Duchess by Mistake Read Online Free PDF Page B

how very wealthy he is. With his money, you could do more good  works than ever you dreamed.”
    She had not thought of that.
    Anna rose. “I beg that you sleep on it. Please, consider the duke’s proposal in light of the many good things that can result from it. Please?”
    Elizabeth nodded solemnly. How could Anna have known the duke had vowed to make her reconsider? She could still recall the very expression on his simmering countenance when he’d said, “I am accustomed to getting what I want, Elizabeth.”
    Why was the man under the misapprehension that she was what he wanted?
    * * *
    During the next several days, Aldridge set about getting all his affairs in order. He delivered the hundred pounds personally to Belle Evans. He knew the "loan" would never be returned. Even though her anticipated visit had resulted in the debacle with young Lady Elizabeth Upton, he was not angry. For the more he contemplated marriage, the more he thought marriage to Lady Elizabeth might suit him.
    He did not delude himself that he was in love with her. But the attributes she possessed were exactly what was required for his potential duchess. And it was time. He must see to the succession.
    Once Aldridge had seen Belle, his next order of business was to have his solicitor see about the house on Trent Square. What a capital idea to allow officers' widows to use it!
    It was really quite admirable of Lady Elizabeth to concern herself so much with the plight of the less fortunate. Though it did not surprise him. Haverstock had always been possessed of an acute sense of duty. Few men of his rank worked as hard or for as many hours as he did for the Crown.
    Taking a cue from Haverstock, Aldridge's next action was showing up at the Foreign Office and offering his services. He learned that Haverstock had greased his path, and his duties in cryptology had already been assigned.
    At Brooks later that night, he announced to all his titled friends that he fully intended to sit in the House of Lords when the next session began.
    After meeting with his chief steward, Aldridge was temporarily free of obligations. Save one. Or make that two. He showed up at Haverstock House on Half Moon Street early enough in the day that Lady Elizabeth would still be at home. "Pray," he said to the butler, "the Duke of Aldridge to see Lady Elizabeth." He handed a note to the stiff man. "I beg that you give this to her. It explains why I've come."
    * * *
    When the duke's note was delivered to Elizabeth, she was sitting at her dressing table peering into the looking glass as Anna's skillful French maid saw to the arrangement of her hair. Elizabeth's eyes ran over the seal that was stamped with the symbol of a sword, then she opened it.
    My Dear Lady Elizabeth,
    I thought you and I could ride over to Trent Square so I can show you the house, and we can discuss what must be done to prepare it for your war widows. I will wait in your drawing room.
    Aldridge
     
    He hadn't forgotten! Though she did not fancy traveling with the notorious rake, she was decidedly thrilled to set into motion her scheme.
    Filled with a sense of exhilaration, she could not wait. "That's perfectly good enough, Colette. I'm anxious to dress and meet my caller who awaits downstairs."
    Elizabeth was quite sure Colette had peered at the signature on her letter, and the old woman's comment soon confirmed her suspicions. "What shall you wear to see the duke?"
    It was Elizabeth's great misfortune that all the servants knew of her indiscretions in the duke's bedchamber three days previously. She knew the periwinkle was her most flattering dress, but that's what she had worn the last time she'd seen him, the night he proposed--the night he'd murmured her first name so intimately. "The pale yellow, I think," Elizabeth managed in a shaky voice.
    "An excellent choice. So pretty with Mademoiselle's pale yellow hair."
    * * *
    Aldridge regarded her with his dark, pensive eyes as she moved gracefully into the