Page 6 of His Duchess' Wicked List

“You should be married by now, Augusta,” their mother hissed. “You should be running your own household. You are five-and-twenty and far too old to be living as a dependent in your family’s home. If you would only accept this, and put your mind to finding a suitable husband, then you would not need to listen to a thing I say any longer, would you?”

Augusta’s nostrils flared. “It is unacceptable that marriage is the only option for a lady—or any woman, for that matter! I refuse to be cowed in this manner!”

Maddie felt the dull throb of a headache coming upon her. It seemed that every family meal ended this way, nowadays, with her sister and mother locking horns, while her father and herself looked on helplessly. The older two women were the dominant personalities in the household. And her mother was right on at least one thing: there could only be one mistress in this family. There was no way she would stand being challenged like this forever.

Lady Ollerton pursed her lips. “I have given you every opportunity to secure a suitable husband for yourself, Augusta. But my patience is over. I am making it my mission to find you a husband… and Madeline knows that she will not escape the executioner’s sword either if she does not procure herself one as well… sooner rather than later.” She swiveled her head around to Maddie, giving her a hard look.

Maddie stood up, feeling pained, throwing her napkin on the table. “May I be excused?”

“If you wish,” Lord Ollerton said, gazing at her sadly with large owl eyes.Dear Papa. He was losing his only ally. “You look pale, Maddie. You should rest.”

Maddie smiled at him, before leaving the room. Her attempt at distracting the Marchioness had been successful, but there had been a price to pay, as always. Augusta just couldn’t seem to help herself, always making such bold and provocative statements. It was as if she were trying to lure their mother into battle.

As she made her way upstairs to the sanctuary of her chambers, Maddie knew that Augusta had overplayed her hand, at long last. Their mother was determined to marry her off quickly and would brook no further argument on the matter. Augusta was going to be saddled with a husband she neither desired nor would be able to tolerate.

And that will be my fate as well if I do not find a suitable match of my own.

Maddie entered her chambers, at last. Jane had already tidied up and lit the candle. All she needed to do was call her lady’s maid to help her undress for the night and crawl into bed. She couldn’t face the thought of joining the others in the parlor after dinner for games or reading or whatever else. Not when her mother and Augusta were locked in such a fierce battle.

But she didn’t call Jane. Instead, she sat down at her desk by the window, dropping her face in her hands, dreaming about the devilishly handsome gentleman she had encountered in Hyde Park once again.

He was tall and had an exceedingly fine physique, broad-shouldered and muscular, with thick dark hair, curling around the collar of his jacket. And his skin was darkened by the sun as if he had been residing somewhere with a more temperate climate than England. The Continent, perhaps? Magical Spain, or far-flung romantic Greece?

The darkness of his complexion had contrasted dramatically with those piercing grey eyes that she could still vividly see in her mind’s eye…

Maddie felt another wave of heat engulf her. Who could hepossiblybe? She hadneverseen him at any London event, and she had been to so many over the past three Seasons. He had been very well dressed, in fine clothing, but he wasn’t a typical foppish dandy. Very far from it.

In fact, the dark-haired gentleman was the most masculine man Maddie had ever beheld. He exuded a raw energy, which might be quite alarming if it wasn’t so very arousing.

She eyed the book on the desk—the one that contained her saucy list. The list that had so shocked and titillated Selina. She had stuffed it hastily into the book after her friend had left her, and in the shock of the encounter with the handsome gentleman, she hadn’t given it the slightest thought since. Perhaps she could add finding out his name on it?

She picked up the book, thumbing through the pages. She frowned, then thumbed through the pages again. Her heart clenched, and her breaths came out in short, sharp gasps.

The list wasn’t there. It was gone.

A cold wind swept through her. It wasn’t possible. Once more, she searched the book, trying not to drop it in her panic. But it was clear, the list wasn’t nestled within its pages, as it should be. It had vanished entirely.

Oh, dear Lord,it must have slipped out. Perhaps when the gentleman collided with me. And I tried so hard not to drop the book!

She stood up hastily, her heart racing. If anyone found that list and somehow worked out who had written it… well, she would be doomed. She needed Selina’s help, and she needed it right this minute!

“Jane,” she called, grabbing a cloak quickly. “Jane!”

The lady’s maid appeared, staring at her boggle-eyed. “Milady?”

“Come along,” Maddie said in a breathless voice. “We are going to the Huxleys’ residence. You go and rouse the coachman while I tell my family.”

Jane nodded quickly, knowing better than to question her.

Maddie flew down the staircase, with the lady’s maid hot on her heels. She burst into the dining room. Dessert was just being served. Her family all turned to stare at her, looking surprised.

“I am calling on Selina,” she panted.

“But… why?” her father asked, frowning, looking bewildered. “The evening is growing late, Maddie.”

“I… I forgot a book,” Maddie lied, flushing. “And I need it. I will bring Jane. I promise I will not be long.”

She flew out of the room before they could question her any further.

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