His Reluctant Lady Read Online Free PDF Page B

understand
Lord Roderick wasn’t very nice to you a couple years ago,” she said
with a wink. “However, given how impish you used to be, I’d say
that Lord Roderick did you a kindness.”
    Used to her teasing nature, he took no
offense at the reminder of that horrible time in his life, though
he didn’t much appreciate the way Lord Roderick smirked at him.
Lord Roderick might have possessed a title, but he was hardly a
gentleman. Christopher settled for a mild shrug, refusing to let
him know he could intimidate him, even to this day. He had to deal
with Lord Roderick from time to time anyway, thanks to the fact
that he was friends with Perry. And Perry had way too much time on
his hands to intervene in Christopher’s life. If only Perry had a
wife…
    But the likelihood of that happening
was slim, considering how much bad luck he had when it came to
meeting ladies. It seemed that as soon as any lady took the
slightest interest in him, she was whisked off and married to
someone else. First, there was Lady Roderick, prior to the scandal
that trapped her to Lord Roderick. Then there was Ethan’s wife who
was about to make Perry’s acquaintance before Ethan’s mother got in
the way. What Perry needed was a full-proof plan to get a
wife.
    “ Christopher,” Ethan’s
mother said, breaking him out of his thoughts.
    His gaze went to Agatha who gave him a
triumphant look as the duke led her out of the room. Intrigued, he
watched her. He knew he hadn’t mistaken her interest in him at the
ball, but he shouldn’t have underestimated her determination to
play hard to get. Little did she know that he was up for the
challenge. Returning Agatha’s triumphant look with a charming
smile, he noted the slight furrow of her eyebrows and knew he had
succeeded in making her wonder what he’d do next.
    Satisfied, he turned his attention back
to Ethan’s mother and extended his arm toward her. “I’d be honored
to escort you to dinner.”
    And so he did. The meal in itself
wasn’t all that interesting, but how could it be when Lord Roderick
insisted on regaling everyone with his chess maneuvers. The Duke of
Rumsey and Mister Morris were more than happy to inflate his
conceit even further by congratulating him on his mental prowess.
Had it not been for the delicious food, Christopher wouldn’t have
been able to stomach the whole ordeal.
    He’d held out for the hope he might get
a chance to talk to Lady Richfield after the meal, but such was not
the case. He had to endure more idle chatter between the duke, Lord
Roderick, Mister Morris and Ethan in the den before they decided to
join the ladies. But to his dismay, Lady Richfield managed to slip
out of the house, claiming she didn’t feel well.
    He didn’t believe that excuse for a
minute. She was avoiding him. Despite her undeniable attraction to
him, she was avoiding him. He had to do something about that. But
what? His gaze went to Lady Roderick and a smile formed on his
lips. Of course. If there was anyone who could help him, it was
Lady Roderick. Lady Richfield might be hesitant to talk to a
gentleman, but he suspected she’d be more open to another lady,
especially when the lady was as kind and unassuming as Lady
Roderick. And he’d make sure to pay her a visit in the very near
future because the sooner he did, the sooner he’d break through
Lady Richfield’s wall.
     
    ***
     
    A week later, Claire Buford, the Lady
of Roderick, tapped the edge of the missive and glanced out the
drawing room window. She glanced at her husband who held his hands
out to one-year-old Perry who waddled toward him.
    “ You can do it, son,” he
encouraged, waving Perry over to him.
    A smile crossed her face, and she
folded the missive and set it on the table. She went over to Nate
and sat next to him. “He gets better every day,” she said, pride in
her voice.
    “ You can’t be surprised
since he has me for a father,” Nate replied with a grin. “Though, I
will add his mother only