An Unexpected Proposal (St Daine Family 1) Read Free Page A

thinking it was lucky for them both that Grandmother Amelia was half again across the ballroom from them and thus could not chasten them for behaving like errant children at such a grand, important event.

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    H alf an hour later , it was determined by the Duchess of Kelsing that the last of their guest had arrived. The introductions were done and, puffing out an immense sigh of relief Phoebe St. Daine swept past her brother as soon as they entered the ballroom proper. Offering up a cheeky grin, she turned away, clearly intending to leave him there while she wandered off in search of a space not occupied by his dark glower.
    “Ah, hold on,” Lucien said, catching her by the arm before she could get away. “Where do you think you’re going in such a hurry, minx?”
    Tilting her head a bit to the side to look up at Lucien, she sighed again, but this time in irritation. “Well, I was hoping to escape into the gardens for a quick tryst amongst the roses, but alas, my plans have been foiled.”
    “Phoebe,” he began, his tone dark and serious. “You cannot speak of such things in mixed company. You should not even know about things like trysts and such! Heed me well, sister, you may think this a game now, but later—”
    Phoebe rolled her eyes and patted him solicitously on the arm. “’Tis quite alright, brother dearest. I spoke out of turn, I know, but it was only in jest. I doubt anyone even heard me. Still, I apologize if I have ruined your saintly image of how I should behave in public. I ought not have done that, either.”
    Realizing, at last, that his sister had been attempting to tease him, Lucien’s expression lightened but only slightly, which was likely responsible for her less than genuine smile when she followed her teasing with, “I know you are only looking out for me, Lucien, and I am touched, truly. But if you do not let go of my arm right now , I swear I will kick you in the shin in front of everyone here. My fingers are beginning to go numb!”
    Lucien released her as though she were made of fire.
    After a quick roll of the offended member, presumably to take away some of the sting, she took his arm,placing her gloved hand in the crook of it. “Come, brother,” she said, her expression one of barely concealed exasperation. “Let us find Grandmother and wipe that pained look off your face 'ere you scare away all my potential suitors.”
    His features relaxed and she turned her attention elsewhere, her eyes scanning the crowd for a glimpse of the silvery-haired dowager duchess of Rothwyn, their grandmother, who was otherwise known as the formidable Lady Amelia St. Daine. Catching sight of the regal looking lady from the corner of her eye, a relieved smile lit her face. Discreetly, she pointed her out to Lucien. “There she is. Let us go over.”
    Grumbling beneath his breath about the travesty of squiring about an ill-mannered sister, Lucien followed her, and the two made their way to the matriarch's side. But when he recognized one particular lady with whom his grandmother was conversing, Lucien almost lost his footing. The stunning, ebon-haired woman from the receiving line stood at his grandmother's side, smiling and nodding along with the conversation as though his grandmother's words were divine. Lucien could only wonder at which tidbits of familial knowledge she dared to impart, but he was not surprised to find the lady's smile, when it came, as stunningly beautiful as the rest of her.
    His grandmother looked up, catching sight of both him standing just a few feet away and smiled grandly. She lifted a hand towards him. “Lucien, my dear boy! You have arrived at just the right time. Come and meet the lovely Lady Claire and her most delightfully charming friend, Lady Melisande Ruebrige.”
    Knowing there was nothing for it but to follow her command—and yes, it was a command—the dowager duchess of Rothwyn knew nothing less, Lucien swallowed the groan rising to his tongue and quickly