The Duke’s Desire Read Online Free PDF

not turn her pages? He had nothing else with which to occupy his time, and he had meant what he said to Eloise. He had returned to England determined to wed, and Lady Mary was not the worst matrimonial prospect he had met.
    After escorting her to the piano, Lady Mary began to perform.
    For once it seemed that Eloise had not exaggerated when it came to a young woman’s accomplishments. Lady Mary had a rich soprano voice and excellent expression, and she played very well, too. Unlike several other ladies Galen could think of, she didn’t seem to choose her music with the ulterior motive of impressing him with her knowledge of Italian or German. Lady Mary sang “Flow Gently, Sweet Afton,” and she sang it both gently and sweetly, as it ought to be sung.
    There was only one thing lacking, he realized, and that was any hint of emotional involvement on the part of the singer.
    When she finished, she looked at him expectantly.
    “That was lovely,” he said. “Will you favor us with another? Perhaps something happier, to fit my mood?”
    She smiled brightly and immediately launched into a lively air about spring, children playing and lambs cavorting. She played so energetically, he almost expected her to fall off the seat.
    The remarkable speed with which she played made it harder for him to let his attention wander during her selection, but it did nonetheless. He wondered what Verity and Eloise were talking about so seriously in the corner. Him, perhaps? Was Eloise making excuses for him again?
    No, it must be something else entirely, for he rarely saw Eloise look so disappointed.
    He dutifully turned a page, then he happened to glance at the large, ornate mirror over the mantel.
    Good God.
    He stared at his reflection as if seeing it for the first time: the dark hair curling about his forehead; the line of his chin to which he had never paid particular heed unless he were shaving; the shape of his nose.
    That surprised, wary expression.
    How old was Jocelyn? Had anybody said?
    She could be ten years old.
    His hair? His chin?
    His child?
    No, surely not! It couldn’t be. Verity would have…what? Come sobbing to him claiming he had despoiled her? Followed him to Italy to demand a marriage?
    Given the man he was, he could imagine why she would not.
    Which did not absolve her from keeping such a secret from him. If he had fathered a child, he should know.
    He realized Lady Mary had paused and turned the page herself. “Forgive me,” he murmured, smiling at her with his very best smile. He touched a curl on the side of her head. “I was…distracted.”
    Lady Mary blushed from the top of her breasts to her forehead.
     
    Frowning with frustration, Galen strode into the bedroom Eloise had given over to his use during his visit. Like all the rooms in Eloise’s home, this one was decorated with the best furnishings money could buy, if not the best taste. The furniture was massive, and massively ugly, while the color scheme of lime green and gold was nearly enough to make him squint.
    “You may retire, Rhodes,” Galen said to his waiting valet.
    He tried not to betray any impatience, or anysign that he felt as if his world had suddenly been forever altered. He could hardly have chased after Verity when she left the drawing room before dinner.
    And he could be wrong about Jocelyn. Indeed, he had spent the better part of the evening convincing himself any similarity of feature could be mere coincidence.
    His portly valet looked as hurt as only Rhodes could. He chewed his lip like a dismayed child before he spoke. “Retire, Your Grace? Now? Before you’re in bed?”
    “Yes, Rhodes. Now. I think I am quite capable of undressing myself unassisted,” Galen replied.
    “Your Grace,” Rhodes began with dignity, his Cockney origins becoming more in evidence, “I must point out that you’ll probably toss your clothes about and then I shall have more of a job making them presentable. I have already had quite a time with the grass