The Duke's Daughter by Sasha Cottman Read Free Book Online

your uncle and aunt last week,’ the duke replied.
    She screwed up her nose. Dinner with the Bishop of London and his wife was never an evening of relaxation for her. As a small child she had thought the bishop went and told God all the naughty things she had done. Family events at the Old Deanery often had her sitting quietly in the corner praying that the bishop had not caught up with her latest exploits.
    ‘I know, but this is with the newest part of our family.’
    And her latest assignment.
    In the days since she had seen him at the funeral, Lucy had found her thoughts turning often to the person of Mr Avery Fox. She was resolved in her decision to assist his entrance into the world of the
ton
in whatever way she could.
    ‘He is so unlike his late brother, you wouldn’t think they stemmed from the same bloodlines,’ she said.
    When she’d made mention of her plans to Eve, a strange look had crossed her cousin’s face.
    ‘Just be careful how you go about things, Lucy. Mr Fox is still a stranger to you. You don’t know for certain that he is different from his brother. I have heard some very unsavoury rumours regarding the activities of the late Thaxter Fox. Avery may just be more cunning,’ Eve replied.
    Little had been shared outside of Lord Langham’s immediate family regarding Thaxter’s conduct earlier that summer, but the manner of his death had been enough to cause a great deal of speculation among London’s elite.
    Lucy knew Eve was right in cautioning restraint but, as was often the case, she couldn’t help herself. Every stray cat or dog that wandered into the grounds of the family castle in Scotland could be guaranteed of finding a home courtesy of Lady Lucy Radley. Everything and everyone belonged somewhere. And to someone.
    ‘He is all alone in the world, Eve; I am just trying to be a friend.’
    ‘Be careful, Lucy.’
    Inside the elegant entrance to Langham House, she quickly spotted Avery standing beside Lord Langham as the earl greeted his guests in turn. Lucy waited patiently at the end of the line of family members. Watching as Lord Langham welcomed each of his guests, she noticed that the Langham household were no longer in mourning attire. Gone were the black armbands Lord Langham and her brother David had worn at Thaxter Fox’s funeral. Clarice was resplendent in a pale green-and-cream striped gown. Even Lady Alice, a stickler for protocol, was dressed in a muted mulberry silk gown.
    Her heart went out to Avery. Newly resident at Langham House, he must surely be mortified at the clear social snub this presented. She carefully watched his every move, but he displayed no sign of distress. Her chosen protégé had learned the first lesson of the
ton.
Never show your true feelings.
    Also gone from him were the borrowed clothes. His attire now displayed all the marks of a quality tailor. His formal evening jacket and breeches were cut to perfection. His silver waistcoat hugged his body. The white of his shirt fairly gleamed in the candlelight. Even his cravat had been expertly tied. The transformation from the poorly dressed stranger she had first spied at David and Clarice’s wedding ball was startling.
    There was also a complete lack of mourning pieces on his clothing. She wondered who had decided to end the family mourning after such a short period. His hands were covered by formal white evening gloves.
    As she watched him, a secret smile came to her lips. For every move Lord Langham made, Avery mirrored it a short time later.
    Astute man.
    Instead of spending years trying to obtain and polish his social skills, Avery was simply learning from the behaviour of those around him. It spoke of an intelligent mind, something she always found attractive in a man.
    Her heart sank a little. Perhaps he didn’t need her help after all. With his clever mind and ruggedly handsome face he would effortlessly cut a swathe through the
ton
.
    And then he spoke. That interesting combination of northern