The Duke's Guide to Correct Behavior Read Online Free PDF Page B

better. “Tuesday.” He said it as though there was no other possible day that would be nearly as satisfactory. He hoped it wasn’t part of the unknown servant covenant that one never had Tuesday afternoons off.
    â€œYes, thank you.”
    Apparently it was not. He wanted to show how proud he was of this moment, but if he admitted his ignorance, his whole triumph would be rendered meaningless.
    â€œAnd, if you’ll excuse me, Your Grace,” she said, biting her lip, “what have you said about Miss Rose?”
    â€œSaid about her?” He didn’t think he’d said much about her, except not to throw her out and to escort her to one of the upstairs rooms. Had he already done something wrong?
    â€œAbout her being here. With you. So—so unexpectedly,” she said, nodding with a significant look.
    Ah. They were to have the illegitimate child conversation already. He hoped she wasn’t on the verge of leaving when she hadn’t even begun.
    â€œShe’s my daughter.”
    Miss Lily rolled her eyes and exhaled. As his aunts used to do as well. “I understand that, Your Grace, but what will you say about her?”
    â€œThat she is my young daughter?” He wasn’t trying to be difficult, but he didn’t see where it was anyone’s business.
    â€œPerhaps, if I might suggest, you could tell people that she is the daughter of one of your cousins. One who died in India, or somewhere else far off. Then your—then Miss Rose would not have to suffer as a result.”
    â€œAh.” The thought of having to even consider something like that made him furious, made him want to yell at her, but it wasn’t her fault that the world chose to be so narrow-minded. “I see.”
    â€œGood, then.” Her eyebrows knitted together in thought. “Not that anyone should judge where it is not their concern, but people will talk.” From the way her face tensed, he wondered what people had said about her.
    â€œThank you.” At least she wasn’t offering her notice, not immediately, at least. And it seemed as though she might sympathize with Rose’s situation. “Well, then.” He rubbed his hands together the way he’d seen his father do when he was little—signifying the end of a conversation, or a wrapping up of a moment, or something so he didn’t have to come out and say “Get out.” Not that his father, and later Joseph, had ever hesitated to tell him to get out. But they were varied in their rudeness, he had to give them that.
    â€œIf I have your permission to return to Miss Rose, Your Grace?” she asked, rising from her chair.
    That was the way to say one wished to leave another’s company. He’d have to remember that the next time he had an inclination to be polite.
    Marcus inclined his head. Feeling as though he had somehow wrested control of the moment from her, as though it had been at issue.
    She nodded as she made a slight curtsey, then took herself and her prim lemon face out of his sight.
    He gazed at the ceiling—replete with adorably pink cherubs—and thought about what he’d learned: that Tuesdays were acceptable for servants’ days off, that his new governess was definitely a lovely woman, and that he had decided on a new best friend.
    Not to mention he had a child in his possession, a child for whom he was purportedly responsible.

When confronted with an acquaintance who might become a friend, a duke must always ask himself: Is this person someone who might jeopardize the duke’s standing? (And the duke must always refer to himself in the third person.) If the answer is yes, the duke will then have to decide if the person in question is worth the risk. Most times the answer is no .
    â€”T HE D UKE ’ S G UIDE TO C ORRECT B EHAVIOR

Chapter 4
    T he duke, Lily could tell as she ascended the nearly-as-impressive-as-the-foyer staircase, had no idea what he was