Betraying the Duke Read Online Free PDF Page A

impatiently, unable to contain herself.
    “There is this man I have bumped into by chance twice now. I met him the second time yesterday when mother and I were at the market. He is so handsome and intelligent, Mary! Oh you would love him! I think he likes me and I wanted to go to the market to see him again! Also I forgot to buy the paints I needed yesterday, so if anyone asks, I am just outside in the woods or more so, ill and in bed and do not want to be disturbed, do you understand?” Sophia told her the details, her eyes demanding that Mary not say anything else to their parents.
    “But you can’t go alone, Sophia! You will shame our family!” Mary said, shocked at what her sister was planning.
“No one will recognize me,” Sophia said, donning the bonnet and pulling it down low to conceal a portion of her face. “Mary, promise me you will not say anything”.

“I shall not say anything. A man?! What is his name?! YOU finally approved of a man! This must be a new day in history! What a miracle!” Mary said, jesting and laughing.
    “Mary, I am serious! His name is Duke Seth Colborne, now please be quiet about it. With Mother and Father being so against me, I do not want to bring anything like this out in front of them just yet, I mean I do not even know if he actually wants to court me or not!” Sophia said, suddenly feeling the pressure and the unknowingness of the situation.
    “He is a Duke! Oh, Mother and Father will surely approve the instant that they know!” Mary said excitedly.
    “Yes, but I cannot tell them yet. Let me just get to know him a little better, maybe he has some secret past or something sinister,” Sophia said, contemplating the many things that could go wrong should she meet him at the market.
    “Maybe he is perfect and just the one you were waiting for,” Mary suggested dreamily.
    Sophia smiled at her little sister’s selflessness. There was no doubt that during the past few days, Mary had been her strongest support and she had done so unconditionally; it was something that made Mary truly special.
    “Oh! I am going to be late! I am going now Mary, wish me luck!” Sophia said, getting quickly on her feet and leaving to go to the market.
    “Good luck, Sophia!” Mary called back after her.
    The walk to the market was much different than the one Sophia had had before, there was something brighter in the world today; maybe it was true love.
    I cannot fall for him just yet, I do not even know the man properly, let alone imagine my entire life with him. What if Mary cannot keep a secret and tells Mother and Father? This has to turn out good! I do hope he is the one! It would really make my life so much easier! But wait… I have not even told him yet about wanting to be a physician. What if he disapproves as well? Many Dukes like the old traditional ways, I do not think he would be in the favor of it. Sophia, calm down. Take a deep breath in and breathe out. You only just found out what his name was, let’s take this slow, shall we? She brought some sense back into her.
    The market was as busy as the day before, everyone living their own life, trying to buy what they needed, chattering and discussing problems at home. Sophia didn’t notice anybody much, today she was not paying attention to her surroundings, all she wanted was to see his face. She went to the spot they had met the day before, but he was not there. She looked around, squinting her eyes to look in the distance hoping he was still making his way there. Maybe he is running late for something, he will be here. He did say he was coming, did he not? Or did I misunderstand what he was saying? What if he just only meant that we would meet again?
    The hope in her slowly began fading away; there was no sign of him anywhere. Sophia still waited for him, wanting to prove herself wrong, that despite it all he would be there. It was getting dark again, and she had stood there alone in the chilly wind for a long time. Giving up