A Duke in Need of a Wife by Annie Burrows

Author:Annie Burrows
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2018-10-24T15:45:53+00:00

Chapter Fifteen

Just as Oliver had suspected, the moment Lady Beatrice set foot in his stables, her eyes lit up and all her awkwardness melted away.

‘Splendid set-up,’ she’d said to him approvingly. ‘Not a better one in the country, I’d warrant.’ And then she’d eyed him speculatively for a moment or two, before mounting up. As though, for the first time, she was seriously considering him as a husband.

He’d suspected for some time that it was her mother who had designs on his title, rather than her, but now he’d finally managed to prise her away from the woman, it had become crystal clear.

He didn’t think she’d decline his proposal, should he make one. Not now she’d seen his stables. But he suspected that if he did marry her, she’d spend the majority of her time out here, rather than indoors where he truly needed a woman.

That suspicion solidified not long after their party set out. Captain Beamish, who was only supposed to be there to lend propriety to the outing, remarked she had a splendid seat. She returned the compliment. And then they fell into a conversation about various mounts they’d owned, or borrowed, which led on to an exchange of horse-related anecdotes. Presently, they began enjoying each other’s company so much that neither of them noticed when he drew ahead, to give them the liberty to ride side by side.

He was just reflecting that he’d have more appeal for Lady Beatrice if he only had another set of legs, a mane and a tail, when he spotted Miss Underwood, standing beneath a tree. And apparently holding an earnest conversation with it.

After advancing a little closer, a smile playing about his lips, he noted a pair of little legs dangling from one of the lower branches which Miss Underwood had been looking up at. Legs which whisked out of view at the same time as Miss Underwood whirled round, stepped forward and clenched her fists.

His nascent smile withered and died.

‘Good morning, Miss Underwood,’ he said, keeping his eyes fixed firmly on her face, so as not to betray the fact that he’d seen Livvy as well, for she obviously did not want to be seen. At least she was well concealed before Lady Beatrice, and Captain Beamish drew up alongside.

‘Good morning, Miss Underwood,’ said Lady Beatrice, while Captain Beamish touched his crop to his hat in salute. ‘You are up early.’

‘Yes. I wanted to exercise my dog before...before the day’s activities crowded in.’

‘And are you,’ Oliver asked her politely, ‘enjoying exploring my grounds?’

She clenched and unclenched her fists, glancing at Captain Beamish, and Lady Beatrice. She turned back to him with a frustrated expression on her face, as though there was something she wished to say to him in private.

Well, if she’d discovered the existence of his daughter, he wasn’t surprised.

She was the first of his potential brides to see Livvy. And now that she had, he’d be very interested to see what she made of her. Very interested indeed.

‘Yes, of course,’ she said with a rather strained smile.

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