An Unexpected Proposal (St Daine Family 1) by Leighann Dobbs Read Free Book Online Page B

noticed his younger sisters had effectively cornered him near the dais where the musicians played.
    Apparently she had not been the only one Lady Phoebe had rallied to her cause. Hiding a smile of amusement at the rapid turns of expression on His Grace's features as he spoke with his sisters, she could only guess at what mischief the girls had dreamed up to detain their brother. But when he glanced at her parents, his jaw dropping, Claire felt her brows tug downward. Was it possible Lucien and his sisters were discussing her ?
    Casting a quick glance at Melisande, who was absolutely stunning tonight in the cream silk gown she had chosen to wear, she pasted a bright smile on her lips and asked the Rothwyn matriarch, “Do you think your grandson will be too busy keeping a brotherly eye on the younger St. Daines this evening to dance, Your Grace?”
    Only half listening to the dowager duchesses reply, she glanced furtively around the Rothwyn ballroom, searching for Lady Phoebe. Had she found and had her moment with Lord Nicholas?
    “Absolutely not,” she heard Amelia say. “While I would expect nothing less than a healthy dose of careful concern from Lucien for his sisters, I also fully expect him to do his part as host this week. In fact, I've asked him to lead a few of the games. Will you be participating, Lady Claire?”
    Claire refused to acknowledge the race of her pulse at the mere thought of spending time with the duke—in any capacity. “Perhaps, Your Grace, though I much prefer the library to the lawns. Melisande, however, is looking forward to spending several hours upon the green. Mayhap your grandson will choose to pair with her for the games,” she suggested instead.
    “Hmph. Here comes the lovable scoundrel now,” the dowager pointed out, one silvery brow arched high. “We shall ask him.”
    “Ask me what, Grandmother?” Lucien inquired, leaning down to press a quick kiss to the elder lady's cheek. “Whether or not the St. Daine women will finally be the end of me?”
    Straightening, he said, “I do believe they will, yes.”
    Lady Amelia chuckled. “We were discussing the activities we've planned for the week, my dear boy, and with whom you intend to partner when the time comes.”
    “I see,” Claire heard him say and her attention snapped into focus—on him.
    While the duke and his grandmother spoke, she studied Lucien from the corner of her eye. His mere presence was unsettling enough, she thought, but his nearness was already making her feel as if drawing a breath were suddenly a thing she must consciously remember to do. Fighting to keep her hands from rising up to soothe her burning cheeks, Claire realized she had yet to really look at him.
    “I've no preference for any specific partner at this point, Grandmother, but for a dance,” he turned in her direction and Claire felt her breath catch. His gaze burned into hers and her mouth went dry an instant before he finished, “I would be delighted if you would join me, Lady Melisande.”
    Melisande accepted his invitation to dance.
    Lucien led her onto the floor and Claire's breath left her in a whispered whoosh of relief and something far too close to disappointment, and she pressed her palm against her middle, as if it would somehow soothe the discomfort she felt there. Unfortunately for her, the dowager duchess noticed the action.
    “Are you feeling a bit under the pale, child?”
    Dear heaven, Claire worried. Was her reaction to the duke so obvious anyone could see how dreadfully his presence seemed to overset her? “I-I do apologize, Your Grace, but it does feel a bit warm this evening.”
    “Come,” the duchess said, taking Claire's free hand into her own before she swept them both into the crowd, as her grandson had done with Melisande, but in the opposite direction. “I shall give you a tour of the Rothwyn library. We've several lovely settees there, each tucked away into its own private little nook. I daresay you will recover