Page 9 of The Forbidden Duke

Nora considered how to ask Lady Satterfield about her stepson’s nickname. Later, after the tea, she’d simply tell her what Lady Dunn had said.

“Oh my goodness, is it really Miss Eleanor Lockhart?” The shrill question hit Nora’s ears like a screeching falcon.

She pivoted and had to quash the look of disgust that immediately rose to her face.

Of all the people she might’ve chanced upon today, did it have to be Susannah Weycombe? No, she was Lady Abercrombie now. She’d been betrothed shortly after Nora had left London, and Nora had read about her lavish wedding breakfast in the newspaper.

Lady Abercrombie wasn’t alone either. Another woman who’d taken great delight in Nora’s disgrace, Miss Dorothy Cranley, stood beside her. At least Nora thought it was Dorothy. This woman was perhaps two stone heavier.

Nora forced a tight smile. “Good afternoon, Lady Abercrombie.”

“You remember Dorothy—she’s Lady Kipp-Landon now,” Lady Abercrombie said.

“Yes, of course. A pleasure to see you both again.” It wasn’t, but Nora wouldn’t say what itreallywas.

“Whatever are you doing in London?” Lady Abercrombie asked, her brown eyes wide and full to the brim with guile.

Nora inclined her head toward their hostess. “I’m companion to Lady Satterfield.”

“How…charming,” Lady Kipp-Landon all but sniggered. “I suppose you’re just happy to be back.”

Nora schooled her features into a serene mask. Her irritation was pricked, but she wouldn’t give in to it. She couldn’t. “I am, thank you.”

Lady Kipp-Landon edged closer to Nora. “Is that the Forbidden Duke over by the window?”

Nora wasn’t sure if she was talking to her or to Lady Abercrombie, so she didn’t answer.

“Itis,” Lady Abercrombie said, her tone hushed. She turned her head to Nora. “What is he doing here?”

Nora couldn’t think of what to say that wasn’tIt’s none of your business. She blinked at both of them and said only, “It’s his stepmother’s tea.”

Lady Kipp-Landon fidgeted with her earring. “I’ve never seen him anywhere other than his stepmother’s ball.” She glanced at Lady Abercrombie. “Do you suppose he’ll be there?” The ball was in just a few days. “And will he dance?”

Lady Abercrombie nodded gently. “I expect so. He always does. One ball. One dance. One lucky lady who never hears from him again.” There was a wistfulness to her tone that wedged its way into Nora’s chest.

Thankfully, Lady Satterfield looked toward her and motioned for Nora to join her. Relieved for the interruption, Nora flashed an insincere smile at the harpies. “Please excuse me.”

“Certainly.” Lady Abercrombie tossed a smirk at her cohort. “We wouldn’t want to keep you from your duties.”

Nora circuited the furniture, which took her within a few feet of the duke. He’d turned his head toward her again. She nearly tripped under the weight of his gaze. There was something palpable about his presence, as if he were a lion in his den and had become aware of the prey within his grasp.

Nonsense, she told herself. But nonsense that made her shiver nonetheless.

The remainder of the tea passed quickly, and Nora was able to keep her attention focused on the guests and not on the Forbidden Duke. Rather,Kendal. In fact, as the last guest departed, she turned toward the window and saw that he was gone. She’d somehow missed him leaving. Pity.

Lady Satterfield closed the door to the drawing room and exhaled. “My goodness, what a crowd today! Especially at the end.”

Nora wondered if it was because word had spread that the Forbidden Duke was here.

The countess smiled at Nora. “How was it, dear? Are you exhausted?”

“Not terribly. It was a very pleasant afternoon.” Except for when her old “friends” had shown up.

“Good. I know we discussed how your past might come up, but I take it no one mentioned anything?”

“Actually, Lady Dunn was rather forthright concerning my…indiscretion.”

Lady Satterfield’s forehead pleated with concern. “I should have anticipated that and made sure you weren’t alone with her. My apologies.”

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