The Duke’s Desire Read Free Page B

vanity mirror.
    Nancy’s tone, however, was always emphatic and her expression often seemingly annoyed, so much so that when Verity had first come to live with Daniel Davis-Jones, she had feared Nancy didn’t like her. It was only after several days that she realized a sort of disgusted, emphatic tone was Nancy’s typical one.
    “It is lovely here, and it was kind of Lady Bodenham to invite us, but I think we have stayed long enough,” Verity replied. “Jocelyn is anxious to get home, and so am I. Besides, Lady Bodenhamhas more guests arriving every day now, and I would rather be at home than in a great deal of company. I was not as ready to be among strangers as I thought.”
    The much-freckled, red-haired Nancy straightened and hurried to take the young widow’s hand. She patted it sympathetically. “Don’t pay no mind to me. I spoke without thinking.”
    “No, I’m sorry to be such a bother,” Verity replied. She was also sorry to have to lie to the woman who was more like a kind and helpful older sister than a servant, yet she had no choice.
    Just as she had no choice except to get Jocelyn away from this place and safely home again.
    Despite that fervent desire, she dared not keep to her room tonight, tempting though it may be. To do so might make people think about her more than they would otherwise, and cause unwelcome speculation.
    “How do I look?” she asked as she stood and slowly turned in a circle for Nancy’s critical scrutiny, pretending she was well content with her clothing and hair.
    In truth, she wished she did not have to wear black anymore, and that she dared to dress her hair with more style.
    “Pretty as a picture, and no mistake,” Nancy said.
    “Well, maybe it’s better we’re getting awayfrom these nobs and their servants,” she continued with a philosophical sigh. “My word, some of them is as arrogant as their masters and no mistake. This valet come today—he’s the pip, he is. Tried to tell me his name was Claudius Caesar Rhodes.
    “‘If that’s true, then I’m Queen of Sheba Knickernell,’ I told him.”
    Verity smiled and pitied the poor, unsuspecting fellow, for she could well imagine the venom Nancy had infused into that remark.
    “He’s the Duke of Deighton’s manservant, though, so what could you expect?” Nancy eyed her mistress shrewdly. “Is that why you want to go?”
    Verity struggled to betray nothing. “Why would I leave just because the Duke of Deighton has arrived?”
    “Because you’re a beautiful woman, that’s why. Everybody’s heard about the duke and women. I heard tell he’s had so many lovers, when somebody asked him to name them all, he couldn’t do it.”
    “Or wouldn’t, perhaps, if someone was so impertinent as to ask such a question. Besides, he would have no interest in a widow of my age.”
    “Lucky for you!” Nancy’s expression changed to one of avid curiosity. “It’s true that he’s had lots of lovers, isn’t it? Some Parisian actress, andone that he more or less gave to the Prince Regent?”
    “Nancy!”
    “Well, you’ve known Lady Bodenham a long time, and she’s his cousin, so she might—”
    Nancy fell silent when she saw her mistress’s look. “I was just thinking aloud,” she muttered as she went back to the packing. “Excuse me, I’m sure.”
    Verity sighed softly. She couldn’t fault Nancy for her speculative remarks, for in truth, Eloise had often regaled her equally curious friends with tales of her cousin’s supposed liaisons and bets and duels.
    If she hadn’t, Verity thought bitterly, perhaps she might not have been so fascinated by him, and so excited when she first met him.
    “Your hands are shaking,” Nancy noted, her tone at once wary and accusing. “Are you sick? Is that why you want to go home?”
    “No, I’m not ill, only tired,” Verity answered. “It’s difficult staying up so late. I’m not used to the nobility’s hours.”
    “Or that Lady Bodenham’s tongue wagging