Page 71 of The Duke Who Loved Me (The Duke's Estates 1)

Aunt Valeria closed her mouth with a snap.

“Prince Karl dares to claim this?” Cecelia wished she had throttled him when she had the chance.

“Not outright,” Lady Wilton admitted. “But he is dropping sly remarks among the gentlemen at their clubs. Which they then pass on to everyone they know, of course. Nothing overtly claimed, but everything smugly hinted. He is creating a strong, most unfortunate impression.”

“He is a worm!” Cecelia exclaimed.

“Possibly. No one cares about that, however. What did you do at Vauxhall?”

“Nothing!”

“Your idea of nothing appears…” began Aunt Valeria.

“Quiet!” Lady Wilton gazed at Cecelia and waited.

“He led me onto a dark path and kissed me,” she admitted. “And I pushed him away and told him I didn’t wish to marry him.”

“He proposed?” Lady Wilton looked surprised.

“No. I–I thought to forestall him. To prevent any awkwardness.”

Their visitor’s frown deepened. “I suppose this is when you learned that he plans a political marriage?”

“Yes.” Cecelia bit off the word.

“And never meant to make you an offer.”

Cecelia nodded curtly.

She got a sigh and a headshake in response. “So you had two fine suitors, and now you have none,” said Lady Wilton. “One you have lost. The other you bungled. I am disappointed in you, Miss Vainsmede.”

Aunt Valeria started to speak. Cecelia cut her off with a gesture. “Idid none of that, Lady Wilton,” she replied.

“It is always the lady’s fault in these situations.”

“That is the stupidest thing I have ever heard.”

“Then you are fortunate in your conversations,” replied the old lady dryly.

“I have done nothing wrong.”

“You have done nothing right either, Miss Vainsmede. That is the problem.” She turned to Cecelia’s aunt. “And you. You’re known to be very lax. Oblivious, in fact. You are the poorest vestige of an excuse for a chaperone. That is adding to gossip. People can believe you would overlook all sorts of unconventional behavior.”

Aunt Valeria looked outraged. “They suggest I would allow Cecelia to become someone’s mistress?”

Lady Wilton shook her head. “Rather that you pay no attention. And thus do not see what is going on under your nose. Which makes some believe that matters might have gotten out of hand.”

A queasy mixture of fury and contempt gripped Cecelia and brought her to her feet. “So you have passed along your news. You have pointed out our supposed failings. And told me my fate. Are you satisfied?”

“What do you mean?”

“You have had your gossip. Perhaps you will go now.”

“I beg your pardon? I came to help you.”

“Indeed?” Cecelia ground her teeth. “If I am such a hopeless bungler, why would you wish to?”

For the first time in this conversation Lady Wilton appeared uncertain. “It isn’t fair,” she said finally.

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