Page 66 of The Lost Duke of Wyndham

Lady Amelia smiled at that. “I am the second of five, so I can appreciate your sentiments as well.”

“Five! All girls?” he guessed.

“How did you know?”

“I have no idea,” he said quite honestly, “except that it is such a charming image. It would have been a shame to have sullied it with a male.”

“Is your tongue always this silver, Captain Audley?”

He gave her one of his best half smiles. “Except when it’s gold.”

“Amelia!”

They both turned. Grace had entered the room.

“And Mr. Audley,” she said, looking surprised to see him there.

“Oh, I’m sorry,” Lady Amelia said, turning to him. “I thought it was Captain Audley.”

“It is,” he said with a very slight shrug. “Depending upon my mood.” He turned to Grace and bowed. “It is indeed a privilege to see you again so soon, Miss Eversleigh.”

She blushed. He wondered if Lady Amelia noticed.

“I did not realize you were here,” Grace said after bobbing a curtsy.

“There is no reason why you should have done. I was heading outside for a restorative walk when Lady Amelia intercepted me.”

“I thought he was Wyndham,” Lady Amelia said. “Isn’t that the oddest thing?”

“Indeed,” Grace replied, looking acutely uncomfortable.

“Of course I was not paying much attention,” Lady Amelia continued, “which I am sure explains it. I only caught sight of him out of the corner of my eye as he strode past the open doorway.”

Jack turned to Grace. “It makes so much sense when put that way, does it not?”

“So much sense,” Grace echoed. She glanced over her shoulder.

“Are you waiting for someone, Miss Eversleigh?” Jack inquired.

“No, I was just thinking that his grace might like to join us. Er, since his fiancée is here, of course.”

“Is he returned, then?” Jack murmured. “I was not aware.”

“That is what I have been told,” Grace said, and he was certain that she was lying, although he could not imagine why. “I have not seen him myself.”

“Alas,” Jack said, “he has been absent for some time.”

Grace swallowed. “I think I should get him.”

“But you only just got here.”

“Nonetheless—”

“We shall ring for him,” Jack said, since he wasn’t going to allow her such an easy escape. Not to mention that he was rather looking forward to the duke discovering him here with both Grace and Lady Amelia. He crossed the room and gave the bellpull a yank. “There,” he said. “It is done.”

Grace smiled uncomfortably and moved to the sofa. “I believe I will sit down.”

“I will join you,” Lady Amelia said with alacrity. She hurried after Grace and took a seat right beside her. Together they sat, stiff and awkward.

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