Too Hot For A Rake Read Online Free PDF

pretended to read, instead steeling himself for the inevitable confrontation with Christopher Darlington, who was, at the moment, cooling his heels in the library. Things never seemed to work the way they ought with his children. Pity. Well, he had wanted a large family, hadn’t he? Now he wondered what had ever made him entertain such a foolish notion. He reached for his coffee just as his butler appeared in the doorway.
    “What is it, Dunston?”
    The Heatham butler, a tall, thin gentleman in the employ of the family as far back in his own childhood as the duke could recall, said, “Mr. Darlington wishes to know if you are ready to receive him, your grace. He is most impatient.”
    “Bloody cheek,” muttered the duke. He exchanged a look of exasperation with his butler. He put the newspaper down and drummed his fingers on the table. “Plague the man. I won’t have him interrupt my breakfast. Tell him to wait. And send for Lady Helena. I want her here with me when I see him.”
    “Very good, your grace.” Dunston attempted to bow out, but Darlington swept past him, ignoring the butler’s disapproving hauteur. The duke’s unwanted guest was groomed to meticulous perfection, yet the countenance he leveled at the duke was one of determination.
    “Forgive the interruption, your grace. I am long overdue at the home office, you see. My business with you won’t take long.”
    To convey displeasure for having entered without his permission, the duke cast him a withering glance. “This is a most unwelcome intrusion, Darlington. You might at least have allowed me to finish my breakfast.” Hoping to annoy his guest, the duke added, “Summon Lady Helena, Dunston.”
    He was right, for Darlington said hastily, “No need, your grace. Your daughter knows why I have come.”
    “You’re here far too early, Darlington. I never grant an audience before noon.” The duke proceeded to sip his coffee, his eyes trained on his newspaper.
    “Allow me to beg pardon again for interrupting your breakfast, your grace, but I am persuaded you will agree that it was necessary once you hear me out.”
    The duke sighed. “Well? What is it you wish to say?”
    “Lady Helena wishes to cry off. We are no longer betrothed.”
    The duke made as if he knew nothing. “Is this some silly quarrel between you two? I’ll ask her the same question, you know.”
    “By no means, your grace. We’ve already settled this between us. I have accepted her decision,” Darlington said as if he were negotiating a treaty. “Now we must both get on with our lives.”
    Dunston reappeared and said, “Begging your pardon, your grace, but Lady Helena is not in her chamber.”
    “Find her, then. At once.”
    At this, the duchess swept past the butler.
    “Good morning, ma’am,” said the duke cheerfully.
    She glanced at Darlington in puzzlement, ignoring his presence for the moment while she addressed her husband. “What is the meaning of all the shouting and banging of doors upstairs, your grace? You know it puts me out of humor to be woken thus.” That said, she turned to greet their guest. “Welcome home, Christopher. Does Helena know you’ve come home?” She honored him with a smile. “Are you ready to set a date for the wedding? Helena will be so pleased.”
    “It appears our daughter is nowhere to be found,” said the duke drily.
    “Oh no. I’m sure that cannot be. She must be taking more time to look her best for you, dear boy. If you haven’t eaten, do join us for breakfast. Believe me, your wedding will be the event of the Season. What day have you in mind?” The duchess kept to herself her determination to agree to a date only if it was not in conflict with her daughter Georgiana’s debut ball in June, an event the duchess had been planning for months.
    A footman entered with fresh coffee, the butler right behind him.
    “Have you located my daughter?”
    “No, your grace.”
    “Oh well,” said the duchess. “No doubt she will