The Reluctant Duke (A Seabrook Family Saga) Read Online Free PDF

had
stared open-mouthed at Lord Norwich, then she gaped at the duke. Surely there
was some mistake. The duke standing in front of her did not match any of the
pictures she had envisioned. This would not do. Where was the old, wrinkled
man? The duke who had visited her dreams? She did not want this way-too-dashing
young gentleman to be her guardian. Emma needed a father figure. Not a
gentleman who would plague her innocent dreams at night, causing her to have
unladylike thoughts.
    This duke
seemed way too tall, possessing wide shoulders, narrow hips, and long, muscled
legs. It was hard to tell where his black pantaloons ended and his polished
Hessians began. His long, wheat-colored hair was pulled back in a queue. His
face could have been chiseled by some sculptor during ancient times. The duke’s
features were perfect in every way. And his eyes—her pulse leaped when they
looked directly at her. Emma had never seen such dark, cobalt-blue eyes. No
mere mortal man could be this beautiful to look at and have a good heart as
well. So, on the spot, to guard her from romanticizing him further, she decided
his angelic perfect looks hid the devil inside.
    “I am well,
Your Grace. And may I add,” Emma smiled at him, hoping he would believe her
motives genuine, “welcome to Boston.”
    “Thank you. I
look forward to exploring the area during the next few days.” The duke glanced
at his friend, standing at his side. “It would be an honor if you would
consider accompanying Lord Norwich and me on an outing while we are here.”
    Could he be
serious? Emma could not go out with two young gentlemen without a proper
chaperone. Her hesitation was noticed and the silence broken.
    “As your
guardian, I would like to become further acquainted with you so I may make
arrangements for your comfort when we arrive in England. Do you have a lady’s
maid that can accompany us? If not, I am quite convinced Miss Beauregard can
supply us with a suitable chaperone.” The duke gave her a warm smile.
    The
transformation that came with the smile astounded her. Frissons of tingles
traveled up her arms, causing goose bumps to break out. Emma had thought him
perfect before, but when he smiled his face warmed, causing little lines to
crinkle at the corners of his eyes and two dimples to appear in the middle of
his cheeks. She attributed her sudden fixation on the handsome duke to the fact
she’d led a sheltered life where, according to society’s dictates, males were
not involved.
    She had much to
learn about the gentlemen of the world, she decided, if she planned to be on
her own one day. Not that she really and truly wanted to live alone. She just
didn’t believe anything else existed out there in the vast world for her. She
wondered if all young ladies thought like that when facing an unplanned and
traumatic change to their normal lives.
    Emma pushed her
wandering thoughts aside and listened to the duke’s deep voice resonate
throughout the small room. “Also, my two dear sisters, my mother, and my
brother are anxious to receive word of you.”
    She lowered her
head. “It would be an honor to accompany Your Grace and Lord Norwich on an
outing.”
    “Splendid. We
shall call on you tomorrow at ten.” His Grace bowed. “I beg your leave.”
    Emma curtsied
with all the elegance and grace she could muster, regardless of the fluttering
inside her stomach. “Until tomorrow, Your Grace.”
    ***
    “Well,” Myles
announced as they descended the front steps, “I think that went well, all
things considered.” He stole a glance at Thomas. “Don’t you?”
    Well? Had
his friend taken leave of his wits? Miss Emma Hamilton was not the sort of
ward Thomas needed in his life right now. Thomas already had two beautiful
sisters to guard and protect from fortune hunters and unsavory rogues, until he
could marry them off––God willing, without a hint of scandal. Now he had Miss
Hamilton. His heart jumped when he thought of her tall, slender, and