Christi Caldwell [The Heart o In Need of a Duke (epub)

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.He snorted.“Not today.With the marque—”She stopped and turned a frown on him.“Don’t,” Aldora managed between clenched teeth.Benedict eyed her curiously.“Shouldn’t you be happy about being courted?” He wrinkled his nose.“Ladies love that sort of stuff.Anne assured me of that.”Aldora pointed her eyes skyward.She could only imagine the foolish tales Anne, her fanciful sister, had erroneously poured into Benedict’s young, inexperienced head.“First.” She held a finger up.“Do not listen to Anne.”“But—”“Ever,” Aldora said.“If you say…”“I do say,” she muttered.Benedict closed his mouth.His expressive blue eyes indicated he very much wished to continue on the subject.He remained silent.Smart boy.Then he looked around.His brow furrowed.“Why are we here?”Aldora frowned.“I thought you wanted to go to Hyde Park?”He lifted his shoulders in a little shrug.“This is a riding trail.Ain’t exactly the best place for a walk.”Oh, he was too smart.Fortunately, Benedict did not know about Michael, so he couldn’t know that this was the trail Michael rode along.He scuffed the tip of his shoe along the ground, looking so utterly bored that Aldora was besieged by a wave of guilt.Poor Benedict.She could only imagine how difficult it was for him, a young boy, living amongst a household of women, deprived of any male figure for guidance and support.There weren’t even the funds to provide Benedict with the pleasures that Aldora and her sisters had experienced as young girls; ices at Gunter’s, fine tutors, any of it.“What is it?” Benedict asked, calling her back to the moment.Aldora managed a smile.“Nothing at all.” She fished out the simple fare she’d prepared for them: two large chunks of crusty, white bread, and slivers of apples.She held it out to him.“Why don’t you feed the ducks?”His eyes widened.He reached for it like he’d been offered the Queen’s jewels.A spark lit his pale blue eyes, stirring up guilt deep inside Aldora.She’d been so focused on her siblings’ survival, that she’d neglected to consider their need for the simpler things; a smile, laughter, a trip to the park just for the sake of visiting the park.Then he froze.He pulled his fingers back as if he’d been burned and eyed her suspiciously.“You’ve got no chaperone.I’m supposed to stay with you.” He squared his shoulders and tugged at the front of his jacket.The gesture, however, instead of giving him a more mature look, only put her in mind of a young boy playing at the role of adult.Aldora tweaked his nose.“Run along.Enjoy your time.”He didn’t need to be told again.Benedict snatched the morning fare as though he feared she might change her mind.With a crooked grin, he turned on his heel and double-backed around toward the lake they’d passed several minutes ago.“Be careful, Benedict.”“I will,” he called, not turning back around.“Do not get too close to the…” She frowned as he disappeared from sight.“Water.”Aldora stared off into the thick copse of trees and bushes ahead.She should be at home, awaiting the afternoon visit of the marquess, and yet what was she doing? Traipsing through the park and mourning the life she used to know, and hating that responsibility drove her search for a husband, and not the yearnings of her own heart.“Pft,” she muttered under her breath.It was the height of foolishness thinking about Michael.Not when a match to his older, titled, and wealthy peer of a brother would solve her family’s every problem.That wasn’t altogether true.It wouldn’t solve the problem of her happiness.She pressed her fingers into the sides of her temple and rubbed back a growing megrim.“Ahhhh!” The eerie cry filled the morning sky.Her stomach turned over as terror turned her blood to ice.“Benedict!” She tore off through the empty park toward the distant cries of her brother.I shouldn’t have left him.I shouldn’t have sent him off on his own.I should have joined him.The guilty phrases fueled her steps.As she crested a slight hill, she slipped, staggered, and nearly fell in her haste to get to him.She caught sight of his reed-thin arms as he flailed hopelessly in the water, like a small pup tossed out to sea.Then a figure all but soared through the air.Aldora gasped as a stranger launched himself into the lake, his powerfully muscular frame created an enormous wave that continued to ripple long after he dove in.“Benedict, I’m coming!” she cried.The rapid pace combined with the sheer terror of losing her brother caused a tightness in her chest.Aldora pushed through it, and powered down the hill, skidding to a stop at the sight before her [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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