More Than a Duke (Heart of a Duke Book 2) by Christi Caldwell Read Free Book Online

she’d find herself a proper duchess faster than she could say marital bed.
     
    She eyed him skeptically. Little did the lady know she was mistrustful for all the wrong reasons. Anne reclaimed her seat and folded her hands on her lap. “What else is there, my lord?”
     
    “Harry,” he insisted his tone harsh, but damn it, for some inexplicable reason he craved the sound of his name on her lips.
     
    “Harry,” she murmured.
     
    He glanced over his shoulder. He should leave. He should forget his offer to assist her. Then, he’d been a rogue for longer than he remembered. He took the seat beside her. So close their legs brushed. He shot a sideways glance to determine if the lady was suitably shaken by his body’s nearness.
     
    Anne wet her lips.
     
    He brushed his fingers along the nape of her neck and she angled her head, leaning into his touch. “I think the rule of ribbons is enough for the day,” he murmured.
     
    Anne blinked but did not pull away from his caress. “I’ve just the remainder of the Season to earn the duke’s notice.”
     
    Annoyance filled him at her ability to speak so effortlessly about Crawford with Harry’s hand upon her person. “I’ll set the rules of our arrangement.” She opened her mouth to protest. “You are free to reject the rules, but if you do, then you’ll have to enlist Rutland’s support.”
     
    She cocked her head, a baffled look in her eyes. “Rutland?” Her eyes went wide. “Er…yes, uh, Rutland.”
     
    He narrowed his gaze. Why, the lady had never intended to seek out Rutland, or probably any other gentleman for that matter. Anne could out wager the most experienced of card players at the seediest gaming hells. He made to rise.
     
    She scrambled forward in her seat. “Don’t.” She sighed. “Very, well, I’ll agree to whatever terms you set.” She swatted his hand. “Though I don’t understand why you’re not eager to impart all your lessons immediately and be done with me. You no more want to be in my company than I yours,” she muttered more to herself.
     
    Indeed, she was correct. Why didn’t he merely provide his roguish suggestions and be on his merry way? He’d never wanted to know a thing about Lady Anne. Hell, he’d never even wanted to be in the same room with the spitfire. What manner of question to ask the lady? “Why a duke?” he asked suddenly.
     
    She wrinkled her brow at the unexpected shift in conversation. “Every young lady desires a duke,” she said at last. Still, she’d hesitated and he’d detected the slight heartbeat pause.
     
    “That isn’t much of an answer,” he made to rise again.
     
    Anne touched her fingers to his hand, stilling his movement.
     
    He stiffened at the innocent, yet enticing pull of her fingers upon his person.
     
    “I…I…” She slid her gaze away from his. “It is not merely for his title.” Harry strained to hear those faintly spoken words.
     
    He scoffed. “It is always about the title, my lady.”
     
    She gave a toss of her golden ringlets. “In this instance, it is not.” She flattened her lips, indicating she had nothing further to say about her selection of Crawford for her future bridegroom. “Did you know,” she said, her voice whispery soft. “My sister Aldora and her friends once met a gypsy. The woman provided them a pendant and promised whoever wore the necklace would win the heart of a duke.”
     
    Ah, so the lady didn’t just want Crawford’s hand and name. She wanted his heart. His lip curled back in an involuntary sneer. “I imagine the wearing of the pendant is an essential part to your plan.” It was never about love. Ultimately wealth and power drove all.
     
    She chewed her lower lip, ignoring the sarcastic twist to his words. “You’re right.” She leaned over and picked up a gold pendant on top of the forgotten book on the table before her. Anne studied the inexpensive looking bauble. The chain danced and twisted in her fingers.