Delighted by the Duke (Fabled Love Book 4) by Amanda Mariel

Author:Amanda Mariel [Mariel, Amanda]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Brook Ridge Press
Published: 2017-12-18T18:00:00+00:00

Chapter 5

Emma should not be standing here, outside of Lady Sophia’s door. Nonetheless, she had to pass the girls bedchamber in order to reach her own. When she heard the girl’s question, she could not stop herself from pausing to listen. Now her heart ached for Sophia and the pain she understood all too well herself.

What she would not give to heal the wound Sophia’s mother created with her selfish actions. She hopped the woman passed away feeling some measure of guilt and regret for she deserved no less.

Emma took a couple of steps toward her chamber then froze at the girls next words, ‘I should rather like for Miss Emma to be my mama’. Bless her little soul. Tears formed in Emma’s eyes and she squeezed them shut in an effort to keep from crying. No child should have to grow up without parents to cherish and spoil them.

Opening her eyes, Emma resolved to be as much like a mother to Lady Sophia as her position would allow. She drew a deep breath knowing she would never be able to erase the girls hurt, but perhaps she could ease it a bit. Regardless, she would do all she could.

The door to Sophia’s room pushed opened, the duke stepping out into the hall.

Emma jumped, her heart skipping a beat. Drat! She’d been so distracted in her thoughts that she’d not heard the duke’s footfalls. “I did not mean to eavesdrop. It is just…well I was—” Good heaven’s her face burned.

“She is young and knows not what she says.” He averted his gaze to the plush carpeting they stood upon.

“Do accept my apologies. It was not my intent to spy on your private moment.” She started down the hall, wishing she could sink into the carpet and disappear.

He reached for her, capturing her elbow. “I do not wish for there to be awkwardness between us.”

Emma met his stare, offering a warm smile. “Lady Sophia is a lovely child. Any woman should be pleased to call her their daughter.”

Before she could react, his Grace pulled her against him, brining their lips together.

Her stomach fluttered as passion spread through her. When his tongue met hers, she melted in his arms, giving herself fully.

He eased back, breaking their kiss but not releasing her.

Emma’s heart beat in a rough staccato, every bit of her fighting a craving the likes of which she’d never experienced. She licked her lower lip, staring at him. Waiting to discover what he would do next.

“We must talk.” He released her and proffered an arm.

Not what she had wanted nor expected, she hid her disappointment by glancing down the hall. She arrived in his private parlor with her heart still pounding, and lowered herself onto a wingback chair.

He sat opposite her then leaned forward and took her hands in his. The heat between them threatened to turn her into ash as she waiting for him to speak.

“It does not escape me that I know almost nothing about you. Most concerning, I do not know how you came to be hiding in my coach.

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