A Duke in Shining Armor Read Online Free PDF

Clint said from the other side of the room. 
    Tom presented her with a bow, “My lady, please join us.”  Emily walked in and faced Clint and his companion and could tell by the red in his friends face he was not happy with the decision to bring her along.
                  “I do not want to be a bother to you or anyone of your party.” She said tersely.  Clint shot his friend a glare before walking over to Emily to take her by the hand.  Her stomach went into knots just from his touch.  He pulled his hand back and looked down at it in wonder and she knew he had felt it too.  “You are most certainly not a bother, you are my guest, the arrangements have been made, we are returning to my townhouse in London where my mother and sisters currently reside.  Jon just hates that he will have to be on his best behavior instead of being the cad he is most of the time.” He replied gruffly. 
    She looked uncertainly at him and his companions before taking a deep breath and nodding her head in agreement.  Clint led her downstairs and came upon her aunt in the foyer of the inn.  She would not look at Emily, she keep her face down as she wished them a safe trip and thanked the Duke once again for staying at her establishment. 
    As Clint led her to the carriage she wondered briefly where her uncle was and felt tears at the back of her eyes because her aunt had not even given her a personal goodbye.  If she had any doubt before that her aunt did not love her she knew it for fact now.
    Clint opened the door and helped her climb in the carriage before he lifted himself in and closed the door behind them.  Rich maroon velvet seats with the family scroll embodied in them stretched out across both sides of the carriage.  Hot coals were placed in the middle of the carriage so they may warm their feet during the journey. 
    She sat down and was trying to make herself relax; when it dawned on her she was alone in the carriage with the Duke.  “Your friends, they will not join us?” she asked.
    He cast her a small smile as he sat down across from her, “No, I am afraid it will be bad enough to your reputation that you are traveling alone with three men much less all three in a carriage un-chaperoned.”  He took off his jacket and adjusted his sleeves.  “I will see to it we get you a maid before we reach home, and see she tells no one of your circumstances before.”
                  Emily’s heart pounded.  How would she manage to be confined with him in a carriage when she could barely be in the same room with him and not wonder what his hands would feel like on her?  She yearned for his kiss and she knew not why.  Surely she was must be as wanton as her aunt had accused her mother of being.  That must have been how her mother got herself pregnant.  She hoped she would not let herself get in the same predicament.  Now that she knew she could possibly have a father out there somewhere it would be her mission to find him.
    Clint cleared his throat and interrupted her thoughts.  “I have informed my footman we are to stop in town and purchase you proper clothing for travel and any toiletries you would need.”
    Emily felt herself turn red with embarrassment.  “I could not ask that of you, I do appreciate the offer, but my dress is fine.”
                    Clint leaned forward and took her by the hand, “Emily, I took it upon myself to approach your uncle in the regards of your inheritance.  While you may not have the money you once had left to you, fortunately those swine’s who claim to be your family had not spent it all.” 
    Emily looked deep into his eyes.   She was in shock.  She had money?  Not only did she have money, but she had it this whole time.  Her aunt and uncle used her for free labor and had been living on her inheritance.  All feelings for her aunt and uncle changed in that moment.  She would think of them no more.
    She looked down at his hand that