To Love A Lord of London (Wardington Park; Raptures of Royalty) Read Online Free PDF Page B

immensely.”
    “No, thank you.”
    “But, you haven’t even heard my proposal.”
    She shook her head, heading toward the door once more.
    “What if I told you that I could make you the belle of the ball?”
    She didn’t trust him, but she couldn’t help but to ask, “What ball?”
    “Every ball.” He walked toward her again, slowly, like a wolf who’d finally cornered its prey. “Every soirée, every party. The entire season.”
    Amy’s mind couldn’t even begin to picture such an event. She chuckled, “Me? The belle of the ball?” She laughed again and shook her head. “Impossible.” Though, it wasn’t everyday that a duke presented such a tempting offer. Impossible, she told herself .
    He lifted a white brow, “Why do you believe it so impossible?”
    Amy didn’t know where to begin… at least… not out loud. There were many reasons she’d feared the season. “I know nothing of the decorum of the peerage.”

    “ G ood . Most of them were created for failure at happiness.” A hand waved in the air, dismissing the excuse. “I’ll teach you what you need to know. What other fears do you have?”
    Amy looked stunned. “You? Teach me?” Now she was really laughing. “Isn’t that a woman’s job? Perhaps, a governess?”
    He shrugged a shoulder, “Yes, a job taught by another failed women who’d had nothing better to do than to become governess.”
    Amy didn’t disagree with that. “Why me?” She supposed that was the most pressing question.
    “Because you make my son’s eyes light up.”
    Amy swallowed back the feeling of elation. She’d thought the same thing at one time. “But, Nathaniel doesn’t wish to marry.”

    W ardington leaned on the back of a nearby chair, propping an arm up. “He can very well change his mind by the end of the season, I guarantee you.” He gestured for her to have a seat in one of the wingback chairs by the fire.
    Crossing her arms, she looked around. “I’m sure someone is looking for me.”
    “I’ll have a maid tell your uncle that you went ahead home and make sure you get there before he does.” He headed toward to door to do as he’d told her while Amy skirted around him and dropped down into the seat right before he took his own.
    When he returned, he took the seat next to hers, crossed his legs, and rested his hands on the chair arm. Then he smiled, “So, Amy. Tell me about yourself.”
    Her heart bottomed out. “What do you need to know?”
    “Everything.” He leaned back and held her eyes. “If you’re to marry my son, I think it only fair that I know more about you, don’t you agree?”

    A my did , but she didn’t want anyone outside of her family to know the truth. She’d tell him as much as she could. “My mother was the daughter to the late Duke Hensmen. She ran away to marry a mason.”
    He nodded, “Yes, I know that much. Your uncle told me the story. What else?”
    “What do you mean?”
    “Your mother died?”
    “Yes.”
    “And your father?”
    She swallowed. “Dead as well.”
    “Any debts?”
    “None.”
    “Trouble with the law?”
    “No.”
    He nodded again, still holding her eyes. Then he asked, “Are you a virtuous woman?”
    She didn’t have to guess what he meant. Her hand once again found the tiny cross underneath her glove. “Yes.” She remained a virgin.
    He nodded once and stood. “Once you get to London, come around to my townhouse. We’ll begin immediately.”
    Amy stood as well, unsure of what to say. “Thank you.” She supposed those to be the right words. After all, how many women had the aid of a future father-in-law, a duke no less, to help prepare them for the season!

    W ardington walked over to the door, just as it was opening.
    Jane stuck her head in and gasped, “Oh, I didn’t know there was anyone…” She looked between the two people in the room. To Wardington, she said, “Your Grace.”
    “Miss Croftman,” The duke didn’t even blink, acting as though nothing were amiss