An Unlikely Duchess Read Online Free PDF Page A

for.
    All she knew was that the mighty Duke of Hartridge was finally, after months of preparation and excitement, here. And within thirty minutes of his arrival she had exposed her legs, fallen into a pond, shouted enough curse words to make a naval officer blush, and developed feelings that were as confusing as they were unwelcome.
    Rebecca felt sick when she thought of the clown she’d made of herself. Sicker yet that the man whose touch had sparked feelings in her that she never even knew existed, was the same man who had been brought here to marry her sister.
    Feeling defeated and guilty that she’d upset Caroline so much, she finished the trek to her room and rang for her long-suffering maid. Within minutes Maura, a girl whose sunny disposition was a great asset as the lady’s maid of the notorious Rebecca Carrington, had entered the room, taken in the image of her mistress dripping wet and miserable, and immediately set about preparing a bath and some sweet, comforting tea.
    “Should I ask what happened, my lady?” Her Irish brogue was quite prominent when she was both exasperated and amused. Which was very often.
    “Must you?”
    “Not at all. If you’d rather not say.”
    “I fell in the pond.”
    “That is not so bad. Would not be the first time.”
    “Caroline was there.”
    “Ah. Well, I am sure after a nice chat about avoiding the pond, she will be just grand.”
    “And the duke.”
    The silence lasted enough beats for Rebecca to know that even Maura understood this was no mere mishap.
    “Oh.”
    “Indeed.” answered Rebecca dryly.
    Maura remained silent while she ushered the downstairs maids, who had arrived with the hot water for the bath, from the room.
    “May I ask how you landed yourself in the pond this time, my lady?”
    “I climbed a statue to rescue Martin’s kite and lost my balance.”
    “In front of his grace, my lady?” Maura looked stricken.
    Rebecca squirmed. “Yes,” she mumbled, eyes cast downward. It was more than a little embarrassing to know that your own maid was ashamed of your behaviour.
    When Maura did not answer for several moments, Rebecca finally looked up. Maura stood before her, with her hands clasped around her mouth while she struggled to contain her obvious mirth.
    “It is not funny, Maura.” Rebecca scolded. “You know I am in a world of trouble when Papa hears what I have done.”
    “I am sorry, my lady,” replied Maura, though her wide grin suggested otherwise.
    Rebecca fought to keep a stern countenance but Maura’s laughter had her remembering just how ridiculous she must have looked, flailing about at the top of the statue before scaring the wits out of the fish in the pond.
    And, as much as she worried about her parent’s reaction to her little adventure, dreaded the set down that was no doubt coming from her starchy older sister, and as much as her reaction to the great duke intrigued and frightened her, Rebecca could not contain her own laughter and was soon laughing once again and feeling much more like herself as Maura left her to bathe and went to organise her tea.
    Her family had seen her do worse. And although she was quite sure the Duke of Hartridge would be utterly appalled by her, ultimately it was only her sister he was interested in. And if that thought caused a pang of sadness well, she would ignore it and carry on regardless.
     
    ****
     
    Edward stood against the enormous fireplace, nursing a pre-dinner brandy while he waited for the rest of the party to assemble in the drawing room. He had spent the remainder of the afternoon becoming acquainted with the earl, the house and avoiding his mother to the very best of his abilities.
    As soon as they had returned to the house, Lady Caroline had taken her leave and disappeared. By the stiffness in her spine, he could only imagine that Lady Rebecca was in for a lecture of some magnitude. He felt a twinge of pity for the girl. He may not be well acquainted with Lady Caroline but if her icy