Page 2 of If Not for the Duke

Lena lunged forward to grab hold of her outstretched arm and managed to steady her in the nick of time, relieved neither of them had ended up in the water.

“Oh!” The lady stared at Lena in surprise, eyes wide, clearly startled by her sudden presence. Then she glanced down at Lena’s tight grip on her arm.

“I feared you might fall into the fountain.” Lena kept hold of her arm to make certain she had her balance.

“Fountain?” The woman looked over her shoulder, seeming to just now realize it was there. “I thought I heard the sound of running water.”

Lena frowned, astonished that she hadn’t seen it. She eased them both forward and out of harm’s way before releasing her.

“Drat.” The lady reached into the cuff of her sleeve and pulled forth a pair of spectacles. “Aunt Edith insisted I shouldn’t wear these, but honestly, I can’t see a thing without them.”

She settled them on her nose, then turned, gasping at the large pool of water behind them. “My goodness, but that was close. I thought it was a statue.” Her attention shifted to Lena, and she touched her arm. “Thank you so much. Floundering about in the fountain was not on my agenda this afternoon.”

Before Lena could reply, she caught sight of an angry gentleman striding toward them.

“You there. What are you about?” he demanded, his expression fierce enough to cause Lena to take a small step back.

Everyone knew that Sterling Dunworth, the Duke of Renwick, was no one to be trifled with. Lena had never been formally introduced to His Grace but mentally referred to him as His Grumpiness. The man never smiled and glared at anyone who drew close. He had a sharp blade of a nose and defined cheekbones that lent him an austere look. While handsome, with thick, golden blond hair that held a hint of wave and dark brown eyes, his sober demeanor was less than appealing.

“Sterling.” The young lady took his arm and gave it the smallest shake as if to gain his attention. “You should be thanking this kind lady, not berating her.” Then she looked at Lena with a bright smile. “She saved me from an embarrassing dip in the fountain.”

The explanation didn’t seem to be enough for the duke. He continued to glare at Lena, his eyes chilly, clearly suspicious of her intent.

Lena felt heat climb in her cheeks under his close regard. Any time Lena attempted to explain herself after an incident like this, she struggled. It was often impossible to make excuses for what she knew.

She switched her focus to the lady, doing her best to ignore the duke. “I-I happened to see you backing toward the fountain and feared you weren’t aware it was behind you.”

“Happened to?” he asked, his tone dubious.

She told herself not to feel guilty. She’d offered a reasonable explanation and managed to save the lady. This time, anyway.

He couldn’t possibly know about her ability. But if anyone might see through her, it would be His Grumpiness. He seemed to suspect everyone of something.

*

Sterling watched hissister, Bernice, to make certain she was all right. When he’d seen this woman place her hand on Bernice’s arm from across the garden, his heart had nearly stopped. Especially since Aunt Edith was nowhere to be seen. What sort of chaperone was she?

He knew he was overprotective with his younger sister, but he couldn’t help it. She had been ill often as a child, and health issues had plagued her into adulthood.

She’d only just returned home from a year in Switzerland at a prestigious finishing school. Though she insisted the experience had strengthened her, he still worried. She would always seem fragile to him and in need of extra care.

Bernie was the one and only person in his life he could trust. She was his guiding light, a compass to navigate by. He’d learned long ago that everyone else wanted something. Kind acts were only a cover for ulterior motives.

The title of duke was an honor and one he took seriously, having been groomed from childhood to fulfill his duties and responsibilities. But the title brought disadvantages as well. He never knew if he was liked for himself or for what he could do for someone.

Sterling shifted his attention to the pale-haired beauty who’d supposedly come to his sister’s rescue. He wondered if the woman had somehow managed to cause the near miss. The pink in her cheeks and the way she glanced away roused his suspicions even more. She looked vaguely familiar, though he was certain they hadn’t been formally introduced.

“I can’t thank you enough,” Bernie was saying to the lady. “Allow me to introduce myself. I’m Lady Bernice Dunworth.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, my lady.” The woman dipped into a graceful curtsy. “I’m Miss Lena Wright.”

“Wright?” Sterling turned over the name in his mind. “Rothwood’s granddaughter?”

“Yes, Your Grace.” Her tone was polite, but a hard glint flashed briefly in her eyes. Disapproval, perhaps? Or anger that he hadn’t expressed more gratitude.

He didn’t care if she was a relation of Rothwood’s. She still might have reason to orchestrate the incident. Movement nearby had him glancing over to see a lady approaching from several feet away, who looked remarkably like her. “You noticed my sister’s potential mishap from across the garden?”

Miss Wright’s cheeks deepened in color. “Yes.”

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