A Brazen Lady And The Shunned Duke (Faces of Love Series #3) Read Online Free PDF Page A

since clearly my brother was against us having any form of relationship.
    I wondered why that was, since it had to be more than just his financial status. There had to be something personal between the two of them to warrant such dislike.
    I pondered over this as I sat with the duchess at a garden party. Each of us was supposed to be painting a small table. The Lord Newcastle, whose wife was hosting, was to be the judge of the best and a prize would be given.
    It all seemed very tedious and boring to me. I’d never had a hand for drawing or painting in the past, though I could do it well enough, but to waste an entire day on such ridiculousness made me want to scream.
    Growing up, I was never subjected to such useless tasks. Of course, I was trained by the finest governess and had the proper upbringing seen appropriate by my mother. I had learned to draw, embroider, paint, play the piano and other tasks, just as these ladies around me had done. It was always viewed as a means of enjoyment growing up, not solely to pass the time because you had nothing else to do.
    I had always been busy with meaningful work at home. My favorite pastime was sitting in the kitchen with the cook. She would teach me the art of baking while I watched and petted the tabby cat that made its home next to the warm hearth.
    Mother and I always spent our days helping the sick and needy families in our town. If I was playing the piano, it was for the entertainment of someone in need, or drawing a picture for a sick child.
    Other days, I would go to the docks with my father to learn from him. He oversaw a vast wine business most often imported from Italy. I practiced my Italian and French among the sailors.
    There, at home, it felt like all my knowledge and upbringing was being put to good use. Here, it seemed the only use for one’s abilities was to impress other ladies and waste away the day. It all seemed irritatingly frivolous to me.
    “Scarlett, you don’t seem to be paying much attention to your work,” the duchess said from the other side of our small table.
    I looked at her side. She had nearly finished the intricate row of roses along the gold edging. I was still on my second rose.
    “Perhaps she has her mind on something, or someone else,” Lady Newcastle chimed in coquettishly.
    She was sitting next to us, creating her piece with Lady Hawthorne. They were both relatively younger ladies, probably about the duchess’ age and with no children to distract them yet. I had a feeling that this whole group of women was the personal entourage of her grace.
    “I don’t know what you mean,” the duchess snapped indignantly.
    “Oh yes you do. We all saw it the other night. Miss Scarlett couldn’t be pulled away from the Duke of Kent even if she’d wanted to,” Lady Hawthorne added.
    She was a sweet lady. Probably the only one out of Her Grace’s company that I could say I actually liked. She was tall and thin, with golden ringlets always forming around her face. She was always so bright and cheery. It brought a small ray of light to an otherwise dreary afternoon with these women.
    “Just be careful, my dear, with that one,” Lady Newcastle added.
    “What do you mean?” I asked, intrigued.
    “Well, he has quite a reputation,” she continued.
    “I had heard that he was low on funds,” I replied.
    “Yes, that could possibly be why he singled you out,” she continued.
    My feathers ruffled inwardly. I didn’t like that these ladies knew my financial business or that she would suggest that was all I was worth in the eyes of a gentleman.
    “That is not what I am referring to, though.”
    “What then?” I asked.
    The duchess huffed. “Just know there is a reason I asked you to stay away from him. It is for your own good.” I hated when she talked down to me like I was some kind of small child.
    “She should be told, Juliana,” Lady Newcastle said. It was the first time I’d heard the Duchess’ given name spoken.
    She rolled her