Read A Summons From the Duke for Free Online

good,” he grumbled. “Which is why she’s my favorite of all my grandchildren.” Danby winked at Damien. “Never had to talk about ribbons or petticoats with that one, even when she was small. ‘Read to me from this book, Grandpapa,’ she would say, and then she’d crawl into my lap with an encyclopedia. The R s were her favorites, don’t ask me why.”
    Damien could easily imagine a five-year-old version of Lady Isabel, insisting to be read to from an encyclopedia. No fairy tales for that one.
    “ I assume you speak of my Isabel?” Lord Norland joined the conversation after a short discourse with a footman.
    “ Who else?” asked Danby.
    Norland sat with a heavy sigh. “Her mother fears she will never find a husband, and I think her fears are founded. What man wants to be wed to a woman who will recite scientific dictionaries to him while he sips his brandy?”
    “ A scientist, perhaps?” suggested Damien.
    “ God help us if Isabel marries beneath her station,” Norland said with a shudder. “Her mother would have an apoplexy for certain.”
    “ Or perhaps a man who simply appreciates a healthy yearning for knowledge.” Damien wondered if Norland would challenge him on the idea of a yearning for knowledge being healthy.
    But it was Danby who answered. “Here, here, Mr. Lockwell!” He raised his glass and then downed his port in one, swift movement. “Now, if you will excuse me, gentlemen, I fear the witching hour is nigh.”
    “ Shall we join the ladies, then, Lockwell?” Norland asked, and Damien was grateful he wouldn’t have to sit alone in the dining room with the marquess. The man was rather formidable.
    “ I would love nothing more,” he replied, his mind turning to Lady Isabel once again. The world seemed rather dull now when she wasn’t nearby. How strange.
    ~*~
    “ Where is my sister?” Isabel asked when Miss Mason crossed the threshold into the drawing room alone. “The two of you were arm-in-arm a moment ago.”
    Miss Mason huffed and her nose and mouth pinched into a very unbecoming expression. “She is having a word with Lord Heathfield… alone. ”
    “ A word?” she repeated, hardly able to believe it. “Whatever are they having a word about?”
    “ Does it matter? Either way, it is highly improper.”
    “ What is highly improper?”
    Isabel started, and whirled around on Sir Thomas. “Sneaking up on a person,” she replied testily.
    “ I didn’t mean to startle, Lady Isabel.”
    “ Nonetheless…”
    “ Oh, look. Here comes your sister now.” Sir Thomas’s eyes landed on Emma and there they stayed.
    “ Does she look well to you?” Miss Mason cocked her head sideways, as if to get a better view of Emma.
    In truth, Emma did not look well. She looked flushed and flustered. What the devil had Heathfield done to her?
    Isabel started for her sister, but Sir Thomas nearly knocked her down in order to get to Emma first.
    “ Lady Emma,” he said, his soft voice grating on every nerve in Isabel’s body. “Might I ask you to show me your family’s portrait gallery? I’ve been meaning to ask for some time, but—”
    “ Yes!” Emma blurted out. “I mean, that is if Papa approves.”
    Father made his way into the drawing room at that very moment, clearly having overheard the question. “Yes, of course, my dear. Your mother will accompany you.”
    Isabel lost interest in her sister’s game as Mr. Lockwell sauntered lazily into the drawing room behind her father. Her throat closed and her heart thumped, and there went her blasted stomach again. The thought that he was quite handsome when his mouth was shut crossed her mind briefly before she squelched it completely.
    Handsome. Ha! He was slovenly and lazy and… handsome.
    She pinched herself this time as punishment for thinking that thought about him. Repeatedly.
    As Emma and Sir Thomas disappeared with Mama in tow, Lockwell joined Isabel and Miss Mason near the fireplace. He gave Isabel a look that said, Your