Page 94 of The Duke's Bartered Mistress

“Georgia! How delightful to see you!”

The pair embraced and Demon—who’d spent years observing the stilted and polite greetings of society—could tell they obviously cared for one another. Georgia didn’t release the woman’s arms when she stepped back, but rather peered at her.

“What are you doing, Felicity? Taking photos of that bush?”

The other woman, who was pretty in a frazzled sort of way, brushed a few strands of red hair out of her eyes in an exasperated manner and turned back to her tripod. “I am trying to capture the squirrel.”

Demon cleared his throat. “With a daguerreotype camera?” Was she planning on bashing in the rodent’s head? “Wouldnae a net work better?”

“Oh, it’s not a daguerreotype!” the woman said, beaming. Then she shook her head. “I am not planning on keeping the annoying creature. I just want to record its movements. My cats were feeling too fat and lazy this morning, so I set out to capture something faster.” She planted her hands on her hips and frowned at the bush. “Unfortunately, the little devil moves too fast. As soon as I get the equipment set up, he has moved on to another bush!”

“Perhaps some sort of bait?” Demon asked, trying to keep his amusement from his tone.

Felicity lit up and whirled about to Georgia. “A marvelous idea! I will return with some nuts!”

Nuts, indeed.

Georgia was grinning, perhaps thinking the same thing. “Have you finished your prototype then?”

As the other woman’s expression of excitement fell, Georgia turned to Demon and enthusiastically explained, “Felicity is working on a new kind of camera, one which will capture moving photos. She has been using her pets as subjects—oh, forgive me.” She cleared her throat and straightened. “Your Grace, may I introduce Miss Felicity Montrose? Felicity, this is the Duke of Lickwick, my…friend.”

Felicity didn’t seem to notice—or perhaps care about—that significant pause. In fact, she didn’t seem to care about the fact Demon was a noxious wank-turnip of a duke. She just offered her hand to him to bow over, her attention back on Georgia already.

“The prototype has not yet proven itself, but I am certain I understand the issue. A few more tweaks…”

Georgia linked her arm through her friend’s. “I know you will get it worked out, dear. You are the smartest woman I know.”

When Felicity blushed and pushed her spectacles back up her nose, she looked quiet endearing, not at all the type of person Demon might have already been comparing to Mrs. Kettel in terms of battiness.

“I do hope so,” she murmured.

Georgia glanced at him with her brows raised and Demon cleared his throat. He knew what was expected of him, knew how to make polite conversation. He didn’t want to do it—had never wanted to do it—but he was a fooking duke now. Besides, Georgia wanted him to be polite to her friend.

So he’d do it for Georgia.

“Tell me, Miss Montrose…how does this camera of yers work?”

The red-headed woman lit up. As she took a deep breath and launched into a nonsensical explanation about shutter speed and light waves, Georgia sent him an approving nod. It was enough to make Demon hide his bored wince.

For the next three or four minutes, he might’ve wished himself anywhere else but standing here in this well-digger’s arse cold, nodding politely while he listened to an eccentric—if beautiful—woman blather on about her research.

At least she’s looking ye in the eyes, and doesnae seem to notice yer scars.

Aye, there was that.

She would be unique among the people he’d be introduced to, though. She was one of Georgia’s friends, and Georgia had quickly learned to ignore his scars. He wondered if she could introduce him to others like herself, and he could pretend those people were the Society he needed to impress.

Shitenuggets! Ye dinnae need to impress anyone! Georgia promised she’d be at yer side during the ball, and ye can face them all with her there to help. Then ye head back to Endymion and yer quiet life!

Demon was frowning again, but it didn’t seem to deter Felicity. He stood with his hands under his arms, staring into the middle distance, idly watching two men on horseback cantering along the paths.

He missed his horses, already missed his daily rides.

Ye have the money. Surely there’s a horse ye could acquire here in London…surely there’s a groom almost as good as Angus ye might hire if ye’re stuck here much longer.

The horseflesh across the way were magnificent and the riders handled them well. Demon half-heartedly wished they’d turn in this direction, to see if he might purchase one of the animals.

And as Felicity and Georgia began to chatter on about the damned felines, trading stories of Rajah and Felicity’s cats, the riders did turn toward them.

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