Scandal of the Year Read Online Free PDF Page A

“Perhaps the sunlight will revive you.”
    “Mama, please. I’ve a slight headache.”
    Leaving the curtains closed, her mother hurried to touch Blythe’s brow. “No fever. I’m sure you’ll feel better once your tray arrives. Now, do reassure me that you understand my concern about Lady Davina.”
    “I understand that she despises me.” Blythe twirled a lock of hair around her index finger. How could she explain her sudden reluctance to pursue the duke? It was far more than the incident with Lady Davina. Blythe couldn’t forget the involuntary attraction she’d felt for James. Nothing like that had happened with His Grace. Yet how wonderful it would be to be courted by a gentleman who could arouse such a thrill in her. “Mama, I’ve been thinking that perhaps I shouldn’t wed the Duke of Savoy, after all.”
    “I beg your pardon?”
    “You allowed Lindsey to marry an earl and Portia a viscount. Who am I to aim higher than them?”
    Edith Crompton frowned. “Don’t be absurd. You’re different from your sisters. You’ve always been more appreciative of all that society has to offer.”
    “But I told you, Lady Davina insulted me—and you and Papa as well.” Blythe mimicked the hateful words that were branded into her memory. “‘I would never permit my father to marry so vastly far beneath him.’”
    Her skirts rustling, Mama bent down to hug Blythe. Her lilac scent wafted over Blythe and their eyes met in the looking glass. “I know what she said is awful, darling, but you mustn’t let Lady Davina discourage you. Remember, her mother died only last summer. It’s understandable for her to be possessive of His Grace. Can you not find it in your heart to forgive her?”
    A natural tendency toward kindness rose to the fore of Blythe’s emotions. She knew how protective she herself would be of her own father in such a circumstance. Nevertheless, she resisted being maneuvered by her mother.
    “That doesn’t excuse her rudeness.”
    “You’re quite right. However, people will make inconsiderate remarks from time to time. That is merely the way society functions. You cannot allow it to stop you from achieving your dream.”
    “But … what about love?” Blythe tried to fathom the soul-deep yearning inside herself that the meeting with James had somehow ignited. “What if I am not in love with the duke?”
    Her mother laughed. “You’ve only just met him, darling. Love will come in time, never fear.”
    Would it? Blythe fervently hoped so. Having witnessed the closeness of her sisters with their husbands, she couldn’t deny a longing to find such happiness for herself.
    Straightening up, Mama patted Blythe’s shoulder. “As for Lady Davina, she doesn’t yet realize how wonderful a friend you can be. No doubt it was a shock for her to see how perfect you looked on the duke’s arm. You were so very beautiful last night. Like a true duchess.”
    Had James, the footman, found her beautiful?
    Blythe had a vivid memory of his tall, shadowy form entering the sitting room the previous night. Their hands had brushed when he’d given her the glass of champagne. Even now, something stirred deep inside her, but she refused to examine it. He was a servant and she mustn’t think about him that way.
    Better she should relish her happiness when she’d danced with the Duke of Savoy. Better she should savor the pleasurable memory of how everyone had gazed admiringly at her, how they had stepped aside and shown her deference as she’d passed. That was what she wanted—wasn’t it? To be accepted wholeheartedly by all of society.
    And if she could find love, too, then her life would be complete.
    A knock sounded and the door opened. A stout maid carrying a breakfast tray entered the bedchamber. She bobbed a curtsy and went to place the tray on a round table by the window.
    Blythe rose from the dressing table. “Thank you, Nan,” she told the maid, who scurried over to the bed to straighten the linens.