A Test of Love by Rachel Ann Smith

Author:Rachel Ann Smith
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Six

What was he doing, hiding in the hedges?

Your peers will seek you out. Never should you seek them. Pressing his fingers to his temples, he wished he could banish his papa from his head for good.

Finally, Dorinda’s unmarked carriage rolled to a stop. The mere sight of her petite foot emerging had his blood roaring. For months he had watched her soft delectable lips utter speech after speech, words of pure wisdom, and all he could do was fantasize about kissing her.

Their last meeting alone in his library had been an utter disaster. Dorinda had been inches away, within his grasp. He had acted the fool as he sought out her counsel on the woman he had considered worthy of becoming the next Duchess of Fairmont. He valued Dorinda’s opinion on all matters. She had sound reasoning behind all her views. At the flash of pain in her beautiful blue eyes, he had realized his mistake at having uttered the foolish words.

Now here he was, sneaking about like a thief in the hopes of catching a glimpse of the woman who had occupied his thoughts all day. Taking a deep breath, he straightened and walked directly up the stairs of Sir Eugene Arnet’s town house as the door was closing.

The butler narrowed his gaze and attempted to close the door.

Benedict wasn’t about to give up that easily. He’d waited over an hour for the woman to arrive, and he was determined to speak to her.

“I’m here to see your mistress, Miss Dorinda Arnet.” He placed his ducal calling card in the butler’s palm.

The old man peered down at the card. “Your Grace, I believe Miss Arnet is not receiving at the moment.”

Blast. Dorinda had given orders to turn him away. He was a duke, for goodness’ sake. No one denied his requests. Pushing past the butler, Benedict strode into the tiny foyer. “Dorinda!”

He was about to hunt her down when she materialized, darting out of what appeared to be a small drawing room.

“Your Grace. What are you doing here?”

“I need to speak with you. In private.”

“I’m not receiving visitors at the moment. I’m sure Mr. Dillion has already advised you of that fact.” She peered around him and shot daggers at her poor butler.

“Yes, Yes, Dillion here said something to that effect, but we need to discuss matters.”

“I don’t believe there is anything for us to discuss. Good day, Your Grace.” Dorinda turned to leave.

“I won’t leave until I’ve said what I’ve come here to say.”

She paused at the drawing room threshold. “Very well. Follow me.”

He did as she bid, and as soon as they were alone, he shut the door. “Dorinda, I wanted…”

She held up a hand as he approached. “Your Grace. I’m sorry I was not clear. Let me reiterate my wishes. I can no longer assist you. Please leave.”

“I was an idiot. Forgive me.”

Benedict reached out and placed his hands on her tiny waist. When she didn’t admonish him or pull away, he tugged her closer. “Please.

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