A Duke's Desire by Snodgrass G. L

Author:Snodgrass, G. L. [Snodgrass, G. L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Romance, Historical
Amazon: B083LMJ6DG
Goodreads: 50359286
Published: 2020-01-07T08:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

The Duke of Bedford saw her and his world shifted. Mrs. Jensen had been right. The woman had the poise of a princess. Even now, here, where she must be terrified and alone. Even here she looked as if she owned the room.

Straight back, chin up. As if daring anyone to challenge her right to be there. And he knew it had to be instinctive. This ability to appear calm despite the overwhelming distress. The woman was remarkable.

Then she saw him and their eyes locked. It was as if the world fell away. His mother, Lady Beatrice, everyone disappeared from his awareness. There was only the beautiful girl across the room.

“Excuse me,” he said to his companions before leaving them and walking towards her. The entire time, he felt as if he were returning to the place he should be.

A smile crossed his face. He loved it when a plan came together. Granted, Mrs. Jensen had done all the work. And Ann, he must never forget Ann and her contribution. But still, he had a small part in this, didn’t he?

“Your Grace,” Ann said as she dropped into a deep curtsy.

He smiled as he bowed to her, perhaps a little deeper than protocol called for when greeting a commoner. Yet, again, it was an instinctive act.

“Miss Parker,” he said as he took her hand. “I am so pleased that you came.” The feel of her hand in his made him smile.

“I wouldn’t have missed this for the world, Your Grace,” she said.

An obvious lie, he thought, then quickly changed his mind. Perhaps she would enjoy this. Heaven knew the look on her face indicated she did. He smiled at her and tucked her arm into his. “Let me introduce you.”

A brief hint of terror crossed behind her eyes, but she quickly pulled herself together, straightened her shoulders and gave him a small smile in agreement.

He leaned down to whisper in her ear. “You look spectacular, by the way.”

She shivered slightly but didn’t look up at him, obviously afraid of what was about to happen.

As they walked together, he noticed several men eyeing her with predatory intentions. Their eyes lingering on her hips and breasts. An anger flared inside of him. He knew these men. A new beauty was an obvious target. Once they learned she was the daughter of a rich merchant they would be on her like wolves on a lone doe.

“Mother,” he said when they drew close. “May I introduce Miss Ann Parker. Miss Parker, my mother, the Dowager Duchess of Bedford.”

Ann dropped to a deep curtsey while his mother looked down at her like the young woman was a mouse in her bed. He grit his teeth. If his mother cut this woman, he would spend the rest of his life making her miserable.

Thankfully, his mother had more sense and smiled slightly and said, “It is so nice to meet you, Miss Parker, my son has told me so much about you.”

The Duke sighed internally. This was going to work.

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