Free The Orphan and the Duke by Jillian Chantal

arms.
    That touch, as well as the promise, seemed to settle Lady Jonquil, and she turned off into a room on the right side of the hallway. “Come along, Miss Mandeville. I will send for some refreshment.”
    Susan followed Lady Jonquil, but Amelia heard her say, “But I wanted to see the duke.”
    Pushing her cousin out of her mind, Amelia continued to follow Lady Saffron farther down the corridor to another door on the right.
    Lady Saffron raised her hand to knock.
    Amelia’s stomach clenched. This moment could change my life forever. She hoped the duke was a reasonable man since he was going to have to abide her odious cousin, if he were to retain her services.
    The sound of a deep voice saying, “Come,” was both exciting as well as foreboding. What have I really gotten myself into by agreeing to this task?
    When the door opened, Basil looked up from his ledgers. What he saw almost took his breath away. Why didn’t I remember how lovely she was? Those tantalizing freckles are noticeable even from across the room.
    Closing the book he’d been writing in, Basil stood and took Amelia by the elbow and led her to one of the leather chairs facing the desk.
    “Come in and have a seat, Miss Mandeville. We have some business to discuss.” He turned to Saffron. “Thank you for your assistance. Please let Swinton know we need some refreshment. That will be all for now.”
    Basil was bewildered by the panicked look on his sister’s face as he dismissed her. Upon closing the door behind her, he shook his head. What could she be concerned about?
    He returned to his chair and made eye contact with his new employee. I didn’t realize her eyes were quite so blue .
    Amelia cleared her throat and looked down at her lap, making Basil realize he’d been caught staring at her.
    Maybe she doesn’t like to look directly at people in order to make herself less noticeable, to make sure she doesn’t upset any of her family members.
    Shuffling some papers, he said, “Sorry. I wanted to go over a few things with you about expectations.”
    “Of course, Your Grace. I know you want some guidance about the gowns and the presentation, but I am sure you have other things you would like for me to assist your sisters with.”
    “I am most concerned with their deportment. They’ve been raised with governesses and do understand the basics of how to behave in society. I’m afraid they have grown a bit wild since our mother died, however. I blame myself since I’ve been adjusting to my new role. Being the disciplinarian of two young ladies wasn’t something I was raised to do, nor does it seem I have any skill at it.”
    “They seem like lovely young ladies. It appears that your mother and the governesses did a good job instilling manners in them. Neither of them have been anything other than kind to me.”
    “I’m glad to hear it since it appears from the little I observed at your uncle’s home that you’ve missed out on a lot of kindness.”
    The shock on Amelia’s countenance let him know he’d overstepped the bounds of propriety. I have no right to say such intimate things to her.
    Hurrying to make things right, he said, “I’m so sorry. I should never have said that. Please forgive me.”
    “It is forgiven, but please do not mention it again. I’ve actually been lucky enough to be given a roof over my head and food in my belly for a good many years. I must be grateful to them for that. To do otherwise would make me seem unappreciative.”
    Basil inclined his head. “Then we shall mention it no more.”
    “Thank you.”
    “As to your wages—”
    “Whatever you deem fair is fine with me. Like I said, I have food and a place to sleep, so I’m sure the wages you choose will be sufficient.”
    Basil thought it odd for someone not to care what they were paid but supposed since Amelia was of the fairer sex and had never had to worry about a living that any amount would be acceptable.
    “As to the allowance for gowns for the