The Duke's Temptation by Addie Jo Ryleigh Read Free Book Online Page A

I’ll be with them shortly.”
    Through the door, he heard Wilkes’s retreating steps on the wood floors. Bloody hell. The woman had been in his home for only minutes and his body was already overridden with yearning. He needed to see to that mistress—and soon.
    When Elizabeth entered the drawing room, she was pleasantly surprised by its simple elegance. Unsure what she’d expected, it surely wasn’t this. Aware the Duchess rarely, if ever, resided with Gabe, she’d anticipated the room to carry a heavy masculine presence. Quite the opposite, for the room was light and airy, decorated in deep creams and light hues of gold.
    Wilkes’s voice resonated through the space. “The footmen are seeing to your luggage. Shall I send in tea while you await His Grace?”
    Always the consummate hostess, Aunt Millie arranged herself neatly on the sofa. “Please do.”
    Upon Wilkes’s exit, Elizabeth leisurely roamed the room, feeling a need to familiarize herself with her surroundings.
    “Do you know what you are about, child?”
    After their easy exchange in the carriage, she was taken aback by Aunt Millie’s sudden question. Elizabeth turned to face her. “What do you mean?”
    “Don’t be coy with me, dear. I’ve known you since you were in long clothes. You’ve been in love with that boy for years.”
    She felt her cheeks flush hotly, unwilling to question the identity of that boy . From the time he was young, Aunt Millie had held a special affection for Gabe. Not even his rakish demeanor could make her believe he was anything but the innocent boy who played at Foxmoore years ago.
    Elizabeth opened her mouth to refute the claim, only to be interrupted by her aunt. “Don’t even think of bamming me. I can tell when you are lying. I’ve seen how you look at him. I may be a spinster but I know an inkling of passion when I see it.”
    Before she could find her voice through equal levels of embarrassment and astonishment, they were interrupted by the delivery of the tea. The young maid quietly placed the tray, filled with elegant Worchester china and biscuits, on the table before Aunt Millie and silently left the room. Elizabeth looked from the refreshments to find her aunt steadily watching her.
    The silence of the room still carried the weight of Aunt Millie’s unanswered question. Ignoring it, Elizabeth seated herself in the gold and bronze striped chair opposite. “Would you like me to pour?”
    Her aunt chuckled softly. “I may be getting old, but I’m not senile enough to forget a question I asked but moments ago.”
    Against such steady determination, Elizabeth lowered her head and tried to settle her fluttering nerves. “Oh, Aunt Millie, I’m not sure anymore. All I know is I want to be near him. To help him.”
    Offering comfort, the same as she had when Elizabeth was a child, Aunt Millie reached over the silver tea set and gently squeezed Elizabeth’s hand. “That is all I needed to hear.”
    Elizabeth studied her aunt as she started to pour, giving no hint Elizabeth had just admitted to loving her brother’s best friend—a notorious rake.
    Absorbed with the tea ritual, she hadn’t noticed Gabe enter the drawing room. “Lady Millicent, Elizabeth, welcome to my home. I’m deeply sorry I was unable to greet you when you’d first arrived.”
    A charming smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes graced his handsome face as he crossed the room and bowed over Aunt Millie’s hand. “Lady Millicent, I’m in your debt for agreeing to act as chaperone.”
    Elizabeth studied every line and curve of his strong features but she couldn’t find a trace of Gabe’s earlier hostility. He was either resigned to her offer of help, or it was all an act for Aunt Millie’s benefit.
    Her aunt waved off Gabe’s easy charm. “Enough of that, boy. I’m too old to be charmed by your sweet words.”
    Gabe emitted a deep laugh, easily lowering himself into the empty chair beside Elizabeth. At his nearness, she breathed