Free The Duke in Disguise by Gayle Callen

accompany Stephen, Your Grace. We can finish our studies afterward."

"Will you accompany me, too?" he asked, enjoying the playfulness that he'd once thought didn't come naturally to him.

"If I must."

"Ah, your reluctance wounds me, Miss Shelby."

She looked up at him over her spectacles. "I'm sure you have plenty of other ladies who would never wound you. A Lady Parthenope comes to mind."

"Lord Yardley's sister?" He grinned down at her. "You are a natural flirt, Miss Shelby."

She looked down at Stephen, who scratched the hounds' ears and watched his father and governess.

"I do not flirt."

"Then call it a natural ability to excel in drawing room conversation. Surely you did much of that before your…unfortunate circumstances."

"Converse in drawing rooms?"

"Converse with men— and women— in drawing rooms."

She shrugged and leaned over to wipe the dirt and leaves from her skirts. "I attended my share of dinners and parties."

"Do you miss them?" he asked, knowing he was going beyond playfulness.

She could have answered flippantly, but she gave it some consideration. "I miss the companionship of a busy social life. But that could be summarized in one sentence. I miss my sisters more."

She did not look at him, just continued to watch over Stephen, who rolled around with the dogs.

"How many sisters do you have?"

"You already asked me that at our first interview," she said crossly.

He liked that she wasn't afraid to speak her mind to a duke.

"You cannot expect me to remember such a detail from months ago when you were a stranger to me."

"A stranger you were hiring to teach your son!"

"Well, yes, so humor me and answer again."

"I have two sisters."

When she said nothing more, he said, "And their names? Their ages?"

She sighed. "At twenty-four, Louisa is two years older than I."

So Miss Shelby was young— eight years less than he. He was feeling older by the minute.

"She went off to be a companion to an elderly woman. Victoria is four years older than I, and I just received word several weeks ago that she is to be married to Viscount Thurlow."

"I don't know the man," he said thoughtfully, "but I've heard him speak in the House of Commons. He's quite the politician."

Suddenly, she met his gaze, and in her own he saw worry.

"Are you speaking with honesty, or with sarcasm?" she asked.

"Honesty. Why?"

"She only just met him." Her voice lowered and slowed, as if it were pulled out of her. "I worry that she is only doing this to save our mother from poverty."

"And if she is, then she's a good daughter. Are you not attempting to do the same thing?"

Miss Shelby closed her eyes for a moment. "Perhaps you're right. I guess I shall discover his character when I attend their wedding."

It was his turn to frown. "I did not know of your request for a holiday."

"I discussed it with Mrs. Theobald. I thought such a thing beneath your notice."

"My son is not beneath my notice. When is the wedding, and how long will you be gone?"

"I leave in four days, and I'll be gone for four. I assure you, Stephen might be glad for the holiday from me ."

She was attempting to lighten his mood, but he could see her worry. A man in his position could selfishly refuse her permission to go.

And he was tempted.

What if she didn't return? Her sister would be a wealthy woman. Surely Viscount Thurlow would provide for his new sisters by marriage. Miss Shelby could once again have all of London at her feet.

"I'm sure Nurse Weston can keep Stephen occupied while you're gone," Richard finally said.

She didn't bother to hide her relief. "Thank you, Your Grace."

"But until then, you're at my beck and call."

She took a step away, suspicious yet again.

"Stephen and I have been invited to an assembly in Ramsgate."

She looked at the boy dubiously, as he found a new patch of mud to play in. "Lord Ramsgate, we are with your father. Do behave."

The boy sat back on his heels guiltily, but continued to look at the mud with longing.

"Yes,