To Catch A Duke by Bethany Sefchick Read Free Book Online Page B

continue?"
    Nodding, she secured her hat more
firmly on her head and gave him a winsome smile.   "Another turn, if you please.   Then we can go back."   Her gloved hand stroked her face absently.   "My scars will discolor if I am not careful, just as they do
at home."
    Benjamin had just turned the
horses, trying to think of something appropriate to say when a beautiful
stallion the color of warm honey pulled up beside them.   The man tipped his hat, and Benjamin
recognized him immediately.   It was none
other than Charles Strathwaite, the Marquess of Landover, and Benjamin's only
true enemy.
    For all that he was rumored to be a
ruthless, uncaring man and a great seducer of women, only Landover truly
believed those rumors, mostly because the woman the marquess had intended to
marry, Lady Catherine Huffton, had pursued Benjamin with a single-minded
purpose over the years.   Much to
Benjamin's annoyance, not to mention Landover's
    Three years previous, Benjamin had
come home to find Catherine naked in his bed, ready to offer herself to him,
but he had sent her home, telling her with great finality that he would never
tie himself to a woman like her.   Mortified, Lady Catherine had run off to a French convent rather than
marry someone else - especially someone like Landover who did not have the
fortune, nor the looks, of the Duke of Radcliffe.
    For that debacle, as well as the embarrassment
that followed, Landover laid the blame squarely at the duke's feet, even if the
only thing Benjamin was guilty of was sending Catherine from his house,
unwilling to bed her.   In the marquess'
mind, that did not matter.   He only saw
Benjamin as the man who had spurned Catherine and driven her away from England,
and any attempt Landover might have made to seduce her into his arms.   Ever since, Benjamin had avoided Landover at
all costs.   That the man was here now
while he and Julia were about was not a good sign.
    "Radcliffe," the other
man inclined his head, his mouth an unflattering attempt at a smile.   "And who is your lovely
companion?"
    Beside him, Benjamin felt Julia
stiffen, and prayed that she would not either attempt to flee or let loose the
tongue she had once been known for when they were younger.   She was full of surprises today, so he was
fully prepared for either outcome.   When
she did neither, he breathed a small side of relief.   "Landover, I would like you to meet Lady Julia Rosemont,
sister to the Duke of Candlewood."   He risked a quick glance at Julia who had, thus far, kept strangely
silent.   "Lady Julia, my I present
Charles Strathwaite, the Marquess of Landover."
    "My lord."   Julia dipped her head, her eyes never
leaving Landover's.   She did not like
this man, nor did she trust him.   She'd
seen him at various events throughout the season, but he'd never approached
her.   Why now, when she was with
Radcliffe, would he request an introduction?   There had to be a reason.   If she
hadn't been suspicious before, his comment about her beauty would have put her
on alert anyway.   No man, not even her
brother, thought she was beautiful.   She
was not that stupid.   "It is a
pleasure to meet you."
    "The pleasure is mine, my
lady."   Landover smiled but it
didn't reach his eyes.   In fact, there
was a vaguely empty air about him, as if the horse he rode - which really was a
magnificent animal - was more intelligent than he.   "I have not seen you about before."   Which, of course, was a blatant lie, but she
wasn't willing to call him on it.
    Instead, she offered him an
enigmatic smile in return. "I have my reasons, my lord.   The season is such a crush, is it not?   Each event a true squeeze.   I dare say that I have not met many of the
people I should have just yet.   There
simply hasn't been the time."   It
was a diplomatic answer and one that pleased Benjamin, given the way his
expression went from extremely displeased to only moderately annoyed.
    "Hopefully we shall remedy
that