The Duke's Quandary Read Online Free PDF

apart from the rest. Her ice blue eyes assessed them all in turn, her pale blonde curls stiff as if she’d wet them with sugar water. Although of an even height with the rest, it appeared as if she viewed them from Mme. Babineau’s pedestal.
    “And who have we here?” Lady Daphne purred.
    “Lady Daphne, may I present Miss Penelope Clayton, who is joining us for her Season this year.” Abigail’s smile was a bit thin.
    “Indeed?”
    She waited for Lady Daphne to whip out a quizzing glass and examine her. Instead, the girl viewed her from what seemed like a great height. “It’s lovely to meet you, Miss Clayton.”
    It amazed her that words could be uttered in such a way that the opposite meaning was conveyed. She bobbed a slight curtsy, not sure what was appropriate. The girl made her feel as if she should fall to her knees in adoration.
    “Ladies, we must be off.” Her Grace herded them all together and nodded in Lady Daphne’s direction. “It’s been a pleasure seeing you, my dear. Please extend my regards to your mother.”
    “Oh, she will be joining me. I believe she’s giving instruction to our driver on when to return.” Lady Daphne linked her arm with Mary’s. “I’m so happy for you to be coming out this year. Father is very insistent that this Season I must choose a husband. He was annoyed with me last year, but Mother felt none of the men who asked for my hand were suitable. You see, she believes I should look higher.” Lady Daphne cast a tight smile in Her Grace’s direction, but the girl’s eyes clouded with an emotion Penelope couldn’t identify. “And she’s sure that will happen this year.”
    The duchess returned the smile, lacking in warmth. “Time to go, girls. Penelope, will you please fetch my reticule from the chair?”
    Still under the spell of Lady Daphne, she scooped up the reticule, and turned to follow Her Grace. Before she’d gone a few steps, she stumbled over a small table near the door. Sarah grabbed her arm to keep her from landing on her face.
    The tinkle of Lady Daphne’s giggle followed them out the door.

Chapter Four
    “But I’m much too gawky to dance.” Penelope pulled back from Abigail as she attempted to drag her toward a very bored looking Drake.
    She and the four girls were brushing up on dance steps. Her Grace had hired a dance master, but with so many young ladies to tend to, she’d coerced Drake away from his duties to assist. But if the look on his face was any indication, he’d rather be mucking out stables than dancing with her.
    “Nonsense. Anyone can learn to dance. I’m appalled you don’t know how.”
    Penelope took her spectacles off and tucked them into her morning gown pocket. “I do know how, but it’s been a long time, and I wasn’t very good at it then.” She cringed as they moved closer to Drake and he whipped out his timepiece, frowning.
    “See, His Grace doesn’t have time for this.”
    “Oh for heaven’s sake, Penelope. Mother told you to call him Drake. His head is big enough.”
    He scowled at his sister, shoving his watch back into his waistcoat pocket. He bowed to Penelope. “Not at all, Miss Clayton, I would enjoy spending this time dancing with you.”
    Ha! Another person who can say one thing and make it sound exactly the opposite.
    According to Mary, Drake intended to marry this year. Perhaps he should consider Lady Daphne. They certainly seemed to suit.
    “Thank you, Your Grace.” She winced when Abigail elbowed her. “Er, Drake.”
    “Yes, please, you may address me as Drake.”
    Unable to speak with him being so close, Penelope merely nodded. She peered up and licked her lips. He was so big. Tall, broad shouldered, and muscular. He seemed to seize all the surrounding air. Despite the slight blur in her vision, she drank in his hazel eyes with specks of gold. Strands of his light brown hair, interspersed with golden wisps, fell over his broad forehead.
    As her gaze lowered, she took in his aristocratic nose