A Spring Deception (Seasons Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page A

is dangerous, isn’t it?”
    “Only if we intend to hurt each other,” Celia said. “I know I do not. Do you?”
    He held her gaze steadily. “I have no intentions of hurting you, miss.”
    “Good. But you see, I am at an advantage over you that I think is unfair,” she said. “After all, I know who you are, Your Grace.”
    “Have we met before?” he asked, suddenly stiffening.
    She frowned. It seemed after all their banter that he would know they hadn’t, especially since he had been holed up in the countryside for years. But then, maybe he secretly brought women there, looking for a bride or just a companion to warm his bed. Perhaps they were forgettable, and she would be too, despite the connection she felt in their conversation.
    “No, we’ve never met,” she said slowly. “There is just a buzz about you in the room tonight, so I was informed who you were by friends.”
    Now it was he who took a long step toward her. She could feel the faint warmth of his body heat now.
    “Who am I?” he asked, his tone once again the rough version that seemed to ripple through her and settle somewhere in her lower stomach.
    “You are the Duke of Clairemont,” she breathed.
    “And who are you ?” he pressed, his gaze now locked with hers.
    She swallowed. There were a dozen inappropriate answers that flowed through her head, but she didn’t say any of them. “I’m Celia Fitzgilbert.”
    “Miss?” he pressed.
    Her breath caught. He wanted to know if she was married. “Yes, Miss Celia Fitzgilbert.”
    “Well, Miss Celia Fitzgilbert, it is a pleasure to meet you, unorthodox as this introduction is.” He leaned in and took her hand, lifting it to his lips. Through the thin fabric of her glove, she felt the swirl of his breath and a tingle made its way through her.
    He lifted his eyes as he remained bent over her hand, and her own breath hitched. She’d never felt so out of sorts with a man before. Never felt confused and drawn, hot and shivery, all at the same time.
    He released her hand gently and straightened up, but he didn’t step away from her. And he didn’t look away. Heat flooded Celia’s cheeks at the intensity of his stare and she found herself backing up, even though what she truly wished to do was step even closer. But that was not what ladies did.
    “I-I should probably go back inside,” she stammered. “My sister and brother-in-law will be looking for me.”
    He arched a brow. “And who are your sister and brother-in-law?” he asked.
    “Mr. and Mrs. Danford,” she explained.
    The slight smile on Clairemont’s face fell and he took a sudden step back. “Grayson Danford?”
    “Yes, Grayson Danford,” she repeated slowly. “He is the Earl of Stenfax’s younger brother. My sister is his wife, Rosalinde.”
    The warmth that had been on Clairemont’s face disappeared entirely, and he swallowed. “Ah, I see. Well, I should not keep you. Good evening, Miss Fitzgilbert.”
    He gave a stiff, formal bow and turned on his heel to stalk back into the house. Celia stared at his retreating back in shock and embarrassment. He had dismissed her.
    But why? Gray and Rosalinde were well liked in Society, there could be no reason why their names would inspire such a quick retreat. Unless…
    Her breath caught. Was it possible that even in his hermitage the Duke of Clairemont had heard of Celia’s broken engagement? That he judged her for it, as a handful of people did? Perhaps until he heard Gray and Rosalinde’s names, he hadn’t recognized her for her role in that minor scandal.
    But once he did, he had retreated immediately, not wanting to sully his good name by associating it with her.
    Tears stung her eyes and she blinked at them. It was a foolish reaction, for she had been well-aware there would be censure in some corners of Society, even if the romantic version of why the engagement had been broken appeased the majority.
    And it wasn’t as if she knew this man or had any connection to him. He