Free The Reluctant Duchess by Catherine Winchester Page A

over to Lavinia.
    “Piffle,” Lavinia said, getting to her feet. She began pacing the room. “It sounds to me as if he picks on those he deems weaker than he is, either physically, financially or in stature. Richard and I have both money and stature, and Richard is certainly far more robust than your brother. It is our duty to stand up to men like him and stop him.”
    “But you cannot watch me every second of every day. He is a petty man and whilst I am actually no threat to him, my perceived slight of him today will eat at him until he is compelled to act. I will not risk people that I care about in such a way. He’s my brother and this is my problem.”
    “Oh for God’s sake, Anna belle, can you not just accept help this one time!” He got to his feet and dashed a hand through his hair in frustration. “I know that you have been responsible for many lives since you were 16, and you have done a damn good job of it, but you don’t have to do everything alone! Please let us help, if not for yourself, for the sake of those in your employ.”
    He saw the pained look that crossed her face and regretted the harshness of his words, although not the sentiment behind them. He knelt back down and grasped her hands in both of his.
    “Please, Anna, let us help you,” he implored.
    Annabelle looked into his eyes. She could see his desire for her still, but she could also see that he was genuine in his desire to help. He had also reminded her of her responsibilities.
    Sal was a pretty girl and although Ethel might not be very bright, she too had her charms. She was certain that Frederick wouldn’t be above attacking them. If he tried to sue her for some frivolous matter, the legal fees alone would bankrupt her, putting them all on the streets. What would become of her mother then? Without the doctor’s help, she would become unmanageable and surely be locked up, either in prison, the workhouse or most likely, an asylum.
    No matter what price Richard extracted from her for this, she couldn’t refuse his help for their sakes.
    She swallowed her pride and nodded.
    “Thank you.”
    “Does that mean you accept?”
    “Yes.”
    Richard’s answering smile was so wide that despite her apprehension at what he might ask of her in return, she couldn’t regret her choice right now.
    “Good.” Lavi nia said. “Richard, you will need to return to London tomorrow so that you are on hand if anything should happen, so make whatever plans you need to. Now, Annabelle, you will need a very special gown for this evening, so I shall see what can find for you.”
    “Oh, I think I’ve done enough damage, I should stay up here.”
    “Nonsense. We cannot wait around for ever for Frederick to make his move so we must incite him, just a little. Besides, don’t you want to stand up to him? To look him in the eye and let him know that he hasn’t bested you, and he certainly hasn’t beaten you?”
    Annabelle wavered once again. Yes, she wanted that but it was dangerous and she had already allowed herself to be talked into one dangerous thing, did she really want to make things worse?
    “You have nothing to fear,” Richard assured her. “I swear that I will keep you, your mother and your staff safe. You have every right to be here and to enjoy yourself. Claim that right; enjoy the rest of the evening.”
    Annabelle sighed. “Alright, you win.”
    “I very much hope that it is ‘we’ who will win. But if you really don’t want to do this, I won’t force you.”
    “No, I’ll do it, and I promise I’ll do my best to have fun as well.”

Chapter Five
    The evening gown that Lavinia had found for Annabelle was made of gold satin. The corset pinched her figure into a perfect hourglass, accenting her assets. The bodice was covered with intricate beadwork, though it was concentrated at the top, which further emphasised her full bosom and the full skirt was one of the largest she had ever worn, with so many petticoats that she felt she