My Fair Princess by Vanessa Kelly Read Free Book Online

looking hopeful.
    The duke had been staring at Gillian with what looked like horrified fascination, but he quickly pulled himself together. “I only returned to London a few days ago. I’ve been locked up in my offices since and am not yet privy to the latest gossip.”
    â€œOh, dear,” her grandmother said with a sigh.
    The duke gave her a sympathetic grimace. “Never mind, Aunt Lucy. Most everyone agrees with Miss Dryden’s trenchant assessment of the Allister girls, so I don’t think the damage will be acute.” He shot Gillian a stern look. “As long as you refrain from similar incidents.”
    â€œI promise,” she said in a pious voice. Unfortunately, her vow was undercut by the look exchanged by Griffin and her grandmother.
    â€œYou might as well tell me,” the duke said in a resigned voice.
    â€œThere was that incident in Hyde Park the other day, when she went for an early morning ride,” Grandmamma said.
    â€œNot by herself, I hope,” the duke said.
    â€œOf course not,” Gillian said. “I had a groom with me.” Her grandmother had seen to that. The servants barely let Gillian out of their sight.
    â€œThen what was the problem?”
    â€œShe wore breeches,” her grandmother said.
    Leverton blinked slowly.
    â€œIt’s the only way I can ride astride. I hate sidesaddle,” Gillian explained.
    â€œDid anyone see you?” Leverton asked.
    â€œNot so as to recognize me,” she said. “So I don’t see what the problem is.”
    His gaze went cool again. “I’m sure you know exactly what the problem is, so please don’t insult my intelligence, Miss Dryden.”
    She felt her cheeks flush. Of course she’d known what the problem was, which was why she’d gone out riding early in the morning. She truly didn’t want to embarrass her family, but that didn’t mean she didn’t chafe against the restrictions placed on her—or circumvent them, on occasion.
    Griffin stirred. “Speaking of insults, I’d advise you to address my sister in a more respectful tone. An offense to her is an offense to me. Believe me, you don’t want that.”
    Leverton didn’t seem the slightest bit discomposed by her brother’s threat. In fact, the two men commenced staring at each other in a way that raised the hairs on the back of Gillian’s neck.
    â€œIt’s fine,” she hastily said. “I’m sure the duke didn’t mean to insult me. Did you, sir?”
    He held Griffin’s gaze for a moment longer, then looked at her. “Of course not, Miss Dryden.”
    â€œGood, then let’s continue.” The sooner this appalling interview came to an end, the better.
    â€œLady Marbury has given me a fairly good understanding of your education,” he said. “It sounded, however, as if you’ve lacked sufficient tutoring in the traditional female accomplishments.”
    â€œYou mean like drawing and needlework? Sorry, I never saw the point of it.”
    She could stitch a shirt and cook a stew with the best of them. Those were useful tasks that served a purpose. But wasting one’s time on producing decorative samplers or boring landscapes? She’d always had better things to do with her time.
    â€œAnd what about music? Do you play an instrument or sing, or did you not see the point in those activities, either?”
    Gillian liked music, especially opera, but she’d never had the patience to learn how to play. And the less said about her singing voice, the better. She gave a shrug.
    â€œMy dear girl,” Leverton said, sounding exasperated. “Do you have no hobbies or leisurely pastimes at all?”
    â€œActually, yes,” she said. “I’m quite good at hunting bandits.”
    She could barely hear the duke grinding his teeth over her grandmother’s groan.

Chapter Five
    Standing in the middle of the path, Gillian