Read An Unexpected Proposal (St Daine Family 1) for Free Online

had also been invited to attend.
    Just once, she thought, she would like to be free to enjoy an evening in the same unconcerned, joyful spirit with which Melisande seemed to view every afternoon tea, every evening jaunt to the theater, every ball in London. Instead, she was forced to smile politely, to talk of nothing more stimulating than the winds of a recent thunderstorm, and to hide what wit with which nature had blessed her behind a mask of caution as she inspected each gentleman for possible flaws.
    Would he play the nice with her and then disappear into the private parlors for an evening of cards at which he was destined to gamble away his family's entire fortune? “You must pay attention to such clues, Claire,” her father often warned.
    Would he smile at her, dance with her, attempt to sweep her off her feet and then do the same with another young woman at some other fete later in the week? “You must guard against such rogues, Claire,” her mother would insist.
    Between her father's high regard for a match with a fellow who respected familial duty and fortune and her mother's restricting fear that her daughter would marry a rogue who wanted naught more than a bit of a lovely confection to display at various outings and the requisite heir which she, herself, had failed to deliver, Claire feared she may never find a man to which she might entrust her heart.
    Her fingers plucked in distracted irritation at her fan while she waited for her parents to descend, her thoughts wandering to those few moments, days ago, when the Duke of Rothwyn had peered into her eyes and asked why she found him distasteful. There had been true confusion in his gaze, and then, when he had touched her cheek, her chin, her hair....
    Claire shook her head, dislodging the memory.
    If the Duke of Ambray did not soon show himself, or if the Duke of Kelsing continued to display a marked disinterest in her beyond merely being friendly acquaintances, Rothwyn would belong to Melisande.
    As Mel's friend, she was determined to see that it was so, and it would do neither of them a whit of good for her to harbor wistful memories of the man. Claire knew this, and yet, being forced to ignore the way her heart raced, how her breath hitched at his touch, how alive she had felt—even if only for those few brief moments she had danced in his arms—made her feel quite melancholy.
    “The trunks are loaded, Claire, and the servants in your mother's chambers have quieted, at last, so I expect we shall be leaving within the quarter hour,” Audrey Leighton, her father, announced as he descended the stairs, his fingers busily straightening his cuffs.
    She attempted to smile but with her thoughts having dampened her mood even further than the turbid green dress she had chosen to wear, the best she could offer at the moment, it seemed, was a weary twist of the lips.
    Ever observant when she least anticipated it, her father noticed immediately the lowness of her mood, and Claire stifled a groan of dismay. “Perhaps you should visit the kitchens for a tart or something sweet to liven your disposition? We are to be honored guests of the Duke of Rothwyn this week, Claire. I'll not have you spoil your chances with the man by putting on cheerless airs,” her father scolded, his brows low.
    Straightening, she befitted her lips with a bright, cheery smile. Using her fan for effect, Claire wielded it with over-zealous fervor. “I do apologize, Father. The excitement, I believe, has me a bit over-set but I am certain I shall be fine by the time we approach the duke's estate.”
    Eyeing her speculatively, her father's disapproving gaze wandered the length of her unflattering gown. Her false smile and pretended zeal must have been enough to assure him all was well, however, because he turned away with a grunt. “Yes, well, see that you are. I'll not have you ruin the evening with a dreary composure to match that murky colored gown you've chosen to wear. Had you nothing