Dusky Duke and the Gypsy Pirate Princess Read Free Page B

Prudence or his mystery lady since the ball four nights prior. He grimaced; he couldn’t even run through the streets calling her name. Greyson tossed back the contents of the glass in one gulp.
    What was he doing here? More importantly, what was he going to do? He couldn’t believe no one had seen the beautiful, green-eyed lady. Everyone he questioned had looked at him in puzzlement, searching their mind, to no avail. He knew she wasn’t a figment of his imagination. She should have been the talk of the ton this season, but no one seemed to know who he was talking about. He had been led on several searches to find young ladies of various names with green eyes and dark hair, but none had been her.
    Greyson’s attention was drawn to a flash of red-hair. Making a beeline for the young lord, Greyson heaved a sigh, finally, a substantial lead.
    “Young Lord Byron, I presume,” Greyson stood in front of the young man blocking his progress.
    Lord Byron blinked at him in confusion and then looked over his shoulder to see if the tall duke was talking to someone else. Greyson frowned. How many men here did the young man expect to be called Lord Byron? Then Greyson thought ruefully, he had the same problem immediately after his own grandfather had died. Being called the Duke of Devonshire had always thrown him.
    Lord Byron was blinking at him. Greyson pulled his thoughts together. “Several nights ago at the Duchan’s masque, you danced with a young lady – Miss Prudence?” Lord Byron’s unfocused stare became guarded.
    “I know Miss PPPrudence.”
    Greyson sighed. “I should like an introduction to Miss Prudence, if you don’t mind.”
    Lord Byron shook his head, “I…I… don’t see…. Why..you… woulddd… be …. Interesteddd… in…such… a….lllladyy.” he stammered.
    Greyson noted several things at the same time. Lord Byron had a terrible stutter and red hair, and slightly bucked teeth. The only thing he had going for him was the title. No wonder he was still on the back wall with the other buckflowers. Also, he could tell from the young man’s tone that he was interested in Miss Prudence, and would rather not introduce her to a duke if he could help it.
    Greyson was thinking of how to politely insist, when province smiled down on him and the young lady in question was dragged through the parting crowd by her mother.
    “Oh, Lord Byron,” the matron gushed, never taking her eyes off the duke. “We have been looking for you everywhere.”
    Miss Prudence shot the young Lord a bashful glance and twittered into her fan.
    “Oh, please introduce us to your handsome friend, dear,” the matron continued.
    “ Duke of  Devv…..shire, mmmay I introduce….. Mrs. Williamms…. And her…….lllllovellly...ddddaughter Pppruddence Williamms, your Grace.” That Lord Byron was uncomfortable with this turn of events was apparent to all.
    Greyson bowed over the matron’s hand and then Miss Prudence’s. The young lady snatched hers away quickly and rubbed it against the side of her skirt as if to wipe away his touch.
    “I am most pleased to make your acquaintance. I was just begging an introduction to you from the good Lord Byron. I chanced to see you earlier in the week and have been looking forward to meeting you ever since.”
    The matron beamed, Lord Byron scowled, and Miss Prudence looked stricken. She ducked her head and stared at the floor as though she wanted it to open up and swallow her.
    Mrs. William started in on a monologue about the balls they had been to, and Lord Byron moved closer to Miss Prudence in a clumsy attempt to shield her from the duke’s attention. Greyson gritted his teeth. He just needed her alone for one minute.
    “Miss Williams, would you do the honor of dancing with me.” Greyson cut through the talk and asked abruptly. Mrs. Williams and Lord Byron gasped. It was common knowledge that the duke never danced with anyone, but family. Prudence squirmed, but he held out his hand just