The Duke's Deception Read Free Page A

Lady Grierson at
Frating Hall. They have a large family and a daughter, who is eighteen, as you
are. You will be better suited to a family than stuck here with me, shall you
not?’
    She shrugged. ‘I
will do as I am bid, sir. If you require me to go to Frating Hall, I’m happy
    to oblige.’ Marianne felt pricking
behind her eyelids. She was beginning to feel like an unwanted parcel. Could he
not have seemed a little sad at having to part with her? But she didn’t wish to
be seen as a watering pot by this languid young man so blinked back her tears.
    *
    Theo’s eyes
narrowed when he saw her distress. His natural instinct was to reassure her but
he was unable to do so without stepping out of character. ‘I shall be sending a
bank draft to Lady Grierson to cover your expenses.’ He paused and raked her
from head to toe. ‘She has instructions to clothe you as befits your future
status - and herself and Miss Grierson also. You cannot appear in society
however meagre, dressed as you are.’
    His criticism
served its purpose. He saw her beautiful blue eyes flash with anger, but she
hid it well. Only an expert would have detected it.
    ‘My wardrobe is
almost non-existent. It was impossible to transport all but the barest
    necessities on horseback. It will
be delightful to be allowed free rein in my choices and to have a friend to
share the pleasure with.’
    ‘That reminds
me, my dear girl, it will not do to go around the countryside astride on that
gelding of yours. I will supply you with a more suitable mount and keep him for
myself.’
    She was on her
feet glaring at him before he had completed his sentence. ‘You will do no such
thing, sir. Sultan is my horse and he goes with me. I can ride him as well
side-saddle as astride.’
    Theo glanced
upwards apparently admiring the elegant plastered moulding, allowing his anger
to subside before giving his reply. He uncoiled easily and closed the distance
between them with one stride. The girl for a second was intimidated by his
size, then relaxed when she saw his expression.
    ‘No need to fly
up into the boughs, my dear. It’s no matter to me if you keep your mount or
not.’ He smiled fatuously but if she had been paying better attention she would
have realized the amusement was not genuine. ‘And providing a suitable mare
would necessitate travelling to Town - far too fatiguing in this weather.’
    He stepped past
her and tugged the bell. ‘My carriage is outside, your entourage ready. I will
escort you to the door, my dear.’
    *
    A surprisingly
firm hand gripped her elbow and guided her back along the corridor to the
spacious entrance hall.
    The butler
opened the front door with a flourish and Marianne found herself at the bottom
of the steps. She was lost for words. He handed her into the carriage and
closed the door. He leant in his expression bland.
    ‘I shall allow
you time to settle and refurbish your wardrobe before I call at Frating Hall to
see how you go on.’
    ‘Thank you, sir.
I shall look forward to your visit.’
    He nodded
apparently satisfied with her response. He waved to the coachman. ‘Drive on;
the Grierson’s are waiting eagerly for your arrival.’ Without a backward glance
he turned and sauntered up the steps and vanished inside.
    ‘Miss, I can
hardly credit it! Sir Theodore could be your brother so alike are you.’
    ‘It is
extraordinary is it not?’ Marianne agreed. ‘Jane, have you and John discovered
anything of interest about the Griersons? Sir Theodore spoke highly of them but
as he is not a man of superior intellect I can’t rely on his opinion.’
    ‘I’ve heard only
good of them, apart of course from living above their means. There are two
boys, one older and the other younger than you and three girls. One, Miss
Emily, is your age the other two still in the schoolroom.’
    ‘Yes, my
guardian, told me about Emily Grierson. It will be pleasant to have a
contemporary to converse with for the first time.’ She leant back and