Redemption of the Duke by Gayle Callen Read Free Book Online Page A

known that about herself,
     had never met a rake and scoundrel before.
    But he’d seemed so sincere in his grief at her brother’s death, in his need to make
     amends. Which was the true man?
    “Is this your first Season in London, Miss Warburton?” he asked after taking a sip
     of his tea.
    “It is, Your Grace. If not for the trains, it would have taken us so dreadfully long
     to arrive. Are not modern conveniences wonderful?”
    “I must certainly agree. Before the steamship, it took six months to reach India a
     few years ago. Imagine my delight on returning home, it took only six weeks.”
    “India must be a beautiful country,” Adelia said dreamily.
    Faith could not help glancing at Rothford’s face, knowing what she did about his experiences
     in that country.
    “I was not prepared for its beauty,” he said solemnly. “There are temples within the
     mysteries of mango groves, boating along the river at night, colored lanterns at the
     prows on the return, like many-colored fireflies. The native people often had their
     women dance for us, nautch-girls draped in scarves and jewels that winked in the torchlight.”
    Faith felt under the spell of the images he wove in her imagination, and saw that
     Adelia was all agog.
    Then the duke’s gaze focused back on them, and he cleared his throat before sipping
     again at his tea.
    Was he embarrassed? She could not believe it of him, he of the bold, teasing words,
     and the determination to have his way, regardless of what she wanted. Didn’t most
     men simply talk of their horses and carriages? That seemed the normal conversation
     Adelia had with her occasional young man.
    But Rothford had found something to admire in India, even though it had cost him the
     lives of friends—although she couldn’t quite imagine Mathias good friends with a duke.
    “You make me quite want to visit India,” Adelia said politely.
    “Many young ladies do. There is a whole British Society in Calcutta and now Bombay.”
    “The heat, though—I do not do well in the heat. I much prefer the English countryside
     at the height of summer.”
    “And what about you, Miss Cooper?” the duke asked.
    She pricked her thumb with the needle at his question, then hid it in her skirt pocket
     with her handkerchief. He smiled at her knowingly.
    “Forgive my concentration, Your Grace, but what was your question again?”
    Adelia shot her horrified look, as if Faith’s conduct toward a duke shamed her.
    “I wondered if you like the heat of summer or prefer the cool countryside?”
    “Why . . . I imagine I do not have a preference. The summer’s warmth can feel lovely
     after a long winter, but a woman’s garments do not make the enjoyment of it easy.”
    Color stained Adelia’s cheeks, and Faith realized it might be improper to discuss
     clothing with a man.
    “Uh . . . I mean—I meant—”
    “No, no, I understand your meaning,” he said heartily. “Wool can be deuced uncomfortable
     in a man’s suit, as well. A refreshing honesty you have there. Miss Cooper must be
     easy to talk to, eh, Miss Warburton? But then that’s why you chose her as your companion.”
    “Very true, Your Grace,” Adelia said softly. “Might I pour you more tea?”
    He took his leave after the appropriate quarter of an hour, bowing to them both, until
     Faith could have rolled her eyes. After the butler saw him out, the maid pressed herself
     to the window of the small entrance hall to watch him walk away, until the butler
     sent her off with an ominous frown of disapproval.
    In the drawing room, Adelia, too, was standing at the window, and Faith half expected
     a scolding.
    “The Duke of Rothford visited me,” Adelia said on a dreamy sigh.
    Faith gave her a gentle smile. “He is a very polite man.”
    Adelia eyed her. “Even with your foolishness. Really, Miss Cooper, should not a companion
     be less easily flustered?”
    Faith nodded soberly.
    A dam was not going to abandon the notion of helping