A Duke in Shining Armor Read Online Free PDF Page A

help and you must know this, I am a maid you are a Duke.” She stated firmly.
      He scoffed in reply.  “You are of noble blood, and one with the misfortune of being given to the only two animals left you could call family.  My sister Juliet is coming out for her season this year and would befriend you in a second, and if you do not want a coming out you may simply watch in the background” She stared at him in disbelief.  He was serious.
    “My aunt will not hear of it, she already makes me work my fingers to the bone for the roof over my head. She will inform you how inappropriate it is for you to fund me any way.”  He rubbed his chin for a moment in deep thought.  The action brought her eyes to his masculine face.  He had strong cheekbones and his face seem to be chiseled from stone. Feeling herself being distracted by his good looks she focused her eyes on the wall behind him in an attempt to avoid any unladylike thoughts. 
    She found herself having those frequently in his presence during his stay and her attempts to avoid him had been unsuccessful.  If she did not know any better she would think he had sought her out.  “I will handle your aunt and uncle. 
     
    In the meantime, gather your belongings. We will leave tomorrow morning.”  She opened her mouth to protest and he quickly put a finger to her mouth to silence her.  That simple act sent a wave of desire down her spine all the way to her toes. She was shocked at the urge that she had to throw her arms around his neck and kiss his mouth.  She seemed to get lost in the depth of his eyes and the kindness that she saw in them.
      She cleared her throat.  “Very well, but I am afraid my aunt may give you a hard time concerning my leaving.”
      He chuckled under his breath.  “That maybe so, we shall see if she is foolish enough to try.”
    *****
    Emily took one last look around the room that had been her home for the last four years.  She ran her hand down the front of her dress in a useless attempt to make herself feel better about her appearance.  She was not sure why the Duke felt obligated to help her all she knew was when she was in the same room with him, she could hardly breathe.  He was a magnificent man.
                  She soaked in every detail of his body as he had paced in front of her two days before in concentration.  She had a yearning deep down she had never felt before.  If she could ever wish for her old life back it would be while she was in his presence.  What would it feel like to kiss his lips?  Run her hand down his muscular arms and wrap her arms around him to love him as a woman was made to love a man.
                  She was no complete fool as to what went on between men and women; she had been working at a gentleman’s establishment the past four years.  All she had ever heard was moaning and thumping and when the men came out of their rooms they had a sly look upon their faces.
                  The worse ones were the wedded men who came to escape from their wives and partook in their mistresses charms for days on end.  Sometimes all the thumping kept her up and robbed her of her much needed sleep.  Emily had no doubt that the Duke could make her moan.  Shaking herself of her brazen thoughts she turned and headed down the stairs to the Dukes room.
                  She stopped as she overheard raised voices coming from within.  “You did what?!” she heard one man say in a stunned tone.
    “Jon, man calm down, Clint is in charge of this trip anyway, not you, he can make the decisions how he sees fit.” another male voice chimed in.  She lightly tapped upon the door. The door was swung open by one of the men that she showed to their room the day before.  He was tall and dark and silent.  She assumed he was the cool headed one of the group.
    “Tom, don’t just stand there, please let Emily come in so we may make our arrangements and be on our way.”