How Not to Marry a Duke by Tina Gabrielle

Author:Tina Gabrielle
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: fake fiance;fake engagement;duke;multicultural;diverse;opposites;doctor;veterinarian;inventor;animals;STEM;brother;Regency;historical romance;London;peer;ton;Historical Romances;Victorian Historical Romance;Regency Historical Romance;Women's Historical Fiction;Historical British Fiction;Historical Fiction;Genre Fiction;Entangled publishing;Amara;new romance book;popular romance book;single title romance;stand alone romance book;2022 Romance book;books with a Happy ending;HEA;How Not to Marry a duke;How Not to Marry a Duke by Tina Gabrielle;Tina Gabrielle;Beach Reads;New Beach Reach 2022;Books like Bridgerton;Bridgerton type book;Sexy Historical books;Sexy Regency book;Regency book with Sex;Historical book with sex;Bridgerton;earl;The Darting Ladies;The Daring Ladies series;fake relationship;duke;duke romance;regency romance;London;enemies to lovers;fake engagement;opposites attract;overcoming odds;fake courtship
Publisher: Entangled Publishing, LLC
Published: 2023-02-05T03:35:59+00:00

Chapter Eleven

Adeline hadn’t forgotten Warwick’s invitation to his home. After attending the dressmaker’s with the countess, then the publisher with her sister, she was finally free to see him. The Duke of Warwick lived in a pile of stone in Berkley Square. Lady Heywood’s home was grand, but the duke’s residence dwarfed every home she’d so far visited. Made of gray granite, a mermaid fountain greeted guests in the round driveway, and well-maintained lawns with Roman statues lined the drive. At the sight of the perfect lawn, she immediately thought of Warwick’s lawn trimming invention. How many gardeners did he employ?

“I’ve never been in such a grand home,” Hasmik said.

“After the country, I can’t picture Warwick living here,” Adeline said.

The poultice she’d prepared was in the basket she carried. Adeline lifted the brass knocker and rapped. Warwick’s butler opened the door before she could knock twice, and they stepped inside a magnificent vestibule with a crystal chandelier holding a hundred candles, a priceless Chinese vase, and artwork from Gainsborough, Rowlandson, and Hogarth on the walls. “Hello, Lady Adeline. Miss Hasmik.”

Adeline smiled. “Good to see you again, Nelson.” He’d appeared a proper English butler in the country and his bearing hadn’t changed here, except for a slight flush to his cheeks at her greeting.

He took their cloaks, then hesitated. “I owe you an apology, my lady.”

Adeline looked at him anew. “Whatever for?”

“I believed your treatment of His Grace’s wound unorthodox.”

Caught off guard, she blinked. He wouldn’t be the first man who’d believed a woman incapable of doctoring. “I understand.”

The butler cleared his throat. “You misunderstand. I had been the one applying the London doctor’s treatment.”

“Ah yes, the flour.”

He nodded.

“There is nothing to apologize for. You looked after His Grace.”

“But I didn’t help him.” Nelson’s voice was strained. “The flour made it worse and caused His Grace pain.”

“You followed the doctor’s instructions, and you care for the duke. I find that most admirable,” she said.

“You are too kind, miss. I misjudged you, and for that I apologize as well.”

She was speechless in surprise, and she stared wordlessly across at him, her heart pounding. Praise from a proud servant who served the duke was not expected and meant much to her. It also made her feel better after overhearing the cruel words of the two women at the dressmaker’s shop, and after Mr. Elder’s treatment of Mary.

“Kindly follow me, ladies. His Grace awaits.”

Hasmik cleared her throat. “I would like a word with your housekeeper. Mrs. Posner, is it? I would love the recipe for Cook’s scones, and she offered for me to see her during my next visit.”

Adeline’s attention snapped to Hasmik and she eyed her warily. She’d never mentioned the scones before, and she knew her friend was scheming for her to spend time with the duke alone.

“Stay here, miss,” Nelson said, “and I’ll summon Mrs. Posner. Now if you will please follow me, Lady Adeline.” If Nelson suspected Hasmik’s motives, he didn’t show it.

The butler led Adeline beyond the vestibule, along

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