Until You Read Free Page B

grandfather, Madeline Leighton was still an attractive woman.  Her discerning brown eyes bespoke years of knowledge and experience and the tiny laugh lines around her mouth suggested a cheerful disposition. 
    “I have ordered tea to be served in the front parlor so that we may get acquainted,” the duchess announced, leading Ashleigh through a wide set of double doors set off the front hall.
    As Madeline led her over to a blue chintz sofa situated directly behind an elegant silver tea service, she noted that the room was tastefully done in varying shades of blue and grey, with expensive furniture placed artfully throughout.  As Ashleigh seated herself, she noticed a leather-bound volume by Christopher Marlowe lying on a small table next to the sofa.  Turning inquiring eyes toward the duchess, Ashleigh asked about the book.  “Do you enjoy Mr. Marlowe's works, Your Grace?”
    “Please dear, I insist you call me Madeline,” she said with an affectionate smile.  “And yes, I am an ardent admirer of Mr. Marlowe's writings.  Do you enjoy his plays?”
    “Oh yes, Your Grace, I mean Madeline,” she corrected with a smile of her own.  “I must admit that Shakespeare is my favorite however.”
    “Beautiful and well-read, how wonderful.”  Madeline said, with obvious pleasure.  “I think the two of us are going to get along famously.”
    They chatted for several minutes and Ashleigh quickly realized that she and the duchess had more in common than she would have imagined.  Madeline Leighton was obviously a remarkably intelligent woman and had a warm and gracious personality that belied her elevated station.  She also seemed far younger than her years.   As they talked, her anxiety gradually began to fade and she was beginning to feel more and more at ease.   However, a short while later their conversation was unexpectedly interrupted by a quiet cough.
    “Forgive me, Your Grace, I am sorry to interrupt but you are needed in the kitchen.”  The Sethe’s stoic butler met the duchess’ eyes, rolling his own skyward and giving a slight shake of his head.
    “Monsieur LeFeve ?”  Madeline asked, her tone conveying a mild sense of amused exasperation.
    “Yes, Your Grace.”
    “Will you excuse me for a moment my dear,” Madeline said, turning back to Ashleigh.  “I am afraid our chef is a bit temperamental.”  She smiled ruefully, rising from her seat.  “However, his culinary skills are without equal I assure you, and well-worth the occasional dramatics.”
    As Madeline left to attend her temperamental chef, Ashleigh rose from her own seat to wander about the beautiful room.  Her eyes were immediately drawn to the portrait hanging over the large marble fireplace.  In the picture, two men stood on either side of the very same fireplace, each resting an elbow atop the wide mantel.  Both men were extremely attractive, but her eyes were riveted on the one with coal black hair and brilliant blue eyes, seemingly the older of the two.  She stood transfixed, staring in wonder at the man in the portrait.  Looking back at her from the depths of the canvas was by far the most breathtakingly handsome man she had ever seen.  She was still staring at the painting in absolute fascination when Madeline returned to the room a few minutes later.
    “I see that you have discovered my grandsons,” Madeline remarked, coming to stand next to Ashleigh, her face beaming with pride as she gazed at the painting.  “I had the portrait commissioned two years ago, and I must admit it was quite a feat on my part to coerce the young devils to actually pose for it,” she chuckled fondly.  “Though they are both wonderful boys, neither of my grandsons has ever been known for possessing a great deal of patience I am afraid.”
    Ashleigh was shocked by Madeline's revelation.  The duke looked nothing at all like the image she had envisioned in her mind.  “ He is the current Duke of Sethe ?” she asked in disbelief,