Lady Eve's Indiscretion by Grace Burrowes Read Free Book Online

distinguished white hair to go with blue eyes that could turn arctic when his will was opposed.
    Just now though, the man did not look so much like a duke as he did like a husband, a papa, a hale old fellow who valued his family above anything else.
    â€œAnd here comes my duchess now to make sure I’m not lecturing you into a stupor.” His Grace rose smoothly to his feet and met his duchess on the graveled walk. “My dear, I was just coming to fetch you.”
    She greeted Deene genially then gave His Grace her hand, which he tucked onto his arm.
    â€œDeene, you will excuse us? Her Grace has requested my escort on a visit to Westhaven’s household, and this is a privilege I would not forego even to ensure I have your vote on the shipping amendments.”
    Deene bowed to the duchess, who very likely fit Eve’s definition of an English beauty even in the woman’s sixth decade of life: tall, willowy, kind green eyes, and hair shading from gold to wheat around a face still lovely and unlined.
    â€œYour Graces, I bid you good day, and of course you have my vote, Moreland.”
    â€œRun along into the house, then. I’m sure the girls will be sitting down to lunch. You can ask them who’s most desperate for a husband and avoid the traps accordingly.” His Grace winked, patted his duchess’s hand, and led her off in the direction of the mews.
    They had a peace about them, a sense of effortless communion Deene found fascinating, even as it made his chest feel a trifle queer.
    He would not be joining the ladies for lunch—the lunching hour had passed—but he let himself in the French doors leading to the Moreland library, thinking to head straight for the front door.
    â€œWhy, Lord Deene. A pleasure.” Louisa, Lady Kesmore, smiled at him, a somewhat unnerving prospect involving a number of straight, white teeth. Lady Jenny’s smile was sweeter, and Eve’s smile was forced. They sat on the sofa, to Deene’s eye a trio of lovely women showing graduated degrees of disgruntlement.
    â€œI beg your pardon, my ladies, Mr. Trottenham. I did not realize I’d be intruding unannounced.”
    â€œDeene, good day.” Trottenham rose and bowed, smacking his heels together audibly. “The more the merrier, I say, what? Saw your colt beat Islington’s by two lengths. Well done, jolly good and all that. Islington’s made a bit too much blunt off that animal in my opinion.”
    Trottenham apparently had a nervous affliction of the eyebrows, for they bounced up and down as he spoke, suggesting either a severe tic or an attempt to indicate some sort of shared confidence.
    â€œPerhaps the ladies would rather we save the race talk for the clubs?”
    â€œThe ladies would indeed,” Louisa said. “Sit you down, Deene, and do the pretty. Mr. Trottenham was just leaving.” She gave a pointed look at the clock, while Eve, who had said nothing, busied herself pouring tea, which Deene most assuredly did not want.
    â€œLeaving?” Trottenham’s eyebrows jiggled around. “Suppose I ought, but first I must ask Lady Eve to join me at the fashionable hour for a drive around The Ring. It’s a beautiful day, and I’ve a spanking pair of bays to show off.”
    Deene accepted his cup of tea with good grace. “Afraid she’s not in a position to oblige, Trottenham, at least not today.” He smiled over at Eve, who blinked once then smiled back.
    Looking just a bit like Louisa when she did.
    â€œSorry, Mr. Trottenham.” She did not sound sorry to Deene. “His lordship has spoken for my time today.”
    Trottenham’s smile dimmed then regained its strength. “Tomorrow, then?”
    Jenny spoke up. “We’re supposed to attend that Venetian breakfast with Her Grace tomorrow.”
    â€œAnd the next day is His Grace’s birthday. Couldn’t possibly wander off on such an occasion as that,”