The Duke’s Golden Belle by Anna St. Claire EPUB & PDF – Details
- Author: Anna St. Claire
- Language: English
- Formats: PDF / EPUB
- Status: Available For Free Download
- Series: None
- Price: Free
- File Size: 1 MB
Crawley, Sussex, England
December 1820
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Michael Ballard, the newly titled seventh Duke of Clarence, sat pensively in
his rowboat with his back to the shore, as rippled waves slowly rocked the
boat back and forth. He needed to think, something he found abundantly
necessary this past year since becoming a duke. This secluded part of the
river that separated Ballard House and the adjoining property was his favorite
spot. The sereneness of the water and reflection of trees, many of which had
already shed their foliage, lent him a sense of calm he needed in such times
as these. Focusing on the last place he had seen a fish jump, Michael cast his
line. This wasn’t about catching fish for him. He always returned the fish to
the stream. It was about solitude, something he had increasingly sought since
stepping into his brother’s shoes.
His father had died from influenza, and his brother, Daniel, had died soon
afterward in an accident after foolishly accepting a challenge to race his
stallion. His mother had reminded him of his father’s expectations—of the
arrangement he had made over drinks almost twenty years before. The former
duke had betrothed his eldest son to the daughter of his best friend. The
problem was that the contract contained the unfortunate stipulation that the
betrothal would move to Michael should something happen to his eldest
brother, provided Michael remained without a betrothal and unmarried. Not
anticipating anything happening to his older brother, no one had mentioned to
Michael the part about him having to take his place.
He closed his eyes and drew in a cleansing breath before slowly exhaling.
It was a perfect December day with high clouds, a light breeze and a brilliant
sky, and a brisk temperature. What marred the day was his mother’s
unrelenting unreasonableness. She brought up the betrothal often, voicing her
desire to have grandchildren. Michael could not find his father’s copy of the
betrothal agreement and had sent an urgent request to see a fully executed
copy from the solicitor.
He wasn’t sure who was being more selfish: his mother with her wish for
grandchildren, or him for wanting to escape committing to a marriage for
which he had no desire. He was so engrossed in his troubles that he barely
noticed the stiffening of the line, creating a slight jerk, which pulled him from
his musings. Suddenly aware the line seemed to be caught, he tugged on it,
with no success. Standing, he spread his legs for balance and gave a bigger
tug, hoping to dislodge the line from whatever it had hooked. Frustrated, he
gripped the line and jerked hard. At once, the line surfaced, hooked on what
appeared to be a waterlogged Hessian boot, at the same time catapulting him
back into the water.
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