Free How to Please a Lady by Jane Goodger Page A

concern.”
    â€œHis concern?” Rose looked at her mother in utter confusion.
    â€œHe felt Mr. Avery was entirely too impertinent today and suggested I dismiss him immediately. Of course, I will not. That being said, however, I would have given it consideration if Mr. Avery wasn’t already leaving.”
    â€œMother, I’ve known Ch—Mr. Avery—since we were both children. I’ve always called him Charlie.”
    â€œNo longer.”
    â€œI call my maid by her given name.”
    â€œThat is entirely different. Certainly I don’t have to give you a lesson in how to treat servants. You are being purposely obtuse, Rose, and I don’t like it.”
    Rose dipped her head slightly. “I apologize.”
    â€œAs for that ridiculous statement you greeted me with earlier, it doesn’t warrant discussion. Shall we go down to luncheon?”
    â€œYes, Mother.”
    â€œOh, don’t look so gloomy, Rose. It’s hardly becoming, and the duke has decided to stay for luncheon so that you might spend a bit more time together. He is being quite accommodating and I do wish you would do the same.”
    It would be just the four of them, as all of the lingering guests from the ball had departed that morning and her brothers had returned to their own homes or, in the case of Marcus, London. When she reached the footman who stood outside the dining room, she took a bracing breath and schooled her features into something more pleasant than the terror she knew was in her eyes.
    Luncheon was tolerable, only because she sat across from the duke, who was seated at her father’s right. The two men were occupied in a discussion about hunting, and Rose let them talk, giving her meal undue attention. She could hardly bear to look at the man without her entire body convulsing in a shudder. What if he wanted a stroll in the gardens after they were finished eating? What could she say? Just the thought made her want to run from the table. This would never do. She was not an overly timid girl, and yet around this man she acted like a frightened mouse. All during the meal she rehearsed in her head what she would say to him, for she planned to let him know that his behavior was abhorrent and that there would be absolutely no more unseemly acts on his part.
    After luncheon, once her father and His Grace had returned from their cigar and they were all gathered in the main parlor, Rose gathered her courage. “Mother, would it be possible for me to have a moment of privacy with His Grace?”
    â€œOf course,” Lucille said, and nodded to her father. The two departed posthaste, leaving her behind with the duke, who chuckled beneath his breath, at what she had no idea.
    â€œHow delightful that you’ve requested some privacy, my dear,” he said, his tone silky.
    They both still stood, having risen when her parents departed, and Rose took a step back, horrified that he had misinterpreted her reason for a private interview. “Your Grace,” she said, keeping her gaze level and her voice strong, “there is something I need to discuss with you.” He inclined his head, bidding her to continue, an amused look in his eyes, as if he found her seriousness utterly charming. “I find your behavior these past two days unacceptable and disturbing.” Her cheeks heated just at the thought of what he’d made her do. “It will not happen again. Not before our wedding. It is more than improper; it is sinful.”
    He stood there, looking at her with that terrible hooded gaze and half smile, but said nothing.
    â€œIf anything untoward should happen again between now and our wedding day, I will inform my mother, and she will most assuredly tell my father.” There, she’d laid down the gauntlet. She stared at him, proud that she’d found the courage to confront him. Rose had considered his reaction, guessing he would be angry or sullen. But he seemed merely