The Arrogant Duke Read Online Free PDF

kind of innocent charmer, who couldn't help but annoy a woman like Estelle Vinceiro. She seemed to imagine - what? That the Duque was perhaps attracted to her - or merely just sympathetic towards her. Did she imagine Estelle Vinceiro's jealousy, if indeed it was jealousy, was based on truth? It was incredible! Juliet knew little, and had seen less, of the Duque as yet, but she could swear he was a man in his late thirties, and not some impressionable boy. Oh, it was ridiculous!
    Teresa replaced her cup in its saucer, and placing it on the table said: Ts my uncle going to allow you to stay? '
    Juliet hesitated. 'I - er - I'm not quite sure. Why shouldn't he allow me to stay, after all? You do require companionship, don't you?'
    'No.' Teresa was vehement. 'Felipe is all the companionship I need.'
    'But at some time, someone did think you needed companionship,' exclaimed Juliet patiently. 'Or the advertisement would never have been devised.'
    'Estelle did it - it's all her doing!' said Teresa hotly. 'She wants to provide me with a companion, so that Felipe will have more time for her. Odio Estelle!'
    'Teresa!' Juliet started at the sound of that voice. 'Que faz voce?'
    'Oh, Tio Felipe,' Teresa held out her hands to him, and lapsed into her own language, speaking appealingly, her dark eyes wide and innocent, so that Juliet began to wonder just what she was telling him.
    The Duque had changed now into a cream silk lounge suit, that enhanced the swarthy cast of his complexion. The close-fitting trousers suited the muscular length of his legs, while Juliet was surprised to see that the jacket was quite modern in design with a long centre back vent. She supposed she had expected Venterra to be quite out of touch with civilization, but a man like Duque Felipe Ricardo de Castro was hardly likely to allow anyone but a Savile Row tailor to dress him. Trying to view him emotionlessly was difficult; his personality was such that she was intensely aware of him as a force to be reckoned with.
    Teresa had paused now, and he straightened from the lounging position he had adopted near Teresa's chair, and looked straight at Juliet.
    'So, senhorita ,' he murmured, taking out a case of cheroots and placing one between his firm lips, 'you have perhaps discovered that not everything you read in the newspapers is true.' His tone was cool, but mocking.
    Juliet frowned, resisting the impulse to jump to her feet. 'Do you mean the advertisement, senhor?' she questioned, at last.
    The Duque inclined his head, lighting his cheroot from a slim gold lighter. 'Of course. You have been - how shall I put it? - misled! I regret the circumstance, of course, but …' He shrugged his broad shoulders.
    Juliet digested this, and then deemed she would feel at less of a disadvantage if she did stand up. Getting to her feet, she said, rather unsteadily: 'You - you regret the circumstance, senhor! Are you trying to tell me my services are not required?'
    'How perceptive of you, Senhorita Summers,' he murmured lazily. 'That is exactly what I mean.'
    Juliet took a deep breath. So much for Estelle Vinceiro's influence, she thought gloomily.
    'Might - might I ask why?' she said, rather tremulously.
    The Duque frowned now. He was obviously not used to having anyone question his commands. He glanced down at Teresa thoughtfully, and then said:
    'I think, senhorita , we might discuss this in my study. I realize you feel annoyed and inconvenienced, but I trust I can compensate you financially for any inconvenience caused. Come!' His tone was peremptory now, and Juliet obeyed, even while she felt furious that he should imagine he could buy her off.
    He led the way through the marble-floored hall, along a corridor whose windows faced a rose garden, into a room furnished austerely in dark wood and leather, and whose walls were lined with leather-tooled books. He walked round to the far side of the desk which commanded a central position after he had closed the door and indicated that