Ducal Encounters 02 - With the Duke's Approval Read Online Free PDF

confusion.
    She was prepared to admit Lord Romsey was the most interesting and agreeable gentleman she had met since her come out, perhaps because he was quite a few years older than she was and he had seen and done so much to make him fascinating in her eyes. She adjured herself not to get carried away with foolish notions. Lord Romsey was a slave to duty. That much was very apparent, and there was no place in his life for a wife.
    Good heavens! Anna almost stumbled when the nature of her thoughts registered. A strong arm shot out to steady her.
    “Did you slip?”
    “Oh no, I beg your pardon. I was not paying attention.”
    “What were you thinking about?”
    “Fie, Lord Romsey, you cannot ask such a question.” She shook a finger at him in mock annoyance. “If I were to answer you honestly, you would be disappointed by the pedestrian nature of my reflections, and that knowledge would strip me of all mystique. If I were to invent something exotic, would you think less of me as a consequence?”
    His rich, throaty laugh sent a shockwave of thrills cascading through her body. “You, my dear, will always be a charming mystery to me, and I shall never tire of trawling your lively imagination.”
    “Gallantly said.”
    “Does that mean my inappropriate question is forgiven?”
    “Question?” Anna sent him a teasing smile. “Did you ask me something?”
    Lord Romsey chuckled, and they continued their chilly perambulation in companionable silence. Anna breathed deeply of the frigid air and returned to her cogitations. Without being vain, she was aware she could take her pick of a husband from amongst the many young men who pursued her with single-minded determination. None had excited her interest. Lord Romsey, on the other hand, had done so without appearing to try. Unfortunately, he was not of a mind to marry. He had told her so in not so many words. Perhaps he sensed her interest in him and was kindly setting her on her guard. She was not about to beg. She was not quite that desperate. Besides, she could not marry a man who did not love her and who wasn’t prepared to give her at least a portion of his attention. Lord Romsey’s time was completely taken up with his myriad responsibilities, and he had none to spare for domestic felicity.
    Anna squared her shoulders, squelching her disappointment. Be that as it may, there was one thing she could do for him. She could introduce him to an aspect of his character he probably didn’t know existed by teaching him how to enjoy himself, simply because he felt the desire to act spontaneously.
    She could and she most assuredly would.
    They still had the terrace to themselves. Much as Anna enjoyed being with Lord Romsey, she was now frozen to the bone and couldn’t prevent herself from shivering.
    “You’re cold,” he said. “We ought to return to the ballroom.”
    “In a minute. I don’t mind the cold. It provides a respite from the over-heated ballroom.”
    “And your admirers.”
    “And them.”
    “How do you manage? Being pursued all the time must be exhausting.”
    “Oh, it is. Believe me. It doesn’t help that I could be the ugliest, most boring woman on God’s earth, but because of who I am, I would be pursued just as vigorously.”
    “You don’t know whether the coves admire you for yourself or for your fortune and connections?” Lord Romsey stroked his chin. “I had not thought of it in that light before.”
    “And you have no diplomatic advice to offer me?” she asked, glancing up at him with a capricious smile.
    “I’m not sure there is anything in the diplomatic handbook to cover such a situation.”
    “An unfortunate oversight.”
    “Quite. I shall make the powers that be aware of the omission at the first opportunity. But in the meantime, I must rely upon my wits to save face.” He sent her a teasing smile. “My suggestion, for what it is worth, is to listen to your heart and allow it to guide you. You would not be happy united to man