The Duke's Wicked Dare

THE DUKE’S WICKED DARE DEREPUTABLE LORDS SERIES BOOK ONE VERNA CYRIL DARKAN PRESS INC. The Duke’s Wicked Dare is a work of fiction. While reference might be made to actual historical events or existing locations, the names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales are entirely coincidental. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form by any electronic or mechanical means—except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews—without written permission. First Edition April 2023 Edited by AuthorsDesigns and Haleigh Mills Proofread by Alyssa Nazzaro @Hundred Proof Services Cover Art by Forever After Romance Designs Copyright © 2023 by Verna Cyril CONTENTS Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Epilogue Acknowledgments About Verna Cyril CHAPTER ONE Lady Sophie Kensington smothered a smile as she stared at Viscount Jonas Thimbleton squirming in his seat. His handsome face was now a brilliant shade of pink as he tried, but failed miserably, to thwart the creature that crawled up his trousers. He widened his eyes in evident dismay and attempted to slap his thigh to rid himself of her pet mouse Sylvester. “Good grief!” he exclaimed, his expression a pained grimace. The viscount jumped from his chair, stamping his feet. “What ails you, Lord Thimbleton?” her father, the Earl of Shrewsbury, asked with a scowl. He slowly rose from his chair, most of his weight falling heavily on the cane in his hand. “What is happening?” Without providing an answer, the viscount dashed from the room, stamping like a mad bull. Her father followed him into the entrance hall as fast as he could. Sophie quickly searched for Sylvester, spotting him near the foot of the armchair. “Come here, boy,” she whispered, gently scooping him up and slipping him into his box. “You did a fantastic job.” A few heated words reached her ears, the door shut with a decisive slam, and her father returned to the parlor with a troubled look. “What mischief have you engaged in, child? Were you responsible for Lord Thimbleton’s hasty departure?” Sophie hoped her face did not reveal her misbehavior. “Father, I know not what you speak of. Lord Thimbleton is clearly a good actor,” she said sweetly. Her papa’s bushy brow rose. “A good actor? Whyever would he need to act?” “The viscount obviously did not wish to shoulder the burden of being a husband. Furthermore, rumor has it, he is quite quick to temper. You want me wed to such an angry man, papa?” She tried to appear unruffled as she awaited her father’s reaction. It would not do to falter and reveal how out of sorts she truly was. Her papa cast her a look of dawning outrage. “Rubbish! Lord Thimbleton is a reputable young man. I did a thorough background check on him and his affairs.” Sophie returned her father’s probing regard with a steady stare, determined not to wilt under his disapprobation. “Aunt Maymay does not think very highly of him.” Her father’s features hardened. “What does she know about men? That old lady never took a husband; she might as well have given her life to the church.” “At least she is happy,” Sophie said. “Is that not a very important thing to desire in marriage, papa? Happiness?” “Marriage is about stability,” he said, indifferent to the soft plea in her tone. “That you will be provided and cared for is all that should matter. Not this romantic nonsense your aunt has filled your head with, or this other rubbish about what you can do without a husband. No lady is able to stand on her own in this world, and it is best you learn that!” Swallowing the hurt, she excused herself and went upstairs to her bedchamber. She was frustrated with her father’s behavior toward her feelings and the easy way he dismissed her desire to marry for something more profound than connections and wealth. Aunt Maymay was her mother’s sister who lived in Scotland, and she was the only one who truly understood Sophie. Aunt Maymay always told her that if she must marry, she should marry for love. She also said that in a loveless marriage, most women were treated poorly and with little respect. Sophie understood her aunt’s counsel, for she had witnessed firsthand how unhappy her mother had been with her father, and she did not want a marriage of that ilk. Her parents married out of duty, but she was determined not to make the same mistake. If she were to marry, it would only be for love—to a man who valued her feelings, appreciated her intelligence and eccentricities, and supported her passion. She would also love and respect her husband. Her mother had never known anything other than serving her father, yet he had not once returned the affection and kindness that was due to her. Deep down, Sophie still resented her father for not loving her mother as she deserved. He was insensitive to her mother's feelings, much like he was with her own. Sophie also had to bear the burden of her dear friend, Erin, who constantly complained about her husband Lord Rigobert. Erin had fallen in love with his irresistible charm and dashing looks last season and was so certain the viscount held some tendre for her. Only now, Erin had to suffer the humiliation of his infidelity. Sophie sighed and placed the box with Sylvester on the small desk in her bedchamber. A small tip of a nose, white whiskers, and beady eyes peaked out of the box with curiosity. His small, rounded ears twitched as he listened tentatively to his surroundings. Finally comfortable, he