Scheming with My Duke: Linked Across Time, #9

CHAPTER ONE

Serenity Drake sat in the garden at Branterberry Castle. If she wasn’t completely bored out of her mind, she might have appreciated the scenery a bit more. The garden had been sculpted in to several different paths. Depending on which one she took, she’d find a vast array of vegetation and floral plants to delight the eye. Certain flowers had more enticing aromas and drew her near. When she’d first seen the garden she’d immediately craved to explore its depths. A week into summer and she was ready to poke her eyes out.

Her duties—taking care of Sebastian Bennett, the little Marquess of Chisenhall—didn’t entail much. She would give him lessons in the morning and then have the afternoons free. The duke didn’t want her to corrupt his son and had only allowed her to be his governess out of respect for Serenity’s sister, Genevieve. Her sister had to return home to save their other sister, Peyton. It had been hard to stay behind, but it was the right choice to make.

Peyton’s visions were never wrong. Genevieve was meant to be in the twenty-first century, and Serenity’s place was with the duke and his son. She just wasn’t sure what that place was. If the duke wasn’t going to allow her to help, she might as well return home. Except she didn’t really want to go... Serenity missed Peyton desperately, and a part of her always would, but Genevieve would make sure she was all right and healed properly from her illness. As for Serenity, the duke and Sebastian needed her. He was being pigheaded and it would take some careful planning to make him realize the truth. Luckily, Serenity’s stubbornness would make her keep fighting. In the end, she’d win and the duke wouldn’t see it coming.

She picked a vibrant red flower and twirled the stem in her hand. Several loops in, she decided to lift it to her nose and take in its wonderful aroma. She had no idea what kind of flower it was, but she liked it. The color called to her, and in certain light, it almost matched her mahogany-red hair. Although, that was probably an exaggeration on her part—her long locks were actually closer to brown than red, but she liked the highlights brought out by the sun.

Whimsically, she plucked one of the petals off and tossed it over her shoulder, then repeated it a second time. He loves me, she said aloud. Then plucked another and repeated, He loves me. Serenity continued plucking the petals again and again until she had three left on the flower. Each time, saying over and over, He loves me.

What did that poor flower do to you? Brandon Bennett, the Duke of Branterberry asked. His voice was filled with a mixture of amusement and befuddlement.

Serenity scrambled to face him, tucking the flower behind her back. How much had he overheard? Her cheeks heated under the hot sun and there was nothing she could do to hide it from him. Perhaps he’d believe it was a little bit of sunburn making them pink.

Are you spying on me? she asked him defiantly. Better to deflect than to admit that she’d been playing a silly girlish game. What had possessed her to pick the petals off the flower to begin with?

It is my home, he said, lifting a brow. I don’t have to explain myself. He reached around and plucked the flower from her hand and held it before her. "You, however, are defacing some of the flora in my garden."

Drat. Was he going to bellow at her for something so stupid as picking a flower? Well, she wasn’t going to allow him to dictate to her. Perhaps he should be on the defensive for once. He didn’t like it much when she read him. She tilted her head and studied his aura. As usual, secrets and lies swirled around him. This spymaster kept it all close and didn’t let anyone in. How many people did he protect with his clandestine information?

You were watching me, she said moving closer to him. Did you see something you liked?

The duke backed away from her. His nostrils flared as he studied her. I have better things to do than such inane a thing as spying on you.

Oh, he was backpedaling now. He protested a little too much. The duke had Peeping-Tom-like qualities—without the weirdness. She could use that to her advantage. He didn’t appreciate her calling him out on them. Bully for him. Boredom made her do impetuous things, and he was about to become her new toy.

She stepped forward and brought her hand up to his chest, skimming it downward until it rested on his stomach. So, Your Grace, she said seductively. How often do you find the need to spy on me? She trailed her fingers down and skimmed the top of his trousers. Have you seen me in... She leaned in closer and said in a hushed tone, Nothing at all?

He sucked in a breath and stared down at her. His cheeks flushed to a bright red and his breathing became uneven. I would never, he said. The duke cleared his throat. How dare you impugn my name in such a manner. I’m a gentleman.

Serenity laughed and took a step back. Oh, how she loved to mess with him. My darling, duke, she said. You’re a spy first and foremost and, as much as you like to protest the idea, you are very much a hot-blooded male. She winked. Who happens to like what he sees before him. Deny it all you want, but if I’ve told you once, I’ve told you a thousand times. She smiled and boldly met his gaze. "I see you. All of you. There’s nothing you can hide from me. You best become accustomed to that fact as long as I’m here." Serenity couldn’t fathom why he hadn’t already...

At least he’d already forgotten about that blasted flower and her little game. That had been a close call. The duke glared at her as if she would burst into flames from ire alone. Poor man. He had no clue how to deal with her. One day he’d stop fighting what she already knew. They had an abundance of desire brewing between them. As soon as they gave into it, they’d find out how combustible they were together.

You talk too much, he gritted out. For all your claims of seeing me, I feel it’s important I let you in on a little secret.

Oh? she tilted her head. What’s that?

He was trying to flip things over to his advantage. She couldn’t let him do that, but her curiosity had overcome her. What secrets could he have to impart? She waited on bated breath.

I may not have your gifts, he said tightly. But I have a few of my own that are comparable when it comes to hidden information.

She bet he did. He wasn’t the premier spymaster in England for no reason. Serenity would uncover all of the things he wanted to hide, and then what would he do? There would be no barriers between them, and they’d have to figure out what they wanted from each other. She couldn’t wait for that day to come. Amusement flooded her from the inside out. She couldn’t contain it all from spilling forth and burst into laughter. I’m so sorry,