The Duke’s Wayward Wallflower by Dallen Maggie

Author:Dallen, Maggie
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-08-08T00:00:00+00:00

15

Aunt Greta flitted around Felicity like a butterfly. “Oh yes, that’s perfect.”

She was talking to Felicity’s maid, not her.

“Are you certain?” Felicity asked. Her belly fluttered wildly with nerves.

This was even worse than their first dinner with the duke. For tonight . . .

“The earl is coming too?” She said it in a horrified whisper. She escaped her maid’s hold on the bow at her waist, and turned to face Aunt Greta. “I cannot do this. I’ll only make a fool of myself again.”

“Nonsense. You’ve already made great strides overcoming your shyness around His Grace, haven’t you?”

Felicity winced as she considered that. “I suppose.”

“You two managed to converse like true civilized adults last night,” Aunt Greta said, amusement in her voice. “I was most proud of you both.”

“He’s not the one who had to learn how to speak.”

“No, but he did have to learn how to smile.” Aunt Greta’s voice was distracted. “A little higher, I think. Show off that tiny waist of hers.” Once more, Aunt Greta was talking to her maid. “Now as for how to attract a man . . .”

Felicity blinked in surprise before she realized that Aunt Greta was once more talking to her. The lucky maid would not be subjected to Aunt Greta’s lessons today, it seemed.

“I do not wish—”

Aunt Greta tsked. “My dear, no matter what Beasley tells you tonight, it does not change the fact that you must wed. With or without an inheritance, my nephew will ensure you have a dowry and the right connections.”

“Yes, I know, but—”

“But nothing. I thought we agreed that your lessons proved successful the other night.”

“No, you said that, but I do not see—”

“That’s why you must leave it to me, dear,” the older woman hurried on. “You cannot see clearly, not with the same sort of wisdom that I have.” She pinched Felicity’s cheeks. “With great age comes great wisdom, you know.”

“Yes, I can imagine, but—”

“Trust me when I say, your lessons have placed you exactly where you ought to be and you are in a better position now than ever to marry well.”

“But—”

“We moved too quickly, that’s all.” Aunt Greta seemed determined not to hear her interruptions. “I know how to fix that.”

“You do?”

Aunt Greta’s lady’s maid gave her a small smile of sympathy behind the older woman’s back.

“Of course. You weren’t ready for kissing, that’s all.”

Felicity’s cheeks burned as if to prove the older woman’s point.

“Precisely,” Aunt Greta said with a pointed look at Felicity’s scalding hot cheeks. “We need to step back a little. Rather than focusing your attention on a gentleman’s kiss, imagine him showing you attention.”

“Attention,” she repeated slowly, trying it out.

“Mmm.” Aunt Greta clasped her hands together as if enchanted by the idea. “Imagine the fellow offering his arm or fetching you a drink, imagine strolling with him in a grassy meadow as he leans his head down and listens attentively to your every word.”

Felicity was certain her disbelief was written across her face. “And you think that will work? I’ll imagine these lovely rendezvous and .

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