Page 94 of Her Duke's Second Chance

Cecile assured her that it was quite normal for their appetites to be this large after a year of abstention.

She’d sat up and smiled before sliding out of bed and donning her robe. She had reached for the bell before disappearing behind the screen to relieve herself.

With a sigh, she’d walked over to the basin and poured water, washing her face and brushing her teeth with the powder.

Just as she was finished, Cecile walked in with pails of hot water. “Good morning, Your Grace. Stanley has told me to relay a message from His Grace.”

She cocked an eyebrow. “What is it?”

“You have been invited for afternoon tea by his friend, Lord Stanmore, at his London residence. He humbly requests that you wear the purple-flowered afternoon gown as its high neckline will help him to focus on the afternoon’s activities.”

Georgiana laughed. “Oh. Yes, let us wear the purple-flowered gown and matching gloves. Not an inch of skin is to be seen. I do not suppose Daisy can come along?”

“I am certain that His Grace would not object.”

“Good. Would you make sure she knows? I fear that we may have bored her quite a bit these days. It will do her good to go somewhere other than Ariana’s.”

“Right away, Your Grace,” she said before disappearing out of the room.

Georgiana checked the time and realized that she had slept the entire morning away. She shook her head in self-censure.

She had been a person who was used to running around and getting things done. There had rarely been time for leisure in her life. She realized that she had genuinely taken Robert at his word; that he would look after her and she need not feel responsible for anything.

She knew that sooner or later she would revert to her old self, because as lovely as it was, she was not cut out to be a lady of leisure.

She reminded herself to ask Robert to take her to Emberford. She had duties as a duchess, and she wanted to fulfill them.

“What they must think of me…” she murmured to herself.

“What must who think of you?” She jumped, startled by Cecile’s voice, as she had not heard the lady’s maid return to the room.

She waved her hand in dismissal. “It is nothing. Just a stray thought.”

“Mmm.” Cecile began to arrange her combs and brushes, along with several ribbons and brooches. She laid them out neatly so that Georgiana would be able to choose which ones she wanted to wear.

“What did Daisy say? Does she wish to come?”

“Oh yes, she is excited. Lord Stanmore is apparently well-known to her. She is eager to meet him.”

“How is he known to her?” Georgiana’s heart sank, wondering if he was another one of her suitors.

“Lady Ariana has apparently told her stories about him. He is a boxer, yes? He recently defended the honor of a young lady and was the talk of the ton.”

“I did not hear of it.”

“Well, perhaps you were busy with His Grace,” Cecile smirked.

Georgiana snorted, shook her head, and turned away. Cecile’s comment made her realize that she had been focused on onlyone thing for a while now. She did not even know the latest gossip.

And I have not visited Selina in far too long.

She had sent her friend a note, canceling an appointment they had made for Wednesday and explaining why, but beyond that, she had not heard from her friend at all. Georgiana frowned.

That will not do.

She decided that as soon as they returned she would write Selina a long letter and arrange for a visit. She could not neglect her friend just because her husband had decided to pay her attention.

She stepped into the bath, closing her eyes while Cecile scrubbed her down. Thereafter, she sat at the vanity so her lady’s maid could brush her hair and style it before she got dressed.

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