To Catch a Lady by Pamela Labud Page B

bit down on a grimace. Sitting alone with him all day had set her nerves on edge.
    “Something the matter?” he asked, closing his periodical once again.
    “No, nothing,” she said, doing her best to force calmness into her tone.
    “I’m not an expert, Caroline, but it appears to me that you are lying.”
    Anger shot through her. “You have a great deal of nerve, sir.”
    He smiled. “I do, indeed. I believe it comes from facing down French soldiers during the war.”
    “You were an officer, then?” Somehow seeing him as a hero surprised her. So, he wasn’t a spoiled aristocrat after all? “Your father let his heir go into service?”
    “Hardly.”
    “You served against your family’s wishes? What sort of duke would allow his son to do such a foolish thing?”
    “My cousin, Stephen, was the duke’s heir. I was just the next in line.”
    “I didn’t know. What happened?”
    “My cousin died in a carriage accident. A few days later, my uncle fell ill. He passed away within a month of my cousin’s death.”
    “I’m so sorry for your loss.”
    “They were very dear to me. It was my uncle who bought me a commission in the army. Of course, he intended for me to be of high rank, but I was happy as a minor officer. I didn’t want to be leading troops.”
    “Why not?”
    He smiled at her, and for a moment, she swore a look of longing crossed his face. Then, as quickly as it appeared, his odd expression was gone.
    “I’m a simple man, Duchess. I have no needs other than a warm bed, a good meal, and a well-oiled rifle.”
    “Certainly not a wife, eh?” she said in a half-humorous fashion. For a reason she couldn’t understand, she started to relax.
    A grin tugged at the corners of his mouth. “No, not a wife. Or a dukedom, either—but that’s the life I’ve been dealt.” He paused. “And what of you? What were your plans? What have you given up to become the new Duchess of Summerton?”
    “Aside from a peaceful life, you mean?” She sighed. “I still can’t believe everything that’s happened. My sister was a much better candidate for a wife than I.”
    “So you’ve said.” He stretched his arms outward and rolled his shoulders.
    Caro drew in a quick breath; the size of him seemed to encompass more and more of the carriage. She did her best not to squirm, but it was as if he were enveloping her just by looking at her. She couldn’t decide whether it was his brilliant blue eyes, his high, well-defined cheekbones, or his strong jaw that gave him such an arresting face.
    That alone was unsettling, but when you added his wide chest, long legs, and narrow waist, it was no wonder so many hopeful young women had answered his invitation. With his wealth and title, the Duke of Summerton most certainly comprised what every unmarried female and her mother would consider a perfect match.
    And yet, in spite of his every advantage, he didn’t act either a rake or a rogue. He treated everyone with quiet respect and she’d not yet seen him leer at any woman, whether servant or potential mistress. Of course, she couldn’t rule it out, but he didn’t seem the womanizer that most of his counterparts were rumored to be.
    Again, a perfect husband. So, what was wrong with him? Why hadn’t he already been claimed by the ton’s marriage mart?
    “I’m wondering how you’ve avoided matrimony until now.” The heat of embarrassment crept over her. “I am curious.”
    He shrugged. “I prefer to be alone.”
    Caro doubted very much that was the only reason why he’d avoided marriage. Still, she couldn’t fault him. She’d had her own reasons for wanting to remain unwed.
    “And you? You’re how old? Twenty-two years, I’d bet.”
    “Twenty-four,” she said, doing her best to keep her voice steady. “I’ve never had intentions of marrying. My mother requires a great deal of care.”
    “Is that the only reason? You are a daughter of a minor peer, aren’t you? I’m sure you would have made a good