Free To Capture a Duke's Heart by Jennifer McNare Page B

are, less than enthusiastic that is?” 
    Drat it all Penny , she thought to herself in growing dismay, she was conversing with one of the most powerful and influential women within the entire English aristocracy, a woman who could affect her standing in Society with little more than a single word, and she was botching it.  Not that she cared so much for herself, but she knew that her father would be devastated if her debut was anything less than a great success. So how best to proceed then, she wondered, for the sharp-witted duchess was shockingly perceptive and all too astute in her observations.  “To be perfectly honest, Your Grace,” she said after a moment, “there are certain things that I am looking forward to, and admittedly a few that I am not.”
    “Such as?” the duchess prompted.
    “Well, as an admirer of Shakespeare, Marlowe, Moliere and a host of other great playwrights, I cannot wait to visit the theatre so that I may see their dramatic works unfold upon the stage, or to attend the Opera so that I can watch as the brilliant compositions of composers such as Monteverdi, Handel and Cavalli are brought to life.  I want to gallop my horse on Rotten Row in the early morning hours before anyone else is about, take afternoon tea at the White Conduit House, stroll through Vauxhall Gardens in the moonlight and spend countless hours exploring the exhibits and gazing upon the magnificent works of art on display at the British Museum,” she concluded.
    The duchess nodded slightly and Penny thought she detected a slight upward turn at the corners of the dowager’s lips.  In addition,” she added, “I must confess that I am rather excited at the thought of attending my first masquerade ball.”
    With that admission the duchess’ lips appeared to curve upward another fraction.  “One can hardly fault you for that, my dear,” she stated benevolently.  “I find it rather curious, however, that you made no mention of attending Almack’s.  For isn’t that what every young girl dreams of when she’s on the brink of her societal debut?”
    Almack’s , the embodiment of the marriage mart and the place for gently bred, unmarried ladies to be paraded before Society’s elite as they endeavored to garner a coveted marriage proposal from one of the ton’s most eligible bachelors, the acquirement of one of their exclusive and highly-sought after vouchers the proverbial golden ticket for an aspiring debutante.  Penny shuddered at the notion.  “May I speak frankly Your Grace?” she inquired after a moment’s consideration.
    The duchess tipped her head slightly.  “I would be sorely disappointed if you didn’t.”
    “Well then,” she began, “it’s not that I am opposed to attending Almack’s per se.  But while I certainly understand the expectations placed upon me as I enter into Society and fully accept my familial obligations, the truth is that I am not altogether eager to be regarded as merely the newest commodity on the marriage mart.  Nor am I particularly keen to undergo the critical assessment of the ton’s marriage-minded bachelors in order that they may determine whether or not I am aptly suited to elicit a proposal of marriage, compelled to wonder if their affections are sincere or if it is my family name or the size of my dowry that truly garners their favor.”  Waiting for the duchess’ reaction, she held her breath, silently praying that she hadn’t made a horrific blunder by speaking so candidly.
    “I see.” 
    Penny felt her stomach drop, for the dowager’s expression, as well as her tone, was inscrutable. 
    “You do, however, wish to marry, do you not?”
    “Oh yes.  I am not opposed to marriage, Your Grace, not at all,” Penny clarified.  “In truth I very much look forward to becoming a wife and mother someday.”
    “But you desire more than a marriage of convenience.”  The duchess’ words were more a statement than a question.
    Penny hesitated a moment before