The Unexpected Duchess Read Online Free PDF Page A

Lucy an I-told-you-so stare. “There, you see. You cannot go putting words in Cassandra’s mouth.”
    Lucy plucked the paper back. “What’s wrong with this?” She cleared her throat, reading the first paragraph. “‘While I’m certain there are scores of ninnies who would fall all over themselves at the slightest crook of your ducal finger, I do not happen to be one of them. I believe I’ve made myself exceedingly clear on the point and must wonder what they taught you in your military schools because it appears understanding the King’s English isn’t among your varied talents, whatever those may be.’”
    Garrett gave Lucy a long-suffering stare. “Honestly? Must I tell you what’s wrong with that?”
    “I quite like it,” Jane added, not taking her eyes from the page she was reading. “Perhaps a bit too long for my taste but clear enough.”
    Garrett narrowed his eyes at Jane. “Of course you like it. If provided a quill you’d most likely write something far worse.”
    Jane snorted. “Something far worse? What’s that supposed to mean?”
    “I mean you like it because I don’t. I swear if I claimed the world was round you’d say it was flat merely to be contrary,” Garrett replied.
    “You give yourself far too much credit, Upton. It makes me question—”
    Garrett opened his mouth to speak. This time Cass stopped him.
    “Oh, Lucy, you must know I couldn’t possibly say that to the duke,” Cass said, her cheeks bright pink.
    “Why not?” Lucy asked.
    “For one thing, it’s terribly rude,” Cass replied.
    “Not to mention I doubt the duke would believe that Cassandra came up with that on her own, even if she could memorize all of it,” Garrett added.
    “And I know I’ll never be able to memorize all of that .” Cass gestured to the paper.
    “I don’t see why not,” Lucy replied. “Just think of it like one of our beloved plays. Pretend you’re an actress.”
    Cass’s eyes went wide. “An actress! Why, Mama would lock me in my bedchamber for a week if she knew what we’re up to.”
    Lucy tossed a frustrated hand in the air. “Who cares what your mama—?”
    “Read another, Lucy,” Jane requested. “Perhaps a shorter one, easier to remember.”
    “Very well.” Lucy sat up straight and scanned the page. She flipped to the next. “How about this? ‘Sir Duke, I regret to inform you that I am otherwise occupied tomorrow and the next day and the next. I am engaged every day upon which you might inquire as to my availability. In fact I am feeling a trifle under the weather at present and hope you will retrieve your hat and gloves with all due haste and remove yourself and your equine companion from this address.’” She finished with a firm nod of her head.
    Jane arched a dark brow. “ That was shorter?”
    “It was every bit as rude,” Garrett added, shaking his head.
    “Lucy, I would never say something like that .” Cass tugged on her gloves. “It’s just too mean.”
    Lucy tossed a hand in the air again. “Mean? Mean? Cass, the man is trying to court you and refuses to take no for an answer and you’re worried about being mean?”
    Garrett gazed at Lucy skeptically. “How do you know Claringdon won’t take no for an answer? I knew him several years ago in the army, long before he was a lieutenant general, of course. He seemed a reasonable chap to me.”
    Lucy turned to her cousin and gave him an exasperated look. “You weren’t there last night, Garrett. Tell him, Cass.”
    Cass swallowed and peered around Lucy to address Garrett. “He did seem quite determined.”
    Jane nodded. “I agree with Lucy. He was rather unwilling to hear the word no . You may just have to be a bit more forceful, Cass.”
    Garrett gave Jane a smug smile. “Oh, and I suppose you would memorize such a speech and have no trouble rattling it off.”
    Jane turned her attention back to her book. “I don’t need to memorize anything. I’ve become quite proficient telling off pesky