A Duke's Scandalous Temptation by Char Marie Adles Page A

faster than I and gathered the man in a bear hug that robbed the tall light man of breath.
                  “Brendan!” my brother greeted the man warmly.
                  I felt my eyes widen the slightest at the man who was still hugging my brother and exchanging words. He was taller than my brother, and not many were mind you, his golden white hair long and hanging down to mid back and over one shoulder in slight waves, his sage green eyes flashing with true joy, but that was not what caught my gaze. No, it was the three thick scars on his face and neck. Two started at the hair line and crossed over his left eyebrow and the other caught him and the temple and ran down past his neck line and hid under his collar. His beautiful Greek-god face now scarred.
                  But none of that mattered; he was still as beautiful as he once was when I saw him leave with my brother when I was eight years old, when they both went to sea of the King’s Navy.
                  “Hello Lord Brendan,” I greeted quietly from where I stood from their lefts.
                  He and my brother turned toward where I had been forgotten and his cheerful expression turned wary and slightly confused.
                  “Hello, how are you?” he returned politely, his face searching mine.
                  My brother slapped him on the back at his confused and startled greeting. “Do you not remember her, my friend?”
                  Lord Brendan colored slightly and apologized by saying, “No, I am sorry I do not remember. I haven’t been to London in these past eight years, I’m afraid.” He smiled suddenly at some idea, “Would you by chance be the lovely lady Lord Jackson is to marry?” he asked pointing at my brother.
    My brother roared with laughter drawing some attention to our little group and grabbed my hand drawing me closer.
                  “By god, my friend, no! This is Little Darcee, my sister, remember?” Jackson told him with another round of laughter.
                  At Brendan surprised look I felt a bit cheated however I gave him my best curtsy and my most bedazzling grin. “I believed I already greeted you but I shall again. It is great to see you again, Lord Brendan.”
                  “Actually its, Your Grace,” he said stunned not noticing his own words.
                  “Grace?” I repeated to be sure.
                  He shook himself  and returned to his normal serious manner. “I have been given my grandfather’s title, the Duke of Windom, but I guess now that I can no longer be at sea it matters not.”
                  My brother grinned and patted him on the back. “Welcome back, it has been a good two years since I have seen you since the last battle.” Jackson winced at how the words turned out.
                  Brendan smiled tightly. “Yes, it has been. As you can see you came out much better than I. Not only my face, but my leg as well, ‘tis the reason I have a limp.”
                  His bitterness made me angry, but his next words did it.
                  “It would have been better that I had not come back. The wounds were hell and so was the healing, and now everyday life in public as well.”
                  Somehow my hand of its own accord reached up and smacked him clear across his good cheek with a loud crack. With tears shimmering in my eyes I whispered harshly, “Never wish you were dead!” Then I turned on them and went in search of a dance partner.
     
    …
     
    Brendan looked at his friend and saw Jackson’s jaw agape and then he slapped it shut and simply pressed his lips together. Some of the women around them had seen and tittered over it and then left at his glare. When gone he turned to his friend.
                  “Now would you explain that