When Love Is Enough Read Online Free PDF Page B

son of the Duke of Chisolmwood. I can hardly risk getting killed and allowing the Chisolmwood title to pass down to a distant cousin now, can I?"
    "No, I imagine you can’t. But if what I’ve heard is correct, you’ve contributed more than most of our titled nobility where foreign affairs are concerned."
    "Oh, really? Just what have you heard?"
    "Nothing much." She noted his reaction, one of surprise. For some reason it puzzled her. Maybe because she expected a denial and didn’t receive one. "Just that you are included in many of the meetings where our military objectives are discussed."
    Culbertson laughed. "Oh, that. Yes, well, I’ve found that rank has its privileges when it comes to being included in military strategies. I’ve always been fascinated with the military, and being the son of the Duke of Chisolmwood allows me to satisfy my fetish. Luckily, I’ve found if I sit quietly and offer no examples of my ignorance, those in command allow me to stay." He looked at her and smiled. "I always remain the silent observer, I assure you."
    "You make the role you play sound very insignificant."
    "Oh, I promise you, I play no role. Neither Lord Fenton nor Lord Rediger of Her Majesty’s Foreign Service would put much credence in anything I might be foolhardy enough to offer. They tolerate my intrusion because my father is one of the military’s largest supporters. It’s all about money, my dear. Everything is, you know."
    Lydia studied the serious expression on Culbertson’s face. The marquess was much more complicated than she’d imagined. But he was right in one thing. Everything was about money. Wasn’t that the reason Gabe had wanted her? Because of the dowry she would bring with her?
    Wasn’t the lack of it the reason he’d given her up?
    At least money wasn’t the reason the Marquess of Culbertson wanted her. Everyone knew his father was one of the richest men in England.
    Lydia smiled. Perhaps Culbertson was the perfect match for her.
    "I intend to take a carriage ride through Hyde Park tomorrow afternoon," he said, taking her hand. "Say around five o’clock. It would be my pleasure to have you accompany me if you aren’t otherwise engaged."
    His eyes gleamed with a keen intelligence she admired and his mouth lifted slightly.
    Lydia waited to feel the surge of warmth that had always engulfed her when Gabriel touched her. It didn’t happen.
    She paused.
    What did that matter? This was the man her father had chosen for her. The man Gabriel had gladly given her over to. As she pondered his invitation, she realized that even though she didn’t experience a stirring warmth when he touched her, neither did she find him unappealing.
    "I’d be delighted," she said, knowing she’d just taken the first step in showing Society that she’d accepted Culbertson’s declarations.
    "Very good." Culbertson rose and held out his arm to help her to her feet. "The air has a definite chill to it. We’d best go inside before our absence is noticed."
    "Of course."
    She placed her hand on Culbertson’s arm and walked back into the crowded ballroom. So what did it matter if her fingers didn’t tingle when she touched him? So what if a shiver of expectancy didn’t race down her spine when he looked at her? So what if her blood didn’t thunder in her head when he held her? There was more than love to any marriage.
    Everyone knew that.
    ___
    "Lydia."
    She turned from a group of friends with whom she’d been conversing to see her brother walk toward her. It was impossible not to notice the anxious expression on his face.
    "What is it, Harrison? Is something wrong?"
    "I have to leave. I just received a message from Austin. He’s home. Here in London."
    Lydia clamped her hand over her mouth to stifle her cry of elation. "Austin’s home?"
    "Yes. I’m leaving immediately, but you can stay if you’d like. Lady Henshaw said she would see you home when they left."
    "Don’t be ridiculous." Lydia placed her hand on