Lydia huffed over to where Levi was standing, one hip propped against the counter as he flirted shamelessly with the painted woman. She rudely cut between the two and hissed, “Give me some coins.”

  “For what?”

  “I want to play cards with my friends.”

  Levi's eyes danced with humor. “Your friends, eh?” Digging into his pocket, he retrieved several coins and placed them in her outstretched hand. “Spend it wisely for I won't be giving you more.”

  Lydia merely rolled her eyes and returned to the table. Slapping a coin down in the center of the worn wood she exclaimed, “Deal me in.”

  It soon became painfully obvious to all of them that Lydia didn't know what she was doing. The men, seeing this as an opportunity to advance their own pocketbooks, encouraged her to keep going until she had lost every one of the coins Levi had given her.

  At the end of the final game, she lowered her head and mumbled, “I have no more money to wager,” as the oldest man gleefully pulled the pile of coins towards him, collecting his winnings.

  Lydia made to leave when she felt a hand press against her backside. She stiffened at once as the slender man she'd been sitting next to hissed, “Money is not the only thing we'll accept as a wager, if you catch my meaning.”

  Her hands began to sweat, and she felt like she would vomit, but she managed to squeak out, “What you're implying is illegal in England.”

  “If you're a boy, yes, but it's painfully obvious to all of us that you are not.”

  Panic filled her breast as she scooted away from the man's touch. “I'm very much a boy,” she lied weakly as she tried to escape.

  The man was swift as he snaked his arm around her and pulled her promptly and forcefully into his lap. His hands began moving towards her chest. “I've never met a boy as curvaceous as you.”

  She tried to push his roaming hands away, but he fought back with great strength. Lydia looked to Levi, hoping he'd come save her but he seemed rather preoccupied at the moment.

  “Touch me, and I scream,” she threatened, but the man just laughed and continued touching her.

  Hot tears filled her eyes, causing her vision to blur. She struggled to break free and was just about to scream when the man leaned forward and hissed behind her ear, “I know who you are, Miss Phelps. Scream, and I'll make sure your name is forever sullied in polite society. What would the ton think if they found out you frequented taverns disguised as a boy?”

  A painful lump of emotion formed in her throat, nearly blocking her ability to speak. “Please just let me go.”

  “Not until I'm finished with you.”

  She didn't have time to try to think about how he knew who she was because suddenly his hands went to the neck of her shirt and yanked hard enough that the shirt ripped, and her entire right shoulder was exposed. All three men laughed as she fought to pull the damaged material up enough to cover herself. Her face heated with embarrassment and shame. She'd never been so humiliated in her life.

  She was about to cry out for help; her reputation be damned, when she felt a large hand settle on her shoulder, steadying her. She glanced up just in time to see an enraged Levi use his free hand to punch the man holding her in the face. The man's body reeled back, slamming into the wall behind him. Levi quickly gathered her into his arms and ushered her out of the room and into the hall.

  Lydia was shaking like a leaf, her entire body trembling as the tears she'd been holding in finally escaped. The innkeeper chased them down, making his apologies to the Duke of Ludington as Levi searched for a place to take her away from the curious stares they were receiving.

  “Show me to an empty room,” h
e demanded to the groveling innkeeper.

  “Of course, Your Grace. Follow me.”

  The man squeezed by the pair and led them quickly to the end of the hall where he took out a ring containing a dozen or so keys and fumbled nervously until he found the one that unlocked the door. Pushing the door open he said, “There will be no charge, of course.”

  Levi nodded his acceptance as he pushed past him and quickly slammed the door behind them. He took Lydia to the bed and gently set her down. Feeling embarrassed by her display of emotions, she quickly turned on her side, away from him, and hid her face in the down pillow.

  Several minutes passed in awkward silence before she felt Levi reach out and gently pull the hat from her head. With a shocking display of tenderness, he stroked her matted hair back from her face and whispered, “I'm so sorry.”

  Lydia, surprised by his apology, turned onto her back and stared up into his concerned face. “Aren't you going to say 'I told you so?'”

  “I should, but I cannot. I do not gloat in the fact that you were violated by that fool.”

  “But you proved your point,” she insisted.

  “I suppose I did,” he said, sounding a bit resigned. He stared at her for a second before saying with more emotion, “I hope you can see why I'm so concerned about you. These ideas you and Alexandra concoct might seem innocent enough, fun enough, but they're more dangerous than you can comprehend.”

  Had he said what he did in a condescending way, she would have instantly prickled, but he was speaking to her gently and it made her soften towards him. “It's only proper that you care so fully about your sister, but you do not need to concern yourself with me.”

  Staring into his brown eyes, she noticed the golden ring in the center seemed more vivid. “If I do not watch out for you, who will?”

  She wanted to laugh at his seriousness but found she could not. It was actually quite touching. “I don't know what I would have done had you not saved me tonight.”

  “I don't know either, and I dare not think about what the outcome would have been had I not. Suffice it to say; I'm grateful it was I who brought you to the tavern and not Alexandra.”