To Capture a Duke's Heart Read Free Page B

mortification at having been recognized, it was clear that she had been correct in her earlier assumption; beholding the duke’s striking good looks up close did have a much greater effect than from afar, remarkably so.  And though it seemed an impossibility, if there was in fact anything about the man’s face that could be deemed a natural human flaw in even the smallest sense of the word, she certainly couldn’t detect it.
    “Lady Penelope, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance,” he said, the deep, rich timbre of his voice sending an odd little shiver racing along her spine as she rose from her curtsey.
    Meeting his gaze, she managed a slight smile.  But then, Heaven help her, he smiled back, the effect utterly dazzling upon her already scattered senses and for a moment she stood spellbound.  Then, realizing that she was gaping at him like a complete ninnyhammer, much as she had been earlier that afternoon as she’d looked down upon him from the upstairs window, she forced her muddled thoughts together and compelled herself to blink. 
    Do get a hold of yourself, Penny , she silently commanded, for while the Duke of Ainsworth might be the most handsome man she had ever laid eyes upon, he was just a man after all.  Even so, she had to admit that no man had ever had anything even remotely similar to the effect the one standing before her had upon her now; and in truth she was finding it difficult to think straight as the weight of his piercing green eyes remained fastened upon her.  Fortunately, however, she was saved from having to form an intelligible thought or articulate a coherent sentence as her father drew the duke’s attention once again.
    “I see that your brothers have accompanied you to Scotland,” he remarked, flicking a glance to where Michael and Rafael Ashcroft stood conversing with the newly-titled Viscount Wexley across the room.  “However did you manage to lure those two rapscallions from the amusements of Town ?”
    The duke grinned.  “It wasn’t easy I assure you,” he acknowledged.  “Truth be told, I had to promise them a stop in Hawick upon our return and a visit to the Earl of McKesson’s stables to view his current selection of thoroughbreds.”
    “Ah,” the earl replied with an answering grin.  “An irresistible temptation for any young buck, though I warrant such a visit might well result in a substantial letting of your pockets.”
    “Indeed, I have little doubt that it will,” the duke agreed with a chuckle, for the McKesson stables were renowned for producing some of the finest and most expensive stock in the land.
    “Excuse me, Your Grace.”
    Their conversation disrupted, both men’s eyes turned to their hostess, Lady Gilchrist, standing at the duke’s elbow, an apologetic expression upon her face as she glanced between him and the earl.
    “Please pardon the interruption, but the Dowager Duchess of Lyndon is requesting to speak with Your Grace at your earliest convenience,” she said, motioning to the petite, silver-haired matron seated upon a high-backed chair in the far corner of the room.
    Catching the duke’s eye, the dowager raised her hand and beckoned, rather imperiously, for him to join her, a clear indication that at his earliest convenience was merely a polite euphemism for straightaway .
    He tipped his head in acknowledgement before turning his attention back to the others.  “Yes, of course,” he replied to Lady Gilchrist.  “If you will excuse me, Beckford,” he continued, before nodding to the ladies.  “Lady Beckford, Lady Penelope.”
    “By all means,” the earl replied with an amused expression.  “Lord knows we wouldn’t wish to keep the duchess waiting.”
     
    Crossing the room, Gabriel studied the regal-looking dowager, perched like a queen upon her throne, as she surveyed the crowd around her.  As was her custom she was dressed in black in homage to her late husband who’d made his journey to the great beyond more