Free The Duke Diaries by Sophia Nash

lifetime. There was only one soul on earth who knew the most important reasons. Her brother.
    But it was time to face facts. She should prepare for the worst. If gossip about that night in Carleton House began filtering into Derbyshire from Town, she should have a suitable gentleman willing to agree to a marriage of convenience—long on reserve and respect, and short on any sort of intimacy. Her dowry would go a long way as an enticement. And the search would be less awful if she did it with Mary. “You said you had a plan.”
    “I do indeed.” Mary pulled a note from her black string reticule and unfolded it carefully. “It’s so simple and brilliant I should have employed this method my first season. Memorize this list of questions. When is the next large social event in the neighborhood?”
    Verity accepted the proffered list but didn’t examine it. “Tomorrow night. The Talmadges’ ball to honor the arrival of Abshire. What have you in mind?”
    “Perfect,” Mary replied, her eyes sparkling with humor. “We are going to query every gentleman we dance with or talk to tomorrow night and every day and night during the next fortnight. If any of them answer all these questions correctly, we will agree to marry them on the spot. Agreed?”
    Verity shook her head. “You cannot be serious. Let me see.” She read the first question and exploded with laughter.
    1. Do you have a secret love child?

 
    Chapter 5

    R ory entered the Talmadge manor house near Dovedale Wednesday evening at precisely one-half hour past the appointed time. He would have arrived far later, if at all, had it not been for the matter at hand—forcing Verity’s hand.
    She was proving to be damnably difficult to govern. He should have known. Was there a Fitzroy in the last five hundred years who had not been stubborn? He very much doubted it.
    But he wasn’t used to the trait in a female. Coquetry, fickleness, a love of flattery, and everything that sparkled was what most ladies were made of. Verity appeared just the opposite. She was outspoken, honest, practical, and very amusing. He liked her.
    For the first time in his life he wasn’t certain how to proceed even if he knew he would win in the end.
    At least when she agreed to his proposal, his conscience would be less heavy and he could attend his appointment with death if Candover refused to accept his apology for harming his sister and . . . Catharine. Rory had meted out his own punishment for his unspeakable actions toward Catharine fourteen years ago; he had become a cog in the war between England and France. But he knew Candover would never forgive him. And so Rory had prepared himself to face death long ago. Who would have guessed it would take so many years to be served his dish . . . and that it would suddenly become far less appealing than it had been fourteen years ago?
    He tugged at the neckcloth Towareq had spent so much bloody time arranging this evening. God, he just needed more air. At least he had managed to time it right. The Talmadges had stopped receiving and everyone was already in the ballroom when a liveried servant bowed and motioned him into the chamber he knew well from so long ago.
    It was the same glittering scene of many a year gone by. Magnificent crystal chandeliers above shone reflected light from dozens of candles. The intricate gold leaf panels on the walls framed bucolic scenes from the last era of powdered and bewigged ladies and lords dancing, picnicking, and children swinging. The domed ceiling, painted by Laguerre, featured the Virtues and Vices in glorified battle. It captured the essence of the scene below perfectly.
    Rory examined the people in the elegant chamber under hooded eyes. Conversation abruptly stopped and all eyes turned toward him.
    He finally spotted Lady V. She had dared to refuse to see him yesterday when he came to call on her at Boxwood. He took one step toward her when Miss Phoebe Talmadge hurried to block his path.
    “Your