Free No Groom at the Inn: A Dukes Behaving Badly Novella by Megan Frampton

always lived in London, and so I am accustomed to it, but I am finding it quite pleasurable to be here in a much quieter place for a while. Even though of course there are plenty of things to do, and plenty of entertainment. But it feels more peaceful, despite the party.”
    Mrs. Archer beamed at her, as though she had said something entirely clever. When Sophronia had just spoken what was in her heart—she did like it out here, she liked the quiet, and the soft stillness that settled over the place in the evening.
    “It is time for the game,” James said, addressing them. The misshapen drab seemed to have been put away. He stood in front of them, his expression soft and warm as he looked at his mother. Sophronia felt her heart ache, just a little. She couldn’t look at her father any more, even though for some months after he’d died, and she’d discovered how he’d left things, she’d wished he were there so she could rail at him.
    But as time had gone on, she’d realized she would be fine, no matter that he hadn’t quite taken care of her that way. He had taken care of her by letting her know she was loved, and cared for (at the time), and he respected her opinions and feelings.
    She missed him. And she felt regretful that Mrs. Archer would not be her mother-in-law in truth, since she wished she could have that again.
    “I will just watch, you know I laugh immediately anyway,” Mrs. Archer said, waving her hand at her son. “You are so clever, I was just saying that to your beloved Sophronia here.”
    His gaze traveled to her, a knowing smile quirking his lips. “My beloved Sophronia has yet to discover just how clever I can be,” he said, and it sounded as though he were talking about far more than just a game. Sophronia’s breath caught, and she felt her cheeks flush—again—and her heart flutter just a bit in her chest.
    He held his hand out as he spoke, and she took it, nearly gasping as she felt the strength of his grip and the heat of his fingers through his gloves. She stood on shaky legs, and smoothed her gown, his keeping hold of her hand all the while.
    “Let us play,” he said, that grin deepening.

 
    Tuant:
    1. Cutting, biting, keen, trenchant.
    2. A meringue flavored with almond.
    3. Careful, precise.

 
    C HAPTER T EN
    J amie won, of course, as she could have predicted. He’d been so infectiously charming everyone had to laugh, even Mrs. Green, eventually.
    And no one had been able to get him to even crack a smile. Sophronia was surprised to find how competitive she’d been at the game, trying her best to make him at least smile.
    But no. He remained implacable, a startling change from the charming man she’d come to expect.
    She would have to challenge him to a private game of it sometime, perhaps, to see if she could break his composure.
    And wasn’t that a thought she should absolutely not be having.
    “What are you thinking about, my lady?” Maria asked her, pausing midstroke as she was brushing her hair.
    Sophronia felt her cheeks immediately begin to burn, and she swallowed. “Nothing. Not a thing.” No need to say it again, Sophronia , she heard her father’s voice say. “Why do you ask?”
    Maria shrugged, beginning to brush her hair again. “Because you made this funny noise, and then you looked all different for a second.”
    Wonderful. So when she thought about things like that, she made funny noises and faces. Maybe that would be the thing to make him laugh.
    “What are you doing tomorrow?”
    Whatever Mrs. Green wants , Sophronia thought. “I believe we are spending the day at the house, making plans for Christmas. The Greens host a party for the villagers, and so everyone comes and has wine, and food, and there is singing and some dancing.”
    It sounded delightful, especially since Sophronia had attended very few parties in her life. But also sad, since it meant the visit and the charade would be almost over, and she would be heading to her cottage with Maria,