When Love Is Enough Read Online Free PDF Page A

children to nurture and care for, an enviable position in Society.
    Everything Gabriel took away from her.
    She lifted the glass to her lips and took a small sip, blaming the tartness of the liquid for the burning in her throat. She swallowed hard and looked up, her gaze focusing on the open doorway.
    Her heart gave a startled leap at the man walking toward her. He was a breathtaking sight - tall, golden blond, with perfectly chiseled features. Probably the most sought-after catch of the Season. Except he wasn’t interested in any of the debutantes falling at his feet. He was already linked to her.
    Lydia looked up at the Marquess of Culbertson and smiled.
    "Lady Lydia, you can’t imagine how surprised I was to hear you’d finally returned to Society."
    "I came with Harrison. He convinced me it was time."
    "He was right. You’ve been in mourning long enough. Your father wouldn’t have wanted you to give up any more of your youth to grieve for him."
    "No, he wouldn’t have," she added, although it wasn’t only her father’s death she’d mourned for the past year.
    "I can’t believe there isn’t a horde of eager young men vying for your attention." He raised his thick, golden brows in an enchanting gesture. "Or have you come to get something to drink to escape your press of admirers?"
    "Of course not," she said. "I simply needed a glass of punch to quench my thirst."
    Culbertson took the empty glass from her hands and smiled. "Perhaps you’d like to step outside on the terrace for a breath of fresh air?"
    Without giving her a chance to refuse, he turned her toward the open patio doors and ushered her out into the cool, crisp London evening.
    She didn’t mind. In fact, she’d anticipated having a conversation with the Marquess of Culbertson tonight. He’d been far more than patient with her. After all, a year had passed since his father had been to see her father. The Marquess of Culbertson had been her father’s hand-picked choice to be her husband, but when he’d come to make his intentions known she’d been too distraught over Gabriel’s rejection to see him. Then, only weeks later, her father had died in a hunting accident and she’d welcomed her year of mourning.
    Now, however, the year since her father’s death had passed and it was time to resume her life. Now that she’d reentered Society, she’d let her relationship with Culbertson proceed at whatever speed the marquess determined.
    "I intended to send a note to inform you of my return," she said, "but Harrison told me you were gone from London on business."
    "Yes. Estate business takes up a great deal of my time. I regret that I wasn’t here. We could have spent several weeks in each other’s company."
    Lydia waited for the rush of heightened anticipation to warm her blood. The thought of spending time with Gabriel always set her heart racing. Culbertson’s announcement, however, caused no reaction. Damn Gabriel. If the opportunity ever arose, she’d make sure he paid for what he’d done to her.
    "Are you enjoying yourself?" he asked, walking at a leisurely pace as they exited through the open doorway and into the cool, crisp spring evening.
    "I am. The Marchioness of Puttingsworth can’t be outdone when it comes to entertaining. An invitation to one of her affairs is coveted by everyone in Society."
    "Perhaps that’s why there’s such a crowd."
    "Yes. There’s always a crush at her balls. Such a throng of people makes it all the more exciting."
    "And the perfect event to mark your return."
    She smiled as she walked beside him.
    He led her to the far side of the terrace and held her hand to help her sit on a curved stone bench.
    "I must apologize," he said, sitting beside her on the edge of the bench.
    Lydia brought the skirts of her peach satin gown closer to give him room, then looked into his face. "For what?"
    "For not commenting on how stunning you look tonight. You stole my breath the minute I saw you. But I was so pleased to see