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Chapter 5.2 (Part 2)
A stone terrace extended along the side of the house, the balustrade broken here and there by steps leading down to the gardens. Flambeaux places in brackets along the walls three flickering light down into the avenues and any number of couples could be seen, walking and talking quietly amid the greenery.
Unhurriedly, Daniel led her to the end of the terrace and then down the steps into a deserted walk. They both breathed in the heady freshness of the night air, calming their disordered senses and, without the need to exchange words, each drew some measure of comfort from each other’s presence. At the end of the path, a secluded summer-house stood, white paintwork showing clearly against the black shadows of the shrubbery behind it.
As Daniel had hoped, the summer-house
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Relieved to find she was not crying, as he had thought, Daniel immediately caught her hand to prevent her flying from him again. Stung by the shock his touch always gave her, intensified now, she was annoyed to discover, Sophia tried to pull her hand away. When he refused to let her go, she said, her voice infused with an iciness designed to freeze, “Kindly release me, Lord Daniel.” On hearing her voice, Daniel placed the emotion that was holding her so rigid. The knowledge that she was angry, nay, furious, did nothing to improve his own temper, stirred to life by her abrupt flight. Forcing his voice to a reasonableness he was far from the feeling, he said, “If you’ll give me your word you’ll not run away from me, I’ll release you.”
The Duke And His Four Wards Chapter 5.3
How the hell was he to get rid of her? Felix, Lady Portland on his arm, had twice traversed the terrace. He had no intention of descending to the shadowy avenues. He had no intention of paying any further attention to Lady Portland at all. Lady Portland, in the other hand, was waiting for his attentions to begin and was rather surprised at his lack of ardour in keeping to the terrace. They were returning at the end of the terrace, when Felix, glancing along, saw Margaret come out of the ballroom, alone, and walk quickly to the balustrade and peer over. She was clearly seeking someone. Clara Portland, prattling on at his side, had not seen her. With the reflexes necessary for being one of the more successful rakes in the ton. Frlix whisked her ladyship back into the ballroom via the door they were about to pass.
The Duke And His Four Wards Chapter 5.4
Sanity returned to Sophia's mind like water in a bucket, slowing filling from a dripping tap, bit by bit, until it was full. For one long moment, she allowed her mind to remain blank, savouring the pleasure of being held so gently against him. Then, the world returned and demanded her response. She struggled to sit up and was promptly helped to her feet. She checked her gown and found it perfectly tidy, bar one knot of ribbon on her sleeve which seemed to have gone missing. Daniel, who had returned to earth long before, had been engaged in some furious thinking. But, try as he might, he could not imagine how she would react. Like Felix, it had been a long time since young virgins had been his prey. As she stood, he tried to catch a glimpse of her face in the dim light but she perversely kept it averted. In the end, he caught her hands and drew her to stand before him. "Sweetheart, are you all right?" St
The Duke And His Four Wards Chapter 6.1 (Part 1)
Felix took a long sip of his brandy and savoured the smooth warmth as it slid down his throat. He stretched his legs to the fire. The book he had been trying to read rested open, on his thighs, one strong hand holding it still. He moved his shoulders slightly, settling them into the comfort of well padded leather and let his head fall back against the chair. It was the first night since the beginning of the Season that he had had a quiet evening at home. And he needed it. Who would have thought his four wards would make such a drastic change in a hitherto well-ordered existence? Then he remembered. He had. But he had not really believed his own dire predictions. And the only reason he was at home tonight was because Sophia, still affected by her brush with Daniel the night before, had elected to remain at home and Margaret had stayed with her. He deeme
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He had left Daniel packing at Hammington House and returned to the comfort of his own home to spend a quiet evening in contemplation of his wards. Their problems should really not cause surprise. At first sight, he had known what sort of men the Fleming girls would attract. And there was no denying they responded to such men. Even Maribella seemed hellbent in tangling with rakes. Thankfully, Emma seemed too quiet and gentle to take the same road—three rakes in any family should certainly be enough. Family? The thought sobered him. He sat, eyes on the flames leaping in the grate, and pondered the odd notion. His reverie was interrupted by sounds of an arrival. He glanced at the clock and frowned. Too late for callers. What now? He reached the hall in time to see Rickshaw
The Duke And His Four Wards Chapter 6.2 (Part 1)
“Good morning. Rickshaw, isn’t it? I’m Emma Fleming. I’ve come to return a book to His Grace.” Although he had only set eyes on her once before, Rickshaw remembered his master’s youngest ward perfectly. As she stepped daintily over the threshold of Delmere House, a picture in a confection of lilac muslin, he gathered his wits to murmur, “His Grace is not presently at home, miss. Perhaps his secretary, Mr. Cunnings, could assist you.” Rickshaw rolled one majestic eye toward a hovering footman who immediately, if reluctantly, disappeared in the direction of the back office frequented by the Duke’s secretary. Emma, allowing Rickshaw to relieve her half-cape, looked doubtful. But all she said was, “Wait here for me, Henri
The Duke And His Four Wards Chapter 6.2 (Part 2)
Francis allowed his eyes to travel, gently, so as not to startle her, over the delicious figure before him. Very nice. His smile grew. The silence around him penetrated his mind, entirely otherwise occupied. “Rickshaw, I think you’d better introduce us.” he said to his brother’s astounding butler. Rickshaw almost allowed a frown to mar his impassive countenance. But he knew better than to try to avoid the unavoidable. Exchanging a glance of fellow feeling with Mr. Cunnings, he obliged in sternly disapproving tones. “Captain Francis Cambridge, Miss Emma Fleming. The young lady is His Grace’s youngest ward, sir.” With a start, Francis’s gaze, which had been locked with Emma’s, flew to Rickshaw’s face. “Ward?&rdquo
The Duke And His Four Wards Chapter 6.3
An hour later, Felix crosses the threshold to be met by Rickshaw, displaying, quite remarkably, an emotion very near agitation. This was instantly explained. “Miss Emma’s here. In the drawing-room with Mr. Francis.” Felix froze. Then nodded to his butler. “Very good, Rickshaw.” His sharp eyes had already taken in the bored face of the maid sitting in the shadows. Presumably, Emma had been here for some time. His face was set in grim lines as his hand closed on the handle of the drawing-room door. The sight which met his eyes was not at all what he had expected. As he shut the door behind him, Francis’s eyes lifted to his, amused understanding in the blue depths. He was seated in an armchair and Emma occupied the nearest corner of the chaise.
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