The Duke's Gamble by Miranda Jarrett

Author:Miranda Jarrett [Jarrett, Miranda]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Romance
ISBN: 9780373293957
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2006-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

With a disgruntled sigh, Lady Frances Carroll poured fresh tea into Guilford’s cup. She was his oldest and most respectable sister, which made her entitled to voice her disapproval however and whenever she deemed necessary, including now.

“Truly, Guilford, you must be the most vexing brother in all Christendom,” she said, the powder from her hair dusting across her velvet-covered shoulders as she shook her head. “For weeks, you’ve sent me nothing but empty excuses and regrets, and when finally you do deign to visit me instead of your clubs or your mistresses, I can scarce get an interesting word out of you.”

“I don’t have ‘mistresses,’ Fan,” Guilford said wearily, wishing that he’d sent one more regret tonight instead of being dutiful. “I cull the herd frequently, to keep things interesting. In fact, at present I haven’t a single one in the paddock.”

“They’re not cattle, Guilford,” Frances said sternly. “You are being uncharacteristically disrespectful. They may be a low sort of female, not quality, no, but they’re not dumb beasts.”

“You say that only because you’ve never met any of them.” Now Guilford sighed, too, resting his chin in his hand as he stared down at the steam rising from the tea he did not want. “If you had, you’d have an entirely different notion of disrespect.”

His sister shuddered, and looked down her celebrated nose. “Then it’s a good thing I haven’t.”

“True enough.” He sighed again. Why in blazes had he come here tonight, anyway? Not that he didn’t appreciate Fan or her family, but coming to her house had more to do with not going to Penny House than with his sister. He wasn’t exactly avoiding seeing Amariah. It was just that, after this morning in the Tattle’s offices, he hadn’t the slightest idea of what to say to her when she came into sight.

“So what is this one’s name, Guilford?”

He started, and blinked. “This one what, Fan?”

“The new lady-bird.” She smiled shrewdly, studying him with the same knowing intensity as a philosopher with an insect. “I know you, Guilford, and I know you are incapable of living without at least one woman in your life, no matter how much you deny it.”

“She’s not a lady-bird,” Guilford said, on the defense. “You can’t lump her in with all the others.”

Frances sat back in her chair, her hands clasped in her lap.

“Well, good!” she declared happily. “Then you have finally found a lady worthy of yourself, and your rank! A match at last, and high time, too! And here I’d been worrying over those nasty rumors about you and that creature from the gaming hell!”

Guilford frowned. “She’s not a ‘creature,’ Fan. She’s Miss Amariah Penny, and though she wouldn’t fit your requirements for a lady, she’s more noble than most of the noblemen I know.”

His sister’s happiness popped like a balloon. “Oh, Guilford. Not again! Here I thought I might dare to hope for a summer wedding, and an heir nine months after, the way that Mother and Father would have wished!”

“Miss

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