A Lot Like a Lady Read Online Free PDF Page A

Grey’s footmen, who set about gathering the baggage from the coach. The butler seemed to melt back inside.
    Grey stared toward the open doorway in disbelief. What had just happened? One minute he was preparing to inform his stepsister of a misunderstanding and how he regretted the inconvenience, but she wouldn’t be able to stay with him. And the next, she and her two companions were being ushered into his home as if he didn’t exist.
    Petry stepped onto the landing, reminding Grey of the business he still needed to finish. Cursing inwardly, he helped the injured lady inside, resigned. At least for tonight, he would have houseguests.
    Tomorrow I will find out exactly what this visit is really about.

Chapter Three
     
    Juliet twirled before the oval-shaped, full-length mirror that stood next to the polished rosewood armoire. Sunlight splashed across plush green carpet, the exact color of the moss on the forest floor back home, and flashed off the beveled looking glass. Juliet’s smile faded and she leaned forward, dismayed when the dress gaped open and revealed a fair bit more skin than was proper.
    She’d thought it would be fun to wear Annabella’s clothing and had been saddened to find she was a bit smaller than her mistress. Many of the beautiful dresses hung even more loosely on her slighter frame than the current fashion. Mayhap one of the maids could find her a sewing box. The girl who’d helped her get ready for bed the evening before had been very sweet.
    “That looks lovely on you, my dear,” murmured Lady Harmony from the vanity where she was combing her hair. She’d had a hearty laugh when Juliet offered to assist her. “No need, no need. I’ve been doing this myself for some years now, child. I rather prefer it that way.”
    A soft knock sounded on the door and it was pushed in before anyone had time to answer.
    “His grace wishes to see you in his study, m’lady,” announced a tall, skinny maid . Dressed in a prim black dress with a starched white apron and cap, the maid kept her features carefully schooled, but a hint of interest twinkled in her green eyes. Could she tell Juliet was shamming?
    Juliet studied the maid’s reflection in the mirror, cringing inwardly at the heavy dark clothing. She supposed it was stylish, but it was quite formal. The house staff at Wyndham Green customarily dressed in gray, so much less stark, easier on the eye.
    “M’lady?” prompted the maid softly.
    Juliet jumped, pulling herself from her thoughts of home. Bile rolled and burned her stomach, and she wrapped her arms around her waist, saying a silent prayer of thanks that she’d only eaten a few bites of breakfast. When she had stepped out of the carriage and into Annabella’s life the day before, the reality of what was at stake had hit her full force. If the duke discovered their outlandish scheme, not only would he dismiss her, but probably her mother as well. She’d been certain he would realize the truth the minute he saw her. Fear had shredded her composure.
    But then he’d done no more than give her a cursory glance, albeit intense, before retiring to the study with his assistant. He’d spent the remainder of the afternoon and up into the evening in conference, even missing supper. So Juliet had relaxed, convinced herself that he’d ignore her much like he would a fly on the wall. Now she wanted to kick herself for not getting back in the carriage and going home to Wyndham Green before he had a chance to carve her up and feed her to the bulldog.
    Juliet knew she had no choice but to obey the duke’s summons. Her feet dragged along the hardwood flooring as she followed the maid. Why had she let Annabella talk her into this? At one-and-nine she’d heard enough about the ton to know how unforgiving they could be.
    The maid opened the door to the duke’s study, and Juliet balked at crossing the threshold as a sudden surge of irrational anger rose within her. Beyond that door waited the man who was