The Duke Goes Down (The Duke Hunt #1) by Sophie Jordan

“Forgive you?” She blinked burning, tear-blurred eyes. “Can you forgive me?”

“Of course I do. You didn’t do anything wrong. Now say you forgive me, and let me love you.”

She ignored the treacherous little thrill wiggling through her, still frightened. None of this could be real. It could not be her reality.

“I can’t make you happy. I’m not what you want. I’m a poor vicar’s daughter. I don’t have anything to help restore you to your old life.”

He closed the distance between them then, his hands closing on her arms in a demonstration of sudden earnestness. “Don’t you understand? I didn’t even know who I was until I lost everything. It took losing everything to find me. To find you . . . and I could not be more grateful for that.”

She blinked several times, marveling at the tears springing from her eyes.

“I . . . I’m frightened,” she admitted.

Frightened of believing in them and trusting this.

Trusting what her heart was telling her to do.

His hands flexed on her arms. “Do you love me, Imogen Bates? Even a little?” His gray eyes scanned her face, devouring her, missing nothing.

She nodded slowly, choking back a sob. “I do. Of course. More than a little,” she sobbed.

He kissed her then. Swept her up in his arms and lifted her off her feet, kissing her and spinning her in a small circle.

She laughed joyously against his lips.

Even when he stopped spinning her, she still felt like she was flying.

They ended their kiss, and he rested his forehead against hers, his warm breath colliding on her lips. “Shall we go together to tell your father and ask for his blessing?”

“Of course. Then you won’t need to climb in and out of my window anymore.” She grinned. “As delightful as that was.”

“Perhaps I’ll surprise you every once in a while and do just that.”

“As long as you don’t have to sneak out before I wake up.”

“Oh, Imogen. I promise to be there beside you every morning for the rest of our lives.”





Epilogue





One year later . . .



The Hare and The Basket was bustling. As it was most nights.

Ever since Perry had purchased the place from Mr. Compton and renovated the main room, it had become quite the attraction for locals and those passing north and south, en route to either Scotland or London.

The place was a smashing success and Perry was already looking for ways in which to expand. His next goal was to add a full-fledged restaurant next door, a fine dining establishment, connecting to the tavern. Given the profits he’d made from the tavern, he would not even require investors this time to help with the addition of a restaurant.

His ideas were endless and they filled him with continual excitement. Every morning he woke up early, thrilled to be alive.

Astonishing how many times a life could change.

He went from being an overprivileged duke to a man without station or wealth.

Now he was a successful entrepreneur. In love. Married. Eager to start every day.

Thurman was deep in conversation with a table of gentlemen by the fire. He opened a box, bowing forward to offer each of them a fine cigar.

Thurman had been another surprise in all of this.

While Perry’s mother had been shocked and decidedly not thrilled at his decision to buy the tavern from Mr. Compton and take it over, Thurman had merely listened, saying nothing. Until later.

A smile twitched Perry’s lips as he recalled his mother’s reaction. In truth, Perry could not guess which had shocked her more—her son becoming the proprietor of a tavern or his marrying Imogen Bates.

Thurman was not so scandalized.

A full day passed following Perry’s announcement that he was acquiring investors to help him take over The Hare and The Basket and he was giving up his quest for a wealthy heiress before Thurman cornered him.

After pressing Perry for more information on his plans for the tavern, his mother’s butler had requested the opportunity to go into business with Perry. It seemed he had a bit of a nest egg set aside, and he had always dreamed of having something for himself. He did not want to spend all of his life in service. He wanted to be his own man apparently. Just as Perry did.

Thurman had simply lacked an inspiring idea, but it did not take long for Perry’s budding inspiration to become his own, and Thurman brought his own value to their enterprise. His financial contribution was not the only benefit. His years in service gave him a unique perspective that Perry lacked. They made the perfect team.

Together, they dove into the renovation of the tavern. After a brief closure, The Hare and The Basket reopened under their ownership, grander than ever.

Perry ducked into the back office and slipped on his coat.

Thurman entered the room after him, cigar box tucked under his arm. “Off for the night?”

He nodded. “Dinner awaits.” At the mention of that, he asked, “You’re still dining with us on Thursday?”

“I would not miss it.”

Nodding, Perry bade him good-night and slipped out the back door of the building.

He rounded the side alley and came out the front, spotting his former valet, Carter, as he was about to enter the building.

“Mr. Butler,” the young man greeted, stepping forward to warmly shake his hand. “Good to see you.”