Disciplining the Duchess by Annabel Joseph Read Free Book Online

time I shall be mocked,” she said. “I do not suppose you know the feeling of being made fun of, but it is not a very nice one. I cannot come up with the correct words to say in friendly company, much less when I feel attacked.” She stared at some point just above the wrist of his coat, then lifted her face to meet his gaze.
    She oughtn’t have. Her humiliation was complete, for he was looking at her with pity . His deep, rich green-blue eyes held hers and softened as if they shared her pain. But she mustn’t be fooled by his beauty, his seeming tenderness. He belonged to the part of the world that ruled and controlled, socially and in every other way. He belonged to the circle that shunned her every chance it got.
    “Please go,” she said, turning her face from him. “I wish to be alone.”
    He did not go, which she supposed was a duke’s prerogative. She tried to pull away from him, but his hand tightened over hers. “I walked you this far. Let us walk the rest of the way.”
    “I had rather go and sit—sit over there,” she said, gesturing toward a remote glade.
    “Miss Barrett, are you cross with me?”
    Yes, she was cross with him, with his wealth and prestige, his easy manners. He might always do as he wished and look casual and confident about it, as opposed to her with her awkwardness and muddling. She tried to be like him, ruffled by nothing, her chin set high against the world, but it was only a charade. It was the role she played of necessity, when inside she felt lonely and hopeless, and so desperate for just one person to accept her. But she was hopeless. Again, she moved to pull away.
    “No,” he said, drawing her back. “Continue to walk with me. For a few moments only, until you gather yourself.”
    “Gather myself? I am perfectly gathered, thank you,” she said in a strained voice.
    They grappled there beside the lake, Harmony trying to retrieve her hand while he trapped it ever more stubbornly.
    “Miss Barrett,” he said as they struggled, “forgive me if I offended you. I only meant to help.”
    “I do not require your help.” Harmony laughed bitterly at herself, at this entire situation. “I assure you, I am beyond help. Everyone believes so.”
    “I don’t.”
    She went still at his staunchly spoken words. “You don’t?”
    “I don’t,” he repeated. “Now please, calm yourself and paste a pleasant smile on your face. At the very least, something besides that frown. They watch, you know. Always.”
    They watched, yes, all of them believing her beyond help—except him. She wondered if his words were true or only a gentleman’s polite response. She wondered why she cared, since she’d given herself up for lost a long time ago.
    Harmony relaxed her arm—and her expression—and allowed him to draw her back onto the path.
    *** *** ***
     
    Damn and blast, Court thought. What a confounded situation. This was what came of meddling in young women’s affairs. What had come over him, to barge in again like a white knight on horseback to rescue her from the likes of Sheffield? Or more accurately, rescue Sheffield from her?
    He watched his companion master her emotions, take in air and square her shoulders. Her misery-pinched face relaxed by slow degrees into a shuttered mask that disturbed him almost as much as her glares and frowns. “I am better now,” she said. “I am sorry I cut up at you when I was annoyed by someone else.”
    Court was sorry too. Sorry to know how sad and tormented this creature was beneath her false, forced veneer. He didn’t want the burden of her woes, not on top of his own responsibilities. “It is no matter,” he said in a brisk tone. “Let us forget this episode ever occurred.” He led her nearer to the lake, being careful to not to trod the hem of her sage-sprigged dress. “We will have some light conversation until you are feeling completely yourself again. What shall we talk about?”
    She thought for a moment. “Did you kill anything