Charming the Duke Read Online Free PDF

the kitchens.”
    “He was greeted by a family member, Mother,” Matilda said. She and her sisters were gathered in her mother’s rooms, and they turned to her as she spoke. “Me.”
    “Really, Matilda. He didn’t say,” Frances replied. “He was just standing there in the doorway.”
    Matilda shrugged. “He handed me his gloves. I believe he thought I was the maid.”
    Frances turned quickly. “How dreadful, dear. We mustn’t let the Duke carry on with that misconception. I will set this to rights immediately.”
    Matilda shook her head. “Not necessary, Mother. I introduced myself.”
    Alexandra and Juliet hurried to the bed where their sister sat. “You introduced yourself to a duke?” they said in unison.
    “Well, yes. Did you expect me to draw his bath?” Matilda asked.
    “Is he as handsome as everyone says, Matilda? You simply must tell us,” Alexandra asked.
    “What does he look like, Matilda? Do tell,” Juliet added.
    Matilda shrugged, hoping her face didn’t color. “Handsome enough.” She would never reveal his “blond and beautiful” remark. It was too embarrassing, and her sisters and Mother would make a fuss about the insult. And Matilda suspected this man was of interest to her sisters. “His sister is pleasant. We met her a few years ago. Do you remember, Juliet?”
    Juliet struck a thoughtful pose. Her face lit up. “I do.” Her face fell. “She made me feel most uncomfortable, though.”
    “Uncomfortable in what way, Juliet?” Frances asked.
    “I got the most dreadful feeling she thought I was dim-witted.”
    Alexandra and Frances laughed aloud.
    “How ridiculous,” Frances cooed. “For anyone to think you anything but brilliant and beautiful. We must set her to straights this very weekend.”
    “What sophisticated topic could you ply her with, Juliet?” Alexandra asked excitedly.
    Juliet tapped her lip and looked the room up and down. Frances was deep in thought as well. Alexandra waited expectantly. Matilda held her head in her hand, hoping to stave off an impending throb.
    “I’m sure the Duke’s sister will fathom your true personality and abilities on her own, Juliet. No need for elaborate schemes,” Matilda said.
    “But Matilda, we can’t have her thinking what’s not true is true. It wouldn’t be right,” Frances replied. “Now, Juliet, whatever have you learned from those fashion sheets from Paris?”
    Juliet squealed. “Fashions from Paris! Oh, Mother, I know everything I need to know about that.”
    “You will dazzle the Duke’s sister,” Frances supplied with a smile.
    “And hopefully she will mention her regard for you to her brother,” Alexandra added.
    “Miss Wilcox does not look like a woman much concerned with fashion,” Matilda said.
    Juliet’s eyes lit up. “More perfect then. I will educate her on fashionable dress.”
    Matilda followed her sisters down the staircase as they reviewed and refined their plans. Her mother checked the buffet. Matilda found Ethel seated in a corner of the dining room, already eating.
    “James. What has happened to the cluster of sugared fruit on the ham? And the smoked salmon garnish is gone as well,” Frances called to the butler.
    Matilda looked down at the plate her grandmother held. It was piled high with orange fish and sugared grapes. “Ethel. How could you?” Matilda said with a sigh and seated herself. “You know how Mother loves all the little special accents on her buffet.”
    “I smeared the face of every butter angel on the platter.”
    “My butters,” Frances cried from across the room.
    Matilda watched as her mother whirled away in tizzy. “Terribly trivial of you, Ethel. I’m ashamed.”
    “I’m old, Matilda. I must get my jollies where they present themselves.”
    Her father joined them, bowed to his mother and kissed her hand.
    “Mother, you look wonderful tonight. Doesn’t she look wonderful, Matilda? Just wonderful.”
    “Save your platitudes for this gaggle of idiots,