At the Duke's Pleasure by Tracy Anne Warren

Author:Tracy Anne Warren
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2010-07-09T14:00:00+00:00

Upstairs in her bedchamber, Claire stood as her maid assisted her into a fresh gown, a short-sleeved day dress of pale yellow silk with an overskirt of translucent white dotted swiss.

Fastening a last row of buttons, the servant stepped back to regard her. “You look a right picture, my lady, if I do say so meself,” she declared with one of her toothy grins.

If only I felt that way, Claire thought, as she smiled her thanks.

Nearly an hour had passed and she was still stewing over her confrontation with Edward. Not only had he curtailed her right to drive and a great many other freedoms along with it, but it would seem that her efforts still weren’t achieving the desired effect.

Confound it, what do I have to do to make him relent? More worrisome, what if he was right and there really was nothing she could do to force his hand? But there must be something, and despite any setbacks, she would discover what it was.

Claire was contemplating ways around his edicts, and potential new transgressions she might attempt, when a knock came at the door.

Penny went to answer it, greeting Mallory as she entered the room. Excusing herself, the servant departed, leaving the two of them alone.

“I came to find out if you are ready for our picnic nuncheon,” Mallory said, looking lovely in a gown of light blue sarcenet, a color that made her eyes gleam like jewels.

“I am, as you can see.”

Mallory paused for a moment before continuing. “I also had to find out if the servant gossip is true. Did you really take the curricle out on your own this morning?”

Claire nodded. “I did.”

“And Ned went after you?”

“You certainly are well-informed,” she replied with wry amusement.

Mallory grinned. “You know the staff tell me everything. So, what happened?”

Crossing toward the window, Claire sank into a nearby chair. “The condensed version is that I am officially forbidden to drive anymore.”

Mallory took a seat opposite. “Just for leaving your maid behind?”

“In part, but mostly because I raced Lord Blevins. And won, I’ll have you know.” Leaning back, she crossed her arms. “Edward confiscated my winnings and is returning them to his lordship today, for all the difference that shall make. I am sure if you know the story, half of London will soon as well.”

“Zounds! I know you’re trying to get Ned’s attention, but are you still sure this is the best way to go about it? You astonish even me with your bravado, and I was born a Byron!”

Claire smiled, recalling Edward’s remarks about the family penchant for landing themselves in the suds. As for Mallory’s belief that Claire was engaging in various eyebrow-raising peccadilloes in order to draw Edward’s attention…well, the half-truth had seemed the easiest way to explain the situation when Mallory had first quizzed her about her outlandish exploits.

It wasn’t that she didn’t trust Mallory—she did—but still, Edward was Mallory’s brother, and she didn’t want to put her in the position of having to take sides.

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