His By Christmas (Hamilton Sisters) by Kaitlin O'Riley Read Free Book Online Page B

with him.
    “Tell me, Yvette, just how do you plan to win over the future Duke of Lansdowne?”
    She suddenly grew flustered. “I don’t have a plan exactly . . . I just wish to . . . that is . . . I shall endeavor to convince him in my manner of behavior and dress that I am better suited to be his duchess than Jane Fairmont. I hope to make him fall in love with me.”
    “Yes, and of course he will.” Jeffrey almost felt sorry for the man.
    “It shouldn’t be too difficult to do, I would think.” Yvette gave a delicate shrug of her shoulders. “Other men have fallen in love with me when I wasn’t even trying. Do you have any advice for me?”
    He shook his head. “No, I believe you will do fine on your own. But may I ask you a question?”
    She nodded. “Of course.”
    “Why do you wish to be a duchess?”
    “What woman wouldn’t want to be a duchess?” she asked incredulously.
    “I know plenty of women who would not be interested in such a position. However, I’m posing the question to you, Yvette. Why do you want to be his duchess when you don’t even love him?”
    “I never said I didn’t love him. I am still getting to know him, for heaven’s sake!” She rolled her eyes in exasperation. “As it is now, I like Lord Shelley very much. He’s quite handsome, well-mannered, distinguished, and gallant. And I shall come to love him in time, I’m certain. And if I were his duchess, I would be a very important and grand lady.”
    “You don’t believe you are important and grand enough now?” he questioned.
    She waved her hand airily. “You know what I mean. I must say that I’ve grown weary of this conversation, Jeffrey. You used to be far more entertaining than this.”
    Reluctantly, he supposed she was right. He had not been at all amusing and teasing with her as he usually was. Now that he had a clearer perspective on the situation, he should refrain from criticizing her and make himself more appealing than the highly regarded Lord Shelley. In order to protect her, Jeffrey had to make her want him more than she wanted to be a duchess.
    He groaned inwardly, hating himself a little for what he was about to do.
    Flashing her his most engaging smile, he caught her gaze. He gave her a heated look he usually reserved for his most desired conquests and Yvette’s eyes widened slightly in surprise. He noted that she caught her breath.
    “Far be it from me to allow a beautiful woman to be displeased in my company.”
    She giggled, relaxing a bit. “Now there’s the Jeffrey I’ve come to know and love!”
    Yvette’s words, said lightly with no hesitation on her part, should have made him happy, but instead left Jeffrey suddenly feeling very empty inside.

6
    Autumn Days
    William Weatherly, Marquis of Shelley, Earl of Cheshire, and the future Duke of Lansdowne, rode his horse across the fields that sprawled around his ancestral estate, Lansdowne Manor. He loved the fresh air and his horses. He was on a particularly fine mount today, a large black stallion named Charger. This was exactly where William wanted to be. Outside, feeling the bracing wind on his face, riding over his lands dotted with trees painted in autumn colors, watching the sun sink behind the distant hills. Not in some infernal drawing room at a musicale listening to a silly chit embarrass herself by thinking she could sing.
    His entire afternoon had been wasted on such drivel.
    He’d intended to take the enchanting Miss Hamilton for a carriage ride through the park, but the weather had not cooperated. Instead, his mother had cajoled him into attending the aforementioned dreadful musicale. Afterward, they had escaped to the relative serenity of his ancestral home. The sunset ride about the grounds had been good for him. Cleared the cobwebs from his head.
    And so did Miss Yvette Hamilton. Now there was a lovely thought.
    She was undoubtedly beautiful. And quite entertaining. She had a quick wit and had not fawned over him as the other