The Orphan and the Duke by Jillian Chantal Read Free Book Online Page A

sisters near the door leading to the back garden. “How was your trip to the confectioner?”
    “We got some really lovely chocolates. Cook is going to serve them after dinner,” Saffron said.
    “We did try one or two on the carriage ride home. We didn’t think you would mind.” Jonquil’s expression betrayed her true feelings. She actually seemed afraid that he would mind. Has it come to that? Does my sister think I am so bad as to begrudge her a treat?
    “Only one or two, then? Not six or seven?” Basil smiled.
    “Well, maybe more than two but not nearly six.” Jonquil smiled back at him.
    He was pleased with her response. He liked to see her smile.
    “Where is Archimedes?” Saffron glanced around the area.
    “I imagine he’s napping somewhere,” Basil said.
    “You didn’t put him outside, did you?” Saffron demanded in a voice more suited to a Latin tutor who was disappointed in his student’s conjugation than to a young lady of the haut ton .
    “I have not seen him. Is this why you two were here at the door? Did you think I put him out after I said you could keep him?”
    “Yes. We were sure you would banish him to the stables at the first chance. In fact, I told Jonquil we shouldn’t leave the house since it would give you that opportunity.”
    “You really don’t trust me, do you?” Basil was disappointed. He knew they loved him deep down, but he was a bit startled that they thought he’d go back on his word.
    “It’s hard to tell now, Basil. You’re different.” Jonquil took a step as if to get out of his reach. The intent of the retreat wasn’t lost on Basil. Surely she knows me better than that. How ironic if she does think I would strike her when I was so intent on wanting to make sure Miss Mandeville wasn’t being treated thus herself.
    “I said you may have the cat. I meant it. The cat stays.”
    “Now all we need to do is convince him to call Archimedes by his name, Jonquil.” Saffron laughed.
    “Don’t push it,” Basil said. He smiled to let her know he was kidding, but he wasn’t sure if she recognized it. Things were still tense between them all, and he couldn’t seem to find a way to make it better. Being unsure if they would ever return to a feeling of ease and unity made Basil sad.
    Since it was their time to get involved with young men, Basil was terrified they would each marry the first boy to offer for them in order to leave their childhood home. It once was a home filled with happy memories, but now it was a shadow of what it once had been. Neither of them wanted to return to the country manor at all. There was quite a scene when he tried to make them go, so he finally gave up. He’d have to go alone to meet with his steward.
    He needed to return to the manor to check on the family holdings. Knowing he couldn’t leave his sisters alone in town, he hadn’t forced the issue. Soon, though, he would have to. And he knew that would push them further away.
    “I think you really like Archimedes but you don’t want us to know since that might make us think you’re not serious enough to be our guardian.” Saffron’s statement got Basil’s attention. Do they really presume I am hiding my true nature under the guise of being capable of taking care of two young ladies?
    The pain at such a thought stabbed his heart, but he pushed the idea down deep and clapped his hands together once. “Let’s go see what kind of chocolates you brought. I suddenly have a hankering for some.”
    As the three of them walked to the kitchen with Basil leading the way, he heard them whispering behind him.
    “Told you. He never will talk about how he’s changed,” Jonquil said.
    “Shh. He’ll hear you.”
    “So what? I want him to know I miss my brother. It’s bad enough to lose the rest but to have a live brother who isn’t the same hurts almost as much.”
    “Quiet.” Saffron all but hissed the word.
    Basil’s heart finally broke as he listened to their whispers, but he