Devil in Disguise (The Ravenels #7) by Lisa Kleypas

Ethan considered that, and agreed with a nod. “I’ll tell Garrett there’s no choice,” he said quietly. “He won’t be safe here, and neither will Lady Merritt, until he’s gone.”

Merritt was filled with anxiety as she realized the situation was now out of her control. Keir was being taken away from her. Decisions would be made for him, involving his safety and health, that she would have no part of. She couldn’t let that happen.

“I’m coming with you,” she burst out. “I insist. I must.”

As all three men looked at her, she realized how odd her behavior must appear. She was far too agitated, too emotional, over the fate of a man she barely knew.

A curious, speculative expression flickered across the duke’s face. “Why must you?” he asked softly.

Merritt took a deep breath, cleared her throat, and replied calmly, “You see, Mr. MacRae and I are engaged.”





Chapter 14


A STUNNED SILENCE FOLLOWED MERRITT’S announcement. Then—

“Have you lost your mind?” Luke demanded. “You’ve only known him for three days!”

“It was long enough,” Merritt said. “He spent last night here. I’ve been compromised, very compromised indeed. If he doesn’t marry me, I could be thrown out of British society, and possibly driven out of England altogether. If you don’t want me living in Prussia or Australia under an assumed name, you’ll support my engagement.” Which was overstating the case somewhat, but in these circumstances, she felt a little hyperbole was forgivable.

Dumbfounded, Luke rubbed the lower half of his face. “Before Keir MacRae arrived, everything was normal. Now there’s been stabbings, explosions, and debauchery, and my sensible older sister is engaged to a Scottish whisky distiller. What’s happened to you? You’re supposed to be level-headed!”

Merritt tried to sound dignified. “Just because one is usually level-headed doesn’t mean one is always level-headed.”

“You won’t be compromised if no one knows about it,” Luke said. “And God knows none of us are going to say anything.”

The duke intervened, his voice so dry one could have struck a match off it. “My boy, you’re missing the point. Your sister wants to be compromised.”

Ethan Ransom, who had been inching toward the stairs, ventured, “I don’t need to be part of this conversation. I’m going up to see my wife.”

Kingston motioned for him to leave with a graceful flick of his hand.

Luke was staring at Merritt with a deep frown. “I’m going to take you to Hampshire. The warehouse fire was a shock. You need rest and fresh air, and maybe a good long talk with Father—”

“The only place I’m going is with my fiancé,” Merritt said.

Uncomfortable color rose in her brother’s face. “Merritt … God knows I don’t blame you for wanting … companionship. But you don’t have to marry for it. Only a lunatic would decide to spend the rest of her life with a man she’s just met.”

“Not necessarily,” Kingston said mildly.

Luke sent him an aggravated glance. “Uncle Sebastian, you can’t approve of her marrying a stranger.”

“It depends on the stranger.” The duke glanced down at Merritt. “Apparently there’s something special about this one.”

“Yes,” Merritt said, relieved that he seemed to be on her side. “He’s …” But the words died in her throat as she noticed something she had missed until now.

Having known the duke for her entire life, Merritt had never thought about his looks. She was aware he was handsome, of course, but she’d never paid particular attention to his individual features or spent any time at all dwelling on them. To her he had always simply been Uncle Sebastian.

But in this moment, as she stared up at him, she was struck by the distinctive pale blue of his eyes, like a winter sky, like moonlight … like Keir’s.

Shaken, she stared up at this complex, powerful man, who was so familiar … and yet so full of mystery.

“Let me stay with him,” she whispered. “Take me with you.”

Those light, piercing eyes stared into hers, kindly but not without calculation. Appearing to come to a decision, Kingston said slowly, “I’ll send for Phoebe to stay with us at Heron’s Point. Her presence will satisfy the proprieties, and I daresay you’ll want to chat with her about … recent developments.”

“Thank you,” Merritt said, and let out an unsteady sigh of relief.

Their gazes held as they settled on an unspoken pact: When it came to the issue of Keir MacRae, Uncle Sebastian would be her ally, just as she would be his.

“I’d like a brief word with Dr. Gibson,” the duke commented, “before I leave to make arrangements.”

“I’ll go up with you,” Merritt said. She turned to Luke, who looked surly and exhausted. With a pang of affection, she went to him, stood on her toes, and kissed his cheek. “Will you stay in London to take care of Sterling Enterprises?”

Luke accepted the kiss but didn’t return it. “Do I have a choice?”

“Thank you. If there’s anything you need to ask, you know where I’ll be.”

“What I need is for you not to behave like a resident of the local madhouse,” he muttered. “Tell me, Merritt, if someone you knew were carrying on like this over a stranger—one of our sisters, God forbid—what would you say to her?”