Betraying the Duke Read Online Free PDF Page B

Sophia,” the Duke said, standing up from his seat to greet her and out of respect.
    “Hello, Your Grace. I am surprised you are here,” Sophia said, trying to form her sentences properly.
    “So you do know him then, Sophia?” her father asked before the Duke could respond.
    “Yes, Father I do. We…” she began saying before her father cut in.
    “He has told us everything. I will leave you two alone to talk then,” Sophia’s father said, getting up to leave and her mother followed beside him.
    Sophia watched them astonished, how easily they had taken all of it. She looked over at the Duke and he was already smiling.
    She sat near him, still unable to understand what was going on.
    “You spoke to them? What are you even doing here? Wait! Why were you not at the market today? I thought I would see you there!” asked Sophia, all at once, surprised by his bold behavior.
    “Yes I did speak with them, I told them about how we met and they let me speak with you. I thought it would be easier if I handled things with your parents, it is the way I like to do things. Also, were you waiting for me at the market?” he asked, smiling at the thought of her wanting to see him again.
    “No! I was… I was already going! I had forgotten to get something, so I went back again today. But that is no concern of yours. What did you say to them? And how did you know where I lived and why are you here?!” Sophia said, shocked and excited at this new chance that had come before her. Her prayers had been answered the minute she had made them.
    “I told them plainly, that I like you and that I would wish to know you more. About how I found out you lived here, well, you told me yourself and then it was not too hard asking the directions to a very famous physician’s house. I found the house in an instant. Thirdly, about your last question, well like I said earlier, I like you and I want to know you Sophia, there is something about you that can keep a man like me awake in my bed at night, unable to sleep,” he said charmingly, being romantic.
    “Your Grace! You are so blunt with your words!” Sophia said, nervously blushing.
    “Is that not the way life should be? Honest and open! Nothing to hide!” he said, laughing and saying out loud.
    Sophia smiled. He is the one, I know it sounds crazy, but I believe in my soul it is he.
    “You are right, Your Grace, this is the only way life should be,” she said, smiling at him.
    He smiled back and they looked into each other’s eyes, both of them caught in the other one’s web, unable to look away. They were falling for each other deeply and deeply together.
    Sophia realized what she was doing and forced herself to break free of his glance; she looked bashfully to the other side of the room, trying to not reveal it too much.
    “It makes me smile when you turn away from me like that, a bashful and beautiful woman,” Duke Colborne said, noticing her shyness every time she tried to hide it.
    Sophia did not think he did, and she was surprised knowing he observed her so closely. She smiled. Wait, Sophia! What about knowing him more?! Know him better before you fall for him! Ask him about your dream! The right man will never want you to leave it, if he is the one, he too will support you!
    Sophia was afraid to ask him, just in case he would disapprove of her choice. She did not want him to leave, she was falling for him and she did not want that to end, not when they had just met each other and every moment since then had been magical.
    “Your Grace, I too, like you, but I am afraid there are some things we need to discuss before we continue to get to know each other,” Sophia said, straightening up and brushing her dress with her hand.
    “Nice to know you like me,” he said, smiling playfully.
    Sophia smiled at his wit.
    “Well yes, otherwise you would not be welcome here!” she said, smiling at him. He laughed and she could not help but laugh with him.
    “I am serious though, we do