Free Lady Adventuress 01 - His Wayward Duchess by Daphne du Bois

According to the frantic missive, Avonbury had got himself into yet another absurd romantic scrape, from which Strathavon was now obliged to disentangle him.
    That, at least, would serve as some distraction.
    Really, with the estate in shambles and Avonbury in a whole new set of trouble , poised on the brink of social disaster, the least thing on Strathavon’s mind should have been whether or not he felt something unusual for the mousy girl raising dust in the old yellow parlour.
    She was neither a beauty nor an original, after all. Passingly pretty at best, surely. The rest was just imagination, and the inevitable consequence of being cooped up in the country.
    She would never turn heads at Almack’s, or gather an army of loyal followers at her side. And yet there was something…
    This really wasn’t the time for such nonsense, he told himself firmly.
    He ordered his valet to pack his things and for his carriage to be brought out immediately. Nichols only raised a single eyebrow when informed that they would be departing for London within the next two hours.
    “ Very well. Then I must arrange your wardrobe, Your Grace,” he said, conveying volumes of disapproval with those simple words, and promptly proceeded to do just that.
    The duke watched him a moment. “I’ve said it many times, but I shall say it again – you’re wasted in this profession, Nichols. You would have done much better arranging troops than cravats.”
    “Thank you, Your G race. But I do not like to consider the state of your silk shirts if I were not here to oversee them.”
    The duke sent up a quick note to Holly, apologising for his sudden departure. She was a practical girl – she would not think anything of it.
    The Pontridge grooms dressed the horses and stopped their feet with surprising briskness. Before he knew it, the duke was on his way to London, stubbornly ignoring the peculiar sense of loss that inexplicably shrouded his heart.
    If he felt a little like a coward for fleeing h is own seat in this manner, then he made a point of reminding himself that he was on his way to help a cousin, and that distance was his only salvation from the malaise of the heart. Distance, and London with its many amusements, would surely keep his mind elsewhere.
    Sylvester arrived at his townhouse on St James Street in a great confusion of spirits and, for the first time in years, could not fall asleep. Was his bed larger and colder than it had been before? He had even checked that it was the same bed, which it was, of course. But then what could possibly have been the matter with him?
    The next morning, while awaiting word from his cousin, he proceeded to write necessary letters pertaining to the repair of the roads through Pontridge Brook. Next, he instructed his valet to bring in any invitations or calling cards which may have been left at the house in his absence. The necessity of a busy social calendar would keep him well occupied.
    And a good bout at the Fencing Academy on Piccadilly would not go amiss.
    Truly, he could not understand his sudden fascination with his new duchess. He was flattered, gratified and even obliged at the gentle affection with which she regarded him. And yet he knew that he was not in love with her: he would never permit himself to be in love with anyone.
    But what was it about her that drew his attention every time she happened to enter a room? A plain girl, made more so by that deplorable lace cap of hers. How had she succeeded in capturing his imagination?
    And how could he explain to her that he could never return her love, or anyone’s? He felt ashamed, because he did owe her something.
    Even the greatest passion will turn to nothing in the end, the Duke reminded himself firmly. Nothing .

Chapter 3
    The sky was drained of all traces of colour, and that was just vexingly fitting, the Duchess of Strathavon thought grimly, as she raised her face heavenward, wondering if it would rain.
    Her petticoats would be muddy again,