A Most Improper Duchess (The Three Graces Book 1) by Alanna Lucas

Author:Alanna Lucas [Lucas, Alanna]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, romance, Historical
Publisher: Dragonblade Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2023-07-04T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

Niall was enjoying a peaceful afternoon at home with his sister. Thankfully, their mother had gone out to visit friends. A serene calm washed over the bright and cheery drawing room. Since arriving in Town, days such as these had eluded him. He didn’t want to think about duties and responsibilities. He didn’t want to think about Lady Nerissa. And he certainly did not want to think about what he could not have.

Naomi was pre-occupied with her correspondence, while Niall reviewed the latest drawings for the new conservatory. He’d missed these quiet moments with his sister. Of his three sisters, he was closest with Naomi. Her temperament was nothing like his other sisters’, or their mother’s, for that matter.

Suddenly, a distant shriek disrupted the peace.

“What was that?” Naomi’s head snapped up.

Another loud cry echoed from somewhere within the house. Niall rushed to the door just as his mother stormed in.

“How dare you go against my wishes,” Mother yelled as she pointed at Naomi, whose face had turned an unsightly shade of red.

Niall steeled his nerves and prepared for battle. “Mother, why don’t you calm down and—”

“I won’t calm down.” She stomped her foot in a most unladylike fashion. “I am still head of this house and—”

“No, I am head of this family,” he firmly reminded her. “If you will explain what has distressed you, then perhaps we can resolve the issue.”

She placed a dramatic hand to her temple, and with an equally dramatic sigh, bemoaned, “I have just returned from visiting Lady Jerome where I discovered your sister has disgraced this family most tragically.”

He looked to his sister, who had buried her face in her hands and was trembling all over. He looked heavenward and prayed, Give me strength.

“What has she done?” he asked in a calm tone, hoping his mother would follow suit.

“She attended one of those . . . those . . .” She waved her hand frantically as if she could not bring herself to say the word. A moment later, she found the word. Several, in fact. “One of those gatherings the Grace sisters pretend is a salon and suitable for polite society, and after I forbade her from going.”

“Mother,” his sister began, “nothing inappropriate occurred. It was a pleasant afternoon spent in the company of friends.”

“You were supposed to be resting in your room after claiming you had a headache and instead you snuck out, deceiving us all.” Their mother was certainly laying on the guilt. “I know what goes on at that salon. It is all over Town how improper the conversation is, how they play childish games, and encourage impertinent behavior.”

“Mother, I swear no such thing happened,” Naomi cried into her hands, an age-old tactic she used to soften their mother’s temper. Being the youngest, she usually succeeded. “Please don’t be angry, Mama.”

Naomi certainly had perfected her act, Niall would give her that. Their mother was already calming.

“Well, I suppose I can let it go this time, but mark my words, you shall have nothing to do with those sisters ever again.

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