Free The Duke's Guide to Correct Behavior by Megan Frampton Page B

issue by Rose, the duke shrugged. “If you don’t wish to go,” he’d said, “you don’t have to. But you will have to trust that Miss Lily and I will choose the best things for you.”
    Of course he said yes. Because of course then Lily would have to spend time with him, alone, as he bought her clothing.
    Rose nodded, engrossed in attempting to feed a kipper to Maggie. It was not going well.
    He looked over at Lily, and she saw a glimmer of amusement in his eyes. As though he knew full well just what the prospect of them being alone together was doing to her. “Well, then, shall we say we will depart in half an hour?”
    She kept her face as expressionless as she could. “Of course, Your Grace. I’ll just ask one of the maids to stay with Miss Rose, if that is acceptable.”
    He waved a hand as though he couldn’t care less. “Certainly. Whatever is best.”
    What would be best, she wanted to reply, is if he would not continue to unsettle her so. But that might be better said to herself.
    After ensuring that Rose was safely ensconced with Maggie, Mr. Snuffles, Etta, and the orange cat Lily had seen the previous evening with the duke—whom Rose had named Orange—Lily met the duke in the foyer, where one of the footmen was waiting with her cloak. It looked even shabbier in the context of the duke’s mansion. No wonder he thought she shopped at Dowdy and Daughters.
    â€œThere you are. Come along.” The duke’s tone was abrupt, and he strode to the door ahead of her. Well. He certainly was not the Duke of Politeness, that was for certain.
    She trailed after him, unable to keep pace with his long-legged stride. Hopefully he would wait a moment before telling his coachman to go, so she had time to get in.
    She was practically running down the steps to the carriage when she saw an arm extended from its depths. His, of course. Even his arm had an unmistakable aura of autocracy. She took his hand and got into the coach, sitting opposite him, so she was riding with her back to the horses.
    It was darker than outside, and her eyes took a moment to adjust, but her ears had no such delay. “Sit next to me,” he said, his voice equal parts boredom and command.
    â€œWhy— Oh, fine,” Lily said in a frigid tone of voice as she crossed over.
    His only response was a chuckle.
    â€œOur first stop is the dressmaker’s.”
    â€œThere will be more than one stop?” she replied, wincing as she heard how her voice squeaked.
“That is, of course we can go wherever you wish, but I hadn’t expected to be out for so long.”
    â€œYour charge will be fine. I appreciate your conscientiousness, but it seems to me that Rose needs time to adjust to her new situation, and she seemed quite delighted at the prospect of being with the cats and the doll.”
    â€œWhere are we to go, then?”
    She felt him shrug. “You said you needed some supplies for Rose, and I thought we could take care of it now. Plus, since we’ll be out for a bit, I thought we would get lunch.”
    â€œLunch? Together? That is hardly—”
    â€œProper?” he interrupted, his voice full of an emotion she couldn’t name. “Look here, I am willing to forego all sorts of things in the name of propriety, but I will not be told I cannot dine in public with my child’s governess.” There was a pause, and then he spoke again, this time much less passionately. “I apologize. You don’t deserve my ire.”
    â€œIt is not my place to pass judgment, Your Grace.” She gazed out the window as though anything outside were more interesting than what was within. Which it absolutely was not.
    â€œAnd now you’re reminding me you are merely a servant.” He exhaled. “Cannot we agree we have at least one thing in common, and that is wishing for Rose to receive the best possible care?”
    â€œOf course, Your