Lord Love a Duke Read Online Free PDF Page A

to ride your beast today? Come! Join us in the carriage
else you will surely overheat later in this sun, not to mention
stink of horse,” begged his mother. Juliet settled into the squabs
and turned to glance back at the Duke.

    “I thank you but no,” he replied with a wry
grin on his face. “I cannot fathom riding inside surrounded by the
conversation of three women when I can enjoy the ride and being
outdoors. The journey is not that far and we are breaking it at the
usual stops on the way.”

    The Duchess made to reply but was distracted
by Miranda fussing with her skirts and rocking the carriage.
“Miranda, do be still,” she admonished, struggling to right her own
skirts after tugging with her daughter. Juliet delicately smoothed
her own and settled her hands on her lap, her reticule at her side.
She smiled discreetly as Miranda and her mother continued to bicker
good-naturedly over their seating and room. A small laugh
eventually escaped her and she looked out the window as the Duke
shut the door.

    “Good journey to you ladies, and good luck
inside the carriage,” he ended on a laugh. He walked around behind
the equipage and took the reins to his horse from the waiting
groom.

    “Oh, Jonas,” called Miranda sweetly, her
head protruding gracelessly out the window. “Do bugger off.”

Chapter Six
Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?
Thou are more lovely and more temperate.

William Shakespeare, Sonnet 18

    Zounds! Lady Juliet was
stunning , thought Jonas as he climbed into
the carriage to escape the hot summer sun as they stopped on the
afternoon of the second day to rest the horses. She lay across the
plush, navy velvet seat with one leg dropped to the floor, her
tall, curvy form stretched out as much as possible in the close
confines of the carriage. Her hair was the color of rich, dark
chocolate, piled high on her head with several tendrils escaping as
she rested. Long lashes lay against smooth cheeks that had pinkened
slightly from the warmth of the day. A sliver of sunlight streamed
onto her side of the carriage, revealing auburn highlights in her
tresses. Her small, pert nose rested above the fullest, pinkest
lips he thought he had ever seen. He unconsciously stretched a hand
toward her face to see if her skin was as soft as it seemed when
she suddenly spoke.

    "I know you are here. I can hear you
breathing. Perchance do you have any treats to share?" she asked
drowsily without opening her eyes, the corner of her mouth quirked
up in a half smile. She raised and opened the fan that had been
sitting across her stomach and fanned her face. "We picked the
hottest day to travel, did we not?" He watched as she delicately
pulled her bodice away from her warm body to fan air down the top
of her gown. His mouth went dry and he suddenly felt it was much
warmer in the carriage than without. He shook his head to clear the
lustful thoughts. This was his sister's friend, not some light
skirt, he reminded himself.

    "Indeed, Lady Juliet, it is rather warm for
May, but we shall soon feel a cooling breeze off the Channel, I
should think." He gave a little dry swallow and continued, unable
to stop himself. "Pray, what treat do you ask of me, my lady?"

    Juliet's eyes flew open at the sound of his
rich baritone voice and she scrambled to right herself in the seat,
dropping her fan and shaking the carriage in her haste. "Saints and
sinners, Your Grace, I thought you were Miranda. You nearly scared
me to death!" She raised a hand to her heart and his gaze fell to
watch her gesture. He smiled at her indelicate exclamation and
watched as she blushed furiously.

    "Forgive me, my lady, but I sought the shade
offered by the carriage while the horses were watered. Mama and
Miranda are yet inside."

    "Yes, your sister had thought to find some
lemonade or cider. I think Her Grace was also anxious to stretch
her legs." Juliet felt as if she were prattling but was too shaken
to stop herself. His stare was unnerving her, his blue