Of Dukes and Deceptions Read Online Free PDF Page B

and have no input. No wonder she seeks alternative ways to fill her time.”
    Gibson screwed up his eyes and regarded Nick’s appearance critically. “You’ll do.” High praise indeed coming from Gibson. “Miss Woodley might be the poor relation now, by the way, but she’s much better born than her cousins.”
    Nick raised a brow. “How so? I’ve never heard of the Woodleys, other than in connection with horses.”
    “Maybe not but you’ll have heard of her connections.”
    “Are you going to enlighten me, Gibson, or are we to play guessing games?”
    “All right, no need to get uppity.” Gibson found something to straighten in the room and took his time explaining. “Her mother was the Earl of Lancaster’s daughter. It was her maternal grandmother as wanted to give her a season.”
    Nick permitted his surprise to show. “Quite a comedown for the lady then, marrying a nobody like Woodley.”
    “It was a love match by all accounts. The lady was past her prime and I guess Lancaster was starting to think he wouldn’t get her off his hands. Anyway, it seems she was determined, Lancaster took a liking to Woodley and the match went ahead. Turns out Alicia’s father had a natural way with horses, and his father-in-law helped him to establish his reputation.”
    “All very interesting.” But there had to be more. “Keep digging, Gibson. Talk to the grooms. See what you can find out about the running of the stud. Is it all on the up-and-up?” Nick impatiently pushed a thick curtain of curly hair out of his eyes and turned toward the door. “I want to know all you can find out about Woodley’s reasons for getting me here. Nothing will be said at dinner tonight, not with the ladies present. But I want to be prepared for him when he finally broaches the subject tomorrow.”

Chapter Three
    Upon his arrival at Ravenswing Manor, Nick had been greeted by his host alone with a predictable degree of deference. He entered the drawing room now, resigned to the fact that he could no longer postpone his introduction to the female members of the family. Five faces turned in his direction but the only one of interest to him wasn’t amongst their number. Hiding his disappointment, Nick inclined his head toward Mrs. Woodley and raised her from her curtsey.
    “Allow me to present my son, Frederick, Your Grace,” Woodley said.
    Nick hadn’t known there was a son. The young man seemed to find it an almighty effort to rise to his feet and bow. That he was a dandy was immediately obvious from his apparel. The points of his collar were so high that he was in danger of impaling himself if he turned his head too quickly. There was a foppish air about him which irritated Nick, but when he troubled himself to smile he possessed a certain puerile charm. Nick could envisage his helpless demeanour appealing to females of all ages. Indeed, his mother could scare conceal her pride in her only son’s outlandish appearance.
    Next came the two daughters, Maria and Elsbeth. Both were exquisite creatures, if one’s fancy tended toward petite blondes with blue eyes and helpless demeanours. They boasted alabaster complexions with none of the freckles that beset their cousin’s features. Like their brother, they were dressed in the latest fashion. They put him in mind of Lady Isabel, which did little to further their cause.
    “Your servant, ladies.”
    Maria Woodley immediately put herself forward. It ought to have been her mother who spoke first but Maria didn’t give her the opportunity.
    “I long to hear all about Dorchester Park, Your Grace.” She fluttered her lashes above her fan. “Papa has told us something of its splendour. Oh, how I’d love to see it!”
    “And I,” agreed her sister.
    “Is that so?”
    Nick didn’t see how his host could presume to know anything about his ancestral home and regarded that individual censoriously. Woodley coloured, coughed behind his hand and looked away. Satisfied that he’d made his