Engaging the Enemy Read Online Free PDF

indeterminate age, moved to flank her as she swept forward in a rustle of burgundy silk to sit on a wide chair. “Please, do be seated.”
    The duchess’ soft melodious voice was another shock to his senses. She was certainly not the woman he had expected to meet. Her voice brought to mind sweaty midnight pleasures. Panting, grasping ecstasy. Leopold brutally pushed those thoughts from his head as he sank into an opposite chair.
    A commotion occurred at the door and he turned, noticing the appearance of tea. Such considerations were rare in his presence, but very much appreciated. If the duchess relaxed enough, she might be more amenable to his request. The duchess’ companion poured the tea without uttering a word and he took his cup, taking a sip while he considered how best to deal with her.
    The duchess set her teacup upon the saucer with exquisite care and looked at him expectantly. “You mentioned you’d been abroad, Mr. Randall. Might we know how you occupied your time while away from Romsey?”
    Leopold glanced at her hands. Despite her calm words, her tense fingers hinted she wasn’t altogether certain he was not about to mount an immediate attack on her person. Blast the Dukes of Romsey to hell and back. “I’ve just returned from India. I earn my way as a silk merchant.”
    Her Grace’s pretty green eyes widened. “Really?”
    “Yes, since I left England ten years ago.”
    Perhaps unconsciously, the duchess’ palm slid over the silk of her gown. A silk that he’d purchased and sent directly here, if memory served. Only the best for Romsey. The old duke had demanded it as part of their bargain and had kept a strict accounting of their transactions.
    Noticing the direction of his gaze, her hands stilled. “You?”
    Leopold nodded, but he was uncertain what to make of her interest. By rights she should disdain a member of the family who sullied his hands in trade. But he’d had little choice in the matter. He’d had to survive. He’d had to agree to the old duke’s bargain to ensure his siblings had a similar chance for a good life.
    “Thank you.” The duchess glanced up at the woman beside her. “May I present Lady Venables, my younger sister?”
    Leopold shifted his gaze to the other woman, doing his best to hide his surprise. The younger sister’s appearance hinted at a far greater age. As he considered her, he realized the darker tone of her gown and the sober expression might reflect a state of mourning. “Lady Venables, a pleasure.”
    She inclined her head, but kept her lips pressed together, her expression wary. The mousy haired, reed-thin woman dressed in priggish navy muslin seemed wound as tightly as a bow string.
    Leopold took another sip of his tea and let some of his tension fall away. Clearly all was not as expected at Romsey, but he should not anticipate the worst from these women. They undoubtedly had their own problems to deal with it seemed. Lady Venables might be less than friendly, but he had wrongly anticipated the duchess’ contempt. So far all he sensed was curiosity from her.
    “Wilcox mentioned that it has been many years since you’ve been at Romsey. I must confess I cannot recall my husband ever mentioning you. Are you greatly estranged from the ducal line?”
    “His Grace and I were second cousins.”
    The duchess gasped. “Second cousins? But why would he never mention you? You must have been his heir? My son’s heir now.”
    Leopold was very good at reading the lies people tried to hide. Her wide-eyed innocent questioning caused a flutter in his chest. She wasn’t lying in any way. She honestly hadn’t known of his existence before today. No wonder she had been wary of him. The thought settled in his stomach like a rock. If she had not known of him then it stood to reason that she may not even know the whereabouts of his family.
    Although his heart pounded, Leopold shrugged as if his potential elevation in rank meant nothing. And it didn’t make the