The Duke's Refuge by Lorri Dudley

Author:Lorri Dudley
Language: eng
Format: azw3, mobi, epub
Tags: Christian, Historical, Fiction
ISBN: 9781942265146
Publisher: Wild Heart Books
Published: 2020-01-07T00:00:00+00:00

Georgia blinked at the change in topic. Was she losing her senses or had Harrison been flirting with her? What disturbed her even more was that she welcomed it. Why would she prefer the attention of a schoolmaster over a wealthy sugar plantation owner? Arrogant men had never bothered her before.

Perhaps her aunt and the vicar were a safer focus. She turned her gaze that way and studied them. Aunt Tessa and Mr. Clark appeared to be competing for her father’s attention, each one becoming more animated than the last to convey their story.

A deep ache tightened around her heart. “It’s terrible that I never noticed before how lonely she was in London.”

Mr. Clark leaned in and listened with rapt attention, and Aunt Tessa flirtatiously fanned herself.

“Once you peek over your fortress walls, princess, you’ll discover a whole new world just waiting to love and be loved.”

She turned to him. “What walls?”

“The ones you wield to protect your heart.” His dark eyes were a rich amber, drawing her in.

She forced herself not to get lost in his gaze. “I don’t have walls.” But her voice lacked conviction.

He raised an eyebrow. “Yes, you do. For everyone else, you put on an act, but I’ve seen glimpses of the true Georgia.”

She looked away from him, but with a gentle touch, he turned her face back to meet his gaze.

“And you know what?”

She swallowed. A mix of hope and fear warred within her as she braced for his next words.

“She’s funny, passionate, and kind.” He released her chin. “It’s strange, but when you allow yourself to be vulnerable, you can recognize the hurts in others and find compassion.” He glanced back at her aunt. “Besides, I don’t think Lady Pickering is lonely anymore.”

His brown eyes returned to hers and held.

“No.” Her voice was barely a whisper. “Not any longer.”

“I know you didn’t want to come to the island, but I’m glad you did.”

“You are?” She hated the childlike hope in her voice. His warm, unwavering gaze pierced through her defenses, and she was transported back to a golden-haired child eager for any kind word to let her know she was worthy of love.

“Indeed.”

She watched his lips form the words, and it barely registered that she swayed toward him.

“You’ve brought the light back into your father’s eyes.”

“My father?” Georgia stiffened. “Yes, of course.”

“He adores you.”

She fought to maintain eye contact, even though her chest constricted and a lump formed in her throat.

Her walls didn’t feel thick now. Her jaw tightened, and her heart battled against the all-too-familiar ache of rejection. She didn’t want to feel … not like this. She needed those walls.

“He loves you. You can see it every time he looks at you.” Harrison’s gaze scanned the room, then met hers once again. “There’s a ship that’s coming to port in a week. I hope you plan to stay—for Fredrick’s sake.”

Not for your sake?

She eyed him coolly. “I’ll stay until Julien sends for me.”

His eyes darkened, and whatever had been between them seemed to dissipate.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.