Free Sarah's Duke: and Ellie's Gentleman (The heir and the spare, book 1) by Fiona Miers

would not notice how his body had responded to that intriguing idea. Form fitting breeches were not made for being with a woman you desired.
    Sarah laughed with enthusiasm, the sound healthy and strong.
    “I didn’t say we played well,” she joked, making Oliver smile again. “I hope I can teach my children to love music as much as I do,” Sarah looked distracted as she absently ran her fingers over a child sized violin.
    Oliver stopped short. Ladies were not meant to mention children, even when they had them. Hearing Sarah speak of her future children so casually was sending up so many red flags as to make his mind look festive.
    “You want children?” Oliver choked out. Not many of his friends actually wanted children. An heir yes, but that wasn’t the same the thing.
    “Of course. Who doesn’t?” Sarah answered with a smile.
    They had reached the piano now and Oliver felt like his cravat was tied too tightly about his neck. He cleared his throat and leaned against the nearest instrument.
    “Will you play, Sarah?” He gestured towards the piano forte, not even sure why he had asked, but desperate to change the subject.
    “Of course.” Sarah moved over to the piano stool, sat down and began tinkling on the keys.
    She looked up and gave Oliver the most blinding smile yet and he took a step towards her, his breath hitching. He couldn’t be feeling this strongly now, for this woman. It was painful. She was wrong, yet felt so right for him.
    A small group entered the room unannounced.
    “Lincoln.” One of the gentlemen greeted him with a nod.
    “Miss Collins was just about to play us a tune.” Oliver announced, throwing her in the deep end to see if she could handle this small group.
    Sarah blushed, but kept up her head.
    “Anything particular you would like to hear?” She asked brightly, glaring at Oliver behind their backs.
    Someone named a difficult piece and Oliver waited to see her reaction. She simply smiled and turned to the relevant page. The next ten minutes was torture. Sarah played and sang like an angel. She had a naturally sweet singing voice and she could play anything. The level of technical skill required for the piece astounded Oliver. Whoever had suggested it had been testing Sarah’s skill. In a blinding flash, Oliver saw his life ahead of him if he married Sarah. She would be a wonderful wife. She would entertain in their home. Play for their guests, love their children.
    Oliver swallowed the uncomfortable lump in his throat. She would be a wonderful wife but a horrible Duchess. What Duchess actually spoke to their children? She didn’t know a thing about society. She was awkward and shy. She was a vicar’s daughter for God’s sake, she would never survive in his world. He left the room with a lame excuse and a bow.
    Before he called for his carriage, he managed to coax Patrick Millington into a corner in the study, alone.
    “Millington, I know what happened at Lady Charlotte’s ball,” he opened with, not willing to beat around the proverbial bush.
    Millington’s handsome face coloured unhealthily.
    “We went for a walk in the garden. She misunderstood my intentions and she attacked me.” He blustered.
    “She attacked you?” Oliver willed his clenched fists to relax.  “Is that why her dress was ripped and her back was bleeding from being scratched?” He asked through his teeth.
    He could feel his temper slipping free of his control. He never lost his temper, never. But the memories of that night were coming in hard and fast, and he was wondering who would actually miss Patrick Millington if he went missing? He had enough money, he could make sure Patrick Millington stayed gone.
    Millington could obviously see the battle Oliver was waging. Oliver watched him going through his answers before he opened his mouth.
    “As I said, she misunderstood my intentions and became terrified.” He said slowly, gauging Oliver’s reaction.
    He smiled grimly.
    “Well then, perhaps it