My Daring Duchess (Once Upon a Rogue Book 4) by Julie Johnstone

Author:Julie Johnstone [Johnstone, Julie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Darbyshire Publishing LLC
Published: 2018-01-30T00:00:00+00:00

Eight

The next morning, Simon found himself too distracted to concentrate on business. Thoughts of his conversations with Rutledge and Anne filled his head. Rutledge had been thrilled with Simon’s offer of a position within his company, but the man had been chilly at best when Simon had broached the subject of wedding Lady Fanny now that he would be financially sound and able to marry whomever he wished. Simon had pointed out that Lady Fanny was now considered ruined in the eyes of the ton; therefore, unlikely to make a match. Rutledge had countered by saying it was the woman’s fault for thinking she could trap him into marriage by throwing herself at him. Given Simon’s own experience, he’d been unable to disagree with Rutledge’s argument.

Rutledge had shared that it was perplexing that Lady Fanny had not actually made a single request of Rutledge to marry her, nor had anyone in her family. He guessed that the lady assumed he would marry her when she was seen in his arms, a ruse likely of her own design, but had sensibly abandoned her plan when it had become apparent that Rutledge had no intention of wedding her. Simon found it rather ironic that the lady had thought to scheme to obtain marriage to a wealthy lord, but she’d picked a lord who was near penniless, which of course, she’d had no way of knowing. Rutledge’s family had managed to keep their near penniless state secret. Well, except now it seemed the servants were gossiping, which meant the news would likely be everywhere soon.

And as for Anne, Simon was eagerly awaiting her return—too eagerly. It made him uneasy that when he thought of her, revenge was not the first thing that came to mind but rather the skilled way she sparred with words; her fierce, albeit blind, loyalty to her friend; her incredible blazing eyes; and her radiant smile.

A scratch at his study door diverted his thoughts. He smiled, hearing his sisters chattering away on the other side of the door. “Enter,” he bid them.

Once they were both inside, Elizabeth held up a note. Simon’s first thought was one of disappointment that perhaps Anne had sent word that she was not coming, thus not staying true to her part of their bargain.

“Simon,” Elizabeth began, “The Duchess of Scarsdale sent an invitation to tea at her home. May we attend?”

He nodded, pleased his sisters were making friends—and that he would be all but alone in the house with Anne, except for the servants.

“Thank ye, Brother,” Elizabeth gushed, at which Caitlin simply rolled her eyes. “I’m going to go see what I might have to wear. The ladies’ gowns here are so…well, never mind.”

It was just like sweet, thoughtful Elizabeth not to want to burden him by asking for a new gown. “We shall purchase new gowns for ye both,” he told her with a smile.

“Oh, thank ye!” Elizabeth exclaimed, her joy apparent on her face. “Though, I wonder where one acquires a new

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