Page 4 of The Duke and the Unwanted Bride

“My cousin who is beginning to act like a loon.”

“I will tell you myself,” Hannah said, trying not to laugh. “I see a stunningly pretty, utterly gorgeous woman who any man would walk over hot coals to be with. Dark brown hair that glimmers even in the dark. Big, round eyes that one might get lost in. And curves…” She grinned. “From the little I know of men, most would be only too eager to get their hands on them?—”

“Hannah!”

“What?!” Hannah chuckled. “Do not pretend that you do not know what I’m speaking of.”

“And you do?”

“The point is…” Hannah smiled, making sure that her cousin could see the earnestness in it. “I am thinking that when His Grace saw you, he was simply smitten, is all. This led him to be a little more reserved than usual. But once the two of you are married, he will have the rest of his life to prove to you that he is a husband worth having.”

Selina scoffed. “I never knew you to be so romantic.”

“An optimist,” Hannah corrected. “One who wishes to see her cousin happy. Is that such a crime?”

She could feel Selina relaxing. “I suppose not.”

“Good.” A nod of the head. “Speaking of which, where is the husband-to-be? I was surprised he did not meet us when we arrived.”

“Oh…” Selina scrunched up her nose. “He is where he has been all day—in my father’s old study, writing to Amelia. Honestly, the man is obsessed!”

Hannah frowned at the comment, having no idea who Amelia was or who she could be. And the way that Selina spoke of her… she got the sense that it was a name that caused some tension. Only why it did…

“Amelia?” Hannah repeated carefully. “Who is?—”

A knock at the door interrupted her.

“Yes!” Selina cried.

The door creaked open, and one of the manor’s many butlers poked his head inside. “Miss Gouldsmith, your mother has sent me to inform you that supper is ready. She insists that you join them immediately.”

“Yes, yes. Tell her we are coming.” Selina waved him away and then spun to face Hannah. “So, how do I look?”

“I just told you,” Hannah said. “Stunning. His Grace will not know what hit him. Now, shall we go?” She held her hand out for Selina to take.

“Not so fast…” Selina gave a wicked grin. She took her by the shoulders, shuffled her around, and then positioned her in front of the mirror. “His Grace has many friends, you know.”

“And?”

“And seeing as you will be meeting him for the first time tonight, I insist that you make an impression. Now…” Her eyes widened. “Tell me what you see.”

Hannah snorted. “Do not be silly.”

“Tell me!”

“I see… I see…” Hannah looked herself over. “Someone who will risk your mother’s wrath if she is not?—”

“No, no. That will not work!” Selina cocked an eyebrow in warning.

Hannah shook her head to herself, even if she was somewhat pleased with the reflection that looked back at her. Like her cousin, she had dark brown hair, almost black in the right lighting, which fell to her waist. Big brown eyes also, like a doe’s, which some called innocent while others called mischievous.

The two cousins had a similar body type, short but curvy. Hannah’s low-cut dress was cinched at the waist—almost scandalous for how much skin she was showing.

Did she want the Duke of Thorne speaking about her to his friends? She told herself that she did not, but deep down, would it be such a bad thing if?—

“Oh!” Seline cried suddenly as she swept her hand over Hannah’s shoulder, accidentally catching the hem, and then tearing it right up the middle. “Oh no!”

“What happened?” Hannah gasped as she swung about, only to tear the shoulder further, for Selina was still holding on.

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