In Need of a Duke (The Heart of a Duke Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page B

hall and use every last moment at her disposal to try and make a match. In spite of the cool night, she’d rather remain outside with nothing more than her quiet company. She walked back over to the balustrade and gripped the edge of the hard stone. The full moon played off the lush gardens, casting mysterious shadows.
    She ran her palm over the surface, stroking back and forth as she considered her precarious situation. Just that morning another creditor had come calling. Hardly anything remained of their previous lifestyle. All the fripperies, all the trappings that hadn’t seemed to matter were gone. The porcelain shepherdess and her flock of sheep. The collection of china dolls Aldora and her sisters had played with as young children. The chintz tea set she’d first sipped tea from. All of it had been sold off to cover Father’s many debts. At the time, all Aldora had cared about was her family’s survival. But now she found herself mourning the loss of those small tokens.
    Those items represented memories.
    Her vision blurred. Aldora removed her spectacles and made to move the smudge of dirt from the glass as a teardrop slipped down her cheek.
    “We meet again, my lady.”
    Aldora gasped. Her spectacles slipped from her fingers and toppled to the gardens below.
    She spun around, a hand pressed to her breast as she came face to face with the Marquess of St. James.

    Michael Knightly had battled through the tedium of the evening. He’d not turned from the sickeningly fascinated stares and the curious whispers tittered behind fans and hands.
    Except after the monotony of it all, he’d needed to escape. Just for a short while. The crush of the ballroom reminded him of how much he loathed ton functions. He far preferred life in Pembrokeshire, overseeing the men who worked in his coal mines. Hundreds of families were dependent upon the success of his operation, and Michael prided himself on the quality work conditions and benefits he offered to those who worked for him. Those men and women were honest. They appreciated the value of hard work and were fair. Unlike the ton , those who found work in the mines were not self-serving, driven by only material gain and societal standing.
    He’d made his way to the balcony, craving the crisp, clean night air.
    Of course his lovely vixen would be here.
    He grinned, feeling lighthearted for the first time since he’d entered Lord and Lady Aldridge’s soiree.
    Lady Aldora’s quiet curse reached his ears.
    His smile grew. “Did you just curse, my lady?”
    She ignored him, feeling around the balustrade wall.
    His smile grew. “It appears you’ve lost something—again,” he murmured. “Tsk, tsk, I’m beginning to think that perhaps this is more than mere—”
    “Will you help me or not, my lord?”
    He opened his mouth to correct her, and then paused. The words died on his lips. He knew the moment she learned his real identity he’d see the loathing in those brown eyes. Time would come soon enough for that, but for now he wanted to enjoy the joy in being with someone who did not know he was the scandalous younger brother who’d killed his friend.
    Michael inclined his head. “How can I be of assistance?”
    “I don’t normally lose things, you know.”
    “Oh?” From their brief meetings, it appeared she did.
    Lady Aldora must have assumed he was passing judgment. A little frown formed at the corners of her bow-shaped lips. “I don’t,” she insisted. “And if I need point out, the only reason I lost my necklace was because you nearly bowled me over in the park.”
    “Because you were walking down a riding path,” he said.
    “And now I dropped my sp—belongings, because you startled me with your unexpected intrusion.” She went on as though he’d not spoken.
    Michael moved alongside her. The heady citrusy scent of lemons that clung to her filled the air until he was nearly drunk with a desire for the tart fruit. He gripped the edge of the balustrade and