Dusk With a Dangerous Duke Read Online Free PDF

the Duke of Huntsley. “I really must leave. My friend is expecting me.”
    The gentleman startled her by grasping her hand. He brought it to his lips and gallantly brushed a kiss against her knuckles. She felt the heat of his lips even through her kid gloves.
    “Farewell, my beauty,” he said, his voice rough with regret before he released her hand. “Perhaps fate will be merciful and bring us together again.”
    The coachman deliberately snapped his whip in the gentleman’s direction, forcing the man to leap backward to avoid the stinging lash.
    The coach lurched forward, drowning out the gentleman’s curses. With her heart weighted with regret, she raised her hand in farewell as she wondered if she would encounter him again.
    Grace could not explain the tears that suddenly stung her eyes. She was behaving foolishly. She had just met the gentleman. No one fell in love after a brief flirtation over a bouquet of flowers!
    Then why did she want to order the coachman to halt so she could return to the handsome stranger and allow him to purchase her the flowers she so desperately wanted to accept?
    *   *   *
    The tip of the coachman’s whip had struck his hand. Wily old bastard, Hunter thought uncharitably as he rubbed the sting from his flesh. So he had bought flowers for a beautiful woman. That was no reason to lash a gent over a harmless flirtation.
    Purchasing the flowers had been an impulsive gesture on his part. The blonde had looked troubled as her gaze drifted over the buckets stuffed with flowers; he had wondered if she did not possess the funds to pay for her purchase. He had wanted to do something to make her smile, and she had rewarded him handsomely.
    It had been enough.
    Or it should have been. In truth, he had been smitten even before he had glimpsed her face. There was something about the lady that had called to him. Something buried deep in his chest. He absently rubbed the spot over his heart, wishing they had had more time.
    It was for the best.
    The feeling of loss would pass. If he had desired more from the lady, Hunter would have charmed her into revealing her name so he could see her again. However, his days of flirting with inappropriate females were coming to an end. The sad blonde would have to seek out another gent for comfort. He had a bride to claim.
    *   *   *
    “The weather is too agreeable to remain indoors, do you not agree?”
    Grace turned her head away from the attractive view of Lord and Lady Netherley’s town garden to address the elderly marchioness. They were seated at a linen-draped round table one of the servants had procured at her request.
    “Indeed, my lady,” she said, returning to the table to join her hostess. “Since my arrival, I have been so busy with dress fittings and other tasks that I have missed my daily outdoor walks.”
    “And I daresay that you need a little more excitement than taking refreshments with an old woman,” Lady Netherley said, her knowing expression daring her to protest. “This will simply not do, and you are fortunate to have come to me first. After all, my connections in the ton are noteworthy. I would not be exaggerating to say that I know everyone.”
    “Of this, I have no doubt,” murmured Grace, though her response was unnecessary. The elderly marchioness was fully capable of carrying on both sides of the conversation without any assistance from her.
    The older woman clasped her hands together with enthusiasm. “Once you have settled into your residence, I would encourage you to tour London’s numerous parks and pleasure gardens. If you would prefer, I could arrange an outing with my daughter and daughter-in-law. My girls are slightly older, but I am certain they would be preferable companions rather than spending all of your afternoons with an old fossil like me.”
    “Nonsense,” Grace countered with polite sincerity. “While I will enjoy meeting more of your family, you have the distinct honor of being the first