Dusky Duke and the Gypsy Pirate Princess by Kya Lind Read Free Book Online

preparing for the consequences. Intrigued she followed him out of the salon to the front hall to greet their arriving guests.
    The carriage rolled to a slow stop. Greyson paused on the stairs and waited as the step was set and the door was thrust open. SarahBeth Buckingham blinked as children’s bodies poured from the carriage. Their voices rang loud off the stone arches of the entryway of Devonshire Castle. The children continued to bounce as luggage was handed down, and two blonde ladies stepped out of the coach. The Duchess recognized Mrs. William and her daughter Prudence. Then she caught sight of the tall, lovely girl with dark hair and green-eyes that her grandson had described. The girl struggled out of the carriage holding a still sleeping toddler. The group merged and then parted as the children caught sight of Greyson.
    “Grey, Grey,” they shouted in delight. The younger ones swirled around him pulling on his arms in greeting.
    The duchess gasped her amazement. “Grey?” she demanded in surprise.
    “Children,” Mrs. Williams ordered in a loud stern voice. “I’m most sorry, Your Grace, I have no idea what has come over them.”
    The children froze immediately at their mother’s tone, but looked between him and their parent, uncomprehendingly.
    “Your Grace?” squeaked True in the high pitch of a boy who’s voice was changing.
    “Your Grace?” gasped Honesty. Greyson watched her face as the truth slowly sank in. The duchess watched this exchange with interest.
    Mrs. Williams apologized again as the children moved in confusion away from Greyson and formed a line near their mother.
    “Your Grace, may I introduce my children.” The Williams bunch bowed and curtseyed as practiced.
    The duchess moved forward and told them how happy she was that they had arrived safely and that the footman would see them to their room to freshness up. The older woman watched as the young lady, Honesty, refused to look in Greyson’s direction, but stiffly followed her family up the stairs and away from the duke.
    The duchess also noted the gasp of surprise from Miss Prudence when she recognized the young Lord Byron standing to one side of the entryway. She watched her grandson’s expressionless face as he watched the Williams family disappear up the stairs, and shook her head at young love. “Oh, the tangled webs we weave when first we practice to deceive,” she recited softly for her grandson’s ears only.
    He nodded slowly, “You are always right,” he whispered back, “What I need in my life is more Honesty.” His mouth tilted up ruefully at his own sad humor. His grandmother chuckled at his bad pun, and left him to sort out his mess.
    ♣♣♣
     
    Honesty slammed closed the lid of her trunk. The nerve of that man. He had deceived them. Her whole family. Call me Grey he had said. How about Greyson Buckingham, the fourth duke of Devonshire. Head of one of the richest families in all the England. Forgot to mention that part. She should have realized sooner. She should have understood the clues. The well cut clothes, the matching pair that pulled his phaeton, the entrance into Buckingham Palace. Buckingham Palace! Of course, he could go to Buckingham Palace anytime he wanted and have a picnic packed for ten – He was a Buckingham after all. Honesty’s anger rose another degree hotter. He had asked to write to her when he had known all the time that they would arrive here shortly. How dare he show intentions toward her sister and flirt with her at the same time. She would roast him alive. She would. . . . She couldn’t think of anything that was bad enough just yet, but she would soon, and when she did she would . . . He would be so sorry he was ever born. Honesty opened the trunk and then slammed it shut again.
    She tried to suck in a breath, but the too tight corset made it impossible. Honesty glanced over at her sister, and blinked in confusion. Pretty was sitting on the edge of the bed with a dreamy