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

Miss Cooper, even though his impromptu
     visit at the Warburtons’ town house had caused Lady Warburton to trumpet the news
     all over London, as if he were actively courting her daughter. Three days later, at
     another ball, he escorted his aunt, who gave up plans for the opera when he insisted
     she attend the ball with him. She studied him with narrowed eyes, then did not question
     him, only refused to change her gown, though Marian professed that it was completely
     wrong for a ball. But fashion had never concerned Aunt Theodosia.
    In the carriage, his aunt studied him openly, and he wondered if she was looking for
     a weakness to exploit, so she could discover his purpose. That amused him, but he
     concealed his smile.
    He shouldn’t be enjoying the chase of Miss Cooper so much, especially since it all
     began with a tragedy he helped cause. It wasn’t like the pursuit of a lover, full
     of intrigue and desire, but it was almost taking the place of that, which even he
     found strange.
    At the ball, he remained at his aunt’s side, though her friends tried to draw her
     into the refreshment room, and his tried to draw him to the card room. Lord Shenstone
     stood watching him, curly auburn hair somewhat subdued by Macassar oil. He didn’t
     talk, only smirked, like Adam’s fall from grace was only a matter of time. Adam nodded
     politely, but he wasn’t ready to deal with the friend who’d once accompanied him to
     the worst places in London.
    He spotted Miss Cooper standing with a group of dowdy-looking women near a wall, trying
     to look older than she really was. He ducked behind a column and pulled his aunt with
     him.
    She rapped his forearm with her fan. “What is so important that we must be concealed?”
    “I need your help with a young lady,” he said. He’d given up thought of using his
     sister to lure Miss Cooper. Sophia was too obviously good at making her own friends,
     and Miss Cooper had seen that.
    “Who are you talking about?” She blinked at him, then lifted her monocle and studied
     him like a bug disturbing the butterfly collection she’d created when she joined the
     Entomological Society.
    “Miss Faith Cooper. But if she knows I’ve put you up to it, she’ll refuse, and I can’t
     have that.”
    “Do not tell me this is an amour of yours.”
    He raised both hands. “She is not. But there is a connection, and she has refused
     all of my offers of help.”
    “Of course she has. It is highly improper for a woman to accept help from a man unless
     she’s of service to him.”
    He winced. “I don’t wish to discuss that with my aunt. Just let me point her out to
     you, but don’t let her see you’re with me.”
    “Is she a shopkeeper you’d like to elevate?”
    “Aunt Theodosia, you do not have to believe the worst of me anymore,” he said sternly.
    She eyed him with twinkling eyes. “I do not, believe me. But you were always such
     a scalawag, and since you’ve returned from India, some of the . . . spark has gone
     out of you. This is the most excitement you’ve shown since you returned. Perhaps you
     should explain.”
    He exhaled. “Just look at her first, will you? She’s not a shopkeeper, but a gentleman’s
     daughter from the North who fell on hard times because of me. She’s the companion
     to the daughter of Baron Warburton. Do you know of him?”
    “I know of the family, but he seldom comes to London, so I would not recognize him
     on sight.”
    He peered around the column and spotted Miss Cooper. “She’s seated with the other
     wallflowers, third from the corner, ridiculous clothing and dark hair pulled back
     severely to make her look older.”
    Aunt Theodosia displayed her fan again and fluttered it before her face, leaving only
     her eyes visible between her turban and the fan. “Ah, I see who you mean. Quite a
     plain creature, for you.”
    “I’ve told you I’m only interested in helping her.”
    She leaned back against the column and gazed