Page 96 of Her Duke's Second Chance

There was a knock on the door and Daisy burst in. “Are we not going to be late?” she demanded.

Georgiana and Robert exchanged glances.

“Your sister is right,” Robert said. He looked behind Daisy at the hovering footman. “Call for the carriage.”

Robert was surprised when Lionel opened the door to his house. He waved them inside distractedly.

“It has been sheer pandemonium all morning,” he explained, “my sister Dorothy had some sort of gown disaster, which will not do because she is scheduled to wear it this afternoon on her promenade with Lord something or other. It has been nothing but screaming and yelling for hours. I cannot even tell you how stressful it has all been.”

Robert chuckled. “My commiserations, old man. You could have sent a note around to cancel our tea.”

“Absolutely not!” He turned, taking both of Georgiana’s hands in his, and bowing low over them. “You must forgive me. Your Grace, for my bad manners. It is so lovely to finally have you in my home.”

Georgiana smiled in amusement and looked to Robert for some guidance. He gestured for her to continue. Lionel was still bent over her hands, the very picture of contrition. Robert rolled his eyes. The Grahams were certainly a very dramatic family.

“It is quite all right, Lord Stanmore. I am sure you are doing your best,” Georgiana said.

Her kind words seemed to satisfy Lionel’s need for absolution, and he straightened up, turning to look at Daisy.

“And who is this absolutevision?” he asked.

Daisy blushed and giggled.

“That is my sister, Lady Daisy Milton,” Georgiana said a bit repressively. “She has yet to come out.”

“Ah, that would explain why I have not seen her at any of the balls. Well, their loss is my gain. Please, my lady, come this way.” He offered Daisy his arm and she took it, smiling with delight.

He began to walk down the corridor. With one last wide-eyed look at Robert, Georgiana made haste to follow.

Robert offered Georgiana his arm and they walked behind the other couple, quietly listening as Lionel entered a state of euphoria as he described the color of Daisy’s eyes to her.

“Do you believe in the fae?” he asked.

Slowly, dazedly, Daisy shook her head.

“Well, your eyes are exactly what I imagine theirs to look like. So large and pure, whimsical and filled with wonder for the world. Oh, youmustbe protected from anything that tries to take that purity away,” he said earnestly.

Robert looked at Georgiana, wondering how she was taking all this, and found her looking back at him, her eyes dancing with amusement. She leaned close to whisper to him.

“I think your friend is taken with my sister.”

“I would concur with that statement,” he whispered back.

She raised her eyebrows at him. “What are we to do about it?”

He shrugged. “I do not think there is much wecando.”

They arrived at the parlor, where Lionel seated them before ringing the bell and taking his seat.

“Once again, I am so happy to have you in my home. I do not know if His Grace has told you, but we have been friends for a long time. I have seen the shine that you have put into his eyes, and I wanted to tell you how happy I am.”

A servant came in carrying a decanter of wine and various glasses, already filled with drink. He handed them out.

“A toast,” Lionel said, “to new beginnings.”

Robert looked at Georgiana and smiled.

“To new beginnings,” they echoed.

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