Читать книгу The Shy Duchess - Amanda McCabe, Amanda McCabe - Страница 2

Emily pressed herself even closer to him, wanting to be ever nearer and nearer. Wanting she knew not what. But her sudden movement sent him off-balance, and he stumbled backwards into the bank of potted palms.

She landed hard on top of him, and the impact, along with the crash of plants to the floor, shocked her awake. It was like a cold rain suddenly falling over her head.

‘Your Grace?’ someone said in a hushed, shocked voice.

Emily, still lying prone on Nicholas’s chest, peered up through the loosened skein of her hair. At least ten people stared back.

This was a nightmare. It simply had to be. It couldn’t be real, couldn’t be happening to her. Not to the Ice Princess, the most proper lady in all London.

Nicholas lifted her off and rose to his feet in one smooth movement. He held onto her hand and kept her firmly by his side.

‘I am sorry to disrupt the ball. Lady Emily and I were going to announce our betrothal at a small family dinner, but I see we should do so now. Lady Emily has made me the happiest man in England by agreeing to be my wife.’

There would be no escape for either of them. Not now.