Between the Duke and the Deep Blue Sea Read Online Free PDF

it was much closer.
    “The Mount,” he replied casually, turning his head sideways.
    She sat up, and stared at his strong profile, with the stubborn chin, long, straight nose, and well-defined lips. “The Mount? You mean St. Michael’s Mount?” The ends of his dark chestnut hair flirted with his collar and shimmered many shades of brown as the last rays of light flooded the sky.
    “Yes.”
    “So you’ve inherited one of the cottages at the base of the fortress?” He’d already told her he was traveling to his never-before-seen new residence.
    “It’s larger. But a mostly rotting ruin as I was given to understand.”
    A cool trickle of certainty pooled at the base of her spine. She closed her eyes. Lord, he was the dashing new duke, of course. The one all her neighbors had been yammering about for the last few days. The one all the trade people in the villages were hoping would deign to visit and revive the once magnificent castle gracing the projection of granite in Mount’s Bay. He was also expected to marry one of the chomping-at-the-marital-bit noble daughters in the neighborhood and bring other gentlemen for those young ladies who failed to engage his notice. It was whispered he was half French, but his background and former life prior to becoming a duke was as mysterious as the reason he had agreed to help her.
    “Have no fear that anyone shall recognize you,” he continued. “Thanks to the charming effect of a relation, I am certain any former servants have given notice. My great-aunt has a, um, dislike of this country. Most likely only three or four of her stalwart favorite servants from France or Town are down and in residence now. But . . .”
    “I’m listening, Your Grace.”
    His back stiffened before he relaxed again. “Well, thank God you have brains. You’ll need them if you stay longer than a day or two. A large party of guests from London will descend by the end of the month. So you will have to concoct a plausible reason to be there. My great aunt will provide the first test I assure you.”
    “Why are you helping me?” she suddenly asked.
    “Do I have a choice?”
    “You know you do.”
    He paused. “Perhaps it’s because I might know what it’s like to have nowhere to turn. And sometimes, just sometimes, you are given a second chance.” He cleared his throat. “Look, I might not be a long-lasting second chance, but you look the sort who will figure out what to do with a minimum of time and input from me.”
    “That’s what I like about you,” she muttered. “All gallantry, without a hint of charm.”
    He halted his horse and gathered the reins in one hand to turn fully to look at her. His lovely chocolate brown eyes met hers. “Well, at least it can be said I kept a weapon away from you.”
    “I shall pay you for your help,” she said quickly. Roxanne tugged on the ruby and diamond ring Lawrence had given her on their wedding day.
    “It’s not very big, is it?” He examined the dusty ring closely. “I’m not sure it’s enough to repay me.”
    She struggled to smile. “I know, but I don’t want it. And you might need it if any of the neighboring mothers have their way.”
    “So why did he leave you to die?”
    She liked the way he changed subjects as fast as she changed emotions. “I don’t know.”
    “Does he want to marry someone else?”
    “How would I know?” She was just grateful he believed Lawrence had tried to kill her. Many true blue-blooded aristocrats would never take her side. “I’ve always thought he cared about his gardens more than anything or anyone else.”
    “Your husband prefers shrubbery over females?” His raised eyebrows gave away his disbelief.
    “He prides himself on the many flowers he’s cultivated on the vast estate. Spends hours in the gardens.”
    “Now then, let me dismount,” he said when she didn’t continue. “My legs are stiff and I want to walk a bit.”
    She accommodated his nonsensical request and moved forward