Read Online How to Please a Lady by Jane Goodger - Free Book Online

we?” And Lady Rose simply turned and began walking back to the stable, leaving the duke staring impotently at her back before glaring at Charlie and reluctantly following.
    Charlie trailed behind, keeping a good distance between himself and the couple, but not so far as to let the duke believe they were alone. He stared at his back, wishing he could do more, wishing he could pummel the bastard within an inch of his life. Never in his life had he had such a strong urge to commit violence upon another man. He could picture himself smashing his fist into the duke’s face, putting his hand around his throat and squeezing until the life seeped out of him. But Charlie realized he valued his own neck far more than the duke’s. He whistled softly as they walked, his eyes never leaving Rose’s slim form, his heart breaking for her. She’d looked so damned scared standing there. What if he hadn’t followed them? What if he’d turned around? What would have happened?
    As they neared the stable, Lady Rose picked up her pace, and Charlie jogged to catch up to the pair. He wanted to be there when she first set her eyes on the pretty little filly. She was nearly pure white, though she would certainly darken like her mother in a few months.
    The three entered the stables, stopping momentarily to allow their eyes to adjust to the dimness of the interior. A tiny bit of orange fluff, one of five kittens from the latest litter, caught the corner of Charlie’s eye as it wiggled its little bum, ready to pounce on its prey—His Grace’s boot. The kitten pounced, and the duke looked down, annoyed.
    â€œHow sweet,” Lady Rose said, just before the duke shook the animal off him rather roughly.
    Charlie scooped the kitten up and smiled reassuringly at Lady Rose, holding the creature against his chest before leading the couple toward the new foal, who was nursing enthusiastically and making small sucking sounds. Bucky stood outside the stall watching, and Charlie motioned his head, silently telling the younger man that he could leave.
    â€œWhat a good mum she is,” Lady Rose said softly, her eyes filling with tears. “Such a pretty baby.” She turned to Charlie and smiled at him just as the duke stepped between them, blocking Charlie’s view of Lady Rose.
    â€œCharming,” the duke drawled. “Is this her first foal?”
    â€œYes,” Lady Rose said. “It’s so wondrous, isn’t it? How the foal knows just what to do and how Moonrise is so accepting of her. It’s miraculous, really.”
    The duke chuckled. “Hardly a miracle. Shall we return to the house?”
    â€œI did wish to stay here and watch the foal for a bit more,” she said.
    Charlie hung back, watching the couple, feeling uneasy and tense. It was strange to see her with a man, and stranger still to see her so subdued. This was not the woman he knew, the one who dashed in and out of the stable, who would take up a brush and begin grooming the nearest horse simply because she wanted to.
    â€œBut I wish to return to the house,” the duke said, his tone biting. “This outing has been less than pleasant and I certainly don’t want to spend my day standing in filth and staring at a horse.”
    â€œOf course, Your Grace.”
    The duke turned to leave and spied Charlie standing there, staring at him with clear dislike. “You, boy, don’t you have duties to attend to?”
    â€œThe foal is my duty, Your Grace.”
    The duke let out a beleaguered sigh. “The foal, the foal. No doubt if I don’t let you stay, you will sulk. You may stay, Lady Rose, but I do expect to see you at luncheon. Surely you do not plan to eat out here.”
    Lady Rose gave a small curtsy. “Of course, Your Grace. Thank you. I will see you for luncheon.”
    Something snapped inside Charlie at that moment, though anyone looking at him wouldn’t have known. It was as if a