Page 32 of It's All About the Duke
That was too close.
How could it have not dawned on her that her scandal sheet was in there? Because the duke had somehow bewitched her. He had her feeling strange sensations, wanting even stranger things like kisses and being held against that wide, strong chest. She’d have to be more careful. Justine might not care what she wrote, but the man she wrote about certainly would.
“I can help you rearrange the things in there so it will fit, if you like.” He put his hand on the drawer to open it again.
“No, thank you, no.” Without thinking, Marlena laid her hand on top of his to stop him. A shudder of awareness shivered through her. His skin was warm and she had the urge to give his fingers a gentle squeeze but instead she lifted her hand and said, “I believe it will worknicely in the second drawer.” Nervously, she opened the next one down and tried to place the tin inside but the depth was too shallow.
Marlena couldn’t believe the bad luck she was suddenly having.
Trying to stay calm, she softly closed it and opened the bottom one. Thankfully the tin settled in perfectly. She closed the drawer. Facing the duke again, she realized he was still scandalously near her. She backed up against the desk again.
“You’re flushed,” he said.
“Yes, I am,” she answered, thinking quickly. “I’m not used to a gentleman telling me he wants to kiss me.”Or me wanting him to do it.
“I agree, most of them wouldn’t tell you, but believe me when I say they’d all be thinking it.”
Marlena heard the back door open and she jumped. Tut barked. She heard his nails clicking on the wood floor as he ran down the corridor. Marlena silently sighed, knowing Justine was right behind him. Tut came running into the room and straight over to the duke to bark up at him. Marlena grabbed up the lace wrapping and ribbon from the tin box. She shoved them on top of the scandal sheet while the duke bent down to greet Tut with a pat on the head and a few rubs down his back.
Justine swept into the drawing room with her feathered headpiece all askew and completely out of breath. She must have run the entire way from the Portingtons’ house.
She curtsied as if she were bowing before a king instead of a duke. When she rose there was a smile like none Marlena had ever seen on her face. She held her hand out as she walked toward him.
Yet by the duke’s reaction and expression, Marlena believed he had no recollection of ever having met Justine.Showing he was a gentleman, though, he took her proffered hand and lightly kissed the back of it.
“Mrs. Abernathy,” he said as politely as the finest of gentlemen. “It’s good to see you—again.”
“Your Grace, I’m so glad you remembered me and our dance.” Justine splayed her other hand across her bosom. “It wasn’t that long ago, was it? Seems like just yesterday. I must say, I’m quite flattered and more than pleased. Honored, too, that you sought me out in order to help my dear cousin during her time of need. Thank you. Please, please sit down. Marlena, dear, did you order tea for us? Or would you prefer something stronger?”
There was no doubt, Justine was smitten by the duke.
And Marlena understood why. Heaven help her, she’d wanted the rake to kiss her.
“Nothing, thank you. I can’t stay. I only came by to drop off a—a message that I have a friend looking into finding someone who can help Miss Fast through the intricacies of the Season. I hope to return with a name soon.”
“So it is true,” she said clasping her hands together in front of her. “You are Marlena’s new guardian. Splendid!”
The duke gave Marlena a questioning glance so she said, “I was unable to convince Justine. She wanted to hear it from you.”
“Naturally I didn’t want to tell anyone until you confirmed Mr. Olingworth’s letter,” Justine defended. “I mean, the man’s been quite ill and I have no way of knowing if he is of sound mind or delusional. I had to make sure he knew what he was writing and not just assuming.” Justine stopped and smiled sweetly. “I mean one must not be too careful where an innocent young lady and a duke is concerned.”
“No explanation necessary, Mrs. Abernathy. I understand.”
“Well, then! This is superb, Your Grace. Of course I’ve taught Marlena everything I can, but entrance into Almack’s and invitations to the most important and sought-after parties of the Season can be very difficult to obtain.” She cleared her throat. “Even though I was the diamond of the Season my debut year, some in Society choose to ignore that honor.” She smiled and lifted her chin. “I’m sure you remember. Still, you know that the dear ladies who control tickets and invitations for those events protect them as if they were made from pure gold.”
“You need have no worry on that account. I’ll see Miss Fast is invited to whatever is most advantageous for her.”
“Excellent! And I assume you will still want me to be her companion and chaperone?” she asked in a softer voice.
“As long as you and Miss Fast are happy with the arrangement.”
“Oh, we are, we are. We get along quite well. And while you’re here, if I may make you aware that we really could do with a coach-and-four to be at our disposal as well as another servant or two.”
“Justine,” Marlena said. “We are perfectly fine without either.”
Her cousin ignored Marlena and continued. “Mrs. Doddle has been with me for years, and my lady’s maid, too. We have managed with just the two and no conveyance of our own, but now that Marlena will be entering Society, she will need more.” Justine fluttered her lashes.
Marlena wanted to say,What more?but, deciding not to embarrass her cousin further in front of the duke, she remained silent and steamed that Justine would say something that was so obviously untrue. They had no need of more servants. They had managed quite well for almostthree years. And why have a coach when all the shopping one could do was an easy walk if Justine would just do it.
