Page 8 of Defending the Duke (The St. Clairs 4)

“Do you have her card?”

Barton grimaced. “She’s not that kind of young lady, Your Grace.”

By now, Luke descended the stairs from the nursery above. “What’s going on?” he asked.

“Barton is tongue-tied,” Jeremy complained. “About some young lady.” He faced the butler. “What does she want? And who is she, a woman without a calling card, and apparently no chaperone accompanying her?”

“I need to speak with you on an urgent matter, Your Grace,” a voice said.

Jeremy glanced to the stairs and saw the young woman in question marching up them. She reached the top and his heart began pounding rapidly as she approached.

“We have business to discuss,” she said crisply.

He hadn’t a doubt in his mind as he took in her appearance but it was Luke who found his voice first.

“My God—you’re a St. Clair!”

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