The Accidental Duchess by Madeline Hunter Read Free Book Online Page A

lost baggage, Penthurst.”
    “Not lost so much as stranded by the storm.”
    Her brother reached up and lifted her down. He gave her a good examination from head to toe, shaking his head. “It was an odd morning to go for a walk, Lydia.”
    “I desired a turn amid nature’s glories.”
    “People who live on squares can have that whenever they choose, without hiking all over town. It is why houses on squares are desirable.” He shook his head again in the exasperated, helpless way he so often used with her. He plucked the frock coat off her shoulders. “Go and dry off, then please visit Emma. She has been waiting all morning for your return so she can share news. Cassandra is already there.”
    She gathered her sodden skirt and squished her soaked shoes up to the door. As she crossed the threshold she heard her brother address his friends.
    “Gentlemen, come in and have some coffee and dry yourselves too. I would have a word with you both.”
     • • • 
    P enthurst and Ambury stretched their boots toward the low fire in the library. A servant handed them each coffee. Their coats dried on a nearby rustic chair brought in just for that purpose. Southwaite stood at the side of the mantel.
    “This is very good of you, Southwaite, but we only brought back two women who were caught by the storm,” Ambury said. “I could cross the square and let my valet relieve your servants of all this bother.”
    “I said I wanted a word with you.”
    “Yes, you did. Let me assure you that whatever Lydia’s reason for going to the park today, it was innocent, I am sure.”
    Southwaite scowled. “Did you think I suspected otherwise?”
    Ambury took his time drinking some coffee. “Your scold when she came back implied you did.”
    “I was simply commenting on my sister’s odd behavior . . . It implies nothing else.”
    “Good. But if you did suspect something, rest assured that from what I could see there was no one in the park this morning whom she might have planned to meet. I was the only person there whom she probably even knew.” He began to drink again, but the cup paused halfway to his lips. “Well, and Penthurst here.”
    A strange little silence ensued.
    “Yes, well, she is home and upstairs and hearing what I want to tell both of you,” Southwaite stood a little taller. “Emma is with child.”
    “That is wonderful news, Southwaite.” Penthurst stood and clapped his friend’s shoulder in congratulations.
    “I’ll say so. Why are you giving us only coffee?” Ambury demanded. “It may be early, but brandy at least is called for no matter what the hour.”
    Brandy it was, and an hour of good cheer and happy speculation. Penthurst warmed to the camaraderie that resembled what they had all shared years ago, before duties and duels had created distance between them.
    He and Ambury took their leave together.
    “Lydia was probably in the park to meet someone, of course,” Ambury said as he settled in his saddle. “If it were a budding tendre, or an inappropriate one, she would not want to be seen in this square with him, especially in early morning.”
    “Then hopefully it was the former, and Southwaite will hand her off soon and be free of the worry of her.”
    Ambury turned his horse away. Penthurst aimed for the streets beyond the square.
     • • • 
    S arah barely allowed Lydia to enter her apartment before dancing forward with excitement. “It is wonderful news, is it not, milady?”
    “How did you learn of it already?”
    “Cook told me while I dried out by the kitchen fire. An upstairs maid told her. I think Lady Southwaite’s lady’s maid told the upstairs maid, and—”
    “And no doubt you learned of it before I did. It is wonderful news, however. Emma is so pleased. She has known for a few months, but delayed even telling my brother until it all looked very good and sure.”
    “She is four months along, cook said. Why, that means there will be a baby by spring.”
    Sarah