The Duke Conspiracy Read Online Free PDF Page A

the tea, Constance prompted, “So,
how was your dance with the duke?”
    “I hardly thought it was a subject to be
remarked upon. The duke had many partners on the dance floor last
night,” Elizabeth remarked, attempting to stem the sisters'
questions.
    “'Tis true,” Emmaline acknowledged before
turning a quelling look upon Constance, who had blathered, “We
already spoke to Lady Anne Austen. She said his dance skills were
divine.”
    Rose saw Elizabeth's lips twitch with her
amusement and was hard pressed not to laugh despite her discomfort
with the subject of the duke.
    “I am sorry to disappoint you ladies. While I
found him to be a pleasant enough dance partner I would hardly
compare him to anything heavenly. In fact, I danced with Mr. Dylan
Mead last night as well and I will admit to you I thought he was a
little more skilled than His Grace.”
    This resulted in twin looks of disbelief
directed at her. “But he is merely an aide in the House,” Emmaline
said with confusion coloring her tones.
    “That may be true, but he is a very good
dancer,” Elizabeth shrugged with a sweet smile. “And he was
particularly amusing. His Grace was pleasant enough, but it struck
me that he might have had some weighty concerns on his mind last
night.”
    “Ah yes,” the ladies looked relieved with
this explanation. “Since his father's death is not so long ago, it
is quite likely that as a new duke he has many things to concern
him.”
    Constance nodded seriously. “He is no doubt
in need of a helpmate. The on-dit is that he is looking
about for an appropriate duchess to take over some of the
responsibilities upon his estate.”
    Rose managed not to roll her eyes at this
remark but could barely stomach the look of sly pride upon
Emmaline's face as the lady commented, “Constance and I have been
learning from our mama how to look after the tenants on our estate
and run the household and such so that we will be fully prepared
when the time comes to take over such duties for our husbands.”
    “No doubt you will make some lucky gentlemen
perfectly lovely wives,” Elizabeth replied politely. Rose could
detect the effort she made to infuse some sincerity into her
voice.
    “Is Chadwick a very large estate?” Rose
inquired, which gained her a look of pitying disbelief from the
sisters. Properly interpreting the look as a result of an arrogant
assumption that everyone should be aware of their importance, Rose
diplomatically smoothed the moment with her next words. “I have
been out of the country for some time, so I am not as familiar with
some of these things. You must forgive my ignorance.”
    This was exactly the right thing to say, Rose
could see as the two girls warmed visibly to her at her admission,
launching into a detailed description of Chadwick and how important
it was. Rose actually was quite aware of many details of most of
the land owners in the country, considering it an important piece
of information for the role she had assigned herself as a
diplomat's daughter. She schooled her features into what she hoped
was a look of polite interest and waited out the girls' long-winded
explanation.
    “How lovely,” she finally said, enjoying the
flexibility of the expression, gracing them with a charming smile.
“Perhaps one day we could see it for ourselves as it would surely
be a treat.”
    This utterance once again confounded the
girls as they were unsure if associating with Miss Smythe would be
to their social advantage or disadvantage. They were saved from
needing to respond by Elizabeth smoothly stepping in with a change
of subject.
    “Never mind about our estates, we are in Town
now, let us enjoy it while we can. Which events shall you be
attending this evening?” Rose was again forced to admire her
friend's skills, as they had just been lamenting their longing for
their estates.
    “We have been invited to the Duchess of
Westfield's dinner and then we are going to a musicale hosted by
the Duchess of