Page 59 of Seduced By the Rakish Duke

Where was the man who would banter with her, who would challenge her until she finally saw the strength she had within herself?

Now he was a stranger to her. He had made it clear that there was nothing between them but a friendly rapport, that he had enjoyed her company but their time had come to an end.

“Please help me understand, David. For as confusing as you are, I always felt comfortable with you. Even if I was lost in your moods, I found myself. I was able to be myself with you. I need to know why you pushed me away.”

Silence hung between them. Her eyes pleaded with his.

Please, just give me something.

David cleared his throat and tilted his head. “I must bid you goodnight, Miss Bennett.”

With that, he turned on his heel and walked out of the garden, leaving her staring at his retreating back once again.

CHAPTER 15

Aknock sounded at her door. “Come in.”

Frances walked in, wiping a stain on the shoulder of her dress. “It’s amazing so much can come out of someone so tiny.”

Jenny smiled at her reflection. “You don’t need to tell me. You weren’t there the first time he tried strained carrots. My favorite dress is forever dyed orange.”

“The Duke of Dovegrove is downstairs. Going on another promenade this morning?”

Jenny shook her head. “Mhm. Martha is accompanying us.”

Frances took the pin that Jenny was trying to place in her hair. She artfully tucked the stray curl under her hat. “He is a good man, Jenny.”

She rested her hands on Jenny’s shoulders as both women looked at each other in the mirror.

Jenny nodded in agreement. “I know, Frannie. He is everything a woman should want.”

Frances tilted her head. “Should want? Not does want?”

Jenny chewed on her bottom lip. “No. I do want it?—”

“Just not from him?” Frances’s tone was clipped.

Jenny turned on her bench and looked up at her sister-in-law. “Please, don’t be cross with me. I am trying my best to navigate all of this.”

Frances retreated to Jenny’s bed and sat on the edge with a sigh. When Jenny looked at her, she was surprised to see mischief in her eyes and a playful smile on her lips.

“I remember someone quite ardently asking when it was going to be her turn to live through these experiences. To fall in and out of love.”

Jenny threw a hairbrush in Frances’s direction. “Oh, stop.” She laughed.

“I tried to warn you,” Frances said while dodging the flying brush.

Jenny got up in a huff and trudged over to the bed, where she flopped face down next to Frances. “How did I get myself into this?” Her words were muffled by the duvet.

Frances patted her back. “Come, sit up before you ruin your hair and dress. What will people think if they see you walking with the Duke of Dovegrove while wearing wrinkled clothes?”

Jenny grimaced. “Absolutely nothing. The Duke is the most polite, well-behaved man I’ve ever met. They would sooner think I have low hygiene standards than suspect he took advantage of me.”

Frances smirked. “Well, they know your brother, so it wouldn’t be surprising if some of his unrefined qualities rubbed off on you.”

Jenny turned over her pillows and duvet.

“What are you doing?” Frances asked.

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