What a Devilish Duke Desires Read Online Free PDF Page B

more than willing to do other work.” She bit her lip, fearing he would reject her.
    “Very well. Come to the back door on Wednesday in a sennight at seven sharp in the evening,” Mr. Wilson said. “You mustn’t be late. The lady patronesses are unforgiving.”
    “I won’t be late. Thank you, sir.” Elated at the opportunity, she started to turn away when Mr. Wilson cleared his throat. “Miss, what is your name?”
    “Lucy Longmore, sir.”
    Mr. Wilson considered her for a moment. He took her hand and set coins in her palm. Then he closed her fingers over them.
    Temptation gripped her, but in the end, pride won. “Sir, I cannot take the money. I’ve not earned it.”
    He clasped his hands behind his back. “When I was a young man and desperate for employment, a kind soul helped me. I swore that one day I would do the same for someone else. Will you allow me to do so now?”
    She suspected he’d concocted the story, but she could hardly refuse without insulting him. “Very well,” she said, putting the coins in a small purse she hid in her apron. “Thank you, sir.”
    “Godspeed, dear. We will see you at Almack’s next week.”
    Her spirits rose as she walked out and crossed the street, dodging the mud and horse droppings. She realized she was near the place where she’d threatened the handsome stranger with her knife last night. In retrospect, she thought she’d misjudged him, but she shook off her guilt. A rich man like him hardly needed her sympathy. Her survival and that of her grandmama depended on keeping her wits about her.
    She slowed her step as she neared a large building. A well-dressed gentleman handed over his horse’s reins to a groom. Lucy had heard of the Albany, the famous gentleman’s quarters. It occurred to her that she might inquire about employment there. Surely a place designated for bachelors would require the services of maids. Now that she had a letter of character, she had a far better chance of finding decent employment. She told herself not to get her hopes up, but she had nothing to lose, so she rapped the knocker.
    Two hours later, Lucy had passed muster with Mrs. Finkle, the head housekeeper. The rules were simple enough. All she had to do was clean until the rooms were spotless, and of course, she mustn’t fraternize with the gentlemen residents. Lucy had no intention of jeopardizing her new position. She was thrilled that her pay would be twice what she made assisting Buckley. For the first time in six months, she dared to hope that she and Grandmama might improve their circumstances.
      
    Mrs. Norcliffe’s drawing room, that same afternoon
    “I am exceedingly concerned about attendance at Almack’s,” Mrs. Norcliffe, the newest patroness, said. “The gentlemen have been abandoning our fair temple of respectability in droves these last few years. Something must be done.”
    Lady Jersey sniffed. “One would think that the quadrille would entice the gentlemen.”
    Mrs. Norcliffe thought no such thing, but as the newest patroness, she kept silent. Everybody knew that Lady Jersey had introduced the quadrille to Almack’s. “I will be honest, ladies. I have a personal concern in seeing Almack’s returned to its former popularity with all of the beau monde.”
    Lady Cowper, whom everyone knew was having an affaire de coeur with Lord Palmerstone, sighed. “I believe we must resort to stronger measures, but, Mrs. Norcliffe, you speak of your own concerns. Does this perchance relate to Granfield?”
    Mrs. Norcliffe set her dish of tea aside. “My son refuses to leave his rooms at the Albany, even though he is now a duke. I fear he will take after his bachelor uncle, God rest his soul. The dukedom is in jeopardy. I must find my son a bride, for he surely will not pursue it.”
    Lady Castlereagh sniffed. “Well, if there is no heir, he has no choice.”
    Mrs. Norcliffe sighed. “I’ve tried for years to put suitable young ladies of good breeding and fortune in my