What the Duke Wants Read Online Free PDF Page A

bloody hell, if she wasn’t perfection in his arms, then he didn’t know what was.
    ****
    “Let’s have some tea, shall we girls?” Carlotta said as soon as the door closed behind the duke. She needed something, anything to distract her from the spell he had expertly woven around them while they danced.
    If she’d ever doubted the rumors of his nature before, she believed them now. The man had practically turned the waltz into a ruining experience.
    It was delicious.
    And wrong. Very, very wrong.
    He was her employer, and a duke, for heaven’s sake! She could not let herself be affected by him.
    She would not let him affect her.
    “Miss Lottie! Do you think his grace will dance with me when I’m older?” Berty asked, her eyes wide with hope. “I’ve never seen anything so beautiful!” She sighed happily as she danced around the room, mimicking the waltz.
    “Perhaps,” Carlotta answered, her composure returning as she watched Berty twirl.
    “He’s a very good dancer,” Beatrix commented as she stood from the piano. “You both are. I hope I’m as graceful as you, Miss Lottie,” the girl added with a shy smile.
    “I’m sure you’ll be much more graceful than I, Beatrix,” Carlotta answered with an answering grin.
    “Is…I don’t mean to question, Miss Lottie, but was that how close the waltz is?” Bethanny asked, her brow pinched.
    Carlotta felt her face flush. “Not exactly, when you dance you’ll want to maintain a bit more distance.”
    “Why?” Berty asked, pausing in her dance.
    “For propriety’s sake. The waltz is a very controversial dance, you see.”
    “Why?” she asked, again. Carlotta was discovering it was the child’s favorite question.
    “For many reasons, first, you are only with one partner not moving about like in a reel. Second, you are holding hands with the gentleman you are dancing with.”
    “Oh. That was my favorite part.” Berty’s shoulders slumped.
    “If it’s not proper though, why did you and the duke dance so close?” Beatrix asked, her eyes narrowing in confusion.
    Carlotta opened her mouth to give some sort of reply, one she hadn’t quite thought up yet, and was interrupted.
    “Because… he’s the duke and he may dance how he wants,” Berty answered with a decisive nod.
    “And there you have it.” Carlotta nodded as well, thankful for the little girl’s statement.
    “Now, I believe I mentioned tea?” She spoke with a smile. Anything to get their little minds off the most beautiful waltz she’d ever experienced.
    ****
    It was day four of the horrific rain. And Charles was feeling all the good will of a spring stag. He had finished all his paperwork, his estate business and anything else he could find. There was one final piece of business to which he had to attend.
    He fingered the thick envelope then called for Murray.
    “Yes, your grace?” Murray asked, his lean face emotionless.
    “Please have this delivered to the address specified. Immediately.”
    “Very good, your grace.” With a bow, he left.
    It’s done. Charles thought to himself, feeling a weight lifting off his shoulders.
    He couldn’t determine if it was the influence of having those wards in his home, or the allure of his pretty governess, but the thought of a mistress had turned decidedly sour.
    It was an impulsive action, but one he didn’t regret. Céline had been very gracious, but… the idea left him empty, hungering for something more, something deeper. Something he didn’t quite understand or know how to attain but needed nonetheless. Taking the first step, he wrote the letter releasing her from his protection. No doubt she had quite a few gentlemen waiting for her availability. There was no worry about her welfare.
    He felt lighter, somewhat confused at his rare inclination at emotion, but pleased nonetheless and so, with a somewhat sunnier disposition than the one with which he had begun the morning, he left his study and wandered down the hall.
    And was