Compromised by Christmas Read Free Page A

the
outdoors, crisp with the cold.
    Even the Duchess of Trent appeared quite excited by
her stepson's presence. Her color was high as she clapped her hands
together to restrain the boisterous antics of her son, who was
jumping up and down clamoring, "Max, you have to come see me ride.
I can take the paddock fence now."
    Roxana glided forward and waited quietly to make her
curtsy. She'd practiced, looking in her cheval glass. This was
probably the only time she would ever make a curtsy to a duke in a
social situation. In the future she would be shunned by the ton.
Persons of trade were not welcomed in polite society.
    "Roxy is designing a new gown for me," said Julia as
Roxana neared the family group. "You should see it."
    "Oh, dear," said the duchess.
    The Duke of Trent cast a glance at his stepmother and
then turned his brown eyes Roxana's way, his warm gaze roving over
her gown.
    Roxana supposed that was good. She wanted her dresses
noticed, but she was not entirely sure that he was looking at just
her creation. An edgy energy crept up her spine.
    He urged the children to step back. "Allow me to meet
our guest."
    The Duchess of Trent performed the introductions.
    Roxana pasted what she hoped was an appropriate smile
on her face and dropped to her curtsy. "I am most grateful for your
hospitality, your grace."
    As her lowered gaze returned to his face, she noticed
the way his buff unmentionables clung to the muscles of his thighs
and the cut of his chestnut-brown coat emphasized the breadth of
his shoulders. Her curtsy had been designed to emphasize the bias
cut of her dress; instead she noticed him.
    "Charmed to meet you." He cast a disparaging glance
in his stepmother's direction. "I have heard so much about you,
Miss Winston."
    The Duchess of Trent hardly looked old enough to be a
mother of the two youths, let alone as old as Roxana's mother,
although they were of an age. "I cannot imagine that you have heard
much. I am sure I was never much more than an afterthought in my
mother's correspondence."
    "I was just telling Max of your interest in fashion
and how I so admire your wardrobe." The duchess rolled her eyes
toward her stepson as she sat down.
    The duke gestured for her to sit and Roxana complied,
perching on the far end of the sofa. As soon as the Duke of Trent
sat, Thomas leaned against his halfbrother's knee and Julia crowded
the sofa next to them. How different from when Roxana's father
returned home and everyone scattered. Giving Lord Winston, a wide
berth with only the kitchen, bedroom, parlor and attic to provide
refuge, often proved difficult.
    "Thank you, I do enjoy clothes and could spend hours
discussing them, but the Duke of Trent will surely not want to be
bored with such feminine diversions."
    "On the contrary. Perhaps you could describe the
dress being made for Lady Julia," he said.
    While the question seemed innocuous enough, an
undercurrent of caution threaded through the words. Had the Duchess
of Trent's "Oh dear" signified an objection to Julia's new
dress?
    Fearing she'd broken an unwritten rule, Roxana turned
toward the duchess. "Would you rather I did not help Julia
construct a new gown, your grace?"
    The Duchess of Trent looked left, then right, before
she answered. "She is only fourteen."
    "Pray tell, what color is this gown?" asked the
duke.
    The duchess rapped her stepson with a closed fan.
    "I thought a simple day gown in white muslin, as
would be appropriate for a young lady." Roxana looked down at the
green dress she wore with pride. Was the neckline too low? Was her
lace fichu too transparent? Was the movement from the innovative
bias cut a problem? Until this minute Roxy had thought the gown,
which could be worn day or evening one, of her better pieces. "I
was thinking of pink ribbons in love knots. I could show you the
sketch I made, your grace, to see if there is anything you would
alter."
    "Oh no, Mama. It is perfect."
    "I apologize." Roxana ignored Julia's interruption.
"I should have