The Danger of Dukes by Phynix de Leon Page B

but to bend to his will.” She smiled slightly, her eyes alit with mischief. “He shall be yours before the end of the month.”
                  “And just how do you plan to do that?” I asked, speaking up.
                  “The same way all women have for hundreds of years. We shall put forth our charms on display for all to see. There is never too many balls and parties and of course gentlemen to dance with.”
                  Samantha smiled slyly. “As brother is a duke he must attend some of them. It shall drive him mad to see you in another man’s arms.”
                  I was never one to use such tricks but I was still so angry with him, he would deserve anything that came his arrogant way.
                  I smiled back at them. “It would be my pleasure.”
     
    …
     
    The plan was nothing short of a success until the night of my fifth ball with the dowager duchess when after a fine waltz with a charming Lord Applegate I was promptly snatched around a corner into a darkened hallway. A well place hand over my mouth stopped my scream.
                  After a few turns down other halls where I could no longer hear the music I was spun around and held motionless by hands with force like steel. Looking up I looked into quick sliver eyes of a madman. I would have grinned at the possessive flare in his eyes but then he shook me.
                  “You madding woman,” he rasped, a piece of dark hair falling limply into his eyes.
                  “What,” I snapped, affronted.
                  A small smile crept over his lips. “You have no idea do you?” He shook his head. “You are truly something else. However,” he glared, “do not dance with other men who are not married.”
                  “So you are jealous and possessive?” I asked with a smirk, “good to know. A good warning to keep me away from you, your sister was the one who convinced me not to go home. She wants me to give you time to realize there is more to you then I already know. But there is nothing inside of you, you’re hollow inside, like a rock.” I shook myself free of his hold and stepped back.
                  He followed with a growl. “You know nothing.”
                  I took a step forward placing myself in his space. “Yes, I do. I will not marry a man who will use my assets and toss me aside. I want a true family, not the empty picture yours has been. I will refuse to be set aside for work and will demand kisses in public, and such things as holding hands.”
                  “But such things like that are not done by people of the ton .”
                  “You are a duke, a grand duke I would like to add, and do not others follow by your example?” I shook my head disappointed. “Never mind. I’ll give you two weeks until there are two weeks to the wedding left. If you cannot prove yourself, I shall marry elsewhere.”
                  And with that I swept away from him and headed back to the ball room. I didn’t notice when he clenched his hand and hit the wall, nor would I have cared.
     

A GREAT RACE
     
     
     
    “Grandmother is going to kill you! And me for that matter when she finds out what you have been up too,” Sam chided me as I slipped into a pair of jockey silks.
                  “Posh, it shall be fine. No one could tell I’m a woman after I pin my hair under the hat and I wear my breast wrap.”
                  She shook her head. “My brother will be likely to do murder over this.”
                  “Well he need not know. I made my choice, I am going to face my fear of riding, I will prove there is none better than me and my horse Champ,” I said slipping into the pants.
                  “I worry about you. After you told me what happened I should refuse to