Dusky Duke and the Gypsy Pirate Princess Read Online Free PDF

coach.
    He smiled into her eyes as he handed Maggie up to her. “I look forward to seeing you again tomorrow about noon if that is agreeable? Have a nice day, Miss Williams.” She gasped at him in surprise and then glared at her younger siblings before the coach rolled away from him.
    Greyson grabbed the reins of his horse and mounted up. Honesty . . . her name was Honesty Williams. Greyson laughed and turned his horse toward his grandmother’s home.
    ♣♣♣
     
    When Greyson arrived at the house, he found his grandmother holding court in the formal parlor. She was surrounded by his great aunts, aunts, sisters, and almost every adult female relative he owned. As he walked into the room, his grandmother looked at him, her eyebrow raised inquiringly. Greyson gave a half nod to indicate his success. The others in the room continued throwing out names which were then discussed and added to a list or discarded. Greyson ignored the topic of conversation and focused on the finger sandwiches on the sideboard.
    “What about Sarah Goodman?” suggested one of his sisters.
    “Oh, she would be a perfect one to add,” approved his other sister.
    Their grandmother had risen from her chair and moved to Greyson’s side. He nodded at her; his eyes dancing as he bit into a cucumber sandwich.
    “I take it your morning went well?”
    Greyson could see that she was dying of curiosity.
    “Diane Bunker,” suggested one of his aunts.
    Several of his relatives shook their heads, “She is all right, but her mother . . .” the group groaned in unison.
    “What are they doing?” asked Greyson in a stage whisper behind his hand.
    His grandmother loudly whispered back, “Picking the guests for the group to move to Devonshire for the next month.”
    “We are doing an extension season? Why?” Greyson hated when his house was invaded by eligibles for a month at the end of some seasons. “What is the occasion this year?”
    “Your cousin, Victoria, is at the end of her first season and her father is concerned with the caliber of the men she is attracting.”
    Greyson nodded his head in consideration of these new options. He knew he would not be able to sway Honesty’s opinion in the few days they had left. His only options were to follow her home or – the corner of his mouth tilted up slightly – have her follow him home.
    Greyson cleared his throat. All the ladies in the room looked at him. “I would highly suggest Prudence Williams and her family.” He watched as his sisters and aunts looked at each other in puzzlement and curiosity.
    “Well, . . . Yes. . .” said his sister Teresa slowly, “We could certainly do that. .. if you want?”
    Greyson pushed away from the sideboard he had been leaning on. “Yes, I would like that greatly,” he walked toward the door. “With Prudence and her mother and her older sister, that should raise your count three more at the table. Oh, and be sure and invite Lord Byron while you are at it. I owe him a favor.” With his face serious, he stepped out of the door and closed it behind him before laughing at their stunned expressions. He could just imagine the conversation that he had walked out on. He knew his secret was safe with his grandmother. They wouldn’t get anything out of her. Not that she knew that much. They would discuss the topic to death.
    ♣♣♣
     
    Greyson paced before the rocks in the park. It was more than an hour past noon and there was no sign of the Williams. Had he been stood up by all, his counted on his fingers, nine of them? Had Honesty changed their minds? She should have sent a note to that effect. Greyson laughed at his own stupidity. Where would she have sent this supposed note? The park. He may know her last name, but she had no idea of his. She may still not know he was a duke. Well, that won’t last long when her sister showed up. What would Honesty do when she found out?
    He shoved his worries to the back of his mind as the hired coach appeared around the