Free A Hint of Scandal by Rhonda Woodward Page B

grace?”
    “Yes,” the duke replied. He really had very little desire to speak, but he wanted her to stay and talk with him, so he went on: “I was in for four years. Was sent home when my father died, as I was the oldest son, but not before we trounced the frogs at Salamanca.”
    “Never say you were at Salamanca!” Bella gasped. “I have read many accounts of this great battle. Two French eagles were captured!”
    He again looked at Bella in surprise, impressed with her knowledge.
What an unusual girl
, he mused as he watched the genuine interest on her face.
    “It was a glorious victory and will, no doubt, be considered one of the most important battles of the entire war.”
    “And you were a part of it,” Bella said, her tone filled with awe.
    Feeling a little embarrassed, for he never spoke of the war, the duke changed the subject.
    “And what of you, Miss Tichley? How comes a young lady to speak Latin and have knowledge of military history?”
    Bella’s eyes dropped shyly before his. “I enjoy learning, your grace,” she stated simply.
    After that, they were quiet for some moments. But Bella felt it was an easy, natural silence.
    “I have been reading a very interesting book,
The Life of Nelson
, by Robert Southey. If you would like, I will read a few pages aloud to you,” Bella offered after a little while, thinking that this might help divert him from the pain.
    “I would like that very much, Miss Tichley,” the duke said quietly. He did not even consider telling her that he had already read the book.
    Later that day, while Bella still sat with her patient, Tommy came bounding through the open bedroom door. “Bella, come quick!” he urged excitedly. Setting her sewing aside, Bella rose from her chair.
    “It’s the largest coach I have ever seen. Four matched grays and four outriders! They are coming up our lane,” he told them before rushing out of the room.
    Bella turned to look down at Westlake and saw a smile starting at the corners of his mouth. Her brow raised in question at his expression.
    “I believe my family has arrived,” he stated.
    “Yes. It must be them. They have made very good time,” Bella exclaimed before abruptly rushing from the room.
    She hurried into the little dressing closet next to her room to tidy her hair and remove her apron.
    Good heavens, why am I in such a pet?
she wondered to herself.
Because his mother is a duchess
, came the immediate thought.
    Bella was normally not one to be intimidated, but this was certainly a daunting situation. She checked her appearance in the looking glass one last time and saw the worry in her darkly fringed blue eyes.
    With an effort, she forced her expression to some semblance of serenity before going into the front room.
    Tommy was standing at the window. “They are getting closer,” he reported.
    “Come, Tommy, let us go out and greet our guests.” Bella was pleased that her voice sounded calmer than she really felt.
    She opened the front door and they walked out to the cobbled front drive. Bella quickly tried to smooth Tommy’s unruly dark hair.
    “Let’s make a good show of ourselves, young man,” she said to her little brother as the coach rounded the curve of the drive.
    When it stopped, the coachman and groom jumped down from the box and placed a wooden stoop in front of the coach door, which was emblazoned with the Westlake ducal crest. A moment later a tall woman emerged, wearing the most beautiful carriage coat Bella had ever seen. It was made of emerald velvet overlapping in the front and falling to the lady’s ankles in deep scallops. The high standing collar, cuffs, and hem were trimmed in a rich dark fur. Her bonnet was small with a high crown and also trimmed in emerald velvet. Beneath the bonnet was a profusion of light brown curls framing a striking, dignified countenance.
    Sucking in her breath for courage, Bella stepped forward and curtsied deeply.
    Tommy was so dazzled by the carriage, the matched