The Duke's Daughter by Sasha Cottman Read Free Book Online Page B

accent I had picked up during that time until I returned to England. I hope it does not displease you,’ he added.
    A mysterious past, years spent on the continent and breathtakingly handsome to boot. There certainly wasn’t anything displeasing to her about Avery Fox. She put a hand to her chest. Her heart was racing.
    ‘So have you been out and about in town since you moved to Langham House? The West End of London has many interesting shops and museums,’ she said.
    A gentle smile crept to Avery’s lips. She had rescued them both from a potentially awkward situation by deftly changing the subject.
    ‘Actually, I haven’t made it to any of the museums, but I did manage to acquaint myself with Hatchards bookshop earlier today. I purchased several books which should keep me busy for a week or so,’ he replied.
    A self-confessed bibliophile, Lucy gasped with delight.
    ‘Is it not the most incredible place you have ever visited? I must admit I practically live there.’
    He nodded. ‘For someone who had never set foot inside a bookshop before today, I found it a truly magical place.’
    For a brief moment they stood smiling at one another. They had something in common, and with that a tiny bud of friendship blossomed.
    A gong sounded for dinner, cutting into their conversation. One by one the other guests paired up. Husbands and wives together, Lord Langham and his mother. Lucy gritted her teeth in an effort to suppress her excitement at being paired with Avery. As the only two people left without partners, it was only correct that they would walk into dinner together.
    She watched as he observed the other couples before offering her his arm. With a gracious smile she accepted it.
    As guest of honour for the evening, Avery by rights should have sat near the head of the table, but as it was an informal gathering, Lord Langham did not press his guests to take their seats strictly according to protocol.
    Lucy quickly scrambled to find a seat opposite Avery.
    While they sat and waited for the first of the courses to arrive, Lord Langham encouraged Avery to recall a little of his life in the army. Lucy was pleased to see that the earl was at pains to help Avery better acquaint himself with the rest of the small gathering.
    ‘I spent nearly all of this century so far abroad, serving with His Majesty’s forces. It was only two years ago that I was returned to England,’ he said.
    ‘And where did you serve, Mr Fox?’ Lucy asked.
    He put his wine glass down and considered her words. ‘Portugal, Spain, Belgium and a little of France. But Portugal mostly,’ he replied.
    ‘Did you get to see much of Portugal? I remember travelling there as a young man when I undertook the Grand Tour. Lisbon is a wonderful city,’ Lord Langham replied.
    Lucy sat silent, remembering her place. It was inappropriate for a young lady to press a gentleman regarding his private life. All the same, she found herself enjoying the conversation.
    As the light from the candelabra in the centre of the table cast a golden glow on Avery’s face, she studied him. He was newly shaven, and from the lack of blood nicks on his neck and chin it was clear Lord Langham had furnished his heir with his own private valet. Gone was the rough army shave she had noted during their previous encounters.
    Pity. It did give him that rugged, world-travelled look.
    For a moment she stopped listening to Avery’s speech. As her gaze roamed over his face, memorising every beguiling detail, a small voice in the back of her mind pointedly asked at which particular moment she had taken up the close study of Mr Avery Fox.
    ‘I didn’t get to spend much time in Lisbon itself; I was based in the mountains for most of the time. My unit had its base near Sintra, not far from the Castle of the Moors,’ Avery replied.
    ‘Yes, the ruins are truly inspiring. I particularly liked climbing up to see the monastery to Saint Jerome. I was fortunate enough to be a guest of the Dutch