Free School For Heiresses 2- Only a Duke Will Do by Sabrina Jeffries Page A

Parliament would be to hear that you’re helping us.”
    “Helping you?”
    “By taking Louisa to meet with Lord Trusbut.”
    “Ah. I hardly call arranging an appointment with the Trusbuts ‘help.’ But if you’re looking for real help, I might offer it. After you convince me I should.”
    Convince him? The audacity of the man! “We’re not interested in your help,” Louisa snapped.
    “We’re interested in anyone’s help,” Mrs. Harris put in. “Especially coming from a man of such stature.”
    She cast Simon an assessing glance. “The question, Your Grace, isn’t whether we want your help, but why you’re offering it.”
    “I’m not. Yet. First, I would have to know more about your cause—your aims, your methods—”
    “You wish to spy on us,” Louisa said.
    He cast her a cool smile. “I acquired my other information about your group with ease. So if I wanted to spy on you, Miss North, I would not waste time talking to you suspicious females. I’d be off befriending a less wary member.” He nodded at Regina. “Or bedeviling my sister with questions.”
    “Which, to be fair,” Regina put in, “he has not done.”
    “I came here to fulfill my promise to you,” Simon went on. “You were discussing politics, so I pointed out that I could help.” He smiled tightly. “But before I endorse any organization, I expect to know its aims and methods. Surely you understand that.” When they remained silently wary, he added with a shrug, “Of course, if you do not want my help—”
    “What exactly would you wish to know?” Mrs. Harris asked.
    “Now see here,” Louisa put in, “I’m not telling him anything until I know we can trust him.”
    “Of course not,” Simon surprised her by saying. “But why not let me observe the workings of your group for a few days? How could that be a problem?” He arched one eyebrow. “Unless what I keep hearing is true, and the London Ladies Society really is planning some wild revolution.”
    The others laughed a bit shakily, but Louisa’s stomach knotted up. He certainly knew a great deal after only a week. And if the other statesmen knew what he did, that wasn’t good. Refusing to let him observe might rouse further suspicion of her group’s political aspirations. That wouldn’t be good, either. But if she did let him “observe,” she’d have to endure his presence. Or would she? A sudden idea came to her. “What do you think, Mrs. Harris? Would you like the duke to observe your new committee?”
    “I’d be honored.” Mrs. Harris smiled. “If he doesn’t mind riding out here twice a week for meetings.”
    “Certainly not,” Simon said. “I could accompany my sister and Miss North.”
    “Oh, but I’m not a member of her committee.” Louisa smirked.
    His face darkened. “Then let me observe yours.”
    She smiled sweetly. “Mrs. Harris’s committee will give you a better picture of our organization.”
    How lovely to outwit Simon for a change. If he meant to assess their political aims, this would thwart him. And if he was sincerely interested in her group, Mrs. Harris’s current task would give him an excellent idea of their activities.
    He was watching her suspiciously. “Exactly what does this committee do?”
    Louisa headed back to the table. “If you can spare another few minutes, Your Grace, we’ll explain.”
    “Certainly,” he said, following her.
    He held her chair out with one of his tigerish smiles and she knew exactly how a gazelle must feel to be cornered. She shook off the feeling. She wasn’t cornered. She’d found a way to keep him out of her hair for a while, hadn’t she?
    And thank heaven for that. Look at the handsome scoundrel—he already had the girls blushing and stammering as Mrs. Harris introduced them. Even Venetia turned a bit pink, and no man ever affected her.
    What was it about Simon that turned perfectly reasonable females into blithering idiots? Was it his ability to make a woman feel as if he was