Free Trapping a Duchess by Michele Bekemeyer Page A

have met already, haven't you?” Alex asked.
    “Once, I think, but it's been an age,” she said, trying to recall when it was. Whenever, he hadn't made an impression, because she felt like she was seeing him for the first time.
    “Years would be my guess, as I've not been up from the country in at least that long.” The breeze ruffled his blond hair and he smoothed it back. His mannerism and cultured tones spoke to his noble upbringing and his expensive clothing marked him a man of means. “Pleasure to meet you again.”
    “Likewise,” she said, deciding he was interesting enough to add to her list of possible husbands. If she determined his amiable temperament to be natural, and not an act, she would advance his name with haste. He was the most promising candidate she'd met thus far.
    “What brings you to Gunter's, apart from the obvious?” Simon asked, drawing her attention his way.
    “We've just come from Madame Dumont's,” she said, trying not to grin as his brows pulled together.
    “Another visit to the modiste?”
    She lifted her chin. “So Alex could be fitted for a new gown, yes.”
    “And I found the most perfect material,” Alex said, sliding her arm through Simon's. It was their turn to order. Sophie did not step up, deciding to hang back with the undecided Lord Courtland.
    “Any particular flavor you recommend, Lady Sophia?” he asked, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.
    “She always gets the lemon,” Alex said, flashing a grin over her shoulder.
    “Does she?” he asked, shooting Sophie an amused sideways glance. “That good, is it?”
    “I find it refreshing,” she said, facing him.
    “Lemon? Refreshing?” His expression said he did not agree.
    Alex joined them. “I've been trying to lure her away from it for some time. Maybe you will have better luck.”
    “Getting my sister to change her mind? Unlikely,” Simon said, nudging Alex towards the door.
    “What do you say, Lady Sophia? Can you be lured?” Lord Courtland asked. His lips were curved with mischief, his features softened by boyish enthusiasm.
    His teasing expression brought a blush to her cheeks. “I have heard wonderful things about the mango.”
    “Then the mango we shall have. Two, please,” he said to the attendant, who prepared the ices with a disinterested smile.
    “I wonder where Alexandra and my brother went,” Sophie said, looking for her as she exited the shop.
    “I imagine she and Clement are making their way to Hyde Park. We were there before we detoured to Gunter's.” He stood on his tiptoes and looked around. “They are just ahead, rounding the corner. Shall we?”
    She wondered if Alex left with Simon for a reason. With the two of them otherwise engaged, Sophie and Lord Courtland were afforded the opportunity to further their acquaintance. “Lead the way,” she said, making a mental note to thank Alex later.
    They crossed Berkeley Square and headed towards Mount Street. “My sister Abigail has recently come up from Somerset.”
    “Lady Abigail is your youngest sister?”
    “Yes,” he said with a laugh. “The youngest of three. Caroline and Grace, my other siblings, are closer in age to me.”
    “And you say she only came up last week? Rather late in the season to do so, is it not?”
    His grin turned sheepish. “I'm afraid the fault is all mine. I invited her to visit without considering the time of year. My sisters Caroline and Grace both expecting, which means my mother has her hands full going back and forth between them. Abby mentioned she has grown weary from the constant traveling. Don't get me wrong, she adores my sisters, but she's at an age where she prefers to be with her friends. And most of them were coming up to London.”
    “Makes sense.”
    “Thankfully, Lady Alexandra offered her assistance. I must admit, I had not considered what I was going to do with Abby once she arrived. She does not have much experience with the ton. And older brothers are not the best of