Page 31 of Debating with the Duke (Second Sons of London 2)

Chapter Ten

Adalyn fretted aboutwhat to wear, rejecting several of Bridget’s choices.

“What is wrong today, my lady?” her maid asked, clearly perplexed since her mistress was usually so easy to please in regard to her wardrobe.

“I am not myself today, Bridget. I do not know what has come over me.”

The servant looked at her a long moment and then cheekily asked, “Perhaps a certain duke?”

“Bridget!”

“I don’t mean to overstep my bounds, my lady. Well, maybe I do. But we all know a duke came to call upon you yesterday. A duke! We haven’t seen the likes of that in the household. At least not as long as I’ve been here.”

She dreaded informing her lady’s maid what was in store for today but said, “His Grace will return this afternoon. We have a few matters to discuss.”

Bridget whooped. “No wonder you’re in a tizzy, my lady. My, but the duke is a handsome one. I don’t recall ever seeing such a fetching soul.”

“You saw him?”

The maid nodded. “I think just about everyone did. Rainey got to. The two maids who rolled in the teacart. They were aflutter with how he looked. Then when he left, most of the staff—at least the female members—managed to be near a window.” She sighed. “That one is all male.”

Adalyn silently agreed, thinking of how Everett had kissed her. No, Camden. She must keep her distance from him, both physically and mentally. If she didn’t, she would be lost.

Bridget turned back to the wardrobe, pulling out a pale azure day gown. “I think you should wear this, my lady. It’ll bring out the beautiful blue in your eyes.”

“Whatever you say.”

She wasn’t going to debate it any further. Let Bridget dress her in any gown. It didn’t matter which. The Duke of Camden wasn’t coming to look at her. Or even talk with her. He would only be talking about other women. The kind of women he wished to come to know. Adalyn knew they would be nothing like her. She supposed he would want someone as quiet as he was. Dignified. An ethereal beauty who moved with grace and always said the right thing in a situation. That certainly wasn’t her. She was known for being outspoken. It had been more than tolerated by thetonbecause she hadn’t pursued any gentlemen in marriage so she hadn’t been perceived as a threat to any females.

Would that change now that she sought a husband? Would her sometimes outlandish behavior come to haunt her?

Once she was dressed, Bridget began fussing over Adalyn’s hair, trying a few different styles.

“Keep it simple,” she finally said. “Nothing too fussy.”

“Yes, my lady.”

She ventured downstairs once she was ready for the day. It was close to noon. She had a tendency to sleep later once she came to town. Yesterday had been an exception since she had awaited word from Louisa and had wanted to be available to go and speak with Uncle Edgar if necessary.

Going to her mother’s parlor, she found Mama sitting with Mrs. Rainey. The housekeeper rose, pages in her hand, and Adalyn supposed they had been discussing menus.

Once Mrs. Rainey had left, Adalyn said, “I should tell you that His Grace is coming again today.”

Mama’s eyes lit up. “Oh, my word. Adalyn, that is marvelous news. Your papa liked His Grace very much and you know Uxbridge isn’t the easiest of men to please. They even arranged to meet up at White’s sometime so they could play chess against one another.”

She went and sat next to her mother. “Mama, we need to talk about His Grace.”

“Do you like him?” Mama asked eagerly. “Or do you already love him? To think of my daughter as a duchess.”

“That is not going to happen.”

Her mother frowned. “Then why is he paying you special attention?”

“He wants me to find him a bride. You heard him say that yesterday, Mama. He is not interested in me.”

“But he is, Adalyn. Mothers can sense this kind of thing. Yes, I know His Grace is definitely interested in you. He is only using this matchmaking nonsense as an excuse to spend time with you.” She sighed. “You have only met. He would not make his intentions known to you so quickly.”

“He thought he wanted Louisa as his duchess.”

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