My Lady Coward: An Episodic Regency Romance Read Free Page B

hair while Maria cast up her accounts. The moment passed, leaving Maria weak and feeling more melancholy than ever. Tears sprang to her eyes but she refused to let them fall.
    “Leave me be, Colette. Let me die in peace.”
    “Nonsense!” the maid scoffed. “One does not die from your malady. Now, rise and dress, madam. You have guests.”
    Images of supercilious ladies and leering gentlemen filled Maria's mind. Surely no one else would deign to call on the upstart duchess. Cracking one eye, she asked, “Who?”
    “Madam's sister and brother are waiting in the drawing room.”
    Despite the weakness in her stomach, Maria came out of the bed like a shot. “Why ever did you not say so?” In the blink of an eye, she'd bathed and dressed, sitting impatiently while Colette pomaded and piled her blond curls on her head.
    She missed her family. She missed her father's gruff affection, her termagant mother whose love wasn't always on display, and her  younger brothers and sisters with all their chatter and merriment. She missed the loud holidays with aunts, uncles, and cousins. She missed taking for granted that she was loved.
    Marrying a duke raised her up socially but coming from a family in trade resulted in her feeling like a fish on dry land.
    “Beautiful,” Colette breathed, stepping back. “Madam is ready.”
    But madam had already left the room.
    Maria smiled, truly smiled, for the first time since Richard left. Her brother and sister—no doubt Henry and Eliza as they were the oldest of her siblings—had come to visit her, despite the social gulf that now existed between them. Joy flowed through her, erasing any lingering thoughts of a melancholy nature, and even easing the ache in her head.
    As she neared the drawing room, she heard familiar laughter, but so intent was she on her joy that she failed to realize it wasn't her brother.
    A footman stepped forward and opened the door. Maria smiled at him as she passed, stopping short at the sight that met her eyes.
    “Richard!” she blurted, inwardly horrified that she'd used his given name and in front of guests.
    “Darling,” he replied, his smile so warm that Maria could almost believe he meant the endearment as more than just a show.
    As he strode forward to meet her, she caught a glimpse of her smiling brother and sister. They seemed completely comfortable in the duke's company, not at all ill at ease. The realization eased her sudden tension, allowing her to smile at Richard in a way she normally would not have done.
    “I am relieved you are well enough to to join us, my dear.” He took her hand and raised it to his lips, pressing a warm kiss to her knuckles.
    The gesture sent tremors through her but her surprise was too great for her to enjoy the sensation. He never indulged in such outward displays of affection, especially before guests. Why he chose to do so now was baffling.
    “Of course, my lord,” she murmured, struggling desperately to retain her ladylike poise.
    Tucking her hand into his elbow, Richard leaned close. “Why have you never invited your family to visit?” he chided gently. “I was never more shocked than when I stepped into your father's drawing room to learn that you've not spoken with your family since our wedding, not even a letter. Why?”
    Tears gathered in Maria's eyes. “I understood the connection to be severed upon our marriage.”
    “Whatever gave you that notion? They are your family. You will need them with you for I am often called away unexpectedly.”
    His statement, while true, rang false to Maria's ears. Called away, yes, but business was not the only thing that called Richard from his wife's side. And his excessive concern on the matter caused more suspicion in her mind.
    Despite her doubt, his argument was a valid one. She would need her family. She already needed them. Especially if her other, brand new suspicion proved correct.
    On that thought, she threw her ladylike training to the four winds and ran