Surrender Your Grace Read Free Page A

assisted while Lady Elizabeth went for help.” Andrew said this through gritted teeth. Interestingly, Elizabeth Richards was nowhere to be found. He was beginning to suspect something was afoot here.
    “What were you doing alone out here with my daughters? It is most unseemly.”
    “Lady Elizabeth assured me your wife was meeting us.”
    “No such arrangements were made by me, Charles.” She looked to her husband. Cici continued to mumble incoherently as she pulled at her hair and gown. “We must get her somewhere private and summon a physician, husband. One of you gentlemen will need to carry her.”
    The Marquess who was past sixty, deferred to her father but Lord Benton shook his head regretfully, “Arrandale, you will have to do it. A back injury prevents me...”
    “Certainly,” he interrupted and once again scooped up a pale and shaking Cecilia Richards in his arms. Turning he addressed his host, “If you will lead the way, My Lord?”
    The only way back to the house was through the garden and unfortunately, to get to the salon or other private room within the manor meant a trip through the crowded ballroom. As they passed through the crush of guests they were surrounded by whispers, murmurs of concern, and a few gasps of outrage. The sight of Lady Cecilia Richards, fidgeting restlessly as the Viscount carried her was startling. Seeing her in a mussed gown with her long hair loose and falling in a riot of messy curls over the Viscount’s arm was titillating.
    The sound of gossip rose steadily from the attendees who were already busy speculating about this latest on dit . The Viscount, realizing the scene they created, fought to maintain a hold on his wriggling charge who continued to insist there were bugs crawling on her skin as she slapped at the invisible creatures. He quickly followed the Marquess, turning her face into his shoulder in an attempt to minimize any future embarrassment for the young woman and her family who followed in close pursuit. As they crossed the room, the noise from the fascinated guests rippled outward like waves in a pool as the gossip spread. Out of the corner of his eye, Andrew spotted Elizabeth Richards watching with an oddly self-satisfied smile on her face. Good Lord, was she the one who had called their hosts and her parents to the garden? If so, why hadn’t she remained out of concern for her ill sister? An ominous chill ran down his spine as he considered the exceptionally odd situation.
     
    Chapter Three
    C ici cautiously entered her father’s study and obediently sat in the chair he indicated. She noted it was out of position and appeared to be strategically placed between her mother’s chair and the side of his desk. A feeling of dread swept over her as she looked at the group assembled. Both her parents were present wearing equally somber expressions. Her mother had been crying and appeared agitated, still sniffling occasionally and alternating between dabbing at her eyes with her lace handkerchief and vigorously working her fan.
    Looking at the occupant of the wing-backed chair that sat in front of her father’s massive desk, Cici was surprised to see the Duke of Sommerville. A feeling of dread swept over her as she looked at her friend Maggie’s older brother. She now realized he was also the brother to the Viscount who had helped her last night. What in the world was going on?
    She studied His Grace as discreetly as possible. He appeared to be in his early thirties and didn’t resemble Lord Arrandale or Maggie at all. He had dark hair which was prematurely graying at the temples. Although seated, she could tell he was of smaller stature than the Viscount, but carried himself with the air of authority his station demanded. His gaze rose to her and she instantly saw the resemblance. He had the same deep blue eyes as his brother and those eyes were currently searing into her. She felt his gaze like a physical force sweeping over; evaluating and assessing before