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

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 was breathtaking. Had he really thought she was only pretty ? Flawless skin, glorious golden hair and the most kissable lips he had ever had the misfortune to feel. She obviously didn’t seem to notice his discomfort, because she put her hand around his elbow and pulled him further away from the ballroom. It was the only, and last, place he wanted to be.
    “I wasn’t sure if I’d see you tonight. You said you’re not on the marriage mart?” She laughed happily, as though telling a joke, but Oliver heard the question behind the statement.
    She had no idea how hard Oliver had struggled with himself over the question to seek her out or not. He had chosen the lesser of the two evils. He could deal with the torture of seeing her healthy and well, worrying that she wasn’t, was a torture he hadn’t yet been able to endure.
    “I wasn’t planning on it, to be honest, but I needed to make sure you were feeling a little better after your dreadful experience last night.”
    If only she wasn’t so beautiful. It would make it so much easier.
    Oliver knew that his attendance at more than one ball in a week had already been cause for speculation. He only had a few years left until he had to marry a lady to produce an heir to the dukedom, but he shuddered at the thought. He had always planned to marry someone he