Read Let Love Find You for Free Online Page B

Little Miss Sunshine, yet once William moved off for some refreshments, it was impossible to do so.
    She really did sparkle, and it had nothing to do with the expensive jewels she was wearing. Vivacious. Effervescent. When she smiled and laughed, she seemed to light up the room, she was so beautiful. He’d love to know what she was talking about to keep her young admirers so raptly attentive. Actually, they might not even care what she was saying, they could merely be delighted to be in her company.
    “I think you better get your eyes off my sister until I know your intentions.”
    Devin glanced to his side. At a few inches over six feet, he was used to towering over other men, but that wasn’t the case with this chap he hadn’t yet met. Blond, blue-eyed, the man was as tall as Devin and was staring at the center of the room where Devin’s eyes had been, not necessarily at the same young woman, but that would be a good guess. While the animosity of the man’s statement wasn’t revealed in his expression, a strong note of warning was in the tone of his voice.
    “I have no intentions,” Devin replied. “I was just wondering how she can look like she’s having a good time, yet be bored to tears.”
    The man frowned slightly, still staring at his sister, then said, “Bloody hell, hadn’t noticed that. You do read people very well, don’t you?”
    Devin shrugged. “It’s a knack.”
    The animosity was still present in the man’s tone. Why? Wasthe brother so protective of his sister that he didn’t even like that Devin had “wondered” about her? Possibly, and that would be a clear indication the fellow didn’t think Devin was good enough for his sister. Devin knew he wasn’t, but no one else knew why he’d be the first to agree. Ordinarily, reactions like this didn’t bother him in the least. Tonight it did, and he wasn’t sure why.
    “Are you married?”
    “No,” Devin said tersely, about to walk away.
    The man was still frowning when he remarked, “Deuced odd, then.”
    Devin raised a brow. “What is?”
    “That you’re not drooling over my sister like the rest of these young bucks.” The man paused. “Unless you’re a confirmed bachelor?”
    Devin just smiled, but that caused the man to rock back on his heels for a moment, and the animosity was suddenly gone. “Well, that explains it. Understand perfectly. Was one m’self until I met my wife. By the by, I’m Raphael Locke, Rafe to my friends. And you’re Devin Baldwin, from the Lancashire Baldwins, titles distributed elsewhere, gentry nonetheless.”
    Now the man gets around to introducing himself? “It sounds like the gossip mill has been busy tonight,” Devin said.
    Raphael chuckled. “Can’t stand gossip m’self. No, m’wife just makes it a point of finding out who shows up at her parties, in case she’d like to invite them again.”
    This was who was married to their ethereal hostess? William had forgotten to mention the family ties when he’d admitted he’d tried his hand at winning the duke’s daughter. “Lucky fellow.”
    “Oh, indeed, don’t I know it,” Raphael said. “Surprised we’ve never met before, though I still spend most of the year inthe country with my family. So this amusing matchmaking occupation of yours has brought you to town?”
    “I don’t consider that an occupation. Horse breeding is my occupation and my passion. That’s what keeps me busy, especially since I’m trying my hand at producing racers now, instead of just quality mounts. And my aunt and uncle who moved to London suggested I bring my efforts closer to them, since I was never finding time to visit. So I bought the old Harksten place just outside of town, close enough that I can live with them again, which makes them happy.”
    “Humph, I guess Phelia forgot to mention that part! Racers, eh? I just might have to visit your farm.”
    Now that was funny. Devin supposed he ought to tell Lady Ophelia that if she didn’t buy her