The Heart of a Duke by Victoria Morgan Read Free Book Online Page B

the amused voice and found Emily beside him, regarding him with a
caught you
look. Heat itched up his neck as he studied the exhibit he had been neglecting. Jugglers threw spinning balls into the air, adding wooden stakes into the spiraling mix. Gasps rose from the audience when knives were tossed into the frantically whirling objects.
    “If I appear too interested, they might ask for volunteers. I have need of my limbs, find I prefer them attached to my body.”
    “I don’t know if staring at my sister is any safer. You do recall that she is betrothed to Edmund? Your
twin
brother? Has been for years?”
    Definitely caught.
His smile faded. “So you both keep reminding me.”
    “Mmh. I saw Julia when she returned home yesterday.” He stilled, but Emily’s attention remained on the performance. “She looked flustered and incredibly distracted, which is not like my sister at all.”
    “Really?” He kept his tone neutral.
    “Really,” she confirmed. “I could not figure out what had her so bothered.” Emily looked at him then. “Until I saw you.” Her gaze strayed to Julia. If he was not watching her, he might have missed her next words, so quiet were they. “I do not know why you decided to return home or how long you intend to stay, but your arrival is opportune, for my sister could use a distraction. And”—her eyes lifted to his, a teasing spark in them—“it would not hurt for her to be pink-cheeked and flustered as well.”
    Surprised, he raised a brow. Soon thereafter, he was too busy thanking his change in fortunes to ponder Emily’s enigmatic comment. Jonathan and Lord Taunton had departed to observe an archery competition, and Emily’s commitment to judge a flower show had her making her excuses as well. In a desperate ploy to escape him, Julia was quick to offer her assistance with the judging.
    “I wouldn’t hear of it.” Emily looked rueful. “Mistress Turner has declared your gardening talents both dangerous and deadly—her words, not mine—so I fear she wouldn’t hear of it either. Really, Julia, Father would be most upset if you left Lord Bryant here bereft of an escort so soon after his return home.” Emily’s pitiful look in Daniel’s direction had him biting his tongue to suppress his smile. She cleverly played to her sister’s weaknesses. He would have to remember to guard his.
    “Well, I—” Julia stammered.
    He needed no further encouragement than Emily’s
what are you waiting for?
look. “Yes, I would be quite lost without Lady Julia’s company. So now that that is settled, I think we should be off before the day is lost.” Or Julia escaped. He caught her arm and, ignoring her tug of resistance, looped it securely through his, clasping his hand over hers and trapping her by his side.
    He bowed to Emily, swung Julia around, and ventured forward. As if he had won a coveted prize and he had no intention of losing her.
    “What are you doing?” Julia asked, looking pink-cheeked and flustered as she removed her arm from his.
    He admired the color on her fair features. “Enjoying the fair, the day, and the company of a beautiful woman.” He tossed a coin to a village girl who braced a basket brimming with floral bouquets against her broad hip. He extracted one and offered it to Julia, inclining his head. “For a fair damsel.”
    She hesitated, then grabbed the flowers, frowning when the girl scurried away, her trill of laughter floating behind her. “I cannot fathom why after ten years away, without word or warning, you have decided to return home. But—”
    “I wrote. I wrote to Robbie. I would have visited sooner had I known I was missed. Emily said—”
    “That is enough.” Seeing curious stares turn their way, she closed her mouth and caught his arm. “Please, come with me. There are matters that need to be settled.”
    Surprised, he found himself towed in her wake.
    She drew him down an alley separating the jugglers’ tent from one showcasing a