Taming A Duke's Reckless Heart: Victorian Historical Romance by Tammy Andresen Page B

couldn’t keep the irritation out of her voice. He was supposed to have been on the Maria, but they had not heard from him in days.
    “Piper.” He smiled in his simple way. “I was delayed in Boston. Business, you know, you wouldn’t understand. How is your mother?”
    “You left us on the docks at night in a terrible part of town. We were attacked by thieves. Now you ask after her wellbeing?” Piper’s back straightened with every word.
    “Now see here Piper, you cannot talk to our guest that way.” Her aunt stood as well. She looked furious, and Piper hadn’t even told her about the dinner. Piper bit her lip.
    She turned back to Mr. Abbott. “My mother is very ill. I’m sure my aunt has told you, but you may visit if you like.”
    “Oh, I couldn’t. Wasting disease. No, I couldn’t possibly.” He shook his head and then went back to devouring his breakfast.
    Piper looked at the man in complete awe. How could her mother ever have thought this man would save them? He couldn’t get out of his own way. She shook her head. She had to save them. There could be no doubt. Barrett flashed in her mind. She told herself for the thousandth time she had to move on from him. He wouldn’t make her his wife. This wasn’t just about her. She had to do this for her mother too. She would find another man who made her feel as anchored as Barrett did. She had to.
    Piper seated herself to be served. As she did, a note arrived for her. Her name was slashed across the front in the strongest letters she had ever seen. It could only be Barrett’s writing.
    She scanned the contents. He wanted to pick her up to attend dinner tonight. Had he gone mad? It was completely indecent. Not to mention, she absolutely could not be alone with him.
    She got up and went to the study. Then she wrote a quick note back saying she wasn’t attending. She gave no other explanation and then sent the message on its way.
    She returned for breakfast. A cup of tea and some pastries would help improve her mood. She sat and ate, which would have made her feel better but Mr. Abbott kept blathering on about his important business and special affairs. Piper had to pinch herself under the table several times to keep from rolling her eyes.
    Forty-five minutes later Barrett came bursting through the door. Piper nearly jumped out of her chair at the sight of him in the dining room. When she wasn’t with him, she could convince herself she never wanted to see him again but when he stood there, she was drawn to him like a moth to a flame.
    He was so powerful and tall. Everything about him screamed masculinity. She looked at his muscular thighs, thighs that had held her up. His muscled arms had wrapped around her and held her tight to him. Her cheeks turned pink to remember their time in the hall yesterday.
    “Who is he?” Barrett growled.
    “Mr. Abbott, my mother’s fiancé,” Piper replied as she stood.
    Barrett glowered at the man. “The one who left you on the docks?”
    “Now see here,” Mr. Abbott started.
    Barrett stepped up to the man. “Get out and don’t come back.”
    Mr. Abbott was rendered speechless but Aunt Lizzie was not.
    “Mr. Maddox! You cannot go ordering people about in my niece’s house.”
    “Get out.” Sybil entered the dining room.
    “Sybil, this is not acceptable,” Aunt Lizzie blubbered.
    Mr. Abbot placed his napkin on the table and headed for the door. “Tell Mrs. Baker I will not be treated this way by her family. Good day.”
    A small amount of satisfaction rippled through Piper. With any luck, Mr. Abbott would never return.
    Barrett turned back to her. “Why are you not going to dinner tonight?” He crossed his arms over his chest.
    “Oh dear Lord, I give up! Piper you are attending that dinner or I am returning to England,” her aunt railed.
    Piper stepped around the table. “Shhh, Auntie. You’re not going anywhere. And I can’t go tonight. You are going with Sybil to the Senator’s dinner.  I have no