Engaging the Enemy Read Online Free PDF Page A

hung another portrait, a new addition to the chamber since his last visit. His second cousin, the late Edwin Randall, sat in regal splendor, the very image of health and vigor. A pity reality hadn’t matched the portrait. Edwin, the fifth Duke of Romsey, had not enjoyed a long tenure as duke or the best of health. In fact, given the precarious strength of his heart, it surprised him that he’d lasted until his heir arrived. But, since he’d not produced another son before his early death, that meant Leopold was next in line for the title.
    The thought didn’t please him. He wanted none of the pomp and certainly none of the intrigue that went hand in hand with the title. He had wealth enough to last a lifetime and wanted nothing from this place but answers.
    He shifted his gaze to the woman holding an expressionless newborn child across her knees. The current duchess appeared a formidable woman. Dark haired, and grave in features. He hoped the child, named Edwin after his father, received a glimmer of parental affection from her. Or perhaps, as often was the case with the Duchess’ of Romsey, she left the care of her child in the hands of capable servants.
    Poor child.
    Edwin Randall, the sixth Duke of Romsey, had Leopold’s pity.
    He’d never be as free to laugh as Leopold and his brothers and sister had been. Perhaps that was the benefit of not being the heir. Leopold’s childhood had been a happy one. Loud and rough, rather than refined and sequestered in this place. But Leopold was incredibly curious about young Edwin’s health. Did he have a weak heart like his father, too?
    Rapid footsteps sounded in the hall and he turned toward the door. After a moment or two of hushed consultation outside a woman swept in—flanked by two footmen and a darkly dressed attendant.
    The Duchess of Romsey shocked Leopold to his core. Where he had expected haughty civility, he sensed uncertainty. Where he expected grave regard, he sensed youth and unease. This was the Duchess of Romsey?
    He risked a quick glance at the portrait. The artist had only captured the tiniest portion of the real woman and Leopold hastily produced a courtly bow to cover his surprise.
    When he took a step forward, her two footmen moved to stand between him and the duchess. The action told him all he needed to know. The old duke had poisoned her mind toward him and his family. Getting what he wanted from her might take some time. “Your Grace, forgive me for not calling on you sooner. My affairs have kept me abroad much longer than I anticipated. Please accept my condolences on the loss of your husband and his father. It is a great loss to the family to lose both of them in so short a time.”
    Actually, Leopold didn’t believe their deaths a tragedy for the family. His cousin Edwin may have been as much a pawn as Leopold had been in the old duke’s intrigues, but there had been no love between them. There was nothing about the fifth Duke of Romsey to miss. But to this day he did not know if his cousin had a hand in the fate of his family. The loss of the old duke pained Leopold only because he was the one behind it all. He needed answers as much as he needed to breathe.
    “Thank you,” Her Grace murmured softly. “I had not expected visitors at Romsey today. Your arrival is a surprise and has caught us unprepared. I am sorry to have kept you waiting so long.”
    Blunt . Leopold preferred plain speaking to honey coated pleasantries. Perhaps he and the duchess could deal well with each other. “It was hardly any time to wait at all. My return is a temporary diversion on a much longer journey. I’ll not be a burden on the estate if that is what you fear.” He glanced at both footmen to show he recognized the attempt at protection. He hoped the duchess could see it was unnecessary. He wanted nothing from her but information.
    The duchess frowned and, after a moment of hesitation, signaled her footmen to step aside. Her attendant, a dour woman of