Read Online When Seducing A Duke by Kathryn Smith - Free Book Online

name, but it wasn’t her he wanted to meet.
    Eve chuckled. “But you are her.” She squeezed her wrist again. “Rose, don’t you see? You’re who he wants to see again, whether he knows it was you or not.”
    Rose hadn’t looked at it that way. She wasn’t quite convinced her friend was right, but it was enough to make her doubt her own conclusions. She shook her head again. Blast, but she was making herself lightheaded. “I just don’t know.”
    “You’ll figure it out,” Eve allowed. “You always do. Oh my God.”
    Rose’s head jerked up at the gasped words. Eve was staring just over her shoulder, eyes wide, mouth agape. Of course she turned to see what had her friend so discomposed.
    “Oh my God,” she repeated dumbly as her gaze fell upon the man who had just arrived. He was tall, with thick wavy hair, velvety dark eyes, and a grin that could charm the habit off a nun. Once, a million and a half years ago, she had thought she would be his wife, but then her father lost everything, and the honorable Kellan Maxwell never proposed. She didn’t blame him anymore. After all, no gentleman of standing wanted to marry a penniless young woman whose father’s death was awash in scandal. Kellan was a younger son of an earl with a large fortune and family connections. The match never would have been welcome.
    “I can’t believe my mother invited him, ” Eve remarked hotly. “Rose, I’m so sorry.”
    “Don’t be.” She meant it. “It doesn’t bother me at all seeing him.”
    Kellan turned his head. His gaze locked with hers, and Rose watched with pleasure as surprise and genuine joy lit his handsome features. He looked older than he had last time she’d seen him, which of course only made sense. He had to be in his late twenties now, if not already thirty.
    He turned and came toward them, a wide smile curving his lips. It was contagious, because Rose found herself smiling in return.
    “Lady Rose,” he greeted, his voice as warm as his smile. “How delightful to see you again.”
    Rose extended her hand, which he took in his larger one. “Hello, Mr. Maxwell. I’m very pleased to see you as well.”
    His gaze flickered to Eve. “Lady Eve.”
    Her friend’s reception was a tad frostier than Rose’s. “Mr. Maxwell.”
    Dear Eve, so protective.
    “How is your mother, Lady Rose?” Kellan asked. “Is she in good health?”
    “She is, sir. Thank you for asking.”
    His eyes twinkled. “I shall have to call on the two of you some day.”
    Rose found herself grinning. “That would be lovely. We’re in Mayfair at Ryeton House.”
    Some of the light left his eyes. “Of course. I trust His Grace has no objection to you and your mother receiving callers?”
    “Of course not.” Although secretly she hoped Grey did mind. “You are welcome at any time. Mama will be delighted to see you.” That was true as well. Her mother always harbored a soft spot for the youngest Maxwell boy. She was more disappointed that he never proposed than Rose was.
    Kellan grinned. “Excellent. By the by, will you be attending the Shewsbury ball Friday evening?”
    “I shall, yes.” It would be her first. “Will you?”
    His smile turned flirtatious. “I plan to now.”
    Rose blushed like a young girl, even though she knew Eve was behind her probably rolling her eyes. She would definitely wear the Worth gown her mother suggested. “Then I suppose I will see you there.”
    “I hope you will honor me with the first waltz?”
    Gracious, he certainly wasted no time! But Rose knew better than to have any expectations where he was concerned. Grey might not want her, but she wasn’t ready to set her cap on the first man to show interest in her.
    “If you wish to dance with me, I have no desire to disappoint you.” Who was the flirt now?
    Kellan bowed over her hand, brushing his lips across her gloved knuckles. “I shall count the days until then. Good day, Lady Rose. Lady Eve.”
    “Good day, Mr. Maxwell.”
    Pleased