His Christmas Nymph by Marly Mathews Read Free Book Online Page B

shudder to think of what the duke has in mind for me. Pray, whatever he says, you mustn’t think ill of me and most importantly you should not have a dim view on your mother, do you understand?”
    Dazed with confusion, she nodded her head. With those few words, her contented mood had evaporated.
    “I don’t understand, Papa. What are you on about? Are you having another one of your turns?”
    He shook his head. “No, Caroline. I must confess I don’t know why you think I’m so fragile minded. Why I’m just as sane as any other man.”
    Sighing, she walked to the front doo r. “Come, Papa. We’ve made the duke wait long enough for us. If we’re not off soon, Gertrude will return and foil our outing completely!”
    Nodding his head, he reached for his hat and walking stick. “Quite right, my dear, quite right.”
    The drive to Whitney Park was a short one. Her father alighted first and then reached back inside to assist her.
    The doors to Whitney Park flew open an d footmen surrounded them. Her father gave one of them a cross look when they made to interfere with him assisting her down from the carriage.
    She stepped down and smiled at her father. Seconds later, she was once again face to face with Edward. He looked quite flabbergasted to see her.
    The agitated expression he wore faded quickly enough. He looked ready to speak when her father beat him to it.
    “Your Grace, I’m ever so sorry but I simply had to bring my daughter, Miss Caroline Griffiths.”
    She curtsied and Edward bowed. “Miss Griffiths, how nice to see you,” Edward said, bowing his head to her and making her heart flutter.
    She glanced sharply at her father, wondering if he would catch the fact that Edward hadn’t said how nice to meet you. Indeed, he still looked a little dazed and sort of overwhelmed.
    Curious. Her father never seemed intimidated by anyone before. Of course, Edward was an imposing man with a few inches on her father, and his position as a duke would impress most subjects of the Realm.
    “I would meet with you, sir, in the Library.” Edward addressed only her father. She supposed she could go and sit out in the Gardens. It was much milder today than it had been yesterday and she’d sat outside yesterday with no issue.
    “Pray, can my daughter accompany me? She quite delights in books. She is besotted with the written word.”
    Edward’s eyes lit on her. His breathtakingly beautiful blue gaze seared right into her soul, making an excited thrill rush up and down her spine.
    “Is that so? Then, I shan’t take that pleasure away from you, Miss Griffiths. You may accompany us. The Library is huge, there are volumes of books in there that I haven’t even read. I’m sure you can get lost in it whilst your father and I get down to business.”
    Her father fidgeted nervously and kept moving his walking stick from one hand to the other.
    “Papa,” she said, looking down at his walking stick. He looked shocked and stopped what he was doing.
    “Pray, follow me,” Edward said, walking back into Whitney Park. She inhaled a large lungful of air, and didn’t miss her father mutter beneath his breath.
    “God give me strength!”
    The sweeping majestic interior of Whitney Park quite literally struck her dumb. As she hurried after the duke she attempted to study every detail. She walked on black and white marble. Busts of past dukes lined the hallway leading to the enormous library, this palatial house made Banbury House look like a small cottage in comparison. She knew that before they’d been granted the title of duke the family had held the title of earl and had owned these lands for hundreds of years. The grand detailing Whitney Park boasted made her own home look quite unfashionable.
    Edward had a fleet of golden liveried footmen, tapestries and portraits galore, and awe-inspiring crystal chandeliers.
    Once she entered the Library, she almost expired from sheer delight. Wall to wall books met her eyes. Richly plush