What to Do with a Duke Read Online Free PDF Page A

find another way.
    Mama’s eyes had dropped to Cat’s bodice. “Good heavens, whatever happened to your dress?”
    â€œI had a bit of an accident.”
    â€œI should say so. You’ll want to change before you go to see the Barkers.”
    Normally she would, but Mrs. Barker hated any untidiness. Mr. Barker, too. This might be a golden opportunity to give them a disgust of her. “Oh, no. If dear Mrs. Barker is in pain, I shouldn’t delay an instant.”
    Mama saw through her ruse, of course, but chose not to pursue the matter. “Very well. Just keep your cloak on.” She frowned. “Though you may be a trifle warm.”
    She would be melting. Mrs. Barker always insisted on a roaring fire in her sitting room. “Yes, Mama.” She gave Mikey’s hand one more squeeze before she let go. “Where is the basket?”
    â€œIn the kitchen. And do give Mrs. Barker my best.”
    Cat stopped in her room on her way downstairs and found Mary dancing around in her shift. She was tempted again to roll her eyes like Pru.
    Mary paused to stare at Cat’s bodice. “What happened to you?”
    â€œSybbie and the twins got into a bit of a brangle.” Cat grabbed her cloak.
    â€œAren’t you going to change?”
    â€œNo.”
    Mary’s eyes narrowed. “Where are you off to?”
    â€œTo deliver a basket to Mrs. Barker.” At least once Mary wed, Cat should have a bed to herself . . . unless Mama decided to move Pru in with her. Pru often complained that Sybbie thrashed in her sleep.
    â€œShe won’t like it if she sees you’re not precise to a pin.”
    â€œThat’s what I’m hoping.”
    Mary laughed. “And you know she’s sure to complain about it to Mr. Barker.” She shook her head. “I don’t know why you don’t accept the man’s offer. You could have been wed long ago.”
    â€œAnd sharing a house with Mrs. Barker.”
    Mary grinned. “There is that. I’m not sure even Mr. Barker’s broad shoulders trump his mother’s carping disposition.”
    â€œThey don’t. Nor do they trump his unattractive features, his barnyard scent, his braying laugh, or his deadly dull conversation.”
    â€œWell, no one’s perfect.”
    â€œI know that.” Did everyone think her a silly girl dreaming of a knight in shining armor? “I’m certain Mr. Barker will make a wonderful husband—for someone else.” She snatched her bonnet off its hook. “I have no interest in marriage.”
    â€œYou will someday, Cat. You just need to meet the right man.” Mary stared dreamily at herself in the cheval glass and started dancing again. “Someone like my Theo.”
    Theodore Dunly was a nice enough fellow. He worked at Loves Castle as the assistant steward. He was even moderately well-read. But he’d never made Cat’s heart beat faster.
    A good thing, as he was head over heels in love with Mary—as Mary was with him.
    â€œI think I’m just not the marrying kind.”
    She must have sounded a little wistful, because Mary’s face stilled into her annoyingly serious, slightly pitying expression.
    Drat it, she wasn’t wistful. Or . . . well, maybe she was just a little, when she saw how happy her married sisters were.
    â€œYou will find a man to love, Cat. I’m sure of it.”
    But once Cat reminded herself how much Mama and Tory and Ruth had to work, all the cooking and cleaning and sewing and nursing they did, how they never had a moment to themselves—then she was very happy she had no intention of marrying.
    â€œI doubt it. But in any event that man is not Mr. Barker.”
    Mary came over and touched her arm. “Perhaps not, but don’t give up hope.”
    Cat snorted. “Hope? What am I to hope for? That one of the village toads suddenly turns into a prince? I’ve seen all the available men, Mary, and