Free The Duke's Love by Stephanie Maddux

feel rushing up to the surface. He hated feeling those things of vulnerability . It wasn’t in his nature. He prided himself on his cool and detached demeanor, but it was quickly being thrown out the window. Ana was and still is the only woman he knew that could make him feel like that . She was like a disease living under his skin. He wanted to run as far and as fast as he could to get away from her. Only he had r u n out of places to go.
    He sighed. It would only be for a few days. Ana had not want ed him for two years; so why would she want him now . The possibility of her bothering him and getting in his way was slim. The thought brought his spirits back up.
    Jake left his mother to finish her lists and h e m ade himself at home in the library . Shortly after that, Jordan walked into the room.
    “ It appears that you might not be the most gracious of hosts for our guest .” Jordan smiled broadly, letting on to the fact he already knew his mother's games.
    “Don’t remind me, I will readily admit I am avoiding our so called guest the moment she arrives , ” Jake said grimly. Jordan laughed at his expression and it annoyed him . What else was he supposed to do? “Did you just arrive? “ Jake asked him. 
    “ Wild horses could not keep me from this party. I wouldn’t miss this for the all world. I do believe this will be an eventful party after all , " Jordan chuckled, clearly amused at Jake’s discomfort . 
    Jake began concentrating on the work in front of him. The guest list was more extensive than he thought it would have been. He noticed Viscount Langley was on the list. His fists clenched the paper in an unknown emotion.
    “ What is the Viscount 's relationship with Ana?" He gave Jordan a sharp look when he did not answer right away.
    "I honestly don't know. I believe they have been tip-toeing around the issue of marriage for a while now , " Jordan finally answered.
    Was the Viscount blind? H is jealous side screamed to keep the man away from her. He blanched at what he was thinking. Like he cared . Of course, he cared and it pissed him off even more. No, h e was over her. It did not matter what his family thought. He knew he was over her and by god; he was going to show everyone that Ana was just like any other female he was acquainted with. She was no different. He had to remain firm on it, because he could not go through what he had gone through again . It was just not going to happen. He was determined to see that it didn’t.
     
    They arrived late in the evening. It took much longer than she originally thought. It was a long haul from London to the Ashbury Estate. Ana was nervous. As the carriage pulled up, the footman stepped up and offered her a hand down. Eliza followed. Ana gaze d a round her and was glad to see th at the e state had not changed. It was as glorious as ever.
    “You’ve made it. I was wondering if you had changed your mind , ” Lady Katherine said as she came out to greet them personally. “My sons are already here . And the two of you are the first to arrive , ” She said brightly. Ana looked around and confirmed that when she saw virtually no activity going on.
    “We are the first? Being this late, I thought we would have been the last , ” Ana questioned her as she looked at her host’s stressed face. In Ana’s mind, everything suddenly clicked.
    “You planned this , didn’t you?” Ana accused harshly. “You wanted me to arrive earlier than your other guests. Are any other guests actually expected ?” S he bit out. Ana was trying to wrap her mind around the deceit that was flying around her. Ana studied Eliza’s face , and it was apparent that she had helped Jake’s mother in this ruse . It was no wonder she had rushed out of her home before Ana could even step inside.
    “My dear, I am so sorry , but I didn’t see any other way to get you and my son together , ” Katherine paled.
    “I told you, I don’t wa nt anything to do with your son. How could you do this