Page 57 of Ten Lords for the Holidays

“It was made in France for the Duke of Inverfyre when I was a young bride.”

There was a duke in close proximity?

Daphne was delighted.

Her grandmother continued. “I remember the old duke bringing it home. Oh, he made certain every soul saw it between Portsmouth and Airdfinnan, including your grandfather and me.” She nodded. “It was quite marvelous. I wonder how well it has been maintained.”

Daphne sat back in defeat. A duke her grandmother considered to be old must be ancient indeed. Eurydice grinned, for she had undoubtedly guessed her sister’s dashed hopes, and Daphne longed to jab her. She had to ask. “The duke is old, then?”

“Old?” her grandmother echoed. “He’s dead. His grandson inherited the title, for the old duke’s son died before him.”

“How long has the new duke been married?” Eurydice asked.

“He isn’t,”Grandmamanadmitted and Daphne smiled, her hopes restored. “He’s quite eligible, at least on paper, but he’s not married.”

On paper?

“I don’t understand,” Daphne said when no one else spoke.

Grandmamansmiled and patted Daphne on the knee. “It means, my dear, that I don’t recall his name being linked romantically with that of any woman.”

Daphne sensed that her grandmother meant more than she was saying, but she couldn’t imagine what it might be. “Then he hasn’t found true love yet?”

Grandmamanlaughed. “If he has, it won’t be with a woman.”

This made no sense to Daphne at all.

To her relief, Eurydice seemed to be similarly mystified, so for once, she wasn’t the last one to figure something out.

“And a great shame it is, to be sure. The family are most affluent. There is a decided aversion to gambling in the Armstrong line, matched with a good fortune with investments that is almost unholy.”Grandmamantwirled her cane. “It is said that this duke’s fortune is one of the greatest in all of England. Pity about his preferences. If his sister does not marry, that great lineage might come to an end.”

Preferences? Daphne and Eurydice exchanged a glance of confusion.

The carriage slowed and turned, and they heard Thompson whistle.

“Ah, here we are,”Grandmamandeclared with a decisive tap of her umbrella. “And not a moment too soon, for I am ravenous.” The door was opened and one of the footmen put down the stool for the dowager viscountess. Another held an umbrella high so she wouldn’t have to use her own for the short walk to the tavern. “Ah!” she declared as she alighted. “You will soon see what I mean, my dears. The duke is also taking refreshment here. I shall remind him of our family’s acquaintance.”

Daphne squeezed Eurydice’s fingers with delight, then emerged from the carriage herself, her heart thundering.

She should have made a wish sooner.

She stared in shock at the man speaking to her grandmother near the doorway to the tavern. He smiled and bowed over Lady North Barrow’s hand, his manners impeccable and his clothing so garish that Daphne didn’t know what to say or do.

Eurydice gave her a hard nudge from behind. “Move, you goose,” she muttered. “We can’t get out because of you and it’s freezing cold.”

Daphne took a few steps, still startled to silence.

A moment later, Eurydice halted beside her. “Oh!” she said, apparently similarly astonished.

Grandmamanraised a hand to beckon to them, and the duke turned to survey them with polite curiosity. His waistcoat was a splendid and hideous garment, made of a vivid blue cloth thick with gold embroidery. Eurydice said something through her teeth, but Daphne ignored her. The duke raised his quizzing glance and peered at them, blinking as if he had trouble with his vision. There was no difficulty with his appetite, for he had a considerable paunch. His cheeks were fat, but his legs were surprisingly trim.

And he was a duke.

“Oh,” Daphne agreed, then tried to be gracious. “I don’t believe I’ve ever seen that shade of apricot used with such enthusiasm in a man’s garments before.”

“It’s orange,” said Eurydice.

“No, I’m certain he calls itabricot.”

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