Read Online Waking Up With the Duke by Lorraine Heath - Free Book Online Page A

to imagine bedding one. No matter how lovely she might be, she would still possess far too much innocence.
    “Did you enjoy my performance last night, Your Grace?”
    “Indeed. It was marvelous, truly entertaining.”
    “Will you be seeking a wife soon?”
    Why did her eyes suddenly shine with such fervor? And why did she think it was any of her business? These younger girls lacked decorum. Perhaps that was the reason his mother had a young lover. The man couldn’t tolerate the silliness of those new to the ballrooms. “If my mother has her way.”
    She laughed, a high, tinkling, irritating sound. The echo of childhood.
    They were nearly to the bottom of the stairs when his gaze fell on Jayne. Now there was a woman. Young, but mature. No silly giggling, no tittering. Her gown was a deep purple, and he knew, without seeing her face, that it would bring out the rich blue of her eyes, that it would make them appear violet.
    She must have felt his perusal, because she turned, and the impact of her gaze settling on him nearly brought him to his knees. With her ebony hair and exotic features, she was gorgeous. From this distance, he couldn’t see the weariness that often cloaked her. Then her attention shifted to his left and he noted her blatant disapproval. He wanted to announce that nothing untoward had passed between Lady Louisa and himself. The girl’s bloody chaperone was near enough to breathe on his neck. Couldn’t Jayne see that?
    She turned toward someone, saying something he couldn’t hear.
    “I’ve not yet accepted anyone’s proposal,” Lady Louisa said.
    It took Ainsley a moment to realize she was talking to him. He smiled as kindly as he could to soften his words as he took her hand and pressed a kiss to her knuckles. “It would be a mistake to wait on me, Lady Louisa.”
    He saw the disappointment in her eyes as she nodded slightly. Damn it. With that brief exchange, she aged—but still not enough for a man as world weary as he.
    More laughter and a few squeals floated toward the stairs as people mingled between the parlor and the entry hallway.
    “Your Grace?”
    Ainsley glanced over at the footman who was extending a copper bowl toward him. He could see three small slips of paper inside, each carefully folded. “What’s this, then?”
    “Her ladyship decided to dispense with formal seating arrangements for dinner this evening. Each gentleman draws a number and then seeks out the lady with the matching number. She is to serve as his dinner companion.”
    “Oh, what fun!” Lady Louisa exclaimed. She squeezed Ainsley’s arm. “I shall hope we draw matching numbers.”
    He would hope for the opposite. She promptly withdrew to find the servant with the bowl containing the ladies’ numbers.
    “Rather childish,” Ainsley muttered.
    “But then she is almost a child, isn’t she?”
    He twisted his head sharply to find Jayne at his side. She’d brought her disapproval of him with her.
    “I was referring to this little game you’ve devised to ensure I’m not sitting in your vicinity during dinner.”
    “Unfortunately, Walfort insisted you have the chair beside his.” She nodded toward the servant. “You may move on.”
    “Yes, m’lady.”
    “You seem quite relieved,” she said to Ainsley.
    “I have little patience for games except for those that take place in the bedchamber.” While it was true, he wished he’d held his tongue when her eyes darkened with annoyance. He’d much rather see them filled with passion.
    “And what game are you playing with Lady Louisa?” she asked.
    “I’m not playing a game at all.”
    “Is she aware of that?”
    “I can only hope. Would it have been better for me to ignore her completely when she stepped out of her room and into my path?”
    “She was practically preening as you led her down the stairs. You could have very well ruined her reputation.”
    “With her chaperone stepping on my heels? I doubt it.”
    “You will do her no favors if you