Free The Perfect Duke by Dawn Ireland

before she could open her mouth. “Let us start with an easy question. Why are you here?”
    “I’ve been holding some of Rachel’s lessons in the stable.”
    “For God’s sake, why?”
    “If you knew your niece at all, you’d know she loves horses. I thought she might be more receptive to lessons in a place where she feels at home.”
    “Belcraven is her home, not the stable.”
    “But she’s at ease out here. She insisted we have lessons in this corner to keep a horse company. It may sound odd, but she thinks he’s lonely.”
    His gaze followed the direction she pointed. “That is ridicu . . .” He swallowed hard and fought back an unfamiliar sadness. An older and grayer Storm watched him with soulful eyes. The horse gave a soft neigh, as if he recognized him, even after all these years.
    He crossed to the stallion and gently tugged on his forelock. Storm burrowed against him. Garret closed his eyes and rested his head against the horse’s neck. Would it have been so hard to ride Storm on occasion? He’d found it easier to cut out every aspect of his old life. His horse had suffered as a result.
    “The horse seems to know you.”
    “He should. There was a time when I practically lived in the stable. Storm was my favorite.”
    “What happened?”
    “I became a duke.”
    “Oh.”
    He straightened and forced his features into a mask of indifference. “So, Rachel loves horses.” He turned to face Cara. “I can appreciate my niece’s fondness, but I can not allow her to frequent the stable.”
    “Why not?”
    “It is not proper for young ladies of her station.”
    “Garret, she’s a child.”
    It was the first time she’d used his name, and somehow, Rachel visiting the horses didn’t seem like such a large request. “I will only allow it if she uses the passageway. At least I can keep the knowledge of her visits to a minimum. If you come with her, you will need to use the tunnel as well.”
    “I can’t.”
    “Why not?”
    She blushed and turned her face away. “I’m afraid.” She said it so quietly, he wasn’t sure he heard her.
    “Afraid? Of what?”
    “Dark, enclosed places. Even as a child, I fell asleep with a candle burning.” She faced him and gave a small smile. “Perhaps I’m afraid that a beast will gobble me up in the dark.”
    “There are no beasts at Belcraven, Miss McClure.”
    “Please, call me Cara.”
    “All right, Cara. There is nothing here you should be afraid of. I would not allow anyone to hurt you.”
    “Anyone?”
    “Never.” He started toward her and stopped. Damn, it would be better if he didn’t get close to her. He turned and started out of the stable, but the whisper of her response followed him.
    “Not even you?”

It happened, however, that the Lord gave orders for a ball to be held so he could choose his future bride. How Cinderella wished she could attend. But how could a cinder girl marry the golden prince?
    Cinderella

Chapter 6
    Garret turned the key in the study door, poured a brandy, and sat near the fire. The picture of his grandfather drew his attention, as it always did. He raised his glass to the portrait, threw back the contents, and set the glass on his mother’s favorite table. July seventh. He’d made it through another year.
    He stretched out his legs and rested his head back against the leather chair. The warmth of the fire and alcohol helped. With a sigh, he closed his eyes.
    Had Edward really been gone fourteen years? It seemed as if only yesterday his grandfather was standing over him. Was it the old duke’s voice, or his very presence that had brought him out of the oblivion he’d clung to that day?
    “I know you’re awake.” Disdain had edged the Duke of Kendal’s voice.
    Why should that day be any different? Just because Garret’s brother, the heir to the Dukedom, was dead, didn’t mean his grandfather would show emotion. That would make him too human.
    He’d opened his eyes, met his grandfather’s cool,