Free Romance: REGENCY ROMANCE: The Duke of Hearts (Historical Regency Victorian Duke Romance) (Historical Regency Fantasy Romance) by Lisa Andersen

dress she was wearing was straight from the capital city and she wore it with confidence and style.
    Aunt Agatha held a book and waved it in the air. “See this new printing system is making these books available to all of us and Caroline is introducing me to a whole world of reading.” Caroline joined the conversation and told him that his aunt was enjoying the books but in return was allowing herself access to her gardens and she was taking inspiration to create a garden of her own. Bertie too, enjoyed some of the new literature available and although they liked different types of reading the three of them found a discussion relaxing and entertaining. Bertie felt comfortable and sat back to enjoy himself. In the end his aunt directed him to take Miss Carstairs into the garden. “The gardeners will remove anything she might like to choose.” This was amazing in itself because his aunt was normally desperately possessive of her plants. He stood and offered the visitor his arm. “My pleasure, Miss Carstairs.” He said and led the girl out of the doors onto the terrace that overlooked his aunt’s pride and joy.
    Caroline Carstairs took the lead in saying that she had heard that he preferred to live in London and he told her that was indeed the case. “But Lord Haverbrook, do you not desire to bring some of the London style and fashion to this part of the world?” Bertie had never given this any thought before and was surprised to discover that he enjoyed talking to someone about the things that could be brought up to Derbyshire. The conversation ranged from the latest books and magazines, clothes and activities to the household equipment that could make life easier for all concerned. The two of them were deep in animated talk and found themselves having walked slowly a long way from the house. “I am sorry. This is a long way for you to walk.” Bertie suddenly realised and was surprised when his companion laughed. “I love to walk, ride and in the garden, I like to actually work with the plants. A little walk will do me good.” She had turned towards him and they were suddenly very close to each other. Bertie took her face between his hands in a spontaneous gesture and kissed her on the lips. After the initial surprise Caroline returned the kiss with a passion that surprised even herself. There was a sudden and complete connection between them and the kiss deepened and lengthened into something that neither of them expected. It was not that Caroline Carstairs had never been kissed but rather that she had never been kissed in a way that took her to another world. A kiss that sent her head swimming and leaving her knees quite weak. Bertie found his senses first and pulled away. “I am so sorry.” He stuttered. “I don’t know what came over me. Please forgive me for taking advantage.” Caroline looked at his face and the shock that the kiss had inflicted on both of them. She smiled that stunning sunshine smile and pulled his head back towards her. “I am a new woman.” She told him and this time she took the initiative and started the kiss. “I think, Miss Carstairs.” Bertie said in the end. “That we had better walk back to the house.” She laughed and took his arm and they strolled back in that direction but both of them were still a little bit shaken by the intensity of the connection. Caroline brought herself to her senses and told him that she had a carriage and he found someone to go and ask for the vehicle to be brought to the front of the house. The couple waited in the extensive hallway until the carriage was brought around and he helped the girl into her rather smart and up to date transport. “I enjoyed the walk and the company.” He said and she leaned forward and told him that she had felt the same. Bertie resisted the urge to take those delightful lips again and he told the driver to start the journey to her home. Then Bertie Collins Margrave stood for quite a long time on the steps of his