Any Duchess Will Do by Tessa Dare Read Free Book Online Page A

and began to giggle.
    The tightness in Pauline’s chest eased. “Daniela,” she said. “Take Major to the poultry yard for me. Then come back.”
    Her sister spread her arms and shooed the gander toward the rear of the house. Once she was safely out of earshot, Pauline crossed her arms and faced the duke.
    “If I agree to this . . .” She willed her voice not to shake. “If I go with you, will you return me home in one week?”
    “A week ?” He tossed the stick aside. “That’s unacceptable.”
    “It’s the only way I’ll agree. It must be a week. We have a ritual of sorts on Saturdays, Daniela and I. She can understand this. If I promise to be back by next Saturday, she’ll know I’m not leaving forever.” When he hesitated, she went on, “I assure you, I can prove catastrophic within one week.”
    “Oh, I don’t doubt that.” He paused in thought. “A week, then. But we leave at once.”
    “As soon as I bid my sister farewell.”
    She turned and looked over her shoulder. Daniela was already on her way back from the henhouse.
    “I need a penny,” Pauline said. “Quickly, give me a penny.”
    He fished in his pocket and produced a coin, then dropped it in her outstretched hand.
    She peered at it. “This isn’t a penny. It’s a sovereign.”
    “I don’t have anything smaller.”
    She rolled her eyes. “Dukes and their problems. I’ll be along in a moment.”
    Pauline drew her sister aside. She pulled her spine straight. The only way to keep Daniela from dissolving was to hold herself together. There could be no cracks in her resolve. She must be strong enough for them both, as always.
    “Here’s your egg money for this week.” She opened Daniela’s hand and put the coin in it, closing her fingers over the sovereign before she could notice the color wasn’t right. “I want you to go upstairs and put it in the tea tin straightaway. Tomorrow, it goes in the collection at church.”
    Daniela nodded.
    “I’m going with the duke now,” Pauline told her. “To London.”
    “No.”
    “Yes. But only for a week.”
    “Don’t go. Don’t go.” The tears streamed down Daniela’s reddened cheeks.
    Don’t cry so, I beg you. I can’t bear it.
    Pauline very nearly gave in. To distract herself, she thought of the golden coin squeezed in her sister’s hand. She imagined a thousand of them, stacked in neat rows. Ten by ten by ten by ten . . .
    If only she could explain to Daniela what this would mean for them, and how it would better their lives in all the years to come. But her sister wouldn’t want to hear more talk of change. She needed routine, comfort. Familiar tasks to see her through the week.
    “I’ll be back next Saturday to give you your egg money. I swear it. But you must earn that penny. While I’m gone, you must work hard. You cannot laze abed crying, do you hear? Collect the eggs every day. Help mother with the cooking and the house. When the week’s gone, I’ll be home. I’ll be sitting with you in church next Sunday.” She framed Daniela’s round face in her hands. “And I will never leave you again.”
    She hugged her sobbing sister tight and kissed her cheek. “Go inside now.”
    “No. No, don’t go.”
    There was no good to come of prolonging it. Parting wouldn’t get any easier. Pauline released her sister, turned, and walked away. Daniela’s sobs followed her as she went through the gate and entered the lane, where the duke’s fine carriage waited.
    “Pauline?” Her mother’s voice, calling from the front step.
    “I’ll be home in a week, Mum.” She didn’t dare look back.
    When she moved to enter the coach, her step faltered. The duke extended a hand. His hand was ungloved, and when his strong fingers closed over hers, a tremor passed through her.
    “Are you well?” he asked. His other hand went to the small of her back, steadying her.
    Pauline drew a deep breath. His strong touch made her want to melt against him, seeking comfort. She pushed