Thawing A Duke's Heart (Faces of Love Series #1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

followed her along the street anyway, to Lord Cadwell’s residence for tea. At least it would appease Mother a bit. However, now she would truly throw a fit over the color of my dress.

CHAPTER 5

An Unusual Spark Of Interest

    * * *
    “ N ow isn’t this just lovely,” Dunlop said as we all sat out in his garden sipping our tea. “We have been so fortunate to have such wonderful weather this spring.”
    “Yes, I am sure it has done wonders for Elisabeth’s garden,” I encouraged.
    Dunlop happily took the bait. “Do you garden then?”
    “I do,” Elisabeth said with a small smile. “I enjoy growing roses the most. I cannot say that I am especially proficient at it, but I do enjoy it. I probably spend too much time outside, in my older brother’s opinion, anyway.”
    “Elisabeth is being far too modest,” I chimed in. I didn’t know why, but I was so drunk on the obvious attraction between the two of them that I was willing to do anything to help it along if possible. I may not have been the one to win Dunlop’s heart, but I was going to prove that finding love was a real possibility. The two of them would be my proof of that. “Do you know, her garden is so fragrant with roses that by mid-spring you can smell them even before entering her front gate?”
    “They sound wonderful. I would be honored if you would allow me to come see them some time,” Dunlop said.
    Elisabeth merely blushed and shook her head in agreement. I, on the other hand, was doing my best to keep my joy from bursting out of me. I wanted to jump up and down, clapping my hands for them.
    All happiness was squandered by the clearing of the Duke’s throat. “Perhaps a public garden would be more appropriate.”
    “I suppose you are right,” Dunlop said as if speaking to a father figure, with a roll of his eyes and grumble. “Though not Hyde. It is far too busy of a place to enjoy some pristine foliage. Perhaps Regent Park. They have opened it to the public on Tuesdays and Saturdays.”
    “That sounds lovely,” I encouraged. I was disappointed that Gaffton had foiled any tete-a-tete time they might have. He seemed determined not to allow Dunlop to be alone with anyone. “I don't think either of us have ever been.”
    Elisabeth nodded her agreement. “You could bring your Clarisse, too,” she nudged to me.
    “Who is this Clarisse?” Dunlop asked.
    “She is my dog. I am not exactly sure how to explain her breed. Her parents were of two different pedigrees. She is the sweetest girl. Though I don’t take her to parks anymore,” I said the last as a reprimand to Elisabeth for bringing it up. She knew very well why Clarisse wasn’t allowed to go to parks for walks.
    “Why ever not?” the Duke asked inquisitively. I was a little taken aback at his interest. He was leaning forward, fixating on me with his green eyes again.
    “Since the incident,” Elisabeth chimed in as she stifled a giggle.
    “Oh, we must hear of this,” Dunlop insisted.
    “Well,” I started. “To be fair, she was only a puppy at the time. It was back at our country house. Elisabeth had come for a visit, and we took Clarisse on a walk through the country.”
    “Tell him why,” Elisabeth nudged. “That’s the best part.”
    “Well, we had heard a rumor that there was to be a duel. Neither of us had ever seen one. We evaded our maids and snuck out. We surmised that it was alright because we had Clarisse for protection.”
    “A pup, you say?” Gaffton said with a lifted brow.
    “I didn’t say it was a very smart idea,” I retorted.
    “We don’t seem to have many of those when we are together,” Elisabeth giggled.
    “In my defense, she is the daughter of a well-known bull baiting and hunting dog. So in theory, she is a very good companion.”
    “And she more than proved herself that day,” Elisabeth added.
    “Oh, I am dying to know now what happened. It sounds like the two of you are quite the hoydens. Evading maids and going to a duel? Tsk,