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

incorrigibly rude, but I was glad to have come to tea today. Dunlop was such a wonderful gentleman. I wished above all wishes that Elisabeth and he would continue to develop this attraction between them, and that this would be the love he had hoped for and she certainly deserved. He was someone I could see being great friends with eventually. Visiting them at their country home, the three of us enjoying each other’s company. Lastly, because I could rub their mutual love for each other into Gaffton’s self-satisfied face!
    The conversation was turned to more civilities, including planning a trip to the park later that week. Thankfully, the Duke sat back in his seat, having lost all interest apparently. He settled on sipping his tea while the three of us continued with an enjoyable afternoon.

CHAPTER 6

A Plan Is Hatched

    * * *
    A few days later , I was sitting alongside Elisabeth in her carriage as we made our way to Regent Park. Clarisse, whom Dunlop had insisted I bring with me, was snoozing on our hems. Elisabeth had seen Dunlop every day since their first meeting. First, it was tea, then a ride in Hyde Park that same evening and the following, then a picnic lunch. Though they had been allowed to ride through the park on their own, the Duke had insisted on coming to the picnic lunch. Therefore, I had to come along too. I told Elisabeth rather reluctantly that I would be willing to entertain and distract the Duke only because she was such a dear friend of mine. In addition, I made her promise that her firstborn daughter would be named after me.
    The picnic with the Duke wasn’t as horrid as I had expected it would be. I was finding moments when I almost warmed up to the Duke. Mostly, it was because we were stuck together any chance I could get Dunlop and Elisabeth alone. It hadn’t been too bad though. I had even found myself enjoying our conversation as the picnic lunch came to an end.
    He had been sharing stories he had heard of our fathers. Apparently, they were quite the troublemakers together. Much like Elisabeth and I, I supposed. I had never seen his face so animated and alive than the way it was when he spoke of his father. It was easy to see that he respected and admired him very much. He had even smiled twice. I couldn’t believe how glorious of a thing it was to behold. He still, of course, had all his sharp features when he smiled, his square jaw and long nose. However, his green eyes, which always seemed to be glaring in disappointment, almost glinted. It was like light reflecting off of a green field. Both seemed so completely impossible and beautiful at the same time.
    He had also been warming up to Dunlop and Elisabeth spending time together. It was clear to the ton that the two of them only had eyes for each other. I knew in my heart that it would only be a few more weeks until their engagement from the road they were heading down at present. I don’t know if Gaffton was just succumbing to the inevitable or if he truly was befriending Elisabeth, but he didn’t seem to mind allowing them time alone.
    We arrived at the park and were helped down by Dunlop. Duke Gaffton, of course, greeted us stiffly and formally. I was also getting used to his very rigid and proper manner. This was why all of our mouths dropped open when Clarisse lumbered out of the carriage behind us. Gaffton dropped to his knees and called her to him.
    She sniffed him tentatively before wagging her tail and making her way toward him. Now when I say tail , I use this term very loosely. Clarisse had a small corkscrew that lay tightly on her behind so that when she wagged, she tended to wiggle the entirety of the back half of her body.
    “What a good girl you are,” Gaffton cooed as he scratched and petted her all over. “Though you are quite an ugly thing. I suppose you are the reason breeds shouldn’t be mixed. You look to have gotten the worst of both parents. A huge head and short fat legs. It is kind of charming in a way,