Don’t Judge a Duke by His Cover

Don’t Judge a Duke by His Cover Dukes in DangerBook 1 Emily E K Murdoch © Copyright 2022 by Emily E K Murdoch Text by Emily E K Murdoch Cover by Dar Albert Dragonblade Publishing, Inc. is an imprint of Kathryn Le Veque Novels, Inc. P.O. Box 23 Moreno Valley, CA 92556 [email protected] Produced in the United States of America First Edition December 2022 Kindle Edition Reproduction of any kind except where it pertains to short quotes in relation to advertising or promotion is strictly prohibited. All Rights Reserved. The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental and not intended by the author. License Notes: This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook, once purchased, may not be re-sold. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. 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CEO, Dragonblade Publishing Additional Dragonblade books by Author Emily E K Murdoch Dukes in Danger Series Don’t Judge a Duke by His Cover (Book 1) Twelve Days of Christmas Twelve Drummers Drumming Eleven Pipers Piping Ten Lords a Leaping Nine Ladies Dancing Eight Maids a Milking Seven Swans a Swimming Six Geese a Laying Five Gold Rings Four Calling Birds Three French Hens Two Turtle Doves A Partridge in a Pear Tree The De Petras Saga The Misplaced Husband (Book 1) The Impoverished Dowry (Book 2) The Contrary Debutante (Book 3) The Determined Mistress (Book 4) The Convenient Engagement (Book 5) The Governess Bureau Series A Governess of Great Talents (Book 1) A Governess of Discretion (Book 2) A Governess of Many Languages (Book 3) A Governess of Prodigious Skill (Book 4) A Governess of Unusual Experience (Book 5) A Governess of Wise Years (Book 6) A Governess of No Fear (Novella) Never The Bride Series Always the Bridesmaid (Book 1) Always the Chaperone (Book 2) Always the Courtesan (Book 3) Always the Best Friend (Book 4) Always the Wallflower (Book 5) Always the Bluestocking (Book 6) Always the Rival (Book 7) Always the Matchmaker (Book 8) Always the Widow (Book 9) Always the Rebel (Book 10) Always the Mistress (Book 11) Always the Second Choice (Book 12) Always the Mistletoe (Novella) Always the Reverend (Novella) The Lyon’s Den Series Always the Lyon Tamer Pirates of Britannia Series Always the High Seas De Wolfe Pack: The Series Whirlwind with a Wolfe Table of Contents Title Page Copyright Page Publisher’s Note Additional Dragonblade books by Author Emily E K Murdoch 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 Chapter Seventeen Chapter Eighteen Chapter Nineteen Epilogue About Emily E K Murdoch Chapter One January 5, 1810 Lawrence knew he would have to hit the man eventually, but it would be so much easier if he could just stay still. “That was a close one!” “Come on, Lawrence!” “Get him!” The cheers and shouts round the boxing ring rose in a rush of heat and noise, clouding Lawrence’s judgment and making it almost impossible to think—at least, it would have done. If he were a lesser man. If it was not vitally important he— Lawrence lurched to the side, just missing an errant fist flying in his direction. His opponent grinned, blood oozing from his nose. The ring was splattered with blood, but as far as Lawrence could make out, most was not his. Not that he’d managed to land many hits, his damned mind otherwise occupied. He had to find him. Lawrence circled slowly around the ring. Ring. One would hardly call it a ring if any of the men clamoring in the stands had seen where he had learned to box Oxford. But here in the backstreets of London, the Almonry, any old square would do as long as there was sufficient rope around it, Lawrence thought darkly. No one required more, nor required names when a man stepped into the ring. They certainly did not check name given was true… “Careful!” A shout from the crowd made him turn and just miss a thrust to his chest, which would have been most injurious to his overall health—and his purpose. For Lawrence Madgwick had not come to the Almonry Den Boxing Ring to win a little coin, though it would be most useful. He was not even Lawrence Madgwick at all. “Ready to give up?” he taunted his opponent, wiping sweat from his eyes in an attempt to ensure he could see the damned man clearly. He had watched the brute time and time again, could predict the careless way he moved, but for some reason it was far more difficult in the ring. The man leered. “Tired,