Sarah's Duke: and Ellie's Gentleman (The heir and the spare, book 1) Read Online Free PDF

mother’s sake than her own.
    “I’ll leave you then, Sarah. Take rest and sleep well.”
    She smiled at her mother as she moved towards the door.
    “Thank you Mamma. Good night.”
    The door shut with a soft click and she stood up carefully, shivering slightly as the now cool water ran down her body.
    Sarah stepped out of the tub, dried herself with the towel left by the servants and stepped closer to the fire to warm her as she put on her night gown.
    Sarah fell asleep as soon as her head hit her pillow, too emotionally worn out to stay awake any longer.
    *****
    Sarah spent most of the next day thinking about what she really did want from her life and the person who she might share it with. What sort of man did she really want to marry? Which man did she have to marry to give her siblings a future?
    Dressing for another   ball the following evening caused excited butterflies to flutter around Sarah’s belly. Her lady’s maid coaxed her naturally curly hair into the ringlets that were loved by the fashionable ton and pulled her laces tight. Sarah had a decent bosom, neither too small nor too big. Looking down at herself, Sarah observed that her bosom seemed to suit her body shape and she thought they were quite pretty, as far as breasts went. Hopefully her future husband would feel the same way.
    Her gown tonight was a pale pink, matching her slightly darker skin beautifully. She knew that the paler the skin, the better as far as the ton was concerned, but living in Somerset they had many functions out of doors and she never bothered to cover herself completely. She could only hope that her future husband wouldn’t find her complexion a problem. Sarah smiled to herself at the thought of meeting Oliver again and tried not to be too hopeful that he would attend the same event she would be attending. He had said he had no wish to be married, so did that mean she would never see him again? Generally, only those interested in matrimony attended balls. She suppressed another grin and pulled out her reticule. It was time to leave.
    The ball was an even bigger crush than had been anticipated and within minutes of entering the hot room, Sarah found herself seeking the calm of the outdoors. Too many sweaty people in one place could not be good for the constitution, she was sure. Her need for a wrap around her shoulders was making her doubly warm. Her back was still visibly scratched from Millington’s foiled attack, and Sarah knew it was best to avoid questions by covering herself.
    “Mamma, I need some fresh air.”
    Her mother nodded and fluttered her fan. “Just stick to the balcony.”
    Sarah hid her smile with a nod and made her way out the open doors to breathe once again.
    *****
    Oliver spent two minutes in the crowded ballroom and knew instinctively that she was here, but not in sight. Walking towards the balcony his pulse sped up and when he stepped into the cold air, his breath caught in his throat at the sight of her.
    All he could see was the back of her curled blonde hair and lovely white dress, yet his heart was hammering and his belly swirled with unfamiliar feelings. He was excited, yet nervous.
    Why did this beautiful young woman affect him so much? It was an exceptionally uncomfortable feeling and yet he couldn’t seem to stop himself wanting to be near her.
    He swallowed and took a breath, forcing the word from his throat. “Sarah?” Oliver called out her name as clearly as his nervous body would allow, and walked onto the balcony behind her.
    She visibly jumped and whirled around to look at him. Her hand came up to rest between her breasts in surprise, drawing his gaze to the plump flesh there. Arousal shot down his belly.
    “Oh goodness Oliver, you scared me.” Her beautiful face transformed as she smiled up at him and Oliver blinked as though he was in a dream. He felt like he’d been clobbered over the head, his brain swimming in wonder, as though he’d just consumed a bottle of whiskey.
    She