Free Fenella J Miller - [Duke 02] by Bride for a Duke Page A

look so distressed, dearest girl. I have sworn Madame to secrecy on pain of losing my custom. I am not a pea-goose, I would not have dreamt of saying anything so compromising if I had had the slightest suspicion the information would become common knowledge.”
    “I pray that is the case, my lady. I believe my tenure here shall come to an abrupt end if such a falsehood comes to the duke’s ears. It beggars belief that I appear to be married to one of your sons and betrothed to another.”
    Not wishing to discuss the matter further Anna fled to the comparative privacy of her own bedchamber. All desire to try on her new clothes deserted her; she prowled around her domain her thoughts in turmoil. The sooner the lawyers completed the necessary papers and she could remove herself from this place the better. The longer she was here the more entangled she became in a web of deceit.
    What was it about this family that made them behave so irrationally? Then the absurdity of the situation struck her. If she had not agreed to this ridiculous marriage then Rupert would not have behaved deceitfully and would no doubt have moved on to some other ridiculous wager. Westchester would not have accused her of being a lady of doubtful morals and his mother would not have told the dressmaker that Anna and the duke were betrothed.
    From whichever way she viewed things, she could come to no other conclusion—her foolishness had led to this unfortunate state of affairs. An irresistible urge to giggle welled up inside her. The duke must be as cross as she about things. On the positive side, however, his mother had recovered her joie de vivre and whatever the outcome between the brothers and herself the duchess would be left in a better position both emotionally and physically.
    She settled herself comfortably in front of the apple-log fire, tucked her stockinged feet beneath her skirt and picked up the most delightful book she had discovered on the bookshelf in her parlour. The book was entitled Pride & Prejudice and she could not remember having enjoyed a novel as much as this one.
    From her rooms she couldn’t hear what transpired between Shalford and his mama but she saw the brothers leave in a closed carriage at dusk. This was the opportune moment to return to the duchess and begin the attempt on the stairs. She was greeted as if she had been missing for months and not merely in her room for a few hours.
    “Dearest girl, such fun! I cannot wait to tell you the extraordinary reason Rupert has given for appearing here today. I don’t expect to see him apart from the festive season, on my name day and when he is rusticating. He remains in Town with his cronies.”
    “I believe, my lady, that he is obliged to sign the same papers that I am in order to dissolve our marriage.”
    “There you have it. He does not wish to dissolve the marriage; he has decided he is in love with you and wishes to persuade you to make this a genuine contract.”
    Anna sank into the nearest chair quite unable to make a rational comment to this extraordinary announcement. Her hostess waited patiently. “I am stunned, my lady. Shalford has no more wish to be married than I. What maggot has got into his brain this time?”
    “Of course he doesn’t have genuine feelings for you, it is merely infatuation. However it will be amusing watching him attempt to interest you and Ralph doing his best to keep you apart.”
    “Forgive me for speaking bluntly, my lady, but it will be anything but amusing for me. I have no wish to be a bone of contention between your sons. I must make it quite clear that as soon as this wretched business is sorted I shall be leaving here.”
    Her companion seemed unbothered by this frank statement; she raised an eyebrow and nodded as if agreeing. “Let’s say no more about it, you must do whatever you wish, my dear. This is not a prison, when you are ready to leave you may do so whatever Ralph or Rupert think of the matter.” She slipped her