The Heart of a Duke Read Online Free PDF Page A

eyes narrowed suspiciously. “If you planned this from the start, keep that to yourself. I do not care to know you talked me into another one of your bloody schemes. To know you still can. One of these days I’m going to stop listening. And then where will you be?”
    Daniel smiled, the knot of tension within him unfurling. “I would be lost without you.” He lifted his glass in a toast.
    “Very true, and don’t you forget it.” Robbie sipped his whiskey and eyed Daniel over its rim. “So you are here to rebuild Lakeview Manor and catch a murderer. You will be busy.”
    He paused and rubbed his neck. “Ah, there is one other item.”
    “Finding a murderer before he finds you is not enough to keep you busy?”
    He sighed. “I am aware of the dangers posed in my opening this investigation. I will watch my back, Robbie, but I doubt whoever tried to kill me is waiting in the wings to strike again after all this time.”
    “You may be right, but we don’t know why they tried the first time. They might still harbor motive,” Robbie pointed out. “What is the other item?”
    “It is about my brother’s betrothal to Lady Julia Chandler. Why hasn’t Edmund set a wedding date yet?” The question had been on his mind ever since his lips had touched Julia’s. She was a temptress incarnate. If she were his, he would have wedded and . . . He did not let himself finish the thought.
    She was not his. Could never be.
    Lady Julia Chandler was marriage material, and as Daniel had assured Robbie, he was an emphatic bachelor. A wife and family were ties that bound, and he preferred his life unfettered. Always had.
    Surprise crossed Robbie’s face at the change in topic. “Well, I’m not in His Grace’s confidences, for he doesn’t condescend to speak to me as a peer. But it was my understanding that Lady Julia postponed the nuptials first when her mother died, and then after her sister lost her fiancé. I mentioned those events in my letters.”
    So it was Julia, not Edmund. It was understandable she would not abandon her father or Emily while they grieved. Apparently, he had fate and family loyalty to thank for saving her from Edmund thus far.
    He jerked as Robbie’s fist pounded his desk, snapping him from his thoughts.
    “Damn it, man! That is what you need to accomplish while you are here. Forget the murder mystery. Stop Lady Julia from marrying that stuffed-up, no-good, bloody bastard!”
    His eyes locked with Robbie’s and his lips curved. “My thoughts exactly.”
    Robbie’s fierce expression eased, and he grinned. “So then. We’ll add that to your agenda. What do we have so far? Rebuild Lakeview Manor, find out who tried to murder you, keep them from killing you, and break up Lady Julia and your brother’s engagement. That is, without ruining her, which could be complicated . . .” Robbie’s words trailed off, and he furrowed his brow as if mulling over a difficult equation.
    Daniel grunted at Robbie’s colossal understatement. One did not sever a betrothal contract to a duke with impunity, but it couldn’t be helped. It had to be done. Julia deserved better. He just had to figure out how the devil to do it. These things had to be done delicately.
    “Did I leave anything out?” Robbie interrupted his thoughts.
    “That ought to cover it.” He smiled at the teasing glint in Robbie’s eyes. “Too much?”
    “Nah, nothing to it. Just don’t catch the first boat home.” Robbie winked before his mien turned serious. “Actually, there is another matter. You need to go to Bedford Hall and see your father’s estate before Edmund runs it into the ground.”
    His humor fled. “Is it still bad?”
    Robbie nodded. “It is. I know you don’t give a damn about your brother, but Bedford Hall was once your home, too, and the tenants were your father’s people. You might want to have a look. See if there is anything you can do.”
    Conflicting emotions warred within him. His childhood years had been