In Need of a Duke (The Heart of a Duke Book 1) by Christi Caldwell Page B

whispered, when he finally returned his stare to her. “With you at my side, I feel like I can do anything.”
    Emotion filled Michael’s throat, making speech difficult. He knew what she spoke of. When Aldora was near, he was filled with a lightness that had been extinguished the day he’d dueled and been banished to Wales. He’d never imagined he’d feel alive and hopeful after those days. He’d never imagined he would smile again or laugh…or find love.
    “I love you,” he said, his voice rough to his own ears. He tipped her chin up. “Lady Aldora, if you wed me you’ll make me the most—”
    “If you don’t say yes, you are a daft ninny of a girl!”
    This time the interruption came from the three interlopers at the entrance of the doorway. Michael imagined the girl with tight brown ringlets and familiar brown eyes was in fact a sister.
    “She’ll marry you,” the other young lady, with honey blonde locks called out.
    Aldora choked back a laugh and touched her fingers to Michael’s chin in a like motion. “I do not need anyone to tell me that I want to wed you. You and only you. I thought I needed a powerful peer, Michael, but what I needed was more than a duke.” She leaned up and whispered close to his ear. Her breath fanned his cheek. “I needed you.”

Epilogue

    A nne tugged at Aldora’s hand. “Do tell us again,” she fairly pleaded.
    Katherine snorted. “She’s already told us three times.”
    Anne frowned over at her twin sister. “If we are to land the heart of a duke, I want to be sure I understand exactly what we need to do.”
    Aldora laughed, and shoved her spectacles back on the bridge of her nose. “You don’t need a duke, Anne. I’d imagine my marriage to Michael would have shown you that only love is necessary.”
    Anne rose in a flurry of ivory ruffled skirts. She began to pace. “Oh, love would certainly be welcome, but a duke,” she slammed her fist into the palm of her hand in a very Machiavellian way. “Why, a duke is absolutely essential.”
    “I just want to avoid marriage to cousin Bertrand,” Katherine muttered.
    Aldora frowned at her suddenly somber sister. Her heart tugged at such practical marital goals for the young girl. Katherine should dream of love for herself, just as she’d dreamed of a grand love for Aldora. “There is no need to marry cousin Bertrand.”
    “Tell that to Mother,” Katherine said, and folded her hands primly on her lap. “Mother is forever saying someone needs to wed him, just in case something was to happen to Benedict…”
    “Nothing is going to happen to Benedict,” Aldora assured her.
    “Tell that to Mother, as well,” Katherine said on a beleaguered sigh.
    Anne snapped her fingers together in an unladylike fashion that would have appalled their dear mother. “We must focus on my need…er… our need for a duke.”
    From her spot at the window-seat, Aldora studied the eldest of the twin sisters. She chewed at her lower lip. She’d never taken Anne for a future title-grasping young lady. Instead, she appreciated Anne for her spirit and liveliness. With her beauty, the girl would be the toast of the ton when she made her Come Out. No, neither Anne nor Katherine would have to make a desperate match, but rather a match of her own choosing.
    “Well, then,” Anne stopped mid-pace. “Where is the pendant?”
    “The pendant?” Aldora repeated.
    Anne pointed her eyes to the ceiling. “Yes, the necklace, silly. I imagine one would need to wear the heart in order to…” Her words trailed off. “You don’t have it,” she breathed.
    “Oh, dear. Now comes Anne’s theatrics,” Katherine muttered to herself.
    Usually one to turn a frown on her younger sister, Anne ignored Katherine.
    Aldora opened her mouth.
    “Valera?”
    Aldora shook her head.
    “Alison?”
    “Charlo…”
    Katherine jumped out of her seat and walked over to Anne. “Obviously the pendant is now gone,” she interjected. Katherine looked to Aldora.