Surrender Your Grace Read Free Page B

dismissing her as if unimpressed with what he saw. Cici couldn’t help but flush with mortification. It was rare to be in a Duke’s presence and for him to find her lacking, well it was simply beyond the pale.
    He then spoke over his shoulder to another man whose presence she had overlooked. “Andrew, quit looming over us and come sit. I’d like to get these arrangements completed as I have several other appointments this afternoon.”
    It was then she saw Andrew, Viscount Arrandale. He had been standing by the fireplace and as he moved stiffly across the room, she could tell this was a very angry gentleman. He didn’t look at anyone but the Duke although his words were obviously directed toward the room’s other occupants. “Forgive me if I stand, Your Grace. This way I may bend over more easily as I prepare to be rogered up the-“
    “Andrew!” The Duke barked the word, effectively stifling his brother and stopping him before the vulgar comment passed his lips. Her mother gasped and fanned herself furiously as her father leapt to his feet in outrage. His Grace - unfazed by his brother’s behavior - remained calm. “Please forgive my brother, ladies. He tends to get a little uncivilized when he feels trapped. And considering the situation, I can hardly blame him.”
    Offended, Cici rose to her feet. She felt like she was being accused of something and wasn’t really sure why. “What is going on here? Are you accusing me of some kind of trickery, Your Grace?”
    “You have to admit, you look remarkably recovered from last night’s illness, my dear.” The Dukes voice oozed with derision.
    Cici’s mother spoke up then. “My daughter suffers from a sensitivity, Your Grace. I have seen it twice before and the signs are always the same as she experienced last night. My Lord, please tell them there was no underhandedness afoot.” She implored her husband to support her claim. “Cecilia is innocent!”
    “Your Grace, Viscount Arrandale, I can assure you that my wife speaks the truth. As a child, Cecilia had serious reactions like this to a breathing medicinal. She hasn’t had an attack of this sort in years. We have questioned Cecilia about this and she does not know how she would have come in contact with it last evening. Our family physician examined her and agreed it was the same malady as in the past. I can call him in to substantiate the veracity of our daughter’s claim if I must.”
    Andrew spoke then, “That won’t be necessary. Let’s just complete our business, shall we?” He approached and handed the Earl a stack of papers. “I’ve had the contract drawn up according to your specifications, with the Duke’s input of course. All that remains is for all parties involved to sign the contract with His Grace bearing witness.”
    “What is going on? Why are we signing a contract?” Cecilia looked to her father, but he didn’t answer her question as he busily examined the Viscount’s paper. “Mama?”
    “Oh Cecilia dear, you must know that you were disgraced last night. The gossip has run rampant through the Ton already.”
    Her father looked up at her then; his eyes filled with concern for his favorite daughter. “The Viscount has agreed to do the honorable thing. The bishop will be here to wed you by special license this afternoon.”
    “Wed? I am to marry him?” She looked toward Lord Arrandale who returned her regard with a mocking expression. Clearly, he thought her dim-witted. “But I thought you were to court Elizabeth?”
    “Ah yes, the lovely Elizabeth. What did your charming sister have to say about last night’s debacle?” He quirked a dark blonde brow and frowned as he put two and two together. He looked toward the Earl. “I suspect that you will not be able to vouch for the veracity of your eldest daughter’s accounting of last night. I heard that she was not happy to be lowering herself to my station.”
    Lord Benton also frowned; he knew his daughter and her skill at