Page 60 of Alone with the Beastly Duke
“Your Grace,” her mother said to Axel, smiling cheerfully, “I cannot help but notice that you have been dreadfully quiet tonight.”
Maybe that is because your guests have decided to alienate him when he has done nothing wrong.
Jasmine was upset at her mother for putting Axel on the spot that way, despite knowing how the Ton felt about him.
Axel gave a polite smile and shrugged.
“I have simply been busying myself with this absolutely delicious chicken, my Lady. Your cook makes the best chicken in London, I have to say,” Axel said.
Jasmine was impressed at how expertly Axel had handled the question. She had never seen this side of Axel before, but she was definitely happy to see it.
“I am glad that you find our dinner up to taste, Your Grace,” the Countess replied.
“Once again, Your Grace, I want to thank you for caring for our dear Jasmine. She has been the most elated about the hospitality you showed her in your house,” Jasmine’s father said.
I never said anything about hospitality.But Jasmine, of course, knew that her parents were simply trying to make Axel feel less of an outsider at their dinner.
“Jasmine dear, you have to tell us if the rumors we heard about the Duke are true,” Viscount Linley, a rather obnoxious member of the Ton, urged.
“What rumors, Lord Linley?” Jasmine asked, acting oblivious to what the guest was trying to find out.
“Of course, you must know what I am asking,” he persisted.
“I promise you, my Lord, I do not. I found His Grace incredibly agreeable and a good host if that is what you are asking,” Jasmine replied.
“The rumors about the Duke being beastly and–”
“His Grace is nothing of such. In fact, he is the most polite person I have ever come across in the Ton. He took me in when I was almost homeless, and he has been nothing but kind to me,” Jasmine said with an enthusiasm that surprised even her.
A couple of people at the table regarded her quizzically.
“I am sure what Jasmine is saying is that none of the rumors you heard about His Grace are true,” Jasmine’s father said quickly, “and I am sure that he also found Jasmine an agreeable guest.”
Axel smiled as though he were enjoying the conversation. “I find Lady Hudson to be the perfect guest, so it was no bother at all. She simply read books and waited calmly for your return…or spent time with her assigned chaperone.”
Jasmine smiled politely as the attention of everyone at the table moved toward her. She knew she had to say something, or else she would be seen as rude.
“His Grace was gracious enough to let me have access to his library, and I found the library to contain books that I found quite interesting,” Jasmine replied, smiling so broadly that her face hurt.
“Your Grace, I am surprised to find that you have a library,” Viscount Linley commented amid a mouthful of pudding.
Axel’s eyes narrowed, and Jasmine knew he was upset at the ridiculous question.
“I find reading rather relaxing; therefore, I engage in it every chance I get. Also, my father and his father before him had a library, and it was my duty to continue the tradition. Perhaps, you may benefit from doing some reading of your own. You might find it a good way to broaden your horizons, Viscount Linley.”
Cassian snorted in his food, a smile spread across his face. Jasmine tried but failed to suppress her smile. She enjoyed how Axel had carefully thrown an insult at the Viscount.
“My Lord,” Lady Feathering said, addressing Jasmine’s father, “do you not find it unwise to let Jasmine read so? Reading has been found to confuse the heads of a lot of girls.”
Rose groaned, and Jasmine saw her roll her eyes in irritation.
“Lady Feathering, we like for all our children, boys and girls, to read extensively. That way, they can broaden their knowledge,” the Earl replied.
Lady Feathering scoffed. “There was none of that reading nonsense in my times,” she said. “Only boys were allowed to read books, and that is how it should be. Letting girls read simply fills their heads with ridiculous ideas, and heaven forbid they start to resent the idea of starting a family!” She shuddered.
“Lady Feathering, do you not find it quite hypocritical that you want boys to seek knowledge, but you do not want girls to do the same?” Rose asked.
Jasmine groaned.This dinner is about to get interesting.
