Christian Seaton: Duke Of Danger

DANGEROUS DUKES

Rakes about town

Carole Mortimer introduces London’s most delectable dukes in her latest Mills & Boon® Historical mini-series. But don’t be fooled by their charm, because beneath their lazy smiles they’re deliciously sexy—and highly dangerous!

Read about all the daring exploits of these dangerous dukes in:

Marcus Wilding: Duke of Pleasure Available as a Mills & Boon Historical Undone! eBook

Zachary Black: Duke of Debauchery

Darian Hunter: Duke of Desire

Rufus Drake: Duke of Wickedness Available as a Mills & Boon Historical Undone! eBook

Griffin Stone: Duke of Decadence

And now …

Christian Seaton: Duke of Danger

Author Note

It’s so sad to think that I’ve written the final book in the Dangerous Dukes mini-series. I hope you’ve all enjoyed reading them as much as I’ve enjoyed writing them.

Christian Seaton: Duke of Danger is obviously Christian’s unique love story, as he meets and falls in love with an outspoken Frenchwoman, Lisette Duprée, but there will be lots of secrets and intrigue along the way!

I also couldn’t write this final book in the series without bringing back all the other Dangerous Dukes and telling you of their lives now with their own wonderful heroines.

Enjoy!

Christian Seaton: Duke of Danger

Carole Mortimer

CAROLE MORTIMER was born and lives in the UK. She is married to Peter and they have six sons. She has been writing for Mills & Boon since 1978, and is the author of almost 200 books. She writes for both the Mills & Boon® Historical and Modern™ lines. Carole is a USA TODAY bestselling author, and in 2012 was recognised by Queen Elizabeth II for her ‘outstanding contribution to literature’.

Visit Carole at carolemortimer.co.uk or on Facebook.

To Peter, as always.

Contents

Cover

Introduction

Author Note

Title Page

About the Author

Dedication

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Epilogue

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

August 1815, Paris, France

‘Touch one hair upon her head, monsieur, and you are destined to meet your maker sooner than you might wish!’

It took every ounce of his indomitable will for Christian Seaton, Fifteenth Duke of Sutherland, not to react or turn to face the person who had just spoken softly behind him.

Not because he was disturbed by the threat itself; his reputation as one of the finest shots in England was not exaggerated, and few gentlemen could best him with the sword either.

Nor was he concerned by the barrel of the small pistol he currently felt pressed against the top of his spine through his clothing.

Or that the person making the threat was a woman who, judging by her voice, was a woman of mature years.

It was the fact that the threat had been spoken in accented English which caused him such inner unease...

As an agent for the English Crown, Christian had arrived secretly in Paris from England by boat just two nights ago and, as had been planned, he had immediately taken up residence as the Comte de Saint-Cloud—an old and extinct title of his mother’s French family—in one of the grander houses situated alongside the Seine.

Since his arrival Christian had been careful not to speak any other language but French, which he could claim to speak like a native, once again courtesy of his maternal grandmère.

He had been especially careful to maintain that facade in the Fleur de Lis, a noisy and crowded tavern situated in one of the less salubrious areas of Paris.

That he was now being addressed in English brought into question whether this pretence in his identity had somehow been compromised.

He continued to maintain his comfortable slouch at a corner table of the noisy tavern as he answered the woman in French. ‘Would you care to repeat your comment, madame?’ he replied fluently in that language. ‘I understand English a little, but I am afraid I do not speak it at all.’

‘No?’

‘Non.’ Christian calmly answered the scornful taunt, although that feeling of unease continued to prickle inside him. ‘I am the Comte de Saint-Cloud—at your service, madame.’

There was the briefest of pauses, as if the woman were considering challenging him on that claim. ‘My mistake, Comte,’ she finally murmured, before repeating her earlier warning in French.

‘Ah.’ He nodded. ‘In that case, I confess I have no idea which “she” you are referring to.’

A loud hmph sounded behind him. ‘Do not play games with me, Comte,’ the woman growled. ‘You have had eyes for no one but Lisette since the moment you arrived.’

Lisette...

So that was the name of the beautiful young woman serving the tables situated on the other side of this crowded and noisy room.

Oh, yes, Christian knew exactly which ‘she’ this woman was referring to. Which of the serving wenches he had been unable to take his eyes off of for more than a minute or two since he had entered the tavern an hour ago.