Read Online Chance the Winds of Fortune by Laurie McBain - Free Book Online

her lightly scented skin.
    â€œLucien,” Sabrina whispered, never failing to find his touch exciting. “Odd, is it not, that I should never have tired of your touch?” she responded in the familiar banter they used with one another.
    The duke’s arms tightened around his duchess’s small waist. “Not at all, my dear, for I have made it my life’s work to please you, and I accept nothing less than your undying love and devotion,” he warned, his mouth covering hers for a lingering moment. “Especially as you have mine. And as you well know, we Dominicks are a stubborn breed.”
    Sabrina stared up at him, all her love for him openly revealed in the dark depths of her violet eyes, eyes that had captivated the duke since he’d first glanced into them. With a flash of sapphire and ruby rings, the duchess ran a gentle finger along the scar that etched its way from his left cheek to the corner of his mouth. “My only love, my heart,” she said simply.
    Lucien pressed his lips to her soft palm before tucking her arm within the crook of his elbow. “Now, what were you daydreaming about? Perchance ’twas me, and your wish has been granted?”
    Sabrina smiled indulgently. “You Dominick males are also very vain; however, you are partly correct. I was thinking how amazing it is that Rhea Claire could actually be seventeen. I was watching her come across the gardens with Francis and Robin, and I was feeling very proud of our children.”
    â€œWhat were they up to?” the duke demanded, glancing out of the window. But the garden below was empty.
    The duchess raised a delicate eyebrow at his choice of words and his doubting tone of voice. “You sound suspicious of something, my dear, but you really needn’t be,” she told him confidently, feeling little cause for concern. “I shall set your mind at rest, for all they were doing was laughing. Now what else should they be doing but enjoying themselves on a warm afternoon?” the duchess asked as she made herself comfortable on her favorite rose-colored silk sofa, which had been positioned near the fireplace for maximum warmth. The early morning fire had long since burned itself out, and the duchess’s embroidery lay long-forgotten on the carpet.
    â€œLaughing? That is precisely why I am worried. And I suppose Robin was laughing harder than the others?” the duke asked with a gleam in his sherry-colored eyes that boded ill for the duchess’s young son.
    â€œAnd what is wrong with that?” she demanded with a laugh of her own. “And why have you singled out Robin for your displeasure?”
    â€œI have singled him out, my love, because he should be soundly spanked.”
    â€œWhatever for?” the duchess asked, a little less confidently this time, for she knew only too well what sort of mischief her son could get up to.
    â€œFor causing Rendale the dunking of his life,” the duke informed her as he sat down beside her. “That damned pony of Robin’s knocked the earl into the lily pond,” he continued, waiting patiently for her laughter to stop before he continued. “I would imagine that is what your three children were just laughing about. Although I should think that Robin would find the situation less amusing since he has been ordered to my study.”
    â€œDon’t be too hard on him, Lucien,” Sabrina said softly, her eyes entreating on behalf of her precipitate son while her slender fingers caressed Lucien’s hand.
    â€œHave I ever denied you anything, Rina?” the duke responded with a tolerant smile, his eyes lingering on her slightly parted lips.
    â€œYes, many times,” the duchess returned with a low laugh. “You can be a terrible tyrant at times, and I quite despair of coaxing a smile out of you.”
    â€œLiar,” the duke whispered, a tantalizing smile curving his lips. “I shudder to think what my