Free The Duke's Blind Temptation by Paige Cameron Page A

duchess’s eyes darkened. Her hands clenched briefly, but otherwise, she maintained her proper decorum.
    Lady Lavinia stared across at Ellie with curiosity in her expression. Ellie smiled pleasantly, all the while noting the woman’s golden hair and expensive, ornate, dark-blue gown. On her the color brought out her sky-blue eyes and smooth, white skin. When the duchess spoke to Lady Lavinia her smile warmed. Her reception to Ellie appeared cool. But perhaps that was Ellie’s own imagination.
    “Mother, I’m sorry I wasn’t here to greet our guests.” Rafe strode into the room. The air sizzled with expectancy as all the women looked around to greet him.
    Ellie almost sighed out loud. He had a darker tan, and the breeze had ruffled his black hair. Those startling blue eyes shone with energy and light. She waited as he greeted her mother and Lady Templeton, then smiled and greeted Lavinia. Finally, he turned and came across to her.
    “How lovely you look. I’m so glad you and your mother had an opportunity to visit our home.”
    “It’s beautiful, Your Grace,” Ellie said. Rafe’s eyebrow raised on her greeting.
    “Sit here by me,” the duchess directed Rafe. He nodded at Ellie before sitting between his mother and Lady Lavinia. “Is everything as you remembered it?” his stepmother asked. She handed him a cup of tea.
    “Yes. Only now the colors and textures are so much more vivid. I suppose the positive side of being blind and regaining your sight is the ability to appreciate all the things you took for granted before. But, please don’t let me interrupt your conversation. I’m going to take my tea to my office.”
    As quickly as he’d entered, Rafe had gone. Ellie stared at his back until he disappeared out the door.
    The duchess smiled at Lady Lavinia. “I’m sure you two young ladies are bored conversing with us. My dear, please take Miss Upton and show her the grounds. So many of our prettiest flowers are in bloom.”
    Lavinia motioned for Ellie to join her. “We’ll go out the french windows,” she said. They stepped out onto a stone veranda.
    Winding walkways meandered through lush gardens of roses, shrubs, and ground-cover plants. At one turn in the walk, the mixture of colors reminded Ellie of a painting she’d seen on a very old tapestry. Lavinia walked in silence beside her until they were quite a distance from the house.
    “I noted the looks you gave the duke,” she said in a cold tone. “The duchess said you and your family were kind to Rafe when he was at his hunting lodge. I do hope you didn’t build up any expectations.” She stopped and eyed Ellie from her head to her feet then turned back to stroll along the path.
    “As a duke, Rafe will require a sophisticated wife. One that will bring both additional power and prestige to him and his title. A baron’s daughter would never be acceptable.”
    Ellie seldom held back what she wanted to say. This time was no different. “I find you the epitome of rudeness. Surely, a duke does not need that quality in a wife. But do not worry, I have no expectations about the duke or any other man. Now if you will excuse me, I prefer to walk alone.”
    Taking long strides, Ellie quickly distanced herself from Lavinia. Her heart hurt. To be replaced was bad enough but by such a snobbish, spoiled woman made it worse. Tears filled her eyes. She blinked furiously, refusing to let them fall. She’d known this might happen.
    In her anger, she wasn’t aware of the time or distance she’d covered. The shadows cast across the garden brought her back to the present. She turned and started back toward the house which she saw far in the distance.
    “Ellie.” A man’s voice came from her left. Rafe moved hurriedly to her side. “We were worried when you didn’t return with Lady Lavinia. She said you just walked off on your own.”
    “That’s correct. She was not pleasant company.”
    “I’m sorry. I’d hoped you’d enjoy the gardens.”
    “They