Of Dukes and Deceptions by Wendy Soliman Read Free Book Online

with occupations that filled her time and gave her considerable satisfaction. And if she ached to be involved with the stud again…well, she didn’t permit her disappointment to show. She kept her concerns at the way the operation was now being managed to herself. She’d been told that it was no longer anything to do with her, and any advice she offered was blithely ignored.
    No matter. In six months’ time she would receive her inheritance and remove to a small cottage in the village. She’d already picked out the establishment which would suit her needs perfectly. Janet and Will would go with her, and she’d be her own mistress. Her aunt had made no objection to her plans, and Alicia suspected she’d privately be pleased to see the back of her. The few household restraints she currently exercised out of respect for her parents’ memory would then become unnecessary since Alicia wouldn’t be there to appreciate them.
    “I think that went admirably, Mama.” Maria smiled in a self-satisfied manner and stood on tiptoe to examine her reflection in the mirror above the fire. She tweaked a few stray curls back into place. “His Grace is perfectly charming and seems very pleased with us all.”
    “You especially, my dear,” Mrs. Woodley said, a fond smile on her lips. “But then you look exceptionally lovely tonight.”
    “Do you think so?” The question was addressed to them all. Alicia could think of no answer that would give Maria the gratification she obviously sought so remained silent. “Well, he did seem to favour me with a good deal of his attention. I was never so flattered. And he’s prodigiously handsome, as well as being universally charming. I think there’s a real chance for me.”
    “Maria.” Alicia’s resolve to remain silent didn’t pass the test of time. In spite of her cousin’s silliness, she didn’t want her to build her hopes up only to have them dashed with one cynical lift of the duke’s aristocratic brow. “It would be as well not to harbour unrealistic expectations. His Grace is far too grand for the likes of us, and you’ll only finish up disappointed.”
    “Unrealistic?” Maria gazed upon Alicia as though she were a simpleton. “Why should they be unrealistic? His Grace is a gentleman and I’m a gentleman’s daughter.” Alicia sighed, knowing it would be pointless putting Maria straight in that respect. Uncle Albert’s unprepossessing past was never referred to any more. “We’re both young and attracted to one another. If that attraction is allowed the freedom to blossom, who knows what may become of it? And after tomorrow—”
    “When you’ll have Elsbeth with you at all times.”
    “Of course!” Maria said, a little too quickly. “What an old fuss bucket you are sometimes, Alicia.”
    Alicia didn’t know if she was more relieved or disappointed when the gentlemen joined them far sooner than anticipated. They’d hardly walked through the door before Maria proposed some music. Alicia thought that to be just as well, even though her cousins were not nearly so proficient at their instruments as they supposed. At least if they were thus engaged, Maria wouldn’t be able to make further mischief.
    Alicia took her favourite seat at the back of the room and surreptitiously reached for the book she kept on the small side table, opening it in her lap. No one would notice she wasn’t attending to the recital. But the novel she’d borrowed from the circulating library couldn’t hold her attention. She permitted her mind to wander instead, safe in the knowledge that the duke would be obliged to attend to her aunt and uncle’s discourse. No one would bother her.
    But it soon became apparent that the duke was accustomed to doing as he pleased without fear of giving offence to his social inferiors. He stood, stifling a yawn behind his hand, and moved toward her. All eyes turned in her direction.
    Alicia tamped down panic as he loomed, large and dangerous, in her sphere