The Orphan and the Duke Read Online Free PDF Page A

to deliver the note to her uncle. “Branson, who is that from?” Amelia asked.
    “I’m sorry, Miss Amelia. It’s for your uncle.”
    “I know, but I’m curious. Whose insignia was on that carriage?”
    “The Duke of Darnley.” The butler sounded a bit shocked, and for him, that meant he really was stunned. The man didn’t usually show any emotion. There was a hint of excitement in his voice as well.
    Hopefully this letter is the summons I’ve been awaiting. It would be a wonderful thing if it were. What other reason would the duke contact my uncle unless he was serious about what he proposed in the park?
    She left the hallway and retreated to her room, hands shaking.
    When no news came before dinner, Amelia’s hopes were dashed. She dressed for the meal in the best gown she owned. It was one of Jane’s castoffs she had only been able to wear a handful of times since she had been putting on weight since marrying. It was made of an exquisite fabric. Amelia felt like part of the haut ton in the gown.
    Arriving downstairs to a dining room buzzing with conversation and the sound of silverware clanging on china, Amelia took her seat. She glanced at her aunt and uncle. “What is happening, Uncle Henry? Everyone seems excited.”
    “The Duke of Darnley has sent a note asking for an audience with me on the morrow. It can only mean one thing.”
    “What do you think it means?” Amelia asked.
    “Don’t you see, Amelia? The duke wants to ask for my hand in marriage,” Susan said, as she preened and patted her hair intricately woven with blue ribbons. “Isn’t it marvelous?”
    Before she could stop herself, Amelia blurted out the first thing that came to her mind. “Why would you think such a thing? You’ve seen him one time.”
    “No. I’ve seen him twice. You forget the park the other day. I must have really made a mark on his heart, for he is moving swiftly in his courtship.”
    “What courtship? He didn’t speak to you then. He and his sisters greeted me . You were far along the path.”
    “But don’t you see? He was merely greeting you because he was looking for me. I must have made a real impression on him at the shop that day if he already wants to declare himself.” Susan simpered as the soup was served. “I have to decide what to wear. Oh, how I wish he would’ve given more notice of his intention to call. I could use a new gown.” She turned to her mother. “Can you believe your daughter is going to be a duchess? That she’s making such a good match even before her first ball?”
    Amelia was close to fainting at their suppositions. This is horrible. The duke has no intention of proposing to Susan. He would be appalled at the supposition. Surely he won’t want to hire me after the rest of the family makes fools of themselves in front of him. Amelia could barely catch her breath. She was sure she would choke since there was a large knot in the middle of her throat that refused to move.
    All Amelia wanted to do was place her head on the table and moan in agony. But she wasn’t afforded this luxury. Her aunt and cousin spent the entire meal planning Susan’s wedding as well as the clothing she would need. Surely Uncle Henry isn’t as naïve as Aunt Elizabeth and Susan and is only going along with their conversation to keep listening to their arguments . Whatever his feelings, he didn’t open his mouth as the discussion progressed.
    Things worsened as the evening wore on with Susan even planning what color flowers she would have in the chapel as well as what she would serve for the wedding breakfast. When they left her uncle alone with his port, Amelia sat in her regular chair in the parlor and picked up her embroidery hoop. She’d been working on a series of spring flowers she liked and hoped to complete the most recent one to add to her growing collection. Susan snatched the hoop from Amelia’s hands, almost making Amelia poke herself with the needle. “What are you doing? I was working