A Lady to

Reveal

Wendy May Andrews

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Sparrow Inkwww.sparrowdeck.com

Copyright © 2021 Wendy May Andrews

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced, transmitted, or used in any manner whatsoever withoutthe express written permission of the author except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are a product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance toactual persons, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

ISBN - 978-1-989634-27-1www.wendymayandrews.com

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Can they overcome their secrets to embrace a life together?

Lady Felicity has no interest in Society’s expectations, and positively dreads being married off to

a life without purpose. Desperate for a change of scenery, she hides her noble heritage and takes onthe role of companion for the young daughter of a Duke.

Gilbert Barrington, the Duke of Rathnelly, feels constant pressure to provide financially in a way

his own father never did. His keen business sense has served him well, though his hardworking natureis better left a secret in High Society. A widower with three children, the Duke is far more concerned

with keeping the estate from crumbling than finding a new wife.

When Gilbert notices his daughter’s new companion is especially intelligent and inquisitive, hefears his own secret industrialist ways may be found out. It doesn’t help that Lady Felicity’s allure

has him seeking out her company and enjoying every conversation.

They are drawn together by their shared interests and an undeniable attraction. Yet, they areholding themselves back to protect their own secrets. What will happen when the truth comes out?

Read this sweet and clean regency romance today for a perfect escape with an unforgettable

happily ever after.

Dedication

In A Lady to Reveal Felicity doesn’t want to conform to Society’s strictures and goes togreat lengths to arrange her own destiny. This book is for everyone who forges their own path inlife. It isn’t always easy but it can be very fulfilling.

Acknowledgements

First and foremost, Mr. Andrews deserves to be recognized for his constant support of mywriting and life in general. It feels like he knows the Sherton sisters almost as well as I do, eventhough he hasn’t read this manuscript yet. And he’s always kind enough to order pizza when theneed arises.

My beta team, Alfred, Monique, Suzanne, and Christina, are so supportive and helpful infinding any plot holes as well as helping me out all along the way. Thanks so much!

My gorgeous cover is compliments of the skilled photography of Envision LiteraryPhotography and the graphic design skills of Verdeli Design & Illustration. I’m thrilled with theresults of this new collaboration.

We’ve had a new editor join our team, Jenny Proctor of Midnight Owl Editing. I am gratefulfor her input. The characters’ goals and motivations have certainly deepened with her help.

And as always, my lovely editor, Julie Sherwood, helped me iron out the kinks in this storyand put in all the commas. Any remaining mistakes are entirely the fault of the author.

Chapter One

Felicity was going to scream. And that would cause a scandal. And then perhaps she would beruined and wouldn’t be required to debut for real. But if she were ruined, there was a very realchance that her younger sister, Graciela, would have no chance of a successful debut. That would be ashame, since Graciela’s temperament would probably allow her to make a success of a debut.Provided she could convince herself to leave the house, of course.

She almost shook her head as she was distracted by thoughts of her sister. Felicity loved Gracequite fiercely, but she couldn’t understand how her sister could be so content with home life. Felicitycertainly wasn’t. All she wanted from life was exactly what she wasn’t allowed to have. She wouldlove to study something more interesting than deportment and needlework. She wanted to see more ofthe world. But not in company with her next oldest sister.

Vigilia and her husband had offered to take her along with them in some of their travels. Felicityhad actually almost accepted, since it was better than nothing. And Vicky’s husband wasn’t cobbledby antiquated ideas that those of noble birth needed to avoid industry or enterprise. Much of theirtravels were connected with his business interests in other parts of the world, and it would befascinating and satisfying to get to see it for herself. The problem was Vicky. Or rather Vicky’ssimilarity to their mother when it came to her ideas of what’s appropriate for Felicity. SomehowVicky had decided it was her mission in life to find an appropriate nobleman for Felicity to marry.This was how she found herself in a crowded receiving room, surrounded by perfectly pleasantpeople vying for her attention while struggling with the decision of whether or not she ought toscream.

With a concerted effort, Felicity managed to swallow the scream that was scratching at herthroat. Despite her offensive ideas toward her little sister, Vicky was a lovely person, and Felicityhad no intention of offending her for her hospitality. But she was definitely going to have to come upwith a plan. Because this was most definitely not what she wanted.

“The modiste did just marvellously with my new gown, would you not agree?”“You have to see the matched bays they have found for me at Tatteralls. They are surely far

better pacers than the ones Fred Smythe was driving last week.”Felicity was certain the smile on her face was strained despite her best efforts to appear as

though the conversations going on around her were not making her nearly cross-eyed with boredom.Her mind started to drift toward the book she had hidden under her pillow in her bedroom. Herbrother-in-law’s library was the best stocked library she had yet had the pleasure to visit. Readingabout Richard Trevithick’s use of steam locomotives for colliery railways was certainly far morefascinating to her than which modiste was the best. But Felicity at least had the sense to realize thatshe couldn’t say so in such an environment. There were actually very few places she could trulyexpress herself. Her brothers-in-law, especially Ashford Northcott and the Duke of Wexford, werewilling to entertain her questions and fascination with all things industrial, but her sisters were farless appreciative of her interests and questions.

After her guests left, Vicky was quick to point out where Felicity had gone wrong.“You really ought to try a little harder, Felicity.”“Whatever do you mean?”Vicky laughed. “I know the ton is not your favourite, but what do you think, Felicity? It’s not as

though Mother is going to allow you to set up a laboratory so you can start examining alchemy or

some such. You have to get used to it. I know you cajoled our parents into allowing you to postponeyour debut but surely, you’ve put it off long enough. It’s time you got on with your life. You know youcannot stay home forever.”

“Nor do I want to. But surely, there has to be something else that would be acceptable for me todo. I cannot abide talking about fashion or gossip.”

“That would be hard to tell from the number of letters you send and receive every day. What areyou discussing in your letters, if not the latest gossip?”

“Do you really think I’m gossiping in my correspondence? Do you really know your sister solittle?” Felicity didn’t want to make a scene, but the comment stung her feelings.

“I do apologize, Felicity, but if not gossip, what do you write about?”“Well, I suppose you could call it gossip, as I do wish to know how everyone goes on. But I

don’t pass people’s information on to others. Some people actually have interesting things going on.”“Such as what?”“Some people actually pay more attention to science than fashion.”“Are you discussing science in your letters, then?”Felicity gritted her teeth over her sister’s questions. Despite the fact that Vigilia seemed ready to

arrange a wedding for her sister, it was obviously hard for her to see her as someone who had grownup and had a brain in her head. It was the strangest thing and irritating beyond belief.

“Never mind, Vick, it’s probably nearly time for me to return to Glendale, as I’ve quite taken upenough of your generous hospitality.”

“Oh, no, surely you ought to remain a little longer. I haven’t yet convinced you to make yourdebut.”

Felicity couldn’t remain angry with her sister and grinned at her, despite her irritation. “Wereyou hoping to be able to crow about that victory?” She laughed as her sister’s cheeks appeared towarm. “Well, then I am sorry to disappoint, but I am still holding out hope that I will be able toconvince Mother to allow me to remain at home until I can take advantage of Grandmother Sherton’sbequest.”

“Do you truly have no desire to wed, then?”Felicity shrugged. “It’s not that I have anything truly against the wedded state, it is just that I have

no interest in wedding anyone that you or Mother would consider appropriate.” At her sister’s aghastexpression, Felicity tried to explain. “I see how close you and your husband are and Bel and Hilariawith their husbands, and I do wish to experience that. But how can I find that with anyone whodoesn’t share my interests?”

Vigilia sighed, searching her face with concern, and then finally nodded. “Stay just a littlelonger, and I’ll try to find someone who you might find interesting.”

“You are nothing if not tenacious, I can certainly say that for you. Very well, I will stay for acouple more days but surely, I ought to return home and check on Mother and Augustus and Gracie.”

“You know they are all fine. You would have received a letter if they were otherwise.” The twosisters shared a laugh, still in good spirits with one another despite their vastly varying temperaments.

Seven days later, though, Felicity was safely returned home, sharing tea with her youngest sister.“Was it truly as dreadful as all that?” Graciela asked.“Worse,” Felicity declared with a grin. “I do think you might have enjoyed it, though. I don’t

know what they were thinking to send me. You wouldn’t have minded the talk of fashions and such.You probably would have made friends and had a fine time.”

Gracie smiled. “I was perfectly content to remain here.”

Felicity sighed heavily. “The problem is that I’m not content to remain here. What am I to do,Grace? I’m such a contrarian. I don’t truly wish to remain ensconced here at home, but I don’t wantwhat Mother expects of me, either. I wish it wouldn’t create a scandal for me to join a university orbecome a scientist.”

“What would you study if you were to become a scientist? I’ve never seen you do a singleexperiment. Surely, Father would allow you to set up a small laboratory of some sort. I cannot seehow it would be so very scandalous. No one even needs to know.”

Felicity laughed and then sighed again. “I don’t actually even know what to study. I’m just sorestless that I cannot settle on any one thing. I want to know everything, Grace, which I know isimpossible. But I am completely frustrated with Mother’s expectations.”

Gracie stared at her for several moments before narrowing her eyes at her sister. “You havesome sort of scheme that you’re thinking about, but you know it’s outrageous, so you are afraid totruly entertain it. That is why you are frustrated. Mother’s expectations haven’t changed since wewere in the cradle. It is you who has changed. So, tell me about it, and we’ll see what we can do.”

“You don’t understand, Grace. The idea that I have carries a very real possibility of scandal. Idon’t care so much for myself, but it could ruin any chances you might have.”

“Do I look terribly concerned about my chances? I might actually embrace the possibility of yourscandal forcing me to stay home.”

Felicity laughed. “I suppose you just might,” she conceded. Looking toward the door to confirmit was closed, Felicity edged her chair closer to her sister’s. “The Duke of Rathnelly is seeking acompanion for his daughter.”

Graciela blinked, obviously not expecting that to have come out of her sister’s mouth. “And thenwhat?”

“I would like to fill that position.”Felicity could feel her sister’s stare while she thought over the bold pronouncement.“Companion for Rathnelly’s daughter? That is a rather strange position. Are there no relatives to

keep her company? How do you know about it? Is she sickly? You have never had the most patiencefor the sickroom. And finally, in my litany of questions,” she added with a smile, “how do you thinkyou could gain such a position?”

“Well, I’m well enough educated to fill it, and surely qualified. Well, perhaps not Lady FelicitySherton, but I could if I were Miss Felicity Jones. As to how I know about it, I had a letter from LadyPembroke. She mentioned in passing that His Grace had asked her if she might know of anyone.”

Felicity again waited while her sister pondered her words. “You’ve thought of a plan, haven’tyou? But you’re afraid it might not work. And that has you chafing under Mother’s expectations. Andwhy you didn’t enjoy visiting Vigilia nearly as much as I thought you would.”

Felicity grinned at her sister. Despite their very different temperaments, they were remarkablyattuned to one another.

“If I tell enough falsehoods, I could probably pull it off.”“You’d have to tell a great many falsehoods, to be sure. How could you explain your absence?

And how could you correspond with the duke? Is it likely he will engage you without an interview?And didn’t you meet Rathnelly at Vicky’s wedding? Surely he would recognize you if you were toshow up on his doorstep?”

“Did I meet him? I cannot say that he really stuck in my memory as I was highly uncomfortableon that occasion.” Felicity’s cheeks heated as she admitted, “I have already written to the duke,expressing my interest in the position and explaining my credentials. If everyone thinks I’m

somewhere else, no one will miss me. It’s too bad I was just at Vicky’s house. I cannot claim to bethere. But I can tell Mother I’m going to help Rosabel with her children. I would actually like to dothat anyway, so that should be believable and would be an acceptable way to avoid any more talk ofmaking my debut for at least a little while longer. I might not actually have to tell anyone elseanything, as long as I have help in keeping up appearances. I will have to write from time to time.Since Rosabel is such a terrible correspondent, Mother might never realize I’m not there. If she wereto start to suspect, I will claim to have gone elsewhere. I had thought it might be best to tell Bel I’mwith Hilaria and tell Hilaria I’m with someone else. What do you think? I’m not sure which is morecomplicated. If everyone thinks something else, that might be harder to notice that I’m not where I’msupposed to be. But there will be more stories I’ll have to keep track of.”

“I’m certain you would be very able to keep track of whatever tales you come up with.” Gracietapped her chin, deep in thought. “I think you ought to tell as many tales as possible to muddy up thewaters. I couldn’t do it, but I am certain you could. I will help however you think is fitting, but youwill have to tell me what to do.”

Felicity stared at her sister. “Are you certain, Grace? A part of me wants to selfishly accept youroffer outright, but I need you to be absolutely certain. If I get found out, there is a real possibility of ascandal, besides the trouble you’ll be in with the countess if your involvement were to be found out.”

“If you can convince Rathnelly to give you the position, I have no doubt you can manage all therest. While I will miss you terribly, I look forward to reading about your adventures in your frequentletters.”

Felicity threw her arms around her sister. “You are the very best, Grace. Thank you so verymuch. I know you can understand a little bit why I can’t just fall in with Mother’s plans for me. But Ijust can’t convince any of them to let me do something more interesting and useful with my life thanjust producing some nobleman’s next heir. I have every confidence that if I can make a success of thisplan I will finally feel content with my lot in life.”

“I know, Felicity. And I think, even if you can’t manage this, you’ll feel better if you have atleast tried.”

Chapter Two

Felicity hoped her eyes weren’t as wide as saucers, but she couldn’t be sure, as it was her firsttime to be having such an adventure. Any adventure, really, if one were being perfectly honest. Sheonly hoped she wouldn’t be caught. She was reasonably certain that her disguise was good enough,and she had covered her tracks well enough that the family wouldn’t even suspect she was missing,let alone know where to find her. But her degree of excitement led to her anxiety. It would break herheart to have her adventure cut short at this point.

And surely, the duke wouldn’t be interacting with his daughter’s companion, so she should besafe from that quarter. Her disguise was sufficient, she reminded herself once more. Felicity wascertain she had considered all the possibilities. She tried to relax and enjoy her adventure.

All she really needed was to be able to convince each person that someone else had seen her.And she needed to last long enough in her position that she would have sufficient experience so one ofher sisters would be willing to take her on as governess to their children. Surely, that couldn’t be sovery hard.

Never mind the fact that she had never been an experienced liar. Surely, her active imaginationwould be able to get her successfully through to the end of her means. Then, she was convinced, herfamily will realize that she had been justified in her actions. Or she quite hoped that was to be theoutcome, at any rate.

As it stood, no one would recognize her, she was sure. There was nothing about the drab littlebrunette creature huddling in her ill-fitting clothes in her corner of the stagecoach that would put onein mind of Lady Felicity Sherton, that was certain. She was plain Miss Felicity Jones of Salisbury.And she was on her way to her new position as the companion to the Duke of Rathnelly’s nine-year-old daughter.

Felicity only hoped no one could tell that she had darkened her hair. She had thought it lookedcompletely natural when she had stared critically at herself in the mirror. But the stares she hadreceived since leaving her home led her to believe there was something amiss about her appearance.

Of course, there was also the fact that she had never been so completely on her own before. Soperhaps, she wasn’t really used to anyone actually looking at her. The entire experience was anovelty. And exactly what she was looking for. If she could only pull it off.

She was going to pull it off, she insisted to herself. Felicity reminded herself once more that sheneeded to think positively. If she was confident, it was far more likely she would be believed. Andreally, there was no reason for anyone to suspect she was anything other than what she was purportingto be. In addition, if her family were to suspect that she wasn’t where she had said she would be, theywouldn’t ever in a million years guess where she was.

While it was all perfectly acceptable on the one hand, it was also perfectly scandalous on theother. Which might be why Felicity was nearly beside herself with glee.

She didn’t love the fact that she had been required to tell several untruths to make thesearrangements. And it was quite likely she would have to tell a few more. But she was having anadventure. Surely, that had to account for something. For her it was sufficient justification.

And really, if everyone had listened to her and allowed her to have the life she had clearlyexplained she wanted, Felicity would have never had to go to such lengths. So, it could be argued thatit was all her family’s fault that she was in this potentially compromising situation.

But she would not be compromised, Felicity assured herself. Not that it really mattered. She had

absolutely no interest in an acceptable Society marriage. Her only concern was to not make thingsdifficult for Grace when it was time for her to make her debut. So Felicity was determined to pull itall off without even the whisper of impropriety touching her. Besides, one couldn’t be bathed inscandal and expect a successful career as governess, even if it were to one’s sisters’ children.

Ideally, Felicity would have preferred to have found an older lady in want of a companion, butshe hadn’t been able to figure out how to accomplish that. Finding the position as companion to thenine-year-old girl she was travelling to meet had been easier, even though the situation was a triflestrange. However, Felicity was reasonably certain she would enjoy it. Perhaps she could even staywith the child until she was grown and made her debut. By then, Felicity would have come into herown inheritance and could set herself up however she pleased.

Of course, it was unlikely she would be able to keep her family ignorant of her whereabouts forseven or eight years. But Felicity had every intention of telling them all the truth, once she hadestablished herself in her new role and proven that she could successfully lead a life different fromwhat her family expected of her.

She was thrilled all the way down to her toes to be far from Glendale, even if the commonstagecoach was nowhere near as comfortable as any of the conveyances she had ever ridden in herlife. The good news was, it was unlikely she would be expected to take the coach in the future. Ascompanion to the duke’s daughter, Felicity was certain that comfortable transportation would beprovided for whatever their travels might require.

The only qualm Felicity had was how the child would take to her.What if she doesn’t like me? The disquieting thought wouldn’t cease circulating in her mind and

was threatening to drive her mad. The queasy sensation in her midsection could only partially beblamed upon the poorly sprung carriage. She had never been so nervous in her life. But it was anexcited sort of nervous. If not for the upset in her tummy, Felicity thought she would rather enjoy thesensation. It was the biggest thrill of her life.

She only hoped the duke didn’t remember her. Or recognize her, it had been a couple of years,after all. But he might not even meet with her. He hadn’t struck her as a gentleman who would take aninterest in his daughter’s companion. He hadn’t actually struck Felicity as someone who even tookmuch interest in his daughter. So, her concerns were probably completely for naught.

Those tingles she had experienced when she had met Rathnelly at her sister’s wedding had beendue to too much wine; Felicity was certain of it. Even if they had been caused by something lessreliable, it had certainly been only on her side. The duke had barely noticed her. So, there was noreason she should be concerned that he would take heed of her when she presented herself as MissJones, there to be companion to Lady Adelina. If the duke even took the time to give her an audience,Felicity doubted he would take any note of her in her dowdy old gown with her hair tightly pulledback and coloured a dull, nondescript brown.

It was her hair that had given her the most qualms. Colouring one’s hair was really quite nearlybeyond the pale. But all the Sherton sisters had very noticeable, and probably memorable, long,golden curls. Many people remarked upon it. It could be an identifying marker if someone were to besearching for her. So, Felicity had taken her courage in both her hands and coloured it. The brown ofthe nut shells had also stained her forehead slightly but after the intense scrubbing she had subjected itto, it was barely noticeable. She would have to be much more careful the next time. She had alsoscraped and brushed her hair to eliminate as much of the curl as she possibly could. Of course, thatleft her with a frizzy mess that she had contained in a simple plait that she had then tucked up into herbonnet. The bonnet had the added benefit of covering the pink hue that still remained around the edges

of her hairline.As the day dragged on, a little of the excitement was beginning to fade for Felicity. She wasn’t

accompanied by servants to deal with the minor inconveniences they encountered along the way. Itwas beginning to sink into her consciousness that, in reality, going forward, she would actually be theone who would have to deal with those things for her charge. That realization made her brace hershoulders and face the situation with even more determination.

It also made her look a little more closely at her travelling companions.The man in the corner in the ill-fitting coat appeared to be consumed with anxiety as he clutched

his satchel, as though suspecting one of the other occupants were going to try to take it from him.Felicity hoped her amusement was well hidden. She also hoped the man never took up gambling, ashe would surely reveal if he ever was dealt a winning hand. Felicity imagined he was a clerk of somesort. Perhaps the assistant to a lawyer or a country squire. If he were working for someone of moremeans, she doubted he would be on the common stage. And he would surely be better dressed.

Next to the skittish clerk, and taking up more than her share of the bench, was a large, garrulousolder woman who didn’t leave any question as to her situation. Mrs. Clark was on her way to livewith her daughter, who had recently married a wealthy businessman. Felicity took leave to doubt theexorbitant wealth Mrs. Clark was proclaiming in connection with her new son-in-law. Surely, hewould have sent a carriage for his mother-in-law if he were so very well off. Or perhaps, in theunknown fellow’s defence, he just wasn’t as enthusiastic about having his wife’s mother come to stayas that good woman would like to think. Either way, Felicity was entertained to hear the plans Mrs.Clark was weaving for her daughter’s newfound splendor.

Squeezed in next to Mrs. Clark was the scrawniest woman Felicity had ever laid eyes on. Evenshe, in her spoiled ignorance, felt inclined to offer the poor woman something to eat. But she was thehappiest sort and didn’t seem in the least bothered by anything that transpired in their travels. Thebumps and weaves of the stagecoach seemed to almost amuse her as she would giggle from time totime. She had laughed the most when Mrs. Clark had insisted that she sit between her and the clerk. Itseemed Mrs. Clark meant to protect the young woman’s virtue with her own corpulence. Not that theclerk had even glanced suggestively at the poor woman. But Mrs. Clark’s active imagination seemedto have very few bounds.

She also didn’t seem to have any compunction about putting her nose into the affairs of others.She seemed consumed with curiosity about Felicity and her circumstances. Felicity tried to look at itas a trial run. If her story couldn’t stand up to the pressure of a nosy bumpkin such as Mrs. Clark, thenshe would never be able to survive what she was hoping to accomplish with her life.

“Yes, Mrs. Clark, it is a great opportunity I’ve been afforded,” Felicity acknowledged, wishingshe hadn’t admitted the truth of her destination. But she was fed up with lies and was going to stick tothe story she had already made up.

“My daughter could have taken a position like that,” Mrs. Clark began with something borderingon a sneer. “But then her husband found her, and she didn’t need to.”

Felicity hoped her smile didn’t look quite as frozen as it felt. It seemed mothers of every level ofSociety were all the same. The only future they could see for their daughters included a walk down anaisle.

“How lucky for her.” Felicity managed to give the reply that she knew the woman was waiting tohear, even if it nearly choked her.

“Perhaps, if you gave a little more attention to your appearance, you could be just as lucky,”Mrs. Clark offered kindly. “You aren’t so terrible looking. And you’re young and healthy. Many men

would be happy to have you.” She suddenly brightened. “Perhaps Mr. Pike here could use a wife,”she said, putting the clerk next to her in almost as awkward a position as Felicity.

“No,” he began before his face flooded with colour and he began to sputter. “That is to say, notthat there’s anything wrong with you Miss Jones, it’s just that I’m terribly committed to my employer,and –“

Felicity cut him off with her raised hand. “Please, do not trouble yourself in the least, Mr. Pike. Ihave given my word to my employer, as well, so I’m not actually searching for a husband at thistime.” She turned back to Mrs. Clark. “It’s kind of you to be concerned for me, Mrs. Clark, but truly,I’m content with my situation, and I wouldn’t want to be so irresponsible as to leave my newemployer in the lurch.”

“Well, I suppose that’s a proper sentiment.” Mrs. Clark didn’t seem convinced, but she ceasedmeddling in Felicity’s affairs for the moment, turning instead to the last two remaining occupants ofthe stagecoach.

Mr. and Mrs. Elderberry had introduced themselves very quietly when they had boarded thestagecoach about an hour previously. Felicity had been amazed by Mrs. Clark’s restraint thus far, butit didn’t appear as though it were going to last much longer.

“Why are you two headed north?”Felicity blinked over the abruptness of the coarse woman’s question, and she wasn’t in the least

bit surprised when the older couple ignored her, as they had been doing since they had taken theirseats. Well, perhaps she was a little bit surprised, as she didn’t feel herself capable of such bravery.She was only relieved that she had been prepared for questioning. Having grown up in a familyoverflowing with sisters, Felicity was highly skilled at anticipating the probing questions that couldfollow an older sister’s discovery of any questionable tidbits of information about a person.

But witnessing the older couple’s successful avoidance of the querulous other woman, Felicitytried to follow suit. She knew herself well enough to know she wouldn’t be able to outright ignore herif Mrs. Clark tried to speak with her again, but Felicity hoped the other woman wouldn’t be so rudeas to disturb a woman’s slumber, so she wrapped her coat a little more tightly around herself andleaned her head into the corner between the seat and the wall of the stagecoach. It might not be themost comfortable position she’d ever been in, but even if she couldn’t actually drift off to sleep, shehoped that if she looked like she was, Mrs. Clark would leave her alone.

Allowing her mind to drift toward her destination, Felicity thought about the duke and wonderedabout his daughter. It was a strange enough situation, a nine-year-old girl requesting a companion. Atthe age of nine, Felicity and her sisters were still under the firm control of governesses. They wouldhave run roughshod over someone with so little authority as a companion. But she was quite preparedthat the title was immaterial. Every nine-year-old daughter of a nobleman was still in need of lessons,so it was likely she would be taking on the role of governess, even if that was not what she was to becalled. She wondered what the duke might have to say on the matter. It was just one more thing shewas consumed with curiosity over.

Based on her few interactions with Rathnelly at her sister Vicky’s wedding a couple years ago,Felicity was fairly certain she would have very little to do with the man. He had been cool andarrogant when they had been briefly introduced, making Felicity feel as though he considered her farbeneath his notice. If he had treated the daughter of an earl that way, she was in full expectation thathe would be even loftier toward the insignificant young woman who was about to join his daughter’sentourage.

It had been pure luck that had allowed her to put herself in this position. Felicity, struggling

against her boredom at home, had become an avid letter writer. While most of her peers wrote lettersto stay in touch with family and friends, Felicity had made an effort to turn it into a vocation. Shewrote to everyone and waited anxiously for any replies. Because she was so prolific in her letterwriting, her efforts were rewarded with at least a few replies most days. She was fortunate that herfather was generous with her stationery budget, she mused. But while her incessant letters were whathad given her the information she needed to find this position, as well as the connections required topull off her ruse, it was also what might trip her up and get her caught in the end.

She was fairly certain she wouldn’t be able to keep up with writing letters any longer. She quiteexpected to be far too busy with Lady Adelina. And she couldn’t very well give her direction out toher friends or family. Even if she could, Rathnelly might not consider it seemly for his daughter’scompanion to be receiving so many letters.

It was the one aspect of her plan that she hadn’t completely worked out to her satisfaction. Sheonly hoped it took a good long while before anyone became suspicious. And she really hoped hermaid Clara didn’t lose her courage and confess all, nor, worst of all, her dear Gracie. Felicity couldonly imagine the disaster that would befall them both if Grace felt obliged to admit her involvement inher sister’s absence.

The long day of travel and the swaying of the carriage must have finally accomplished theirwork, for the next thing Felicity knew, she was being shaken awake.

“I say, Miss, didn’t you say this was your stop?”Felicity blinked herself awake, confused for the briefest moment why she was being addressed

in such a way and then quickly trying to contain the grin that was sure to split her face and surpriseher audience when she realized the exact circumstances.

“Thank you, so very much,” she replied as she scrambled to straighten her bonnet and climbdown from the coach without tripping in her haste. The coachman hadn’t struck her as a patient man,and she needed to be sure that her baggage was left with her. It had been challenging enough to packappropriately to her new situation. She couldn’t afford to lose the few possessions she had managedto bring with her.

Chapter Three

“Miss Jones?”Gilbert Barrington, sixth Duke of Rathnelly, amongst many other titles, felt his lips twitch as the

small woman nearly leapt into the air when he spoke to her, but she somehow managed not to squeakdespite how her lips parted as though a scream were about to erupt. She had been fidgeting with herbaggage and hadn’t yet taken the time to look around to see if someone were awaiting her. He didn’tappreciate her preoccupation. It didn’t bode well for his daughter.

But Miss Jones had come highly recommended besides being well educated, and Gilbert didn’thave time to put into finding another companion for Adelina. It had been hard enough finding one thatseemed appropriate and was willing to come so far without a proper interview.

The widened eyes she turned upon him when she finally looked in his direction were filled witha mixture of emotions.

“Y-your Grace.” She stumbled over his title as though shocked or awed to see him, but thenquickly dipped into a curtsy. He supposed she hadn’t expected him to be the one to collect her fromthe stagecoach, but his coachman had come down sick, and he had been too restless to stay home thatday. Gil was surprised to see her curtsy deepen as a debutante would do, not the universal curtsy of aservant. But then, he supposed, a companion wasn’t quite a servant. He ought to be relieved, in actualfact, that she would be exhibiting appropriate behaviour, but he hadn’t wanted another tonnishwoman in his house. A good part of the reason for needing a companion for Adelina was because ofthe fiasco with her governess. It was also the only reason he had agreed to his daughter’s request for acompanion.

Gilbert chose to ignore his misgivings about the woman before him. Really, it was ridiculousthat he even had misgivings. She put him in mind of a certain young woman he had met previously, butit seemed everything reminded him of Lady Felicity. The fact that his daughter’s new companion hadthe same first name as well as a similar stature shouldn’t be giving him such a start. But it haddefinitely been a mark against him hiring the young woman before him.

She was still staring at him with an element of horror written on her face. Gilbert wondered ifthat were her usual expression or if she were just that surprised by his presence. He wondered toohow he could put her at ease.

“Is this all you’ve brought?” he asked as he went to collect her things. She continued to stare athim, the horror deepening.

“You cannot carry, my luggage, Your Grace,” she insisted.“I cannot allow you to do it.”“Why ever not? I am in your employ.”“You are still a gently bred female, are you not?”She lifted her chin and looked him in the eye. Much to his surprise, she was glaring at him.“You are Rathnelly. You shall not carry my luggage.”He glared back at her. “I am Rathnelly and shall do as I please.” He did not relinquish his grasp

upon the small trunk he was carrying. Rather than argue further, he grabbed the other bag and strodetoward his carriage.

“Come along, Miss Jones, the light is fading.”Gilbert’s lips twitched again as he heard her frustrated huff. He was also pleased that he didn’t

have to tell her again. Before he had gotten far, he heard her scrambling after him, obviously not

intending to be left behind.“Would you care to explain this development, Your Grace?” She finally broke the silence after

they were driving along down the road from the inn where the stagecoach had dropped her off. “Yourcarriage and horses appear to be well cared for, so I find it unlikely that you’ve fallen upon such hardtimes that you’ve let your coachman go. But I have a hard time imagining a scenario that wouldrequire Rathnelly to collect a new hire from the station by himself.”

“I am left wondering if I ought to be disappointed that your imagination is so lacking, in thatcase. How shall you keep my daughter entertained if you cannot come up with interesting scenarios?”

The sweet peel of laughter this elicited brought a rare smile to Gilbert’s face, stretching it in anunfamiliar way. He quickly suppressed the sensation of amusement.

“I do not normally lack for imagination, Your Grace, I can assure you. But I am unfamiliar withdukes performing such mundane tasks.”

“Are you so familiar with dukes that you are in a position to make such a claim, then, MissJones?”

He hadn’t meant to be quite so cool toward the girl, but he couldn’t allow familiarity to creepinto their interaction. Any warmth would have to be nipped long before even the bud. He couldn’tallow Adelina to be put in an awkward position.

“I beg your pardon, Your Grace,” was all the answer she offered, but her small voice let himknow she had been properly cowed into place.

The silence stretched between them. It shouldn’t have mattered in the least, but somehow Gilbertfelt compelled to break it.

“If you must know, the coachman broke his leg.”“Oh no, I hope it wasn’t terribly painful.”Gilbert’s lips twitched again, but he ignored the impulse. “Have you ever broken a bone, Miss

Jones?”“No, but I know a horse would be killed for such a thing, so I’m certain it must be a terrible

experience.”“That’s some creative reasoning, but I’ve been led to understand you aren’t wrong. The daft

man, though, was ready to come for you himself, despite his pain and disability. He wouldn’t allowanyone else to take his place except me. And only when I insisted would he listen to reason.”

Silence followed his statement. He turned his head to find her staring at him again, but this timeit was with an expression of fascination, as though she weren’t quite sure what to make of him. Thegirl opened her mouth as though to speak but then shut it again, as though she had thought better ofwhatever she had been about to say. While Gilbert found himself wondering what it might have been,he was relieved by her silence.

The silence continued another couple of minutes before the air around them changed. A quickglance told him she was again staring at him, but this time with another wide grin.

“I ought to have just thanked you prettily, shouldn’t I have? I do apologize, Your Grace. But youhave to understand that your appearance quite flummoxed me.” Suddenly her eyes widened, and sheturned her head away as though she had suddenly remembered something. She kept her head avertedand her eyes trained upon the floor of the carriage. She cleared her throat before asking her nextquestion. Her voice was much altered and filled with respectful deference this time, just like anyoneelse in his employ. Gilbert fought back the ridiculous disappointment.

“Can you tell me anything I ought to know about Lady Adelina?”“It might be best if you get to know her for yourself rather than having your opinion coloured by

mine.”Again, Gilbert saw her open her mouth before she quickly pinched her lips closed. She nodded

once before she cleared her throat anew.“Might I be so bold as to ask why you have hired a companion for your daughter rather than a

governess? She seems a bit young to be completed with her studies.”“She hasn’t fully completed her studies, but enough that a companion should be sufficient.

Especially one such as you with such a well-rounded education. Lady Adelina has insisted that she isprepared to study on her own with only a little assistance from time to time. She didn’t enjoy herformal education, and this was the solution we agreed upon. There was also an unfortunate incidentwith the last governess we had in our household. She has left a distaste behind for the title. But, asI’m sure you will agree, she isn’t so grown that she could be unaccompanied at this point. So, youwere our solution. And with your qualifications, if you and she suit, you should be able to remainwith us until she makes her debut. A governess couldn’t very well accompany her for that.”

“No, of course not,” she finally replied in a small voice, followed by an unbroken silence untilthey pulled up in front of his house.

~~~

She had obviously not thought this through in the least.Felicity felt squashed by the weight of her thoughts as they rolled along in the comfortable

carriage. It was a far cry from the conveyance in which she had spent the day. She would have taken itfor granted any day previous to this one. But now, it had been on the tip of her tongue to remark uponthe light steps of his horses and the delightful springs in his carriage. It was likely that gently bredyoung women wouldn’t notice such things, and Felicity needed to keep her thoughts to herself.

But how was she going to keep her family ignorant of her whereabouts for seven or eight years?And then, how was she to be Lady Adelina’s companion when she made her debut? It was highlyunlikely her sisters wouldn’t notice that Miss Felicity Jones was suspiciously familiar looking whenthey all resembled each other so clearly. No disguise would be sufficient to fool her sisters.

She decided to set aside the unwelcome concerns for a time. She had known there would becomplications, and she had considered the need to inform her family eventually. If she and LadyAdelina suited, she would decide then what she would do. Rathnelly would eventually need to be toldas well, if she decided she wished to stay.

Felicity just hoped she wasn’t on the verge of injuring the innocent feelings of a young girl. Thatwas the entire reason she had set herself upon this course. She hadn’t liked the direction her life wasexpected to go. She wanted more for herself. And she was determined to guide her life in her owndirection. It had always hurt her feelings that she was expected to live her life a certainpredetermined way. And no one had ever listened to her objections. Felicity was well aware justhow very fragile the feelings of a nine-year-old could be. That was how old she was the first time shecould remember knowing how desperately her mother wished she had been able to bear a male childto inherit her father’s titles and lands.

Unlike her sister Hilaria, Felicity had never actually wished she had been born to be that heir.But it had much struck her how stuck they all were in the strictures of their world. And she had begunto rebel against it.

Little things at first. Why did she have to take tea at exactly the same time every day? Soon, shehad learned there were certain things in connection with her own body that just couldn’t be rebelled

against. She needed sleep and food at regular intervals. But then, why couldn’t she muck out the stallsor visit the kitchens? And the worst one that had finally prompted her outrageous adventure – why didshe have to marry?

Felicity wasn’t opposed to marriage in the principle of the matter. She was well aware of justhow blissfully happy her sisters were with their husbands and children. Felicity actually thought shewould like to have children one day. But the need to go up to London to prance around ballrooms andtheatres, parading in front of a collection of noble gentlemen hoping one of them would accept her ashis bride, struck her as frivolous at best and abusive at worst. But she didn’t think there was any otherway to wed. It wasn’t as though she could run away with a footman. That wouldn’t result in happinessfor either of them with their disparate backgrounds; she at least had the sense to understand that.

So, she would find employment.Her parents had been fundamentally opposed to the idea. They were far too preoccupied with the

newly arrived viscount to pay full heed to her words, dismissing them as one of her fits and starts. Butas Augustus had survived infancy and her parents had regained their sensibilities toward theirremaining children, talk had resumed of Felicity going up to London to make her debut. She hadbegged for another year, explaining that she would rather debut together with Graciela. Luckily, theeasy-going youngest daughter hadn’t objected. And Felicity had exerted herself to come up withanother plan.

And here she was, arriving at Rathnelly. She had outdone herself in the outrageous category oflife. No one would ever think to find her here.

She hoped her chin wasn’t hanging open. As they trundled up the long, straight drive toward thehouse all Felicity could do was try not to gape. It was the most majestic place she had ever seen.Even grander than Wexford, her brother-in-law’s principle seat, which she hadn’t thought anythingcould be after she had visited her oldest sister for the first time. But Rathnelly exceeded Wexford inboth size and atmosphere.

The sun was at just the right angle, casting the very last dregs of its light, reflecting in rose andorange shades, sparkling in the myriad windows placed systematically across the front of the large,imposing building. Felicity assumed the structure would usually be a sedate gray or even a boringbeige but as the sunset reflected on the sandstone, it glowed and sparkled.

She tried not to be excessively fanciful, but it seemed to her that the house was beckoning her,welcoming her even. Despite her awe of the massive, stately structure, Felicity was filled withcertainty that she would be able to feel at home there. She wanted to turn to the duke and discuss thematter, but ever mindful of the need to hide her identity, she kept her thoughts to herself and herappreciative stare fixed to the swiftly approaching building.

It was the most majestic and overwhelming building she had ever seen. She loved it instantly andwanted to explore every inch. She dearly hoped Lady Adelina was going to be amenable to showingher around.

Her sense of awe threatened to overwhelm her. It didn’t help that the handsome duke at her sidewas becoming more austere the closer they drew to his ancestral home. Felicity wished she could turnand stare at him, but that couldn’t be done in either manifestation of her life. Neither a debutante nor ahired companion could stare as openly as she wished at a duke, no matter how compelling he mightbe.

But she was almost consumed with curiosity as to why he might be stiffening as they approachedthe massive building. A part of her could understand the reaction as it was a large, imposing edifice,but one would think, having grown up there, the duke would be immune to such a reaction. She was

swept with the oddest impulse to offer comfort to the man. She curbed the instinct. Now was not thetime to allow her urge to mother those around her free rein. She also smothered the urge to laugh ather own swirling thoughts. She certainly didn’t want her new employer to think she was a candidatefor Bedlam.

Chapter Four

Gilbert could feel his limbs stiffening as they drove up the long, straight, intentionallyintimidating, tree-lined lane toward the pile of stones that was his inheritance and legacy. Rathnelly.It was his title. It was his home. It was also his albatross. His feelings about the expansive propertywere varied and complicated, and he didn’t enjoy analyzing them in any sort of detail. But it was oddthat it would be worse today. The young woman at his side could hardly be considered important inhis life and yet somehow, he felt uncomfortably aware of her presence and desperately wanted toknow what she thought of it. Perhaps, it was just because she was a female.

He should have thought of that before he had volunteered to collect her. It would have been muchbetter for everyone if he had sent a footman. But he was so used to doing needed things himself that hehadn’t thought twice when the need arose.

The last female he had driven to this place had hated it on sight. It was one of the reasons he hadno intention of remarrying.

The small catch he heard in this woman’s throat made him long to turn and look at her, to gaugeher reaction. But a part of him didn’t want to know. Had the catch been one of awe, as still happenedto him upon occasion, or one of disgust, as had happened with that last female? He couldn’t bringhimself to find out.

And so he stiffened.It was a good thing his horses were so well trained that they could pretty much drive themselves

to the stables, as his stiff fingers and arms weren’t doing much in the way of guiding the largeanimals. It was particularly fortunate that this was only happening on the return home, as those samehorses had been feisty and a bit quarrelsome when they had pulled out from the stable yard.

Gil knew he had his stable too well stocked, but it was his one extravagance. He had been solong with so little, he hadn’t thought indulging in too much horseflesh would harm anyone, but theanimals told a different story. If they couldn’t all be exercised sufficiently then he was harming them.And that would never do. But the thought of selling them off also smacked of his childhood, and herepulsed at the idea. That had been another reason he had volunteered to collect the newly hiredwoman. And another reason why he was stiff with suppressed, complex feelings as they rolled up infront of his house.

He wondered briefly whether he ought to drop her off at the front door but didn’t falter in hisdriving. Even though she was gentry, she was now also in his employ. While he wouldn’t expect herto be as one of the servants, he also wouldn’t expect her to take offence at being expected to walkfrom the stables as he was going to do. And if she were going to take offence, now was the right timeto get such nonsense out of the way.

In that moment, he realized he had hired the woman for a very awkward position. Gently born,but hired. So, not really of any class any longer. His heart panged for her for the briefest momentbefore he reminded himself that he really shouldn’t go reading himself into other people’s situations.Obviously, the woman needed employment or she wouldn’t have sought the position. And Adelinahad assured him that a companion was exactly what she required. Gilbert refused to feel anything inparticular on the subject.

He cleared his throat of the sudden restriction.“You aren’t very chatty, are you?”This brought her startled gaze to tangle with his, but she still didn’t speak.

“I do hope you’ll be able to converse comfortably with my daughter. As her companion, I willexpect you to keep her company.”

Suddenly the young woman grinned, and he had to catch his breath at the transformation thatovercame her. She was momentarily the most beautiful young woman he had every laid eyes upon. Asquickly as it came, as though she had swallowed her amusement, the grin slipped from her face, butshe nodded and launched into speech.

“For one thing, Your Grace, I am of the opinion that company can be companionable even whilesilent. But I am well aware of just how chatty nine-year-old girls can be. It wasn’t so very long agothat I was one myself. And I have several sisters. I’m quite certain I will be perfectly able to keep herladyship company.”

Gil felt himself stiffen further. He didn’t have a response for the girl. But then, he remindedhimself, he was the duke. He needn’t offer an answer if he didn’t wish. The thought filled him withwry amusement even as it caused him no end of tension. Finally, his highly bred horses had hadenough and began to toss their heads to demonstrate their displeasure with his tight grip on the reins.

Relief threatened to swamp him when he realized they were in view of the stable yard.Concentrating on relaxing his fingers allowed Gilbert to release the reins and the horses did the rest,driving into the stable yard and coming to a stop in the usual spot. Stable hands came running, takingthe heads of the horses, handing Miss Jones down from the carriage, and watching the duke to see ifhe had any instructions for them.

Gilbert nodded at them and set off toward the house at what he thought was a normal pace. Thesound of a flurry of footsteps suddenly followed him.

“Your Grace! A moment, please, Your Grace.”He stopped but didn’t turn toward her.She was panting when she finally stopped beside him. Such a tiny little woman next to his great,

hulking size. It was another point both in her favour and against her in his mind.“Miss Jones?”“I’m sorry to accost you, Your Grace, but I wasn’t certain if I should report to you or to the

housekeeper about my duties and where I am to put my belongings and so on.”Gil stared at her for a moment. He didn’t have a clear answer for her, but he knew who would.“Mrs. Betts will see to you,” he said before striding away once more.

~~~

Felicity stared after him.“Who is Mrs. Betts?” she whispered to his retreating back. Most likely the housekeeper, she told

herself reassuringly. At the very least, one of the other servants would know who she was, Felicitysupposed. Feeling flustered, she had to retrace her steps to see about her baggage. She wasn’tcompletely certain of the protocol surrounding a paid companion, but she was fairly certain theservants wouldn’t be as eager to serve her as they would be for an earl’s daughter.

“Don’t trouble yerself, Miss. We’ll see to yer bags. Everyone up at the House is that eager to seeye. Best get on up there, then.”

Felicity smiled her thanks to the ostler who had offered her the words of advice. Leaving herbags with the servants after a few pangs of distrust, Felicity made her way to the large house. Againshe hesitated, this time over whether or not she should go to the main entrance or search out theservants’ access. Resolutely putting her chin up, refusing to be cowed, Felicity marched up to the

front door and was just reaching for the knocker when the door was pulled open.“Miss Jones?” the servant asked without waiting for her to introduce herself. “Please, follow

me, we’ve been expecting you.”Taking a gulping deep breath to try to swallow the lump of fear that was lodged in her throat,

Felicity took one last glance over her shoulder at the brightly setting sun before entering the dark,imposing foyer and following the servant, who had still not identified himself.

The large building that had seemed so thrilling and beautiful as they had driven up the long lanenow felt even more intimidating, and Felicity fought the urge to tiptoe and whisper. Do not beintimidated, she scolded herself. She had made her choices. Even though she was realizing she hadnot thought her plan through as much as she ought to have, she was here now, and she intended to startoff as she wished to carry on. That entailed not allowing herself to give in to fears.

Clearing her throat to ensure her voice didn’t quaver, Felicity spoke up. “One moment, please.”And then she stopped hurrying after the liveried man. After a few steps, he must have realized shewas no longer following him. He stopped in his tracks and turned to her.

“My apologies, Miss, was I hurrying too fast for you? We’re that eager to have you settled. Herladyship has been anxious for your arrival. But I should have thought.”

“No apology necessary,” Felicity assured him with a smile. She hoped she didn’t appear asrelieved as she felt. She had worried her demonstration of independence might fail her. She hadn’trealized how anxious she had been until it was past. She cleared her throat again, quietly. “You didn’ttell me your name, but you seem to know mine.”

The young man blushed.“Again, I’m sorry, Miss. The entire house has been abuzz with news of Miss Jones’ arrival. I

should have introduced myself. I am John, head footman. Mr. Carter would have done a far better jobof welcoming you, and he would have done so, if not for helping Coachman.”

Felicity waved away his concerns. She was no longer an important personage. She needn’t begreeted in any particular way. And she was thrilled with that development, certain she was going toenjoy her new role.

“Not at all, John. I’m glad the coachman is being cared for. I’ve never broken a bone beforemyself, but I’m told it is immensely painful.” She paused for a moment. “Thank you for stopping.After sitting all day, I wasn’t prepared to run, but I’ve caught my breath now. We can carry on.”

The footman flushed anew but didn’t comment further, merely carrying on leading her through thehouse, this time at a more sedate pace. Finally, he stopped in front of an open door before precedingher into the room.

“Miss Jones to see Lady Adelina,” he announced before bowing to the room and then hurryingaway.

His announcement created a flurry of activity. The girl on the settee bounded up, clapping herhands before declaring quite dramatically, “Finally, what has taken you so long, Miss Jones? Wehave been waiting all the live long day.”

The other occupant of the room was, Felicity surmised, the housekeeper, Mrs. Betts. This olderwoman appeared distressed by her charge’s words but aside from ineffectual waving of her handsdidn’t actually do anything about it.

“Yes, well, I can assure you it was a very long day for me, as well. I apologize if you hadexpected me earlier, but from what I understand, the stagecoach actually made exceptionally goodtime.”

“You travelled by stagecoach?” the girl stared at her as though she had committed another

infraction.“Since you didn’t send a carriage for me, there was little choice.”The two stared at one another for a moment as though a battle of wills were taking place. It

would appear that Felicity won as the child suddenly laughed and ran toward her, throwing her armsaround her waist.

“I’m so glad you’ve come.”Felicity met the concerned gaze of the watchful housekeeper and offered her a small smile.“I’m happy to be here, as well,” she assured them both.In that moment, Felicity realized she would have to continue blazing the trail as she hoped things

would proceed. It didn’t seem likely anyone in the household had an idea how a companion ought tobehave, and the housekeeper really wasn’t in a position to be ordering anyone of a higher stationabout. Felicity would have to take the lead.

“Do you think you ought to show me your room and mine before or after you offer me tea?” sheasked the girl, who stared back at her for a moment. Finally, the youngster’s face was split with agrin.

“Are you terribly hungry? If you’ve been travelling all day, you’d probably like tea first,wouldn’t you?”

“I won’t faint away just yet, but I’m not up for a tour of the entire house before I’ve been fed.”The child appeared undecided, so Felicity took charge.“Why don’t we ask Mrs. Betts to meet us back here with some refreshments after you’ve shown

me our rooms? How long do you think it will take for us to do that?”Lady Adelina wrinkled her nose in doubt, so Felicity prompted her. “Fifteen minutes or half an

hour? Or somewhere in the middle?”“In the middle,” Lady Adelina pronounced with a smile.Felicity nodded to the housekeeper and then followed the girl from the room, smiling over her

happy chatter.“Do you ride? I hope you ride, as I am so looking forward to riding with you. It won’t be nearly

so fun if we have to take the gig. But Father says you are to ride so surely you will, even if we have toteach you. I hope you’re going to like your room, but if you don’t we could probably have it redone.We haven’t really decorated before, but I really want you to like it here. Do you think you’re going tolike it here?”

“I haven’t yet seen anything that will make me not like it here,” Felicity managed to answerbefore the girl giggled and tripped ahead again.

“Are you going to make me do lessons? Father thinks I ought to have a governess, as he says Iought to be still in school. But a governess will have to go away eventually, so I insisted that I neededto have a companion, who will stay with me. But Father says just because I got my way about havingyou doesn’t mean I can get away with not having lessons. Are you going to give me lessons?”

A lump was forming in Felicity’s throat at the thought of this poor motherless girl so anxious tohave someone who wouldn’t leave her. Felicity’s stomach cramped with guilt over her subterfuge. Ifshe truly were Miss Felicity Jones, she would love to promise the girl she would stay with herforever. As it was, she could only hope to avoid the topic of the length of her tenure.

“I’m afraid I’m going to have to agree with your father. You probably haven’t yet learnedeverything you ought to know. But perhaps, we can consider it as just something we shall do together.I wouldn’t want to cease learning myself, so we shall find things we can agree upon that we wish tolearn about. You aren’t actually opposed to learning, are you?”

The girl wrinkled her nose. “I don’t think so. I just didn’t want to be away at school anymore. Idon’t think it’s right for Father to be all alone. And I didn’t want a governess.”

Felicity offered her what she hoped was a reassuring smile. She would settle for it even beingneutral. While her guilty feelings threatened to overwhelm her, Felicity vowed in her heart to at leastshow the girl as much friendly affection as she could for the time that they were together.

It wasn’t that Felicity was opposed to staying with the girl. Being the motherless child’scompanion felt far more noble and fulfilling than becoming a debutante. But Felicity was fairlycertain her family would eventually realize no one had laid eyes upon her and would start searchingfor her. For the time being, Felicity shoved the concerns from her mind. She was here now and woulddo the best that she could.

They had finally reached the suite of rooms that she and Lady Adelina were to use, and theyoungster threw open the door with a flourish. Her face was split with a grin, but Felicity could seethat the girl was nervous about her companion’s reaction.

“Oh, how lovely,” Felicity was relieved to be able to say. “The big windows should be able tocatch quite a bit of light. I expect mornings won’t be difficult with the sun streaming in.” She walkedcloser to the windows. “And the view is dazzling, as well.”

Adelina skipped toward her, clearly pleased at Felicity’s positive reaction but not quite sure asto her meaning.

“Why do you say it’s dazzling?” she asked with a wrinkled brow.“All that green,” Felicity answered promptly. “I’m sure, when the sun lands on it, it will be quite

spectacular."The girl didn’t appear convinced but merely shrugged and smiled, seemingly pleased that

Felicity appreciated it.“How old are you?” Lady Adelina asked suddenly, startling Felicity from her continued

enjoyment of the view.“I turned nineteen a few months ago,” she replied, uncertain if she should be trying to appear

older or younger from the child’s perspective. She had thought to lie about her age but had felt shehad stretched the truth enough in order to get the position, her conscience wouldn’t allow her to doany more, especially not to the girl she was to be entrusted with.

Adelina grinned. “That’s terrific,” she replied. “I was afraid Father was going to get me agranny as my companion.”

Felicity laughed and turned away from the window. A quick glance around the room showed herthat it was perfectly suitable for her needs, possibly better than Miss Jones qualified for and certainlynot beneath Lady Felicity’s notice.

“What’s wrong with a granny? I’d love to have one.”“Well, besides the fact that grannies are old and smell of ointment and peppermints, I don’t think

one would be ready to go riding or anything that would require energy or gumption.”“What do you know about gumption?” Felicity asked with a laugh.The girl shrugged, suddenly looking uncertain. “Father said it’s what I had when I fell out of the

tree and didn’t cry.”“You didn’t cry? I’d have to agree with your father in that case. How did you manage it?”“My brothers were there, you see.”“Ah, I do see. It wouldn’t do to cry in front of one’s brothers, I don’t suppose, especially not if

they’re older than you.” There was a pause as they thought on the matter and made their way towardthe door. Felicity finally added her thoughts. “I cannot say that I have the same amount of gumption as

you, but I don’t lack for energy, so I’m sure we’re going to get on just fine.”Lady Adelina did a small jig of excitement before glancing at Felicity with concern. “Do you

expect me to be more dignified? I’m probably not quite as up to snuff as you would expect me to be,am I?”

Felicity blinked, wondering where the child was going with this particular question. She startedwith a laugh. “You probably shouldn’t be using such expressions as ‘up to snuff’ but I think, sinceyou’re nine years old, being too dignified might sit a little oddly on your shoulders. Why do you ask?”

“That’s what they were always telling us at school. Since Father is a duke, I’m supposed to berefined and dignified.”

“Ah, I see. Well, I wouldn’t say they were wrong completely. You will want to learn to berefined and dignified at the appropriate times. But I think you have plenty of time to worry about thatlater.”

“Why do I need to be, though? What does it matter that Father’s a duke?”“Do you understand what being a duke means?”The child’s mouth opened and closed as though she were about to answer but then realized she

didn’t actually know what to say. Finally, she shrugged and shook her head.“It is one of the highest positions in the land. Only royalty is higher. It often involves controlling

a great deal of wealth and property. But even if a duke isn’t exceedingly rich, he usually carries agreat deal of influence within the kingdom. As such, people are always after a duke to try to curry hisfavour.” Felicity realized she was making it too complicated for the child. “That means they willwant him to do things for them. As his daughter, people will also try to influence you in order to try toget into his good graces. Either way, everyone will be watching you whenever you are out in Society.If you can choose to be refined and dignified at the appropriate times, it will no doubt be far morecomfortable for you, as you won’t have to be worried about embarrassing yourself or your family.”

As she continued talking, Felicity was wondering if she had gone into too much detail for theyoungster but despite her wrinkled nose, Adelina had followed along, nodding as though inunderstanding. Finally, when Felicity had concluded, the girl nodded firmly once more.

“I’m glad you don’t think it’s necessary quite yet,” she said with a whoop as she ran ahead ofFelicity down the stairs at a nearly break neck speed.

Felicity laughed but then sighed. Perhaps, she hadn’t handled that quite as well as she shouldhave.

In her mind she began to compose a letter, even as she trailed after the youngster.Dearest Grace:You’ll be happy to know that I arrived at my destination without incident. I want to thank you

again for helping me with this. I know already that it was the right decision for me, even thoughtrickery was needed. I could never have managed it without you. You are the best sister who everlived.

The girl is a delight but will definitely keep me sharp. I do hope I shan’t hurt her littlefeelings. You were quite right when you said I was thinking more of myself than of her. Myconscience shall smite me for certain.

But I’m still thrilled to be here.

Chapter Five

Gilbert stepped out of the alcove he was in and stared toward the space where his daughter andher new companion had been. There was more to Miss Felicity Jones than she was letting on, hestrongly suspected. Once again, he was put in mind of that other Felicity, but he dismissed the thoughtimmediately as he considered the complication of this present Felicity. Her explanation of the life ofa duke revealed considerably more knowledge than he would have expected from someone with hersimple background. Or she was a much deeper thinker than any young woman he had everencountered. Sending a hand through his hair in a sign of frustration, Gil resolved to keep an eye onthe new member of his household. Just one more thing to keep track of on his very full list ofresponsibilities. He had hoped hiring her would simplify his life.

Shaking his head, he reminded himself that he really couldn’t just blithely pass his daughter’scare over to a newcomer without paying at least a modicum of attention at first, so nothing hadchanged. Miss Jones had come very highly recommended. The letters of recommendation she hadincluded with her correspondence of inquiry about the position had been glowing. He ought to trustthe process. And what he had overheard should actually have reassured him, not discomfited him, hereminded himself. She was obviously well able to care for his active, imaginative daughter andseemed to be well positioned to be able to prepare Adelina for her future, whatever her title might be.

Gil knew he couldn’t judge every gently bred woman by his experiences with his late wife, but itwas a challenge. He felt scarred in the region where his feelings ought to be from the experience. While he did wish his children could still have a mother, he didn’t think they were worse off for nothaving that judgmental harpy in their life. No, Miss Jones would have to do, he decided with adecisive nod.

He knew he ought to be happy about the young woman joining the household. But he had theoddest sensation that life as they’d known it had just changed irrevocably.

He hadn’t been completely wrong.As the days became weeks, life at Rathnelly became lighter than it had been in years. Gil

couldn’t put his finger on exactly what had made the difference. He was certain childish laughter hadbeen heard ringing through the hallways and corridors of the massive building since his children hadbeen born, but it seemed to him that the last couple of weeks had been filled with more laughter thanthe entire previous decade. It made him consider bringing his sons home from school, too. But boysneeded school even more than girls did, he was sure. Despite that, though, he was determined theywould come home for their next break rather than going to other boys’ homes as they had been doingin recent years. He just needed to find the right way to tell them. Gilbert stared out the window as hepondered the letter he ought to be writing.

Wickham, he had started writing before second guessing himself. Ought he to be addressing hisson by his courtesy title? Since when had he come to question everything? It was all that woman’sfault. Since Miss Jones had arrived with her watchful gaze and intelligent questions, he found himselfwondering if everything about his life were being called into question, and he didn’t like it one bit.

With a new piece of parchment before him, Gilbert began again.Dear Gardner,It has been far too long since we have been together as a family.He paused for a moment and realized that it had probably been since their mother’s funeral. Gil

swallowed the guilt that threatened to rise up and carried on with his letter.

Your sister misses you.As do I, Gil thought but wondered if he ought to tell the boy so.It would be best if you and Easton come home for the summer. It’s time you take more of an

interest in the estate and spend time with Adelina.Gil worried the boy would dread the time there and didn’t want him to try to refuse coming, as

he and his brother had become so in the habit of avoiding home. He would have to sweeten the offer.If you have a friend or two who would like to accompany you home to Rathnelly, you may

supply me their names so I can write to their parents.Sincerely,With a breath of frustration, Gil read what he had written and wished to start over, but he was

already on his third piece of parchment. He was a duke for pity’s sake. This ought to be astraightforward correspondence. But he didn’t even know how to close the letter. Ought he to sign offwith Father or Rathnelly? It was a ridiculous question. With a flourish he signed his name and sandedthe paper.

His boys needed to come home. They would come home. Whether that was their desire or not.Gilbert had no intention of granting his permission for them to go elsewhere this time. Those dayswere over. He needed to spend time with his sons. They needed to spend time on the estate. If theywere grieving for their mother, they could do that as well here at home as anywhere. Their sisterneeded them. And that was a responsibility he would not allow them to shirk. He had been shirking itenough for the lot of them.

Ought he to hire a tutor for them, though? For the first time, in that moment, Gil wished his wifewere still alive. While she had been a cold, selfish woman, she had known what the children neededand always made sure to provide it. She would have known if they could go through the summerwithout lessons. Perhaps, Miss Jones would know. He was certain she would have an opinion on thesubject. The thought brought a smile to his lips as he anticipated the conversation over dinner.

He ignored the surge of happiness the thoughts brought to him and turned back to the pile ofreports in front of him. Perhaps, he ought to curtail their evening meals together if they were going toprompt him to such happiness. But the thought of disappointing Adelina prevented it. He would justhave to learn to control his own joy. He had no intention of limiting his daughter’s.

Gil reached for the bell pull that would have his steward brought to him. There was muchbusiness to cover before he would allow himself the pleasure of the evening meal.

Gilbert was still contemplating the matters he had been dealing with that afternoon when theclatter of his daughter’s footsteps brought his gaze and attention to the door.

“Oh dear, are we late?” Adelina asked with a twist of her lips as she dipped into a curtsy.“Jonesy said we would be, but I had thought you are never on time, so we needn’t rush.” The childlaughed, not truly repentant. “She’s always right. It’s most vexing.”

The young woman in question had heard the entire exchange. Gil watched in fascination as atumult of expressions fought for dominance upon her face before she blinked them all away andwithout comment, offered a nod and a curtsy to the duke before silently following him to the diningroom. He felt a strange flutter in his midsection that he quickly dismissed. He wasn’t a schoolboy.

“Did the two of you have an enjoyable day?” Gilbert asked as the footmen began serving whatsmelled to be an excellent meal.

“Thank you, Father, we did quite,” Adelina replied with a grin. She then turned to the footman,who was offering her a salver laden with food. “My favourite, thank you, Thomas.” She then eagerlyturned to her companion. “This is your favourite, too, isn’t it Jonesy?”

The young woman grinned at his daughter, suddenly appearing far younger than she usually didwith her severe hairstyles and less than fashionable gowns. “It is, yes, my lady. It seems that thekitchens have outdone themselves once more.”

“Do you know how to cook?” Adelina asked around her mouthful of food.Gil watched as Miss Jones lifted an eyebrow at his daughter. Suddenly, the girl’s cheeks

brightened with pink, and she lifted her napkin to wipe her mouth.“Sorry, Jonesy, I was too excited for the food and your answer.”Miss Jones graced his daughter with an approving smile before she finally answered her

question.“I know how to cook a few things. If I was left on my own without a kitchen staff but a stocked

larder, I wouldn’t starve. But nothing like what the cooks here can manage, that’s for certain. And itseems like they are always cooking enough for an army. I wouldn’t be able to manage that withoutsome practice, I’m sure.”

“Well, I suppose there are a great number of people here that need to be fed, isn’t there?”Adelina grinned at the footmen who were milling about the room behind them. Miss Jones nodded heragreement.

Gil thought to join their conversation.“Speaking of feeding an army, we’ve received word that Wickham and Easton’s terms will be

ending in two weeks. They will be coming home shortly thereafter.”It was as though he had said the most thrilling thing his daughter had ever heard. She stared at

him with her mouth and eyes opened wide. Even Miss Jones appeared surprised by his words.“Gardner and Easton are coming here?” Adelina breathed her question. “I can hardly believe it!”

she practically squealed before she turned to her companion and added. “Can you believe it, Jonesy?”Gil saw the young woman’s eyes alight with amusement, and he suspected it was due to his

daughter’s choice of names for her companion. The duke wondered if he ought to reprimand hisdaughter for her casual address but decided to leave it in Miss Jones’ hands.

“I’m looking forward to meeting your brothers,” Miss Jones calmly replied.“You ought to be a little more excited than that, Jonesy,” the girl reprimanded, bringing a smile

to her companion’s face.“I’m trying not to be, in all honesty, Lady Adelina.”The child frowned. “Why ever would you do that?”“You’ve told me so many fantastic things about them, I’m uncertain if they could possibly be the

paragons you’ve portrayed them to be. If I try not to get my hopes up, I’ll not be disappointed.”Gil had to school his features quite severely not to allow his amusement to show as he watched

his daughter absorb the wisdom in her companion’s words. Her eyes narrowed, and her nosewrinkled before she finally rejected Miss Jones’ wisdom.

“But I like being excited,” she declared, a note of belligerence creeping into her voice.“I can understand that.” Miss Jones nodded, unconcerned and taking another bite of the excellent

repast.After another long stare at her companion, Adelina finally picked her fork back up and carried

on with her meal.“Tell me what you’re looking forward to the most about seeing your brothers,” Miss Jones asked

when she saw that the girl had subsided.“I want to hear all about school, for one thing.”“You do?” Miss Jones was surprised. “I thought you didn’t like school.”

Adelina shrugged. “I didn’t. But I like hearing about their school. It’s part of why I wanted to goto school in the first place. Gardner made it sound like it would be lovely. But I think perhaps it’sonly boys’ schools that are nice.”

Gil watched as Miss Jones folded her lips over in an apparent effort to hide her amusement.“Perhaps,” was all she would reply. “I am certain your brothers will have plenty of stories to share.”She took another dainty bite before prompting again, “What else?”

“I just want to see them and play with them,” she finally answered, as though she didn’t have asolid answer besides that, but surely her companion should understand. It was all Gil could do not tolaugh out loud as he watched the byplay between the two females. He wondered if it were somethingabout every gently born young woman that gave Miss Jones such a familiar air.

“I suppose I can understand that,” Miss Jones replied calmly. “I didn’t grow up with brothers,but my older sisters were always so fascinating when they would allow us younger girls to be withthem. That wasn’t always the case, but sometimes they would deign to allow it.” Her grin displayedhow much she had enjoyed it. But without going into any further detail Miss Jones prompted Adelinato share more.

“Do you enjoy being in the middle? You are all so close in age. It must have been great funbefore your brothers went to school.”

The child cast an apprehensive glance toward her father and didn’t answer beyond a nod and ashrug, causing Miss Jones to frown and glance at him before she quickly averted her gaze back to thecontemplation of her plate.

Gilbert found her skittishness amusing. He wasn’t certain why she seemed to be so shy aroundhim. He supposed it could be for the very reasons she had explained to Adelina about his position asa duke. But somehow, it felt different than that to Gil. For some reason, he found it both amusing andattractive, and he had to fight his compulsion to spend time with the young woman. Whenever shecould get beyond her reticence, she seemed to be an interesting, intelligent young woman. And hecertainly couldn’t be said to mind the warmth in her gaze when she could bring herself to meet hiseyes upon occasion.

She surprised him suddenly by spearing him with her perceptive gaze. “What about you, YourGrace? Are you looking forward to your sons’ return? It will be livelier around here, to be sure.”

“I am looking forward to starting their training in estate matters.”Again, a myriad of expressions fought for supremacy upon her face before she blinked them

away. “Of course,” she replied, casting her eyes downward again for a moment before they flittedback to examine his face as she frowned. “Did you say starting their training?” she asked. “I wouldhave thought it would start as soon as they began to toddle.”

“Their mother was not in favour of starting so young. And then they went off to school.” Gil triedto keep all emotion from his tone or face but wasn’t sure if he had succeeded as she stared at him,scrutinising his features.

Her head tilted a little, inquisitively. “How long have they been at school?”“Three years,” he answered as simply as possible. There was no way to avoid the truth. She

again blinked, nodded, and frowned.“But I meant, when did they leave for this term?”“They haven’t been home at the breaks.” Gilbert held his head up, refusing to feel the shame that

threatened to rise over his words and the surprise written on her expressive face. She made anobvious effort to control her reaction, pinning a small smile to her lips.

“Well, then, it will surely be a joyous occasion for everyone, won’t it?” she declared cheerily.

“Perhaps, we ought to plan some festivities to mark the occasion.” Miss Jones had turned back toAdelina with that last proclamation before adding, “I now better understand your excitement, mylady.”

“What do you suppose we could do to mark the occasion?” Adelina’s excitement was palpable.Miss Jones laughed. “We shall have to give that a great deal of thought, won’t we? Just now, I

don’t actually have a single idea, as I do not know them and I am not terribly familiar with what boysmight like, but I’m sure if the two of us put our heads together and talk it out, we will come up withsome wonderful ideas that your brothers will enjoy.”

“Oh, I do hope so.” Adelina breathed the words.Gil wondered if he ought to have waited until they had finished the meal before making his

announcement. It was obvious the girl was now far too excited to be able to eat anything further.“You may leave the table, if you wish,” he told his daughter. “Miss Jones and I will finish our

meals,” he added when he saw that his daughter’s companion was about to get up to follow Adelina.

~~~

Felicity tried not to panic as she watched Adelina skip and hop from the room. She hoped herreaction wasn’t on display for all to see. But how was she going to spend time alone with the dukeand not have him realize they had met previously?

The occasion had been brief and was more than a year ago, but still, if he wasn’t visionimpaired, he would surely recognize her. She ought to have darkened her hair again before now.Felicity was afraid spending time out of doors had caused the natural blonde to start showing through,despite the bonnet she never removed.

Of course, she tried to reassure herself, she had altered her appearance. Darkening her hair andchanging its style was for the very reason of keeping Rathnelly from recognizing her. But she hadn’texpected to spend so very much time with the nobleman. Felicity had fully expected to dine alone orwith only Lady Adelina for company. She had certainly never expected to be eating in the dining roomnearly every night.

She learned it was rare that the duke went out. Far rarer than she would have expected of agentleman of such rank. Felicity was fairly certain her brother-in-law, the Duke of Wexford, was onlyat his own table half the time. And that was by great personal effort, she had been led to understandby her sister Rosabel. But Rathnelly never seemed to leave the grounds of his estate. She wonderedwhy the man was suddenly such a homebody. From the chatter of her family’s servants, she hadthought the man had tried to court at least one of her sisters. Or rather, that was most likely theprevious duke, but it still seemed to imply that it is expected that dukes went about in public. And hehad been present at her sister Vigilia’s wedding. So obviously, the duke had spent at least some timein Town.

So, why did he never leave the house now?And why did he wish to speak privately with her?Of course, he might not actually wish to speak privately with her, Felicity reminded herself. It

could be an act of kindness. To allow her to finish her meal while also excusing Adelina fromremaining. That was probably it. Stilling the urge to nod, and once again hoping her panic wasn’tevident, Felicity returned to her seat and waited for the duke to speak first. In an effort to appearcalm, she took another bite of what had been a delicious meal until it all turned to sawdust in hermouth upon the duke’s words.

Felicity hoped her face was suitably arranged in an expression of polite interest and not one ofmorbid curiosity. She also hoped she didn’t look like a terrified cow as she wondered what to dowith her gaze. Ought she to look at him? Should she keep her gaze on her plate? She didn’t even knowwhat a debutante ought to do in a situation such as this, let alone someone in the socially awkwardposition of paid companion.

Finally, he broke the silence.“You seem to have taken well to your role.”Rathnelly’s statement didn’t really help her fluttering nerves. Was his tone one of censure? That

didn’t seem to coincide with the words. Should he not be delighted that she had taken well to herrole? What a very strange man.

That last thought conversely settled Felicity’s nerves, and she met the duke’s gaze with a smallsmile.

“Thank you, Your Grace. Your daughter is lovely and a pleasure to be with.”One of his eyebrows lifted, and he bowed his head in acknowledgment. The ducal pride was

evident, and Felicity had to bite the inside of her cheek to contain her inappropriate amusement. Hedidn’t seem to have anything else to say, much to her surprise. Felicity was sufficiently versed insocial interactions to know that silence should not be allowed to stretch indefinitely.

“It should be a lively summer with your sons in residence. How old are they? All of ourcorrespondence and discussions have centered around Adelina, but we haven’t really discussed theboys.” Felicity felt a slight qualm, wondering if that was something she ought to already know butwith an internal shrug, she reminded herself that only Adelina was her responsibility.

“Wickham will be eleven shortly and Easton just turned eight.”Felicity smiled and nodded over the answer while her mind was busy with the information.“It will certainly be very lively then, in that case,” was all she said, even though she was

essentially repeating herself. But she tried hard not to be obvious as she studied the duke’s face.Felicity had thought she was applying for a position in the household, she supposed, of the fifth

duke, seeing as this one was the sixth. She had expected her employer to be far older than he hadturned out to be. As it was, she wondered how this young man came to be the father of eleven, ten,and eight-year-old children, as he hardly looked old enough. She had certainly not expected to have tobe concerned about being attracted to her employer. Felicity admonished herself. She really ought tohave paid far more attention to the circumstances she was putting herself into.

Because of her irregular views of Society and the Marriage Mart, Felicity had not paid as muchattention to her Debrett’s as she ought to have. She wondered if the duke’s library would have a copy.No doubt it would, as Lady Adelina ought to be learning such matters in the coming years. Felicitydetermined to seek out the volume and discover for herself just how old the duke might be. She wasbeginning to suspect there was much about Rathnelly that was not obvious upon first glance.

Her curiosity was piqued.But it seemed the duke was preoccupied. He wasn’t quite looking at her. His gaze seemed to be

over her shoulder, as though he were examining the wall, or looking within his own mind. Felicity’scuriosity mounted, and it took more effort than should have been required in order to sit still and notfidget under the weight of her desire to know what was going through the man’s mind.

Felicity was just about to utter some sort of socially correct inanity when Rathnelly finally brokethe silence that had spread between them.

“Do you think the boys will need lessons?”It was as though he were blurting out his question. Like it had been pent up within him and just

burst forth of its own volition. Felicity blinked and almost frowned when she caught the waryexpression in his eyes. She had the impression he was concerned about her answer andwholeheartedly wished she had an educated explanation to share with him. All she had was her ownopinion. But first, she had her own questions.

“Why do you think they might need lessons? Have they been having difficulty at school?”“Not in the least. They have both done remarkably well, from what I understand from their

headmaster.”“Have they taken lessons during the summers in previous years?”“I don’t think so,” Rathnelly replied, even as his cheeks coloured. Felicity could hardly believe

she was seeing evidence of embarrassment from the self-contained nobleman. “I could, perhaps, askthe families they’ve stayed with during previous summers. But I’d rather decide for myself, and youropinion might help me to do so.”

It took every ounce of what little control Felicity could lay claim to in order to restrain hermouth from asking what was on the tip of her tongue. She simply couldn’t understand how the mancould have taken so little interest in his children. She forced herself to consider the subject at hand.

“I would think they get more than enough studying during the school term but since I don’t knowthem, I can’t really offer a truly informed opinion.” She paused for a moment before adding, “Somechildren long for lessons and might really miss school, but I would think most, boys especially, wouldbe anxious to leave the classroom behind for a time.”

The duke nodded as he examined her face closely while she was speaking before shifting hisgaze back to the wall behind her as silence grew between them once more.

Felicity cleared her throat. “Did you take lessons during your summer breaks?” She was tryingto understand where his question might be coming from. Had he perhaps struggled in school andwanted to protect his sons from the same fate?

“No,” he all but scoffed. “I could hardly be kept indoors at all for the entire summer.”“It’s likely then that your sons will be similar, in that case.”For some reason, Rathnelly looked startled by her words. Felicity thought she must be mistaken

and spoke quickly to cover her confusion.“You did speak of beginning to educate them about the estate. That sounds like lessons of a sort,

but I doubt you’ll be asking them to pour over the estate ledgers, so it isn’t likely they’ll consider itsuch. I expect you meant you want to make sure they understand the extent of your holdings and whatgoes into looking after it, is that correct?”

Now he was staring at her, as though she had transformed into a mythical creature right beforehis eyes. Felicity shifted in her seat, wondering what could have prompted such a reaction from him.

“How could you know that?” he demanded.Had she just given herself away? Felicity hadn’t thought her words could be considered

exceptional. She frowned at him.“I beg your pardon?” Even she could hear the tone of a haughty debutante in her voice, and she

almost laughed at the arrested expression on Rathnelly’s face. Felicity cleared her throat and tried fora more deferential expression as she carried on as though neither of them had asked a question.

“It seemed logical, Your Grace. Of course, I’ve never witnessed anyone training their sons howto take over a dukedom one day, but since you made the expression that you wanted to begin theirtraining, I assumed there would be time spent riding about rather than sitting at a desk. Was I wrong?”

He stared at her for an uncomfortable length of time before finally answering. “No, you weren’twrong, that is exactly what I had in mind.”

“Why do you look so suspicious, Your Grace? You did ask for my opinion.” Felicity rued thefact that she had never been very good at guarding her tongue. But it didn’t seem to be such a badthing as the duke suddenly laughed.

“My apologies, Miss Jones. I just didn’t expect someone with your background to be wellversed in such matters.”

“Then why did you ask me?” Felicity was more puzzled than offended by his words.“That’s a good question,” Rathnelly mused. “You are the only adult I have at my disposal, I

suppose.”Felicity frowned anew. “Your estate is literally overflowing with adults, Your Grace.”Rathnelly laughed again. Felicity realized that despite having dined with the man nearly every

night for several weeks, she had never really seen him relax enough to laugh. It was a joyous sound.He ought to do it far more often. Suddenly, her pulse picked up speed as she realized she waspractically alone with a handsome man. In her old life, it would certainly not be seemly. She quiteliked her new life, she thought with a grin.

With a blink, the duke’s face sobered once more.“While I have you without Adelina glued to your side, might I ask how you find her?”Felicity tilted her head and frowned, prompting Rathnelly to rephrase his question.“Do you think she needs lessons? She’s quite young to be without a governess, but she insisted

she was done with such things, and I was at a loss. There was an incident with the one governess wehired after she came home from school. I won’t sully your ears with the details. But my daughter hasinsisted she has an aversion, and I didn’t feel inclined to insist.”

Surprised the powerful man would admit as much, Felicity softened toward him a little. “I thinkLady Adelina is remarkably intelligent for such an energetic youngster. She seems to have done wellwith the education she has already received. She is articulate and literate. I have discussed with hervarious subjects of interest that we could pursue together, and she was agreeable. Especially whileher brothers are here, which is quite obviously far too exciting for her, we shan’t be taking formallessons, but I am actually of the opinion that everyone should always be learning.”

“You don’t look like a bluestocking, Miss Jones.”Felicity laughed a little despite her nerves. “I don’t consider myself to be a bluestocking, Your

Grace, but I do believe that knowledge is extremely important, especially for women, who aregenerally ill prepared for anything other than marriage. But sometimes your husband dies, and thenwhat? Or even if you live a perfectly happy, normal life, I think it will be far more interesting ifeveryone is a little more knowledgeable. Surely, it will lead to more fascinating conversations.”

The duke’s eyebrows rose over her statement.“What sorts of fascinating topics have you discussed of late, Miss Jones?”Felicity knew her grin was probably a little sly, but she couldn’t help it. “Whether or not boys

need lessons during the summer and how educated people ought to be do come to mind, at themoment.”

“Touché,” Rathnelly replied with a smile before sobering and asking, “Are you going to turnAdelina into a blue stocking? I overheard you on the first day telling her that she will need to bedignified in her role as a duke’s daughter. So, I’m fairly certain you realize it won’t be as easy for heras it might be for other debutantes. Being seen as scholarly might make it all the more difficult.”

Felicity tried to keep the frustration out of her voice when she answered him, but she wasn’t sureif she succeeded. “Your Grace, as I told you, I am not a bluestocking. I do like to be informed on avariety of subjects and think everyone would benefit from doing so, as well. But I am not about to

insist upon it or try to undertake a global education drive in a pursuit of such. As well, I don’t thinkmaking their debut is easy for any young woman. I think Society is a strange environment with far toojudgmental a spirit, and sending young women into such a den of lions unprepared is cruel.” Felicitytook a deep breath, hoping to calm herself, but it was a topic very near to her heart. “I understood Iwas hired to keep your daughter company. If I remain with her up until and including her debut, I haveevery intention of ensuring she is prepared to face those lions and turn them into lap cats withoutseeming to put any effort into it.”

The duke’s eyebrows were nearly disappearing under the fringe of hair lying across his foreheadby this point in her outburst.

“I don’t really see how that would be possible, my dear Miss Jones, but I appreciate yourexpression of intent to prepare her as best as you can.”

Felicity shrugged and blushed, unsure if she should be insulted or relieved over the duke’sresponse. Well aware that she didn’t have conventional ideas, Felicity wondered if she were doingLady Adelina a disservice by being her companion. She quickly dismissed the idea. Even if shedidn’t hold the same views as everyone else, she was well aware of what those views were and feltconfident she would be able to present them to the girl. However, she would also present her withother ideas and allow the child to make up her own mind about life. Surely, that would be to the girl’sbenefit. It was exactly what she had just told the duke she believed in. And he hadn’t reallycontradicted or countermanded her, so it could be argued that he agreed with her, at least somewhat.Or at the very least didn’t actively disagree with her.

Watching the duke, Felicity wondered what exactly he was thinking. His face was once againimpassive, as though he were guarding his many secrets. She tried not to allow her curiosity toconsume her, but she did wonder what exactly he was hiding. It was evident to her that the duke didhave secrets. She thought to dig a little before reminding herself that she ought to remember her place.Neither Lady Felicity nor Miss Jones ought to be prying into the Duke of Rathnelly’s affairs.

A few lines to her sister composed themselves in her head.Why does the man fascinate me so, Grace? I live in nearly constant terror that he will find me

out. I can barely believe he hasn’t actually recognized me. He has now seen me every day forseveral weeks. Who would have thought the Duke of Rathnelly would dine with his daughter andher companion? And don’t even begin to think it is a fascination with me. That little oddity isentirely one sided. But I am beginning to fear that all of my oddities might be of harm rather thanof benefit to my charge. I wish you were here.

Chapter Six

“Inever asked before, but I’ve been wondering, what does the estate do? I’ve seen a lot of sheepwhile out riding with Adelina. Do your tenants deal in wool?”

“Yes, Rathnelly is actually becoming quite well known for the quality of the wool.”“That must feel rewarding.”Gilbert frowned over her words. It was rewarding. He felt his chest swell with pride whenever

he thought about it. And all the other ventures that he had tried and succeeded at since he hadinherited. But most gently bred individuals would not agree with that sentiment. Somehow, nobleswere supposed to grow money on trees, not on animals. If his peers knew that he was venturing intoindustry, it carried a very real threat of scandal, especially for his daughter in the next few years.

It crossed his mind once more to wonder why the chit at his table was always so watchful. Shewas far too intelligent and well informed to be a simple paid companion. His suspicions of her werea worry. But he had no basis for dismissing her. Already, Adelina was truly attached to the youngwoman. So, Gil would need far more than sneaky suspicions to go on before he could rid hishousehold of Miss Felicity Jones.

Her watchful gaze reminded him that he hadn’t responded to her statement.“The villagers are quite skilled,” was all he finally said. He watched as she absorbed his words

while nodding, as though in comprehension.“I would love to know more. Do you know what they did? Is it merely that they’ve learned how

to market their wares or did they do something to the sheep to improve the quality of the wool? Doyou know if they changed the animals feed or some such?”

Gil stared at her. He had never known a woman to be so curious as she seemed to be. A part ofhim longed to tell her everything he knew and exactly how he had discovered it. But he had learned along time ago that he couldn’t trust anyone, especially not females. He shrugged.

He would tell her to ask in the village. He was reasonably certain the villagers fully understoodhis desire to keep his involvement a secret. And he was very sure they would report to him everythingthat was said. It was part of why he was so suspicious of her. She was far from the first to comesniffing around for information. He realized he hadn’t answered her, yet again.

“It was probably a combination of things. I do know that more of the villagers have involvedthemselves in their enterprises so perhaps, as the saying goes, in the multitude of counselors there isaccomplishment.”

It didn’t appear as though he had been able to distract her from her curiosity, though. She stillappeared to be absorbed in thoughts of the productive sheep. Gilbert was glad he hadn’t told herabout any of the other industries on his estate.

“Why are you so interested in enterprise, Miss Jones? Have you tried raising sheep before?”This seemed to work to break her thought process, as she instantly blushed and shook her head,

suddenly looking very young and uncertain.“No, of course not, but I cannot be Lady Adelina’s companion forever. I will have to have some

other plan in place eventually. It is good to gain as much information as possible and ensure I haveoptions.”

“You would consider going into trade?” Gil could hear the supercilious judgment of centuries ofdukes behind him in his voice and almost cringed. It was exactly the sort of reaction he dreaded tohear directed at himself. He could hardly believe he was doing it to her.

To his great surprise her chin rose in defiance, and she no longer looked like an uncertain youngwoman. “Of course, why shouldn’t I?”

She did not simper or cower. Gil was impressed.“A young woman on her own would face many challenges. I do hope you won’t feel compelled

to leave Adelina any time soon, my dear Miss Jones. She is just getting attached to you.”And once again, with just a few words, he had brought her back under his control, but it left

Gilbert feeling monstrous. He didn’t wish to crush the modernizing thoughts of such an intelligentyoung woman. It was on the tip of his tongue to apologize, but again the young woman’s face changed.

“I am growing quite attached to her, as well,” she answered with a sweet, simple smile. “It iseven more fulfilling than I expected.”

Gilbert felt his breath catch over her sweet smile. It was the most attractive thing he had seen,maybe ever, but certainly in years. He had to blink away his reaction. He didn’t want to be attractedto anyone, let alone his young daughter’s companion.

“What do you mean? I thought you had experience as a companion.”Gilbert’s suspicions about her grew as her face flooded with colour, and an expression of guilt

flitted across her face.“But not to a young child, Your Grace. Surely, you realize it’s a unique situation. Most children

have tutors or governesses, not companions. It is most often a family’s maiden aunt who hires acompanion. And I’m certain I mentioned that I didn’t actually have a great deal of experience. Surely,you realize I’m not nearly old enough to have much actual experience.”

The starchy tone of her voice sat oddly on such a young woman, and it made him want to laugh.He ignored the sensation, determined to remain vigilant lest she be another saboteur sent to interrupthis enterprise. Gil knew he ought to terminate her employment as the strange attraction he felt towardher was completely distracting and most inappropriate, but he also knew his daughter would bebereft.

He really ought to have spent more time in the hiring of the woman. Something that seemed toogood to be true usually was, he admonished himself. But it was never too late until it was too late, hereminded himself.

“Now that you’ve had time to get to know Adelina, what do you intend to do with her?”Miss Jones skewered him with an assessing gaze. “Is that not for you to tell me, Your Grace? I

am her companion, not her parent, nor even her governess. A companion keeps one company.”He was torn between admiration for her spirit and frustration with her slippery answer. “Could

we not agree that as this is, as you pointed out, a unique situation, we could find some sort ofcompromise on what the role includes?”

“What exactly are you wanting to add into the contracted role, Your Grace?” She now soundedboth suspicious and worried. “I may not be qualified for what you are about to ask,” she remindedhim, and Gil felt a surge of guilt. The poor young woman probably feared for her wages.

“Your position is safe, have no fear, my dear Miss Jones. But, as you pointed out, everyone’seducation ought to continue.” He watched as she appeared slightly mollified but continued to payclose attention to his words and expression. “I fear I succumbed to my daughter’s pleas far tooreadily. Nine years old is too young to have left the schoolroom. I do wish her to continue learning.You pointed out that she is articulate and literate. But that should progress, not stagnate, wouldn’t youagree?”

“I most heartily would agree,” she responded promptly. “But I have no formal training in how tooffer instruction, Your Grace. Are you ready to trust your daughter’s continued education to one such

as me? When I mentioned continued education earlier, I had been thinking about reading literature andexploring the globe, things like that.”

Gil nodded, pleased that she was open to his new idea.“Perhaps we could meet together periodically to discuss where you are in your discussions with

Adelina and what I think she ought to still learn. There are many years yet before she needs to enterSociety.” There was a pause as the girl nodded, seemingly deep in thought over his words. “Couldyou tell me what you know of what is needed for a young lady such as Adelina to know before shemakes her debut?”

A strange expression flitted across Miss Jones’ face. Gil thought she seemed irritated by thequestion but he couldn’t imagine why. She answered readily enough.

“A young lady needs to know how to converse politely with anyone she might encounter. Sheought to also know how to control a conversation or situation in case she finds herself in anuncomfortable environment. She ought to have a reasonable grasp of her Debrett’s so that she willknow what is expected when introduced to new people, although for Adelina, as a duke’s daughter,she will take precedence in most situations, so that ought not be difficult. But still, knowing who’swho will make things more comfortable for her, as everyone else will be sure to know.”

Gil’s lips twitched in amusement over the dry tone of her last statement, but he was distracted asthe girl continued on in her recital. “Adelina will most likely contract an advantageous marriage to anobleman.” Gil didn’t understand the controlled tone of her voice as Miss Jones said that. It was asthough she were making a concerted effort to not have any emotions on display over it but before hecould question her, she carried on. “As such, she will need to know how to deal with servants, howto plan menus, how to budget her pin money.” Miss Jones paused in thought as though warming to hersubject. “I expect you’ll be generous in her dowry, so it isn’t likely she will need the skill ofeconomizing, but I do consider that an exceedingly useful skill for any woman to have, as you nevercan tell when your circumstances might change drastically.”

Gil’s heart squeezed with sympathy as he thought she might be referencing herself. He didn’tknow much of her history, but she was obviously gently born and yet in straightened circumstances tohave sought employment. “So I can see how it would be easy enough to incorporate many aspects of aformal education into the overarching topic of preparing for one’s future.” Suddenly, the girl lookedat him speculatively. “Anyone who says girls don’t need an education is truly ignorant, wouldn’t yousay? Even the impoverished need to be educated or they’ll never be able to change theircircumstances.” Her eyes widened. “Or is that perhaps the point?” Horror filled her expressive face.“Do you think people are opposed to educating girls and the poor as a means of keeping control overthem?” Suddenly tears flooded the beautiful young woman’s eyes, and she looked at him as thoughbeseeching him to tell her she was wrong. Unfortunately, Gil could not. His heart squeezed for hereven as it sped up in response to their evident similarity of thought on the subject. But he couldn’tthink of a way to comfort her despite his urge to pull her into his arms. He swallowed the urge butstill almost reached for her hands.

“Miss Jones, I beg of you,” he began rather desperately, concerned that she might be about tocause a scene. But before he could go much further, she seemed to gather herself and blink heremotions away.

“My apologies, Your Grace. It seems I allowed my tongue to run away with me there for amoment. But do you think I’ve encapsulated what you would expect Lady Adelina to know in order tobe prepared for her debut? I think, too, things like geography, world history, and current affairs oughtto be covered as well in order for her to be well informed and conversant without”—she offered him

a droll face—“turning her into a bluestocking.”“That does sound well-rounded, thank you, Miss Jones.”“But I do think your suggestion of meeting to compare notes, as it were, is a good idea. I

wouldn’t want to go off on a tangent and forget something important. We do, though, as you said, havemany years to prepare.” She then grinned at him, causing him to have to catch his breath once more.“This is going to be great fun, Your Grace. I do thank you once again for offering me this position,despite my lack of training as a governess.”

“If you had been trained as a governess, Adelina wouldn’t have been pleased. She wasdetermined to have a companion, not a teacher.”

“Do you know why?” The frown on her face mirrored the concern the duke himself felt on thesubject.

“No, and I haven’t felt comfortable to pry the answer out of her. I was hoping you might know.”“Not yet. I’ve been just trying to get to know her and gain her trust first. But little girls in a flock

can be beasts, so it might just be that she didn’t enjoy the environment.” She paused suddenly beforeskewering him once more with her gaze. “Or perhaps, she was concerned for her father. Adelina hasa very tender heart, Your Grace. It’s possible she thought you were lonely without her.”

Gil wanted to laugh over the suggestion but then the mercurial Miss Jones’ expression changedonce more.

“That wouldn’t explain her aversion to having a governess, though,” she said with another frownbefore sighing and shrugging. “Well, getting myself tied up in a knot over the speculations isn’t goingto help anyone. I will do my best to find out what was behind it, Your Grace, but I cannot promise todivulge it to you if she asks me not to.”

He was taken aback by her suddenly fierce tone, but Gil couldn’t help respecting her all themore for it. He nodded his head in acceptance.

“As long as I have your word that you will do your very best to assist her in overcoming anyhurts she may have received, I will accept that you might have to keep her secrets. But if you needassistance, do not hesitate to ask for it.”

“Very well, it’s a bargain, Your Grace,” she said while sticking her hand out to shake on it.Gilbert Barrington, sixth duke of Rathnelly, had never shaken hands with a woman before. He

had kissed the backs of many a hand, he had taken many hands in the steps of a dance, but he hadnever shaken a woman’s hand. It was a singular experience.

His daughter’s companion did not wear gloves, for one thing. Her slim, elegant hand appearedfragile and felt so as she clasped his much larger one, but the firm grasp belied that appearance. Asurge of possessiveness infused him, filling him with the sensation that he never wanted to let go.Gilbert quickly rejected the feelings and had to remember not to reject her hand just as quickly, lesthe injure their newly formed alliance.

Chapter Seven

Felicity should not have offered her hand to the duke. She knew it was a mistake almostimmediately. The surprise written on his face was enough to tell her that, before the shivery sensationhad hit her senses when she began to process all the conflicting feelings that almost overwhelmed her.

His hand was warm and rough and so much larger than hers. And yet, he held hers as though itwere a delicate, fragile thing, being careful not to crush her thin bones despite her effort to offer him afirm shake. His were not the hands of an idle man. They actually put Felicity in mind of one of theirgrooms back at Glendale. The one who had taught her to ride when her father had been too busy tryingto control the older girls and their mounts. A lump formed in her throat at the memory, adding to thesensory overload of the moment.

She had never been that close with a gentleman she wasn’t dancing with. And a proper younglady would never dance without gloves. Not that she had really had that much opportunity to dance oreven be around many gentlemen other than members of her family, as she had insisted on waitingbefore making her debut. Now she was nineteen years old and touching a man’s bare hand for the firsttime. And it was going to detach her brain.

“Well,” she began, wondering what to do with her hand now that it was in his possession. Shewanted to snatch it back but didn’t want to be rude. “I ought to go check on Adelina,” she continued,giving his hand one final firm shake before letting it go.

“Yes, of course,” he agreed, very quickly to Felicity’s ears as she was agonizing over herembarrassment.

With barely a backward glance, she fled the room.Felicity did as she had said she would and went in search of Adelina. Spending the rest of her

evening in the child’s company kept at least part of her mind occupied, but part of her remainedbehind in the dining room analyzing every word that had been said.

Dearest Gracie,I shook the Man’s hand and now I can’t get it out of my mind. I am the most ridiculous nitwit

ever born. I should have listened to all your warnings. But I do not regret this start of mine in theleast. I just have to wonder why the Man seems so very suspicious of everything. Perhaps it is justhis position in life that causes it. But Father was never like that.

Felicity always made an effort to include as few identifying facts as possible in her letters, eventhe ones she only composed in her mind. Her sister would know what she was talking about.

Are you absolutely certain no one has yet suspected? I knew I wanted to do this, but I’mbeginning to suspect that I expected to be caught before now. It’s hard to believe no one hasnoticed my absence in two months. I guess I knew what I was about when I laid my plans. But I’mfairly certain it is only the fact that everyone is preoccupied with their own affairs that hasallowed me to get away with this.

How is little Augustus?Finally, Felicity admonished herself as she dragged her attention back to the present. It was no

use turning into a moonling over the handsome duke. She had already made choices in her life that putthe possibility of a noble match far out of reach. She was at Rathnelly to care for Adelina and to forgea life for herself that was far different from what was expected of an earl’s daughter. But she had nowish to court scandal for herself or her family. She could not allow herself to grow attached to HisGrace, she told herself firmly even as she was tucking in her young companion.

It was a challenge for her to convince her troubled thoughts of that, though, and it was a turbulentnight, seemingly cut very short by Adelina’s arrival in her room the next morning.

“Are you still abed, Jonesy? You’re never a slugabed. Are you ill?” the child inquired withgleeful enthusiasm, causing Felicity to laugh despite her itchy eyes.

“I’m not ill, merely tired.”“But why are you tired? Didn’t you go to bed right after me last night?” The child looked around

even as she bounced on Felicity’s bed. “Were you reading in bed?” she asked, marvelling at thethought before she wrinkled her nose over the title she spied. “You were reading Debrett’s?” sheasked, incredulous. “That should have put you straight to sleep, not kept you up.”

Felicity laughed and sat up in the bed.“Don’t be monstrous, Adelina. I haven’t the energy for your fidgets until I’ve had my chocolate. I

don’t know why it isn’t here yet.”Right on cue, there was a scratch at the door. Adelina flung herself toward it in her enthusiasm to

be of use.“Good morning, Matilda. Thank you, so much,” Felicity greeted the bearer of her breakfast. “I

thought you might have forgotten me this morning.”“Not at all, Miss,” the girl replied with a grin and a small curtsy. “I was by earlier to stoke your

fire, but you just looked so peaceful like that I couldn’t bear to wake you. Mrs. Betts said as we wereto let you sleep a little longer.”

Felicity was embarrassed at the thought of the servants being concerned for her. Not that shedidn’t expect it, of course, but now that she was employed herself, she hated the thought ofinconveniencing the other servants.

“Thank you, Matilda, and please, tell Mrs. Betts my thanks as well. I’m sorry to have put youout, but I do appreciate it. I needed just a little more shut eye this morning it seems.”

“It wasn’t any trouble at all, Miss, I promise you that.” The maid bustled around the room a littlebefore taking her leave.

Felicity propped herself up against the headboard and determined to enjoy her breakfast, even ifit was in the energetic company of Lady Adelina. The child’s stare was a trifle unnerving, but Felicityappreciated her efforts to not disturb her. After a couple of sips of the hot drink, she finally took adeep breath and slowly allowed it to escape before turning her own stare upon her companion.

“Very well, my lady, I’m much restored. Now tell me, what shall we do today?”“We need to ask Father when my brothers aim to turn up, for one thing, and then we need to start

planning the festivities you mentioned last night.”“That’s right, I did mention festivities, didn’t I?” Felicity repeated, stalling for time. “To be

perfectly honest, though, my lady, I haven’t the first idea of what we ought to plan. I have noexperience with boys, especially not of the age of your brothers.” She took a bite of her toast to stallfor a little bit more time.

“That’s quite all right, Jonesy. I’ve got plenty of ideas. But first, we need to know how long wehave to prepare. So hurry and eat, and we’ll go in search of Father.”

Felicity grinned at the girl’s commanding tone. She was a managing little thing. Felicity couldbetter understand how the duke hadn’t been able to stand up to her.

“I take it you slept well,” Felicity commented.“Very well,” Adelina replied, grinning.Finally, with some less-than-helpful assistance from Lady Adelina, Felicity was finally finished

with her breakfast as well as dressed and coifed.

“Why do you scrape your hair back so tight, Jonesy? I didn’t even know you had such prettycurls. You should style it differently to show it off better.”

“It is not my place to show off my hair,” Felicity sputtered, fighting the blush that was rising inher cheeks like a tide. When Adelina was going to argue, Felicity put up her hand to cut her off.“Never mind about my hair. If I don’t tie it up tight, it will irritate the life out of me. Those curls canbe even more unruly than you,” she said, wiggling her eyebrows to prompt laughter from the girl. “Ifthey aren’t managed carefully, they’ll try to take over control.”

Adelina nearly roared with laughter, having the intelligence to recognize that Felicity wascomparing her with her curls.

“Now, I’m well under control,” Felicity said, meaning in more ways than one. “Shall we set outin search of your father?” The child’s enthusiastic nodding left nothing to interpretation. “Afterwards,I was thinking we might ride into the village. We can discuss your ideas while we ride, and then wecan see if we can find any inspiration in the shops, as well.”

Adelina was in favour of the idea, much to Felicity’s relief. Besides fighting her attraction to theduke the previous night, she had also been consumed with curiosity about the wool industry that hehad mentioned. Even though she suspected he hadn’t truly meant it when he suggested she ought to askin the village, she had every intention of doing so.

When they reached the main floor of the large house, Adelina ran ahead of Felicity, hurrying toopen the library door before Felicity could stop her from doing so without knocking.

“Adelina, wait,” she called, too late.“Father, we have come for some important information,” the girl declared with dramatic flair

just as Felicity reached the now wide open door.She hoped the cringing she felt inside wasn’t written all over her face as Felicity met the duke’s

gaze. Relief filled her as she saw that he was far more amused than irritated.“I’m not sure if I have any important information, but I’ll be happy to share it with you, if I do,”

the duke assured his daughter as she pranced toward his desk.Felicity watched with interest as he closed the ledgers around him and turned his paper over

before she drew near. Curiosity niggled at the back of her mind, but Felicity told her questing mind tohush for a time. If the duke wanted his privacy, surely he was entitled to it.

“My apologies, Your Grace. We ought to have knocked and ascertained if you couldaccommodate us before barging into your sanctum.”

“No trouble, Miss Jones, but I do have a few things I need to accomplish.”Glancing at his desk, Felicity thought it looked like more than a few.“Of course, Your Grace. We shan’t keep you long,” she began before Adelina interrupted her.“We need to know when the boys will be home, Father. We want to plan festivities. But Jonesy

doesn’t know what to do yet. She said it would be better to know how long we have to prepare.”“That seems sensible, I suppose,” Rathnelly agreed promptly. “From what I understand, they’ll

be here in a fortnight.”“Oh boo, that’s far too far away, Father. Can’t you go get them right away?”“Surely, it will be here before you know it, and you have arrangements to make, now don’t

you?”Adelina frowned, preparing to argue. “Aren’t you excited for them to get here?”Felicity stepped into the fray, uncomfortable with her young charge’s belligerent tone. “As you

told your father, my lady, we have arrangements to make. While I’m sure you’re anxious to see yourbrothers, I’m not ashamed to admit to you that I’m glad we’ll have two weeks to make our

preparations. And surely, you wouldn’t want your father to make your brothers miss all their end ofterm fun at school.”

“School is dreadful. I’m certain they are sitting in their rooms right this minute wishing theycould be here with us already.”

“I do hope you’re wrong, my dear,” Felicity said gently. “For one thing, at this time of the daythey probably ought to be in a classroom. And for another, surely you don’t wish misery upon yourbrothers.”

“Of course, not,” Adelina declared promptly.“Well then, let us leave your father to his important work and get on with our plans for the day.

Remember all the plans we need to make for your brothers? And we only have two weeks to geteverything ready. I’m not even certain that’s enough time.”

Felicity made the mistake of glancing at the duke. She almost faltered when she saw the openadmiration displayed on his usually impassive face. It made her momentarily ridiculously proud ofherself. She was learning to handle the child quite masterfully. But she couldn’t preen in the duke’spresence. That would surely be uncouth and unseemly.

With gestures and waves and a couple nudges, Felicity managed to herd the girl out of herfather’s study. He hadn’t even commented on the fact that they were dressed for riding. She was glad.For some reason she couldn’t name, Felicity didn’t want the duke to know she was giving in to hercuriosity. Even though he had told her to go ahead and ask in the village, she had gotten the feelingthat he didn’t actually want her to stick her nose into it.

“Why didn’t you want me to talk to Father about going to collect my brothers early? They oughtto be home with us. In fact, I think they should stay home after the summer and not return to school,”Adelina said forcefully as they walked toward the stables.

Felicity blinked at the girl, wondering for a moment which issue she ought to tackle first. Shetook a deep breath and hoped she wasn’t about to do the child more harm than good.

“Well, first of all, it wasn’t that I didn’t want you talking to your father, it’s just that he wasclearly busy, and we had barged in on him unexpectedly. So, I didn’t think you ought to take up toomuch of his time. For another thing, you were all but accusing him of not wanting your brothers tocome home,” Felicity continued with a frown at her companion. “Did you really mean that? Surely,you know it cannot be true.”

Adelina did not seem appeased.“He doesn’t seem nearly as excited as I am,” she said with a pout.Felicity laughed. “It would be difficult for anyone to be as excited as you, Adelina. You’re

excited enough for the entire household.”Adelina laughed but then returned to her worried frown. “So, do you think he wants Gardner and

Easton to come home?”“Of course, he does, my dear,” Felicity answered promptly. “You just have to remember that

men don’t get all giddy and excited like girls do. And did you see all those papers on his desk? Hismind was somewhere else. He has many things he has to take care of. It would be impossible for himto just drop everything and jump up and down with glee like you would. And to be honest, don’t youthink it would look pretty silly if he did?”

Adelina laughed but shook her head. “I don’t think so. It would make me so happy to see him dothat.”

Felicity bit her lip and then shrugged. “Well then, you’ll have to ask him to do so when next yousee him.”

She allowed a brief silence to develop between them as they waited for the grooms to saddletheir horses. But as they began their ride toward the village, Felicity finally asked the question thathad been burning in her mind since her arrival. She tried to be nonchalant.

“So, my lady, I feel compelled to ask: what do you have against going to school?”“What does this question mean,” the girl asked with her nose wrinkled.Felicity didn’t actually think the girl didn’t understand, and her worry increased.“You seemed pretty adamant that you want your brothers to be home with you. You said school

is dreadful when we were talking about your brothers, but it seems to me that’s a pretty personalopinion. You told your father you don’t want to go to school anymore. That’s why he brought me hereto be with you. Why is that?”

“Don’t you want to be here, Jonesy?”Felicity laughed. “You seem to be quite skilled at avoiding questions you don’t wish to answer,

my lady.”The girl grew silent, and Felicity allowed it to stretch between them for a while, not wishing to

press her.“Do you have brothers or sisters, Jonesy?”“I do.”“Don’t you miss them?”“Of course.”“Then why did you come here? Shouldn’t you have stayed with them?”Felicity knew her smile was going to be a little twisted, as it was a complicated situation in her

case. But she needed to address the child’s problem.“We all have to grow up sometime, my dear. My sisters are married. And it was time for me to

be a grown up. So, I decided to come here and be with you for a while.”“Are you going to leave me?”“Do you want me to?” Felicity couldn’t quite read what the child’s concerns were.Adelina sighed as though Felicity had turned inordinately stupid. “My mother left. I was lonely

at school. I missed my mother, and Father, and my brothers. I just want us to be all together foralways.”

“Oh, my dear girl, I know that must have been difficult. Losing your mother is a pain that I can’teven imagine. But you still have your brothers. They just need to get their education, you know. Butthey’ll be here soon, and you’ll have a wonderful summer together.”

Felicity should have realized it was the child’s grief that was making her reject school. She wasprobably sent away right after her mother’s death. It seemed so obvious in hindsight. She would haveto tell Rathnelly. She only hoped he wouldn’t blame himself.

Adelina had grown sober ,and they continued to ride in silence for a while. But being a sunnydispositioned child, the mood soon passed, and she began to chatter once more making the ride passquickly, much to Felicity’s relief as she was anxious to get to the village and relieve her curiosity.

Chapter Eight

Working through his piles of paperwork felt to Gilbert like treading through knee-deep mud –doable but slow and difficult. Especially after the interruption from Adelina and her prettycompanion. It had been a challenge to keep his mind on his work before their arrival. It was nearlyimpossible afterward. But he stuck to it. If the last few years had taught him anything, it was that if hewanted something done, he pretty much had to do it himself. And the only way that would happen is ifhe stuck with it, even when it was difficult or challenging.

But having his mind preoccupied sure did make it more challenging. And more time consuming.With a sigh of relief, Gil finally put his pencil down and flexed his cramping fingers. A sense of

satisfaction welled within him as he looked at his straight columns and knew that his work was done.At least for that day. He shook his head. There was never an end to the work that needed to be done.With the empire he had built over the last dozen years, there was an unending list of things he neededto care for and think about. And very few people he could trust to help him with it.

But now, one of the things he had to take care of had the potential of unravelling his carefullylaid plans.

Something had been niggling at the back of his head. Making his tallying that much more difficult.It finally crystallized in his mind. Miss Jones and Adelina had been dressed for riding. And the nightbefore, Gilbert had told the woman to look into the enterprise if she was so curious.

He had thought it would be off-putting for her. But what if it hadn’t put her off her curiosity?Gilbert was running up the stairs to change into riding clothes as he yelled for his horse to be

saddled. The girls had already gained a large lead on him, but he couldn’t leave the matter to chance.He would practice damage control, if nothing else.

Within minutes, he was on his horse’s broad back and racing toward the village. It felt like aneternity later but was probably only a few minutes when he had to pull back on the reins to bring thelabouring mount to a slower pace as he caught sight of Miss Jones and Lady Adelina ahead of him.Adelina spied him and waved enthusiastically, nearly knocking herself off her own well-manneredmount, much to Miss Jones’ amusement.

Both girls were all smiles as he approached them.“Good afternoon,” Gilbert greeted them as calmly as he could manage. “How have your

wanderings fared?”“Jonesy thinks we ought to have a fair to greet my brothers with races and such,” Adelina

proclaimed without preamble. Gil was amused to see Miss Jones appear to want to protest hisdaughter’s words but managed to keep her own words inside her mouth.

“Is that right?” Gilbert asked mildly. “It does sound like something boys would enjoy, doesn’tit?”

Adelina grinned and cast Miss Jones a triumphant glance, leading Gilbert to the conclusion thatit had not, in fact, been Miss Jones’ idea. It took more effort than should have been required toprevent a wide smile from spreading across his face.

“And what else have you two accomplished while out, besides coming up with ideas forwelcoming Wickham and Easton?”

If he hadn’t been watching for it, Gil wouldn’t have caught the apprehensive expression thatflitted across Miss Jones’ face, for she quickly masked her consternation. But she didn’t make anyeffort to prevent Adelina from prattling on about what they’d done.

“Jonesy wanted to know about sheep, if you can imagine, Father, so it was a trifle boring, butshe made up for it by asking at the mill if they might have sacks we can use for one of the races.”Suddenly, the girl’s boredom was replaced once more with excitement. “Imagine, Father! There’s agame where you put your feet in the sack and hold it up around your middle, and then you hop as fastas you can in a race. Doesn’t that sound simply exuberant?”

“Exuberant? Why yes, it does. Have you read the dictionary today, my dear?”“Jonesy said I must continue my education, even if I’m not going to go to school. So, I’m trying

to add to my vocabulary. Did I use it right?”“You did, my dear, you did. But I would also say it sounds dangerous, hopping around in a

sack.”“Oh no, Father, don’t say we mustn’t do it. The boys are sure to love it, and then maybe they’ll

wish to stay with us.”Much struck, Gil’s gaze tangled with that of Miss Jones, and he felt swamped with sensations he

could barely interpret. He wanted to revel in the empathy he saw swimming in her eyes even while heresisted her feeling sorry for him. Meanwhile guilt over his behavior toward his sons also threatenedto overwhelm him. He swallowed his reaction and hoped to suppress it firmly.

“We will take it under advisement, how about that?” His daughter wrinkled her nose, but heforestalled her argument by asking, “Did you learn anything not boring at the mill?”

Adelina sighed heavily to let him know she was displeased, but a cluck of Miss Jones’ tonguebrought her back into more appropriate behaviour.

“I’m afraid I didn’t pay very close attention, as I didn’t find it nearly as interesting as Jonesyseemed to, but there were some darling sheep who appeared quite undressed, as they had just hadtheir wool removed. They were bleating quite mournfully, and it was near to breaking my heart, butthen Jonesy said that they would be terribly uncomfortable if they were left with all the wool for toolong. Do you think she’s right, Father? Which is better, to have the sheep too woolly or completelyundressed?”

Gil wanted to watch Miss Jones’ expressive face to ascertain her thoughts on the wool business,but he had to address his daughter’s question.

“Miss Jones was not telling you a tale, my dear. This is the right time of the year for the sheep tobe shorn. Can you imagine wearing a thick wool sweater all summer?”

Adelina stared at him quite fiercely before breaking into a grin. “I suppose that does sound quitedreadful, but why do you suppose they were crying, then, if they don’t mind it so much?”

“It might have felt quite sudden to them. And perhaps they’ve forgotten how quickly their woolwill grow back.”

Miss Jones couldn’t seem to contain herself any longer and finally stepped into the conversation.“They were probably objecting to being penned up, not the shearing. Remember, they usually roamaround freely, in the fields, so being penned so closely with other sheep they may not know couldmake them nervous.”

“Just like going to school,” Adelina interjected with a glower, making Miss Jones offer a ratherforced sounding laugh.

“I suppose it would be very similar,” Miss Jones replied lightly as she allowed her gaze to meethis briefly once again. “And just like you, they cannot wait to get free. And also just like you, the kindDuke Rathnelly is going to free them just as quickly as he can manage.”

Gilbert wasn’t sure what he had read in her eyes when they had briefly held, but he couldn’t helpfeeling his chest swell with pride when she applied the term kind toward him. He wouldn’t have

actually used such a word for himself. Too many things had happened over the last dozen or so yearsfor such a word. But if she wished to cultivate such a picture for his daughter, he would certainly notdiscourage it.

“And so you see, Adelina, there is no reason for you to be concerned for the sheep. They werenot hurt in the giving of their wool.”

Both females turned and looked at him expectantly after those words, as though waiting for himto add more. Gilbert was nonplussed. Adelina helped him out unexpectedly.

“Miss Jones wouldn’t take me to the inn for tea,” she remarked, seemingly apropos of nothing,making Miss Jones stifle a snort and turn away to hide her amusement just as Gilbert responded inexactly the way his daughter expected.

“I’m surprised she would be so churlish,” Gil said with a grin. “Shall I rectify the matterimmediately?”

“I would be so grateful, Father,” his daughter answered with a cherubic grin at both of theadults.

Gil turned to Miss Jones. “It’s truly an unobjectionable inn, Miss Jones. There’s no reason youneed to avoid it. We shall request a private parlour and be treated quite well.”

The pink colouring her cheeks was becoming but even Gil knew it signalled a level of distressthat had nothing to do with whether or not the local inn was an acceptable location for his daughter. Itfinally dawned on him that she might not have any funds.

“You will, of course, be my guests,” he added, feeling heat fill his own cheeks at the awkwardsituation. “But if you truly have no wish to visit the inn, you could leave Adelina with me and returnhome on your own, Miss Jones.”

The young woman’s face was in flames, and Gil hoped it wouldn’t actually blister from thefierce heat that was flooding it. He couldn’t fathom what might be going through her mind at themoment but once again, surprisingly, Adelina saved the moment.

“Oh no, Jonesy, if Father is going to treat us, you truly must come. I want you to see what I wastalking about when I told you they had the very best pies around. But you mustn’t tell Cook I said soor she might not make me biscuits ever again.”

The awkward moment was broken as Miss Jones laughed and nodded, taking up her reins andturning her horse back toward the village.

“I will reserve judgment until after I’ve tasted it, though, Adelina, as I’ve had some prettyspectacular pies in my day.”

“What has been your favourite thus far, Jonesy?” Adelina, unaware of the undercurrents flowingbetween the adults, was focused entirely on the delight before her.

Miss Jones chose to ignore the currents, too, not even glancing at Rathnelly once theycommenced their ride back to the inn. “Bumbleberry is my favourite,” he heard her confide to Adelinabefore she pulled further away.

Gilbert followed behind, wondering how he could address his many questions about their visitto the village. He knew he could easily get Adelina to tell him anything he wanted to know, but healso was well aware that the child was old enough and bright enough to be able to figure out that hewas fishing for information if he weren’t very careful. And he didn’t want his daughter wonderingabout his interest. He had enough to worry about with her curious companion. He resolved to waitand see if Adelina would tell him all he needed to know without prompting.

The inn was as unexceptional as he had promised. He was comfortable seeing it, even throughMiss Jones’ watchful gaze. Gil watched as the young woman looked around carefully, as though she

had never been anywhere quite like it. He wondered briefly about her history and wanted to ask herany number of questions but didn’t want to make her uncomfortable. Besides the fact that he wassupposed to be stemming his unfortunate fascination with the young woman, not stoking its fires.

He sat back and watched as Adelina played hostess and ordered for the three of them. MissJones praised her quietly. Gil couldn’t help admiring her gentle way with his daughter.

“Just you wait, Jonesy. It will be just as I promised you when I wanted to come earlier. The piehere will wipe out all unpleasantness from your mind, and you won’t even remember hearing thosepoor sheep’s mourning.”

Miss Jones laughed. “I promise you, they were not mourning.”Adelina shrugged and grinned. “Sounded like mourning to me.”“Well, then you’ve never heard mourning.” Miss Jones suddenly sobered and looked away.Gilbert watched, feeling hopeless, as the young woman quietly pulled herself together while

Adelina prattled on about some nonsense. Gil wanted to pay attention to his daughter, in case sherevealed some of the information he was seeking, but couldn’t quite tear himself away from watchingFelicity.

He was so conflicted in his thoughts about the lovely young woman. He pondered once morehow she put him in mind of someone he’d once met. It was silly because she looked almost nothinglike the other woman. He had spent very little time with the other young woman, so it was strange thatshe had stuck so forcefully in his mind. But this young woman reminded him of her from time to time.Certain gestures or the way she tilted her head when issuing a challenge. Perhaps it was just that hehad instantly found each so appealing while he didn’t want to feel drawn to any proper young woman.

When the arrival of their treats stemmed the flow of Adelina’s prattle, Gil finally engaged MissJones in conversation.

“Your name is an interesting dichotomy,” he commented, prompting a sudden laugh from her.“You’d expect something more mundane like Anne or Mary with a surname like Jones, wouldn’t

you?” she asked, not seeming in the least put out by his somewhat rude remark. “My father fancieshimself a Latin scholar. Felicity isn’t such a bad name when you consider what it could have been,”she said with a smile that almost sidetracked Gilbert from his thoughts.

“I’ve only met one other woman named Felicity, and she has much the same history to her name,”he remarked, watching her closely.

“Does she?” Her tone was light and seemingly unconcerned, but her face had tightened and hereyes wouldn’t meet his. “I would expect there is any number of amateur Latin scholars about, so itisn’t so terribly uncommon.” She tried to dismiss his comments and turn the subject. “How did youcome up with your children’s names?”

He didn’t appreciate her attempts in the least but couldn’t rightly object. “I had very little say inthe naming of my children, to be honest. Their mother had quite strong views on what they ought to becalled.”

“Well, she did a good job. They all have interesting names that aren’t outlandish in any way. Ilike them,” she said with a firm nod.

Suddenly, Gilbert decided to stop sidestepping his concerns. He asked the girl straight out. “So,you decided to take me up on my suggestion and learn for yourself about the wool industry in theseparts?”

“Yes,” she answered with a wide smile, seemingly genuinely pleased with their excursion. “Ihad actually wondered if you had not meant it,” she said with a shy duck of her head. “I had theimpression that you didn’t want me to know about it for some reason. My sincere apologies, Your

Grace. If I truly thought that then I probably should have minded my own business. But I’m so gladthat I didn’t. It was truly fascinating. I would have stayed much longer and asked at least a millionmore questions, but her ladyship was quickly wilting under the bleating of the poor sheep, so we hadto go.”

Gil hoped he didn’t look like a sheep as he gazed at her in confusion. She was such a strange mixof shy and bold. He found her candidness highly attractive. She didn’t seem to be hiding anything fromhim in that moment. But he knew that was untrue. For one thing, he didn’t trust any female besides hisdaughter. And perhaps, the long-time servants upon his estate. Certainly, not this beautiful youngwoman he’d just met. He had learned at a very impressionable age that beauty was only skin deep. Itcertainly did not mean the lady was angelic, no matter how she looked.

It wasn’t the most appropriate time to be reminded of his harpy of a wife, but he couldn’t helpbut compare the two women. He had met many women of the ton since his marriage. But marrying attwenty in order to secure the household finances and then finding it to be a highly disappointingcommitment was not a lesson a man could ever forget.

Added to that the fact that he was reasonably sure this woman was hiding things from him. Forexample, why would she not come to the inn with Adelina? He had thought perhaps it had beenbecause he hadn’t offered them pin money, which he meant to rectify as soon as they returned home,but she had seemed strangely reluctant even when he had reminded them that they would be his guests.Then too, there was her name. She, of course, couldn’t be the Felicity he had met, but she hadappeared strangely discomfited when he had brought up where her name had come from, despite herefforts at hiding her reaction. He would have to keep his eye on her in the future, he resolved.

But that wouldn’t really be a hardship on one hand, he reminded himself with an inward grin.She was certainly pleasant to look upon. But he would have to guard his heart well. She was exactlythe sort of female he would be susceptible to. Curious and eager, well spoken and articulate, full ofquestions and energy. He would guard his heart well. The last thing he needed was feelings.

Clearing his throat, he turned his attention back to the subject they had been discussing.“What did you enjoy most at the mill? I’ve never known a gently bred person to find it

particularly fascinating.”Felicity shrugged, looking uncomfortable by his comment. “For one thing, I was heartened to

learn that there are measures put in place to protect people. I know that is a great risk withdevelopment of industry. Developing businesses help people to prosper, but lives can so easily andoften be lost in the pursuit of that prosperity. It seemed to me that the villagers were valuing bothprofit and life. That’s a tricky balance to strike, I’m sure, but I found the safety measures trulyfascinating.”

She paused as though in reflection before carrying on. “I also had never actually seen theprocess before. I, like most, took it rather for granted that there would be skeins of wool to purchaseat the store. I did know that wool came from sheep, but as to how it got from their backs to my storenever really crossed my mind. I was pleased to see that they were willing to explain it to me. I’m sureit was your name that made the difference. It’s unlikely that Miss Jones of nowhere in particularwould have been shown such consideration.”

“Did you use my name for admission?” he asked, surprised.“Well, not yours exactly,” she stammered. “But I did explain who I was, as Lady Adelina’s

companion. That certainly changed the atmosphere,” she added with a wide smile.“Well, then, I’m glad we could be of service to you.”“I hope you don’t mind, Your Grace. I promise, if you tell me directly that you don’t want me

poking my nose about, I will manage to obey.”Gil did want to tell her that, but having heard her express quite clearly her beliefs on continuing

to expand her education, he couldn’t find it in his heart to deny her. He only hoped she was truly asinnocent as she was trying to portray herself.

“What else did they show you?” He didn’t bother to deny her and truly did want to know whatshe had enjoyed.

“Well, even when they were showing me how they did things, they also tried to explain the waythings used to be done before turning it into an industry. It was fascinating to see how the wool wouldhave been processed by hand. But I can’t even imagine how labour intensive that would have been.”

“It certainly would have been much harder to make it profitable, to be sure.” Gil agreed with herwithout giving away any of his own thoughts on the subject.

Chapter Nine

Felicity was both warm and cold at once. She was uncomfortable with the duke’s attentiondirected completely upon her. What if he were to recognize her? Or if someone else at the innrecognized her? She should have taken his offer of returning back to the estate and allow him to spendsome time alone with Adelina. But she had allowed herself to give in to the temptation. She wasridiculous but only hoped she wouldn’t pay a heavy price.

Too, there was the way he was questioning her interest in the mill. It was certainly strange. Sheknew the gently bred did not consider industry to be something acceptable to be interested in but asfar as he knew, she was beneath his notice anyway, so it shouldn’t be anything of note. Unless he wasworried she was going to corrupt his daughter with her plebeian ways. She hoped it wasn’t that. Shewas coming to love Lady Adelina and was quite determined to stay as long as she could possiblymanage.

Rathnelly was a comfortable estate, despite the vastness of the building. One could never referto it as cosy but it wasn’t nearly as repellant as she had first suspected as they had driven up that long,intimidating driveway. Felicity would like to make it her home for years to come. What would bebeyond that remained a mystery, but surely by then she would have received her grandmother’sinheritance and could make her own way. Perhaps, she would travel the world as she had alwayslonged to do. But in the meantime, she had a child to help grow up into a confident young woman andto Felicity, it was the most fulfilled she had ever felt in her life.

She just had to make sure that her strange ideas didn’t give the duke a disgust of her and shefound herself tossed out on her ear. That would break her heart. And Adelina’s, too, as far as thatwent. The poor child had suffered enough loss in her young life; Felicity didn’t wish to add to it.

So, she would have to do all in her power to remain on the duke’s good side. But that was goingto be a challenge for her, as she wasn’t certain why he was so terribly concerned by her interest in thewool industry. Felicity had sensed that he didn’t want her to pursue the matter, but he had offered thatif she were interested she ought to ask in the village. So, she did. She shouldn’t be faulted for doingas he had bade.

Feeling defensive put her on the wrong foot, and she struggled with her discomfort before thehandsome man. And that, too, was part of the problem. If only he weren’t quite so handsome andfascinating. Felicity had sworn herself to a different life than was conventional. She couldn’t go andgive her heart to the first handsome nobleman she encountered. It would be beyond ridiculous.Besides pointless, considering the tales she had spun to find herself here.

Closing her mind to the attraction, Felicity turned her attention back toward the task at hand. Sheought to be engaging Adelina in conversation, not the duke.

“You’ve kept your counsel for a surprisingly long time, my lady, is that a good thing or bad?”Felicity asked the question in as teasing a tone as she could muster, hoping it didn’t sound forced. Shecould feel the duke’s gaze upon her but kept her face averted.

Adelina’s grin was tinted purple from the berries in her pie.“I’ve been otherwise engaged,” she answered as seriously as she could manage around her grin.“I can see that,” Felicity replied with a light laugh. “So, I take it, the treat has met with your

approval?”Adelina’s vigorous nodding threatened to spill her from her seat.“The only thing is you’d best have room for your dinner or Cook will have words with me.”

“There’s never any fear of me not having room, Jonesy, and well you know it. It’s the seamstresswho’ll need to be making room for me soon.”

Felicity laughed. “That will be another source of industry in the village, then. Shall we startupon our way home again? Surely, His Grace has other things he ought to be doing than dancingattendance upon us.”

Heat filled her as Felicity realized that could have sounded like a rebuke, but she still couldn’tlook at him to gauge his reaction. Adelina saved the day once more.

“Oh no, Father says there’s nothing more important than me, so you needn’t fear he’s wasting histime.”

The way the girl said it let Felicity know she wasn’t actually as arrogant as the words mightseem to indicate. She couldn’t help a small laugh, though, and for the briefest moment her eyes metthose of the duke, and her heart stood still.

She tore her gaze away from his, and her heart galloped, leaving her momentarily lightheaded.Felicity was relieved to see that no one else seemed to notice her discomfort, though. DespiteAdelina’s words to the contrary, Felicity continued to gather their things and shepherd her youngcharge out of the inn’s parlour.

Felicity quickly but furtively glanced around at the bustle in the inn yard, hoping she wouldn’trun into anyone that could possibly recognize her. It was highly unlikely, and she reminded herselfthat she was being ridiculous. But she wasn’t used to prevaricating, and her guilty conscience madeher particularly uncomfortable at times. Reminding herself that this wasn’t a well travelled directionand hers was not a recognizable face only helped a little, and she breathed a sigh of relief once theywere away from the inn and onto the duke’s own property.

Adelina never noticed Felicity’s discomfort on the rare occasions that they left Rathnelly, butFelicity suspected the watchful duke might realize there was something amiss if she wasn’t morecareful. She tried to engage her charge in a stream of conversation. It was far from difficult as the girlwas delighted with two adults’ attention as well as being a trifle overexcited from the excess sugar inthe pie.

“Will you have to go to collect my brothers, Father? Or will they travel home on their own?”Adelina was asking.

“They will be accompanied by their tutor, and I will send a carriage for them.”“I wish I could go to collect them.”“You do?” Felicity could hear genuine surprise in the duke’s voice. “I thought you hate to

travel.”“Well, I certainly don’t enjoy it, but it would mean I’d be that much sooner to see my brothers.”“Oh, my dear lady Adelina, do not fret, your brothers will be here before you know it.”“No, Jonesy, they will not. I already know it, and they are not here. I’ve been waiting for days!”

The usually sunny-natured child suddenly sounded more petulant than Felicity had ever heard her, andshe frowned, wondering what had prompted such a change.

“Adelina, that is not the attitude that is expected of you, and well you know it.” Before Felicityhad thought of a way to handle the child, the duke had already stepped in and reprimanded her.

Adelina’s expressive face appeared mutinous for a moment, but then she capitulated.“My apologies, Jonesy, I meant you no disrespect. But the wait is torturing me.”Felicity laughed over the dramatic turn of phrase. “I understand, my dear. I know it’s hard to

wait for something so longed for, but if we keep ourselves busy enough, I promise you, the days willgo by quickly. And remember, we still have much to plan for their arrival. While it might have been

better for you to have not been told, I do think you would wish to have some things planned tocelebrate their homecoming.”

“Well that’s true, Jonesy,” the child agreed quickly. “And I would have hated it if you knew anddidn’t tell me.”

Felicity grinned. “That would have been most disloyal of me, wouldn’t it?”She heard a snort behind them and remembered that the duke was paying close attention to their

conversation. Heat filled her once more, but Felicity again chose to ignore the strange reactions theman caused her. Turning her attention back to Adelina, Felicity kept her engaged in coming up withideas for entertaining her brothers all the way back to the house.

True to her words, the days did fly by, at least for Felicity. Adelina complained at times that shecouldn’t bear the wait another moment, but before they were thoroughly beside themselves, the daydawned for the brothers to arrive. Even Felicity was excited. She supposed it was a contagioussentiment. She had little to no experience with boys, and she admitted to herself that she was actuallya trifle nervous about how she was to interact with the young gentlemen. She also wondered how herposition in the household might be altered upon their arrival.

But that was a concern for another day. Surely, the duke realized he had sons who might returnhome one day when he hired her, so Felicity wasn’t going to allow herself to dwell on her worries.She just wondered if she might be a trifle redundant if Adelina were off with her brothers all day.

“Don’t you have anything more festive to wear, Jonesy?” Adelina asked as she surveyed hercompanion’s attire the morning of the brothers’ expected arrival.

Felicity laughed, not in the least offended. She had only packed sober gowns and not many ofthem. In her role as an impoverished young woman seeking employment, ball gowns were far fromwelcome.

“I do not, my lady,” she answered simply.“Could you perhaps do something more interesting with your hair, then?” Adelina asked next.Felicity’s skills with hair styling probably wouldn’t allow for it for one thing, but that was not

what she told the child.“Adelina, my dear, your brothers are not of an age that they will even notice my hair or gown,

I’m most certain. And if they were, I would absolutely not wish to engage their interest. So no, I donot need to change my hair or clothes.”

The girl appeared nonplussed and even a little hurt by her companion’s words, so Felicityhurried to reassure her.

“We are doing everything we could possibly think of to make sure your brothers feel welcomedhome. I promise you, they will be pleased to see us however we are gowned. They will have beentravelling for two days and will most likely be tired and hungry. And perhaps bored silly. We willhave our work cut out for us to engage their interest, but I am not willing to look a mess just becauseyou are anxious about it. As I told you before, this is the best style for my hair. You have learned toendure it. They will, too.”

Adelina appeared undecided about her reaction for a brief moment, but then she finally laughed.“Am I being completely ridiculous, Jonesy?”“Not completely,” Felicity replied with a smile. “I know how excited you are to see your

brothers. I cannot believe you haven’t seen them for so long,” she added before it struck her that shemight not see her own sisters for the same or longer. Felicity quickly swallowed down the lump thatformed in her throat over the thought. That was something she would have to take up with herselfwhen she had a moment alone. Now was certainly not the time.

“What time do you think they’ll arrive?” Adelina was nearly vibrating with her excitement.“Lady Adelina, my dear girl, you are going to have to strive to get through the day. I’m afraid it

might not be until nightfall, as they do have a long way to travel.”The child’s face fell, and she appeared to be on the verge of tears, causing Felicity to regret her

honesty.“Perhaps, we could go in search of your father and find out if they sent word as to their itinerary.

While things can go wrong, the weather has been fair, and they would no doubt be travelling on wellworn roads, there’s no reason to expect they would encounter many delays.”

Felicity had been making every effort to avoid the duke since their excursion to the village, soshe surprised even herself with her suggestion. But it was the only way they could possibly know forsure, and Felicity couldn’t bear to make the child to sit on tenterhooks for the entire day.

Adelina danced before her as they went in search of the duke. She almost barged into the librarywhen they arrived but with a glance at Felicity, the girl contained herself and knocked vigorously.

She pranced in upon the duke’s call to enter.“Father, we’ve come to find out if you’ve received word from Gardner. Do you have any idea

what time we might be able to expect them?”“Good day, my daughter,” Rathnelly greeted with a warm smile before he answered. “I did hear

from the boys’ tutor. They sent a messenger from the inn they stayed at last night. They expect to behere before dark.”

Adelina’s face fell. “Jonesy was right, then,” she said mournfully. “I was hoping they’d arrivethis morning.”

“Don’t you remember when you came home from school?” Rathnelly asked with a frown.Adelina shrugged, and Felicity stepped in to offer an explanation. “Our hearts are often less than

reasonable, Your Grace. She was merely hopeful.” She put her hand out toward Adelina. “Comealong. Let us find the maps and guess which route they might have taken. If His Grace could tell uswhich inn they stayed at, we might be able to calculate their arrival.”

Felicity’s gaze encountered that of the duke, and she frowned over what she saw on his face. Heappeared to be torn between admiration and suspicion. But she couldn’t fathom what could besuspicious about what she had said. She mentally shrugged and led the child away as soon as he hadtold them the name of the village where they had spent the night.

As they walked away, it crossed Felicity’s mind to wonder why the duke was always so verybusy. While a dukedom was surely more complicated than an earl’s responsibilities, she would neverhave thought it would be quite that occupying. She wondered if she ought to feel sorry for him orsomehow offer her assistance before dismissing the thought. It was unlikely he would welcome herintrusion.

Gracie,I’m sorry my letters have become less frequent. It’s hard to find the time with such an

inquisitive charge. I do miss you still, though, I promise.Do you think I could become a clerk next? I do think it would be quite in keeping with my

temperament. But it is likely I would need an even better disguise. Don’t have apoplexy, I’mmostly jesting.

Chapter Ten

Gil watched Felicity lead his daughter away, and his eyes narrowed. He admired her skilfulhandling of Adelina. She seemed to have a firm but gentle touch with the girl, which was a trickycombination to pull off. He would know. He had never seemed to be able to manage it with anyone.Except maybe his horses.

But he couldn’t help but wonder how she came by her strange collection of information andknowledge. He had never met a well-born woman who could read a map and figure out whensomeone might arrive. He knew many men who couldn’t do that. The duke shook his head. It wasn’tthat he thought she was incapable because of being a female. It was just that he had never knownanyone to be as eclectically knowledgeable as her. But she clearly was knowledgeable, so he oughtnot to question it. And if it kept Adelina occupied for the day, then he should be glad for it. Felicityobviously had a questing mind and pursued knowledge like some might an addiction. It could be muchworse, he thought with a smile.

He couldn’t help wondering about her, though. How had she made it through life with that senseof curiosity so intact? He had nearly had his own quest quenched by circumstances. It was only thosecircumstances that had forced him to be creative in his approach to saving his family’s estate. Gilbertkept his eyes on the open doorway as he wondered about what might have motivated Felicity. Orperhaps, despite whatever circumstances that had led her to seek employment, her life hadn’t been sochallenging that it made her leave off her thirst for knowledge.

With a renewed resolve to continue to keep an eye on his daughter’s companion, Gilbert forcedhis attention back to his never-ending pile of work.

The girls wouldn’t leave his mind, though, no matter how much he might wish to direct hisattention elsewhere. Finally, with a huff of frustration, he put down his pencil and went in search ofthem.

It took some time in the large building, but he finally encountered them settled on a carpet in oneof the back parlours that had a fairly large, low table upon which they had spread a sturdy lookingmap. Gil wondered where they had found it but then turned his attention to what they were discussing.They hadn’t yet noticed his arrival.

“So, how far is it from there to there?” Felicity was asking while Adelina was holding tightly toa string.

Gilbert grinned as he watched his daughter concentrating fiercely with her tongue stuck out thecorner of her mouth and the string pressing dents into her fingers.

“It’s about two inches, I think.” Adelina didn’t sound convinced, but Felicity noddedencouragingly.

“Very good, my lady. Now compare that with the scale at the bottom. How far is two inches?”With a furrowed brow and several pants of concerted effort, Adelina finally looked up eagerly.

“I think it’s nine miles,” she declared, joy evident at her accomplishment.“I think you’re correct. Very good, Adelina.”“But now what? I don’t really know what that means.”Felicity laughed, and Gilbert had to exert great effort not to join her. They still hadn’t noticed

him observing them, and he would like to enjoy the moment as long as possible.“Well, we’re not done, yet. Let’s measure the next section. From there to there. But first, write

down your first measurements, and then we’ll add them together.”

As Adelina was following her companion’s directions, Felicity became alerted to Gil’spresence and hot colour flooded every inch of skin he could see, indicating her discomfort with hisobservation. Pushing himself away from the doorjamb he had been leaning against, Gil strolled intothe room.

“That’s a wonderful map you’ve got there,” he commented mildly, hoping he hadn’t just ruinedthe fun for them.

“Father, Jonesy is teaching me how to read the map. Isn’t this fascinating?”“That’s a most useful skill for you to have,” was all the reply Gil could muster. He didn’t

begrudge his daughter a single item of information, but he wasn’t sure if she would ever be calledupon to read a map.

“Jonesy says it’s best to be sufficient.”Gil blinked, unsure what was meant by this sentence. Felicity laughed slightly.“I do believe I might have said self-sufficient. Do you understand the difference?”Adelina shook her head, making Felicity laugh again. “I’ll explain it to you later, then.”Gil felt a little dejected when he realized he was making the young woman uncomfortable.“So, have you figured out when you expect them yet, then?”“Father,” his daughter started in an exasperated tone, “these things take time to calculate.” She

quickly brightened. “But you probably knew that already and were merely jesting with us, weren’tyou?”

“I surely was. You’re getting smarter and smarter every day, my dear. I can’t get anything pastyou these days.”

Gil winked at Felicity and watched in amazement as her colour deepened further. He wonderedfor her health for a moment. But then she just as suddenly paled.

“Did you wish to continue the lesson, Your Grace? It’s likely you are more versed in such thingsthan I am.”

“Not at all,” he countered promptly. “I’m ashamed to admit that it was actually curiosity that wasconsuming me. I couldn’t sit in my library wondering if you had figured it out already.”

“Well, it took us a while to find a map we were comfortable with and one we were certainwould have all the appropriate places shown on it. And,” she added with emphasis, “had a scale thatseemed reliably accurate.” Despite her obvious discomfort with him, she suddenly turned teasing. “Icannot say that I find your map collection complete, Your Grace. Some of them struck me as beingmerely for show, not reliable in the least. And while I’m sure your lands are extensive, a couple ofthe maps struck me as having been drawn by someone wishing to flatter rather than one striving foraccuracy.”

Gilbert threw back his head and laughed heartily. She wasn’t wrong, and he was impressed withher ability to detect the inaccuracies.

“What gave it away?”“Well, you will recall that I did travel here recently, so I’m fairly certain of the proportions

involved in some of the distances in the area.”“I’m impressed, Miss Jones,” Gil returned. “You would have made an excellent adventurer.”Inexplicably, his words made her blush all the more. Gilbert wasn’t sure what about it was so

very discomfiting, but he thought he ought to leave the girls in peace.“Well, I will leave you two to your studies. I will expect a full report at luncheon,” he directed

as he left the room, feeling Felicity’s startled gaze following him.Her surprise was reasonable. While they had dinner together nearly every day, they had never

shared the less formal luncheon meal. Gil had started to think the young woman was trying to avoidhim, and her reaction to his words didn’t belie that suspicion. It would be an interesting afternoon, hethought with a grin as he went to consult with his steward and then on to the mill to see to a fewthings. Despite his distractions, he did have things he ought to be caring for before reconvening withhis daughter and her companion.

It was a challenge for him to concentrate, but he finally got to the bottom of the list of things heneeded to discuss with his clerks at the mill. It had been such a relief to find out that the mill overseerhad known not to show Miss Jones the office. Gil was certain her active mind would have wonderedwhy there were five desks set up to manage the business affairs of a seemingly small-sized wooloperation. No one else needed to know that he managed all of his enterprises through those clerks.

It was a disappointment to learn that one of their ships had sustained heavy damage in a storm offthe coast of the island they had been heading toward. That would delay its return, but the rest of thefleet should be able to manage the surplus supplies. They, too, would be delayed though due totransporting heavier loads and thus more susceptible to any further storms.

The duke’s stomach clenched with the anxiety that having so many lives in his hands alwaysinduced. Everyone involved benefited when his businesses thrived. But being the one responsiblewas a heavy burden he struggled with at times. His shipping industry was one of his most profitable,but it was also the highest risk. He often thought of getting out of it, knowing doing so would alleviatemany of his concerns. But the profits were substantial, and he didn’t yet feel secure in the contents ofhis coffers.

Gilbert shook his head as he rode back toward Rathnelly. He supposed it was a consequence ofthe insecurities produced by finding out his father and grandfather had brought the estate to the brinkof ruin, but he wondered if there were a large enough amount of money he could possess to make himfinally feel comfortable or if he would always be hungry for more.

One of his clerks had mentioned some correspondence inquiring into one of his enterprises.Gilbert couldn’t fathom why Lord Sterling would be interested in his horse breeding business. It wasconsidered beneath most gentry. If it were a stud service he was looking for, the inquiry would havebeen different. However, the clerk had thought Lord Sterling was looking to invest. That was mostunprecedented and was another thing for Gil to worry about. He had never considered Sterling to bethe meddlesome sort, but the late duchess had trained him well to suspect any noble who showed aninterest.

Gilbert pushed the lowering thoughts from his mind and urged his mount into a gallop in an effortto outrun his worries.

The butler informed him when he returned to the house that their luncheon had been spread in thebreakfast room. Gil was pleased to see that, as usual, his staff had not let him down. There was agreat variety to tempt any appetite. It was a far cry from what they had been able to manage when hehad first inherited. He tried not to think of those times but sometimes, it was hard to forget. Strangely,he was often reminded when he was closest to feeling content. All the more reason to banishemotions, he reminded himself fiercely.

Upon his arrival, it was evident the girls had likewise just arrived. They were hovering aroundthe room, examining the dishes and chatting with the footmen.

Gil cleared his throat, bringing all eyes toward him. He hid his grimace. Being a duke held astrange power. Even when he had no money and had nearly lost everything, he had still held power. Itwas what had saved him. But it also needed to be managed. Because people often resented it, even asthey bowed to it. And if anyone ever found out his secrets – he cut off the thought even as he was

thinking it. One of the letters sent to his clerks had also been from a London newspaper inquiringabout the mill. Gilbert lived in dread of the ton finding out how very bourgeois he had become. Hemade sure not to narrow his eyes in suspicion at Miss Jones, but it was a struggle.

“How did you make out with the maps?”Adelina seemed to be in much better spirits than she had been that morning. The grin she

directed at him was filled with the carefree abandon that could only be produced by a happy child.“It was wonderful, Father. I cannot believe I never knew how to determine such things before

this. I will never look at travel the same, that is for certain. Jonesy has promised to show me theworld after this. I think perhaps, she and I ought to consider taking the Grand Tour rather than makingmy debut. Do you think you would allow it?”

Gil hoped his jaw wasn’t hanging open like Felicity’s was. Her face was filled with such anendearing combination of surprise and dread, as though she had never meant to impart such an idea tothe child but could only hope that it was actually possible. He would never have thought of such anidea for gently bred women, but he could see why it might appeal to them.

“We’ll have to give it some thought, my dear, but feel free to examine your maps and tell mewhere you think you’d like to go.”

He made an effort to appear unconcerned even though he wanted to deny her outright. It was aridiculous idea. But he was well aware of his daughter’s ability to decide that the thing she wasdenied was the one thing that she must have for her happiness. He also knew the child was well ableto change her mind at least thirteen times before she was of age, so he needn’t worry about itovermuch. But perhaps he was going to have to replace her companion, if the woman was going to fillher head with such nonsense. Gilbert hoped his sigh wasn’t audible as he thought about the scene thatwould cause.

Adelina appeared as though she had been expecting a much bigger reaction from him over herpronouncement, and he hurried to redirect her attention so she wouldn’t vent her disappointment.

“So, when should we be expecting your brothers, my dear? You never did tell me what youdiscovered.”

Adelina sighed dramatically. “It was just as you said. They will be here in time for dinner butnot much sooner. How did you know if you didn’t examine the maps, Father?”

“I have travelled these roads a few times, you must remember.”“Have you looked at the maps before? Are you able to do the calculations like Jonesy does?”Gilbert glanced at the companion, noting her heightened colour once more. The woman was so

beautiful when she was flustered. He allowed a smile.“I haven’t tried my hand at it in a long time, but it was something we were taught in school. I

must say, it isn’t something I’ve known many women to take an interest in.”Adelina frowned and turned to Felicity. “Why not, Jonesy? Is it not dignified? Ought I not be

interested in maps?”Felicity’s smile was gentle as she soothed his daughter. “It’s neither dignified nor undignified,

my lady. There are many things most women don’t take an interest in that are perfectly acceptable,just not common. If you wish to be common, we can stick to needlework and watercolours. I haveabsolutely no desire to lead you astray from your aims.”

“No one wants to be common,” Adelina scoffed, making all the adults in the room have to hidetheir smiles.

“I think most ladies haven’t had an opportunity to even realize what they don’t know. Butknowing how to read a map is just a matter of geography and mathematics, nothing exceptionally

outrageous, I can assure you. And even if you never get to go places, you can have great adventures inyour mind.”

The rest of the luncheon passed uneventfully as they filled their plates and enjoyed their mealwhile making conversation about the weather and other inanities. Gil marvelled at Felicity’s abilitiesin that regard. She was just like any lady of the ton he might have encountered. What a strangecombination she was proving to be. He couldn’t quite decide if she was an asset or a detriment to hisdaughter.

She must have been thinking the exact same thing. As the footmen were collecting their plates,Gil was surprised to hear her tell Adelina, “You go ahead back to the parlour we were in. I’ll meetyou there in a quick minute. I just have to ask your father something.”

Uninterested in adult talk, Adelina scampered off without comment, leaving the two alone for asudden moment as the servants followed her from the room.

“Your Grace, my deepest apologies. I know I have fairly unconventional ideas, but I had nointention of passing them on to Lady Adelina, especially not that of wishing to travel. I truly nevermeant to give her such an idea, even though I think it’s a wonderful exercise to know how to read andmeasure on a map. Please, accept my apology. I will fully understand if you have decided you requiresomeone more conventional as her ladyship’s companion.”

Her pale, stricken face wiped all thought from his mind for the briefest moment. All Gil wantedto do was pull the girl into his arms. To offer comfort, he assured himself, even as he rejected thepossibility.

“That will not be necessary, Miss Jones,” he answered her formally. “It was evident from yourexpression that you had not put her up to her request, even though it was something you would long todo.”

Her flush looked painfully hot, he thought with amusement as she nodded and shook her head allat the same time.

“Well, of course, I would love to travel, but I know it isn’t seemly, and I didn’t mean to makeher want to do so.”

“I’m fairly certain Adelina will find something else to preoccupy her mind before we have togive it too much concern, Miss Jones, please, don’t trouble yourself.” Gilbert was surprising himself.He ought to take her up on her offer of leaving his employ since he found her so disturbing to hispeace of mind, but he found himself assuring her. “At this point, I don’t think my life would beliveable if I were to allow you to leave the household. Adelina has grown that attached to you. So,while I would appreciate it if you make a greater effort in curbing your less dignified ideas, I don’tthink we’re in any danger of turning my daughter into a wild eccentric.”

She was dipping into deeper and deeper curtsies as she tried to thank him profusely. Gil wishedhe could question her about her circumstances. It seemed evident to him that she really needed thisemployment. He knew he couldn’t turn her from his door even if he had wanted to. She was now onemore responsibility he had to think about.

“I’ll see you at dinner, then,” he dismissed her suddenly, and she fled.

Chapter Eleven

Felicity was nearly shaking with all the pent up feelings conflicting with each other within herchest. Why did he have to be so very appealing? He was her employer. And a duke, besides. She hadalready put herself beyond the pale. She couldn’t become infatuated with the man on top of everyother mistake she had already made, she admonished herself as she hurried to join Adelina.

It had been rash to offer to leave her position, but what else was she supposed to do? Even withher own wild ideas, she knew full well a noblewoman could not go travelling the world with only hercompanion in tow, especially not a duke’s daughter. But the idea was seductive and beckoned her.Perhaps eventually, if Adelina held to her interests, the duke might allow them to do a little travelling.Felicity pushed the idea from her mind. She ought not to cultivate such an idea in either of their minds.As Rathnelly had said, the girl would probably forget about it shortly. And Felicity needed to allowthat to happen.

“Where shall we go next, my lady?” she called out, belying her very reasonable thoughts.“I think we ought to go to the sea, at the very least,” Adelina declared with a grin, holding up a

map that didn’t seem to have a sea in sight.Felicity laughed.“Excellent idea. I could do with some fresh fish to eat, couldn’t you?”Adelina groaned and held her midsection. “Do not even mention food to me. I ate far more than I

ought to in all my excitement at luncheon. Was it not exciting that Father chose to eat with us?”“Very.” Felicity hoped she sounded appropriately enthused, but she actually wished the duke

would stay far, far away. “Did you not spend much time with your father before this?” Felicity didn’tmean to pry, but she did wonder why it seemed to be a novelty.

Adelina shrugged. “Not particularly. For one thing, we were all sent away to school after Mamadied, you know. I haven’t seen my brothers since then. Gardner was already in school, of course, sohe came home for the funeral. When he went back, he took Easton with him. And then Father found aschool for me and took me there soon after.”

Felicity’s heart broke for the children. She could see that the duke hadn’t known what to do withhis grieving children, but sending them away had clearly been a mistake. She wondered what sort ofstate the brothers were in. Probably a bit better than Adelina, since they had been together.

But Felicity couldn’t allow the girl to dwell on her problems, nor did she wish to cultivate anyill will toward the duke.

“It will be lovely to be together as a family for the summer, in that case, won’t it?” Felicitydeclared as cheerfully as possible.

“I expect so,” Adelina replied, but her tone expressed she was a bit dubious on the subject.“Come now, what has changed? You were most excited when you heard that your brothers were

to come home. Are you not still happy to see them?”“Of course I am, Jonesy,” the girl rallied. “But it has been so long. What if they won’t like me?

We haven’t been a family in a very long time.”Felicity couldn’t believe how old and bewildered the youngster sounded. It threatened to break

her heart. She couldn’t allow it.“Perhaps so, but there is no reason to think your brothers won’t love you to pieces. You are

lovely and if they have brains in their heads, they will see that. And it doesn’t matter how long it hasbeen. Today is a new day, and a new chapter is about to be written. You must go into it with a

positive spirit, and all will be well. You’ll see. If it isn’t, we’ll make it so.”“What if Father doesn’t want us to stay, though? He sent us all away before. What if he does it

again?”Felicity felt the burn of tears deep in her throat and behind her eyelids, but she managed to blink

them back and stave off most of the emotion that clogged her in that moment. She pulled the girl intoher side for a quick hug. She wanted to offer all the comfort she possibly could, but she was wellaware that she had to tread lightly on the sensitive subject.

“I cannot imagine how tough that must have been for you to go off to school just after your poormother had passed. But I’m quite certain your father thought it was for the best for you and yourbrothers. Now that you are old enough to tell him how you feel, if he has the same idea again, you cantell him clearly that you would rather stay at home.” She paused for a moment, letting that sink inbefore pointing out, “You’ve done it already, you know? That’s why I’m even here. You told yourfather clearly that you did not wish to attend school, and he did as you asked.”

Adelina brightened considerably with that reminder.“He did listen to me, didn’t he?” Her gleeful tone made Felicity hesitate. She didn’t want the

child to think her father would do everything she requested. While the duke seemed genial enough, hedidn’t strike her as the truly permissive type.

“Now come, we don’t have a terribly long time remaining before dinner. Why don’t we put ourmaps and things away, and we’ll go up to our rooms and play dress up while we decide what wouldbe the best thing to wear for the evening meal.”

Adelina laughed. “That won’t take you very long, since you only have three gowns.”“No, but you have more than enough to make up for my lack. We’ll be hours just sorting through

your wardrobes.”

~~~

They laughed and joked their way through gathering the papers they had been using, nevernoticing that the duke had overheard their conversation.

Gilbert watched them climb the stairs, feeling like he was even more involved in espionage thanhe usually felt. It wasn’t a comfortable feeling by any means. He didn’t enjoy feeling secretive, but itwasn’t usually an active feeling, as he had very little contact with anyone but his servants andemployees. And his circumstances were truly only a secret from those of his own class. It wouldnever do for the ton to discover that the Duke of Rathnelly was involved in commerce. Apparently,genteel poverty was far preferable to the wellborn. But Gil hadn’t been able to stomach the thought ofhis children actually going hungry. Or his ancestral pile of stones tumbling down around their ears.

So, he had learned all he could and put his late wife’s generous dowry to work, grateful that hisfather hadn’t had time to squander it all before his death. She had, of course, been livid. And appalledand embarrassed and had refused to acknowledge him once she had discovered what he was up to.Gil often wondered if she had any idea how limited her dowry was for an estate the size of theirs. Shehad already hated Rathnelly. She had despised it further when she had learned what the duke wasdoing. It had been a singular lesson to Gilbert Barrington. He had been careful to never let it happenagain. To that day no one had ever found out just how close to ruin the Rathnelly fortunes had come.Nor had they learned that his wife’s small fortune wasn’t what had saved them.

Despite his deepening pockets, Gil kept his spending as under control as was possible whilerunning a dukedom. Whenever he did venture to Town, he was far from showy in his lifestyle. But

keeping up so many properties required very deep pockets if they weren’t profitable. His now were,of course. But it had taken ingenuity and other investments to get them there. It was ridiculous that thiswas something to be ashamed of rather than applauded.

But now he had something else to be ashamed of.His daughter thought he didn’t want her at home.Of course, he wanted all his children at home. But he had thought it was in their best interests at

the time. They were grieving. He had thought their teachers and minders at their schools would be in abetter position to deal with their feelings than he was. He hadn’t been sad over his loss. He was sadfor his children to be motherless. But when his wife had broken her neck taking a reckless jump on awild horse, relief was what had flooded him more than anything. And he never wanted the children toknow. So he had sent them away, hoping they’d be distracted from the problem. Apparently, that hadbeen a mistake. But he hadn’t the first clue how to rectify it.

Suddenly, he hoped that perhaps Felicity could help them figure it out together. He resolved topay closer attention to their interactions at dinner. He knew she could be relied upon to keep thechildren engaged, even if he didn’t know how.

Chapter Twelve

Felicity had spent the last part of the afternoon with Adelina nearly driving her to Bedlam withher anxious changing of hair and gowns.

“They’re your brothers, my dear girl. I really doubt they’re going to care how fine you’vegroomed yourself. Besides being eleven and eight years old, I don’t think they even yet know anythingabout hairstyles and ladies’ fashions.”

“But I’ll care, Jonesy,” Adelina had cried plaintively, making Felicity give her another brief hug.“I know, my dear,” Felicity responded soothingly, recognizing the girl’s efforts to cover her

anxiety. “I think the blue one is the best colour for you, as well as the most comfortable style. If yourbrothers want to do some sort of activity after dinner, you wouldn’t want to have to change again. Andfor the same reason, I am inclined to think that the least fussy hairstyle that you still feel suits you willbe the best.”

“You are absolutely brilliant, Jonesy, thank you!” the girl exclaimed, throwing her arms aroundFelicity’s waist for a tight squeeze before scampering back to her wardrobe and having the maidbutton her into the gown Felicity had mentioned.

Now, Felicity was frowning into her mirror at her own reflection. She wasn’t nearly asconcerned about the brothers’ reactions to her appearance as Adelina had been, but some of the girl’sanxiety had rubbed off on her, and she wondered if she too ought to put some effort into her dress andgrooming.

She had never been terribly interested in the latest fashions, but no young woman wanted to looklike a dowd. Unless she were trying to hide her identity, Felicity reminded herself with a wry twist toher lips. She ought to have procured spectacles, she mused with a frown, noting that her hair colourwas fading and becoming a little too close to her natural colour for her own peace of mind. Shewould have to do something about that soon, or it would be too noticeable when she did. But therewas no time now. She would have to make the arrangements on her next half day.

But now she had to stop dithering. Running a comb over her tightly swept back hair to right anysprigs that had escaped their confines, Felicity stepped back and nodded at her reflection. She woulddo. She was a paid companion now, not a debutante, her appearance was really quite inconsequential.And she was not trying to appeal to the duke in any way, she reminded herself sternly with a wag ofher finger at her reflection that caused her to grin.

Without another glance, Felicity turned on her heel and left the room, blissfully unaware that noamount of dowdy grooming could hide her aristocratic bearing.

Collecting the overly excited Adelina along the way, the two descended to the parlour wherethey had agreed to assemble. They were to dine in the smaller of the two dining rooms in the Housethat evening, much to Adelina’s dismay.

“But Jonesy, we always eat there, shouldn’t we eat in the other one, since it’s a specialoccasion?”

“I can see your point, my lady, but that room is designed to seat at least one hundred, I’d dareestimate. Don’t you think we’d feel a trifle insignificant sitting at such a massive table in that bigroom and being just the five or six of us? Even if your father has invited some of the neighbours,which I haven’t heard that he has, I fear the room might echo from not being full enough. That mighthave the opposite effect of what you’re hoping for.”

Adelina had harrumphed and was on the verge of pouting over it, but even she had to

acknowledge Felicity wasn’t wrong about how large the room was.“Besides that, perhaps we can arrange with the housekeeper to use special dishes and maybe

decorate the smaller dining room a little with flowers or some such. But I must warn you, I fear boysmight not have any appreciation for such things. It is entirely possible that they will be moreinterested with what’s on the plate rather than the plate itself.”

Adelina had finally laughed over Felicity’s words even as she wrinkled her nose. “I don’t reallyknow what they’ll be like either, Jonesy. I think that might be why I’m so very excited about tonight.There is so much to learn about my brothers. I want to do it all at once.”

Felicity’s heart had clenched for her young charge. What a dreadful conundrum for the girl.“I cannot advise you on this particular topic, I’m afraid, as I have even less experience with

boys than you do. But I will say, my lady, that it will be impossible to learn everything at once, so youought to try to restrain yourself from even trying. It will only frustrate you and perhaps have theopposite effect as what you’re hoping to accomplish.”

Adelina had nodded as though she understood, but Felicity was not confident that the childwould pay her any mind. As they approached the parlour, Felicity was thinking about all they hadtried to cover that afternoon, and she tried to reassure herself that it truly didn’t matter. These childrenwere siblings and would love each other no matter how this dinner might go.

The silence that greeted them suggested to Felicity and Adelina they were the first to arrive, so itwas a great surprise to walk into the salon and find Rathnelly and two youngsters who could havebeen direct replicas of him standing around in sullen silence.

“Oh,” Felicity said rather inanely. “Hello.” Heat suffused her, but she kept a smile on her faceand hoped she appeared open and inviting to the brothers rather than the embarrassed specimen thatshe felt.

“Easton,” Adelina screeched, running forward and throwing herself at her younger brother, whohad managed to grow past his older siblings.

The youngest Barrington reminded Felicity of a newborn colt, awkward and eager with longskinny legs. He must have just had a growth spurt and hadn’t yet grown accustomed to his advancedheight, she thought as he reached for his sister and seemed surprised to find her shorter. The laughterthat swept the room sounded a little desperate, and Felicity had to swallow the lump of her emotionswondering how she could help this family get past their unhelpful discomfort.

She stepped forward toward the other boy and dipped into a curtsy. “Good evening, my lord.You must be Viscount Wickham. I am Miss Felicity Jones, your sister’s companion.”

Rathnelly’s focus on her felt as though it were burning her skin, but Felicity managed to ignorehim as she watched for the young Gardner’s reaction to her boldness. She would never haveintroduced herself to an adult viscount, but she couldn’t see her way clear to await an introduction toan eleven-year-old. Felicity hoped it had been the right thing to do.

It must not have caused offense at any rate since the boy, who had appeared so stiff anduncomfortable when she first entered the room, grinned and shook her hand.

“Keeping that munchkin company must be a trialsome task,” he said before hot colour floodedhis face when his voice cracked at the end of his statement. Felicity managed to stifle any reactionother than a gentle smile.

Ignoring his verbal jab toward his sister that she was choosing to think was good natured, shemildly remarked, “Lady Adelina certainly enlivens one’s life,” before enquiring into their journey.

“You must have had an uneventful journey, as you’ve arrived exactly when we expected you.”“Jonesy taught me how to read the map and calculate when you ought to be here, Gardner,”

Adelina called out from where she still stood with her arm around Easton.“Did she, now?” he asked with a degree of respect reflected in his blue gaze, so eerily similar to

his father’s.“I had been hoping you’d arrive in the morning,” Adelina explained. “Could you not have told

the horses to go faster?”The occupants of the room laughed again, but Gardner shook his head. “Smith wouldn’t allow

it,” he said with obvious disdain. “And Easton wasn’t sure he wanted to be in a hurry anyway.”“Why ever not, Easton?” Adelina demanded.Easton grinned. “Wickham is attributing his own feelings onto me. Pay him no mind, munchkin.”Adelina looked between the two of her brothers, clearly undecided how she felt about the entire

situation. Felicity stepped into the conversation.“Where is Mr. Smith? We had thought he might join us this evening.”“He carried on to his home, as he’s not far from here,” Easton answered while Gardner added,

“He’s too afraid of the duke to remain for a meal.”Felicity couldn’t help glancing at Rathnelly to gauge his reaction to his son’s statement, but there

was nothing to be learned from the man’s impassive expression. Hoping to smooth over theawkwardness, she offered another possible explanation.

“He was likely afraid of his mother’s reaction if she were to find out he was in the area andhadn’t come to visit,” she finally said, a trifle desperately, hoping the butler would soon arrive toannounce the meal.

Her desperate but silent pleas must have been heard somewhere as in that moment, Mr. Carterstepped through the door.

“Your Grace, dinner is served.”They all trouped behind the butler in a silent queue while Felicity wracked her brain as to how

to make the situation any less awkward. Once they were seated and the footmen began to serve, shebegan directing the conversation.

“Wickham,” she began, wondering if she ought to address him as Lord Wickham. “Lady Adelinahas been telling me about some of the letters you’ve exchanged, but she wasn’t able to tell me muchabout your studies. Did you have a favourite subject at school?”

“Fencing,” he answered immediately, prompting a surprised chuckle from Felicity.“Ah, I see. That would explain why she didn’t know what you’d been studying in History or

Geography classes.”The boy’s grin was sheepish, and Felicity could see that he was unbending a little. He rolled his

eyes toward his sister. “Your companion reminds me of Smith.”“Does Smith value an excellent education then, my lord?” Felicity asked in a syrupy sweet voice

accompanied by a pleasant smile to let him know that she hadn’t taken any offense but not expecting adirect response from the young gentleman.

“What about you, Lord Easton?” she asked, almost growing accustomed to addressing childrenas peers. “Did you have a favourite subject this term?”

“I wasn’t nearly as good as Wick at sports, so I did try to enjoy the book stuff. Mathematics wasmy favourite,” he said, bowing his head as though embarrassed by the admission.

“That’s wonderful, my lord. Your sister and I were just practicing our maths this afternoon whilewe were trying to decide how soon you’d arrive. Perhaps, you can show us some shortcuts sometime.”

Felicity was again uncomfortably aware of Rathnelly’s gaze heavy upon her, but she didn’t turn

her eyes to confirm, maintaining her focus on the children. She could sense that Adelina was feeling alittle cowed by her brothers’ exalted presence, so Felicity tried to get her involved.

“Lady Adelina, perhaps you could find out from your brothers if they are in favour of our ideasfor entertainment in their first few days in residence. And then you can also make some plans for otherideas that you and I hadn’t even thought of.”

As they began chatting away, Felicity had trouble paying full attention to the children’sdiscussion and trusted that Adelina would keep her fully informed as the days went on. As she kepther gaze trained on them, though, to ensure her eyes did not drift toward the duke, she thought abouther sister’s latest letter and how she ought to reply.

I was sorry to hear you wish to remain ensconced at home, Grace. Do you think perhaps youare allowing yourself to become too engrained in your habits? I know you aren’t very advanced inyears, so that doesn’t seem likely, but surely you ought to wish to leave home at least a little.

You are no doubt rolling your eyes as you read that. But I would argue that it is nothypocritical of me in the least.

Felicity smiled as she thought of her sister’s response to her letter and carried on with itscomposition.

I may not have wanted a Season, but I certainly didn’t aspire to never leave home. We justhaven’t thought of something perfect for you yet. I promise, I will give it some thought.

I do wish you were here. There have been two boys added to the household. More than ever Iwish we had managed to acquire a brother long before now. I can assure you I would be muchmore prepared for this situation.

Have you ever known someone to stare at you as though you were both the smartest and vilestperson they had ever seen?

Felicity drew her thoughts to a halt. She couldn’t write that to her sister. And she ought to bepaying attention to the children, anyhow. It was good timing as they wished to play a game of Followthe Leader, and she was going to need to have her wits about her.

Chapter Thirteen

“Y our Grace, the postmaster just brought a large bundle of letters for Miss Jones. Hementioned she hadn’t been by to collect them in a few days, so he thought to bring them for her. OughtI have a footman put them in her room?”

Gilbert regarded his butler steadily, wondering what the older man was thinking. He, himself,was wondering why his daughter’s companion had so many letters coming for her. If she had thatmany friends and family to write to, had she really needed to seek a position? His questions andsuspicions about the lovely young woman grew. He didn’t want to think ill of her, but he just couldn’tseem to prevent it.

Gil was well aware that it could be his own many secrets that made him suspicious of others.But still, it was curious that she would have so much correspondence that a few days absence fromthe post office would cause it to accumulate to this extent. And his manager at the mill had mentionedthere were a couple of seedy characters sniffing around. Gilbert couldn’t help but think the twosituations were related.

“Thank you, Mr. Carter, I will see to it,” he said, holding his hand out for the package.Much to his amazement, his faithful servant actually appeared hesitant. “You will ensure she

receives them, won’t you, Your Grace?” Gil could feel his impassivity fading at the impertinence ofthe question.

“Of course,” he said without explanation. “Perhaps, you could have a footman collect MissJones and have her meet me in my library. As it happens, there’s a matter I wish to discuss with her.”

“I believe she is with the children in the orchard.”“Excellent, then it shouldn’t be hard for the footman to find her, in that case.”The butler still appeared hesitant. Gil guessed at the reason.“The children are not infants, Carter, but if you fear they require minding, have the footman take

someone with him who can remain with them while Miss Jones comes to speak with me.”“Very well, Your Grace.” Finally, the servant went to do his bidding, leaving Gilbert to wonder

how he had lost control of his household. He was still puzzling over it when Felicity appeared in hisdoorway, cheeks flushed from the sunshine and her exertions. Gil was uncomfortably aware of herfresh beauty and the bright, intelligent light in her watchful gaze.

“You wished to speak with me, Your Grace?” She clearly seemed to question whether that wastruly accurate.

“I do, yes, please come in and shut the door.” He watched her colour heighten, and his eyesnarrowed. She wasn’t much more than a paid servant, his request shouldn’t be such that it woulddiscomfit her. Gil was irritated that she was suddenly acting like a debutante.

Her mouth opened as though to give voice to her thoughts, but then she seemed to think better ofthem and merely stepped into the room, closing the door quietly behind her.

“Have a seat, please, Miss Jones, there are a couple matters I wish to discuss with you.”“Yes, Your Grace,” she answered as she sank gracefully into one of the two chairs in front of his

large, heavy desk. He marvelled that she was still so graceful despite being stiffened by her obviousdiscomfort.

“Are you turning my children into nursery dwellers?” he demanded, causing her startled gaze toclash with his.

“I beg your pardon, Your Grace, but I fear I do not at all understand this question. Is there

something amiss with their bedchambers?”Suddenly, Gilbert laughed.“My apologies, Miss Jones, I may not be making the most sense. My butler seemed to imply that

the children couldn’t be left without your watchful care when I requested that he have you brought tome.”

To his surprise, his explanation brought a gentle smile to her face.“That was kind of him, Your Grace. Household servants are like that, aren’t they? They seem to

care for the children of the house almost as though they were their own offspring. I’m sure it’s causedby the fact that your sons were away for so long. It’s hard for the servants to accept that they aren’t solittle anymore. It will pass, I’m sure. Grandmothers are much the same, aren’t they? Never quiteaccepting that one has grown up. You must find that at times, even with yourself, if there are anyservants in your employ who were also on your father’s staff.”

Gil laughed again.“You’re quite correct, Miss Jones, I hadn’t thought of that. But I am glad to hear you aren’t

mollycoddling my sons.”He almost forgot the reason for asking for her when she laughed over his words, causing a

clenching sensation in his chest as though it were swelling with pride.“Your Grace, I was under the impression that only your daughter was my responsibility, not your

sons, for one thing. For another, even for your daughter, as her companion, I will, of course, try tokeep her from harm, but I understood that I was to keep her company, not raise her. And finally, I amfirmly of the opinion that a little mollycoddling never hurt anyone and that receiving some mightactually be of benefit. Even grumpy, old dukes could use a little gentle kindness from time to time,Your Grace.”

Gilbert stared at her, trying to decide if he ought to feel insulted by her words. Her gentle,teasing smile told him she hadn’t meant it to be rude. She truly was an amusing little chit. He could nolonger contain his laughter and allowed his chuckle free rein.

Felicity appeared to grow uncomfortable with his laughter, and her gaze started to roam theroom. Gilbert could tell she liked his library, as her expression was one of admiration. Until herwandering eyes fell upon the pile of correspondence on the corner of his desk. She stiffenednoticeably, although he could tell she tried hard to hide her reaction. Suddenly, her eyes werebouncing all over the room and her face had lost its colour.

“Ah yes, I see you’ve noticed the actual reason why I had Mr. Carter call for you. Apparently,you haven’t been by the post office recently, and they took the liberty of sending your letters here foryou.”

“That was kind of them.” She nearly choked on the words, but Gil admired her efforts atcomposure.

“I’m left to wonder why you have just so much mail, Miss Jones. Are you not kept busy enoughwith Adelina?”

To his surprise, despite her obvious discomfort, her chin rose and she met his gaze.“The description for this position said nothing about limiting my contact with friends or family,

Your Grace. And you didn’t once mention that I must cut them off. If I have not asked you to frank myletters, I cannot see how it is any of your concern. It is an accepted and common practice to writemany letters. It is something your daughter needs to learn to be comfortable with once she leaves theconfines of your home, if you ever wish to remain in contact with her. I would have thought you’d becommending me for my example, not questioning my use of my own time.”

Gil narrowed his eyes at her, surprised that she had grown so defensive.“I am actually left wondering how you can send so much correspondence without asking for my

frank, Miss Jones.”“Is that really in the realm of being any of your affair, Your Grace?”He could see that he had well and truly ruffled her feathers. Despite her youth and obvious

embarrassment, she was clearly not prepared to accept defeat in this regard. Gil really had noobjection to her keeping in touch with people, it was merely his fears that she might be spreading hisbusiness around the ton. But she isn’t a member of the ton, he reminded himself. How could shepossibly have that many people to stay in touch with? And what was she telling them about him, hewondered with a shudder. His thoughts were interrupted by her sudden laughter.

“To be honest, Your Grace, this is actually very little correspondence. I used to send andreceive dozens of letters each week. I haven’t the time now and only remain in touch with theminimum necessary.”

“Necessary for what?” he demanded, making an effort to hold onto his temper and his reason,especially as she suddenly seemed at a loss for words.

If he weren’t so furious at having his suspicions confirmed, he would find the silent opening andclosing of her mouth to be amusing. Finally, after she seemed to grit her teeth and take a deep breath,she spoke.

“While I realize it might be different for gentlemen, Your Grace, women feel a need to remain intouch with family and friends. When I used to have more time on my hands, I wrote far more letters.Since I’ve been in your employ, I have only remained in touch with the people I’ve felt it necessary todo so, such as my sisters, who would be concerned for my wellbeing if they did not hear from me atleast a little bit. I cannot see how it could possibly be a matter of concern for you, but I can assureyou that I have not neglected Lady Adelina in favor of my correspondence.”

Gilbert narrowed his eyes at her for a moment as he assessed her reactions. She was staring athim a little as though she thought he had lost his mind. And perhaps he had, he thought with wryamusement. But while she still looked discomfited by his questions, she didn’t appear to be someonewho had been spreading his secrets and didn’t want him to know about it.

She doesn’t actually seem to know your secrets , he reminded himself with a mixture of reliefand shame as he thought of how fiercely he had reacted. Overreacted, as the case may be.

“My sincere apologies, Miss Jones,” he finally choked out. “It would seem I misread thesituation.”

Suddenly her intelligent, inquisitive gaze was searching his, and he tried not to squirm. Thesmall frown that gathered between her eyebrows was endearing and even inviting. It made him wantto spill all his closely guarded secrets into her attentive ears. He bit back the impulse with his ironwill, but it was a close run thing that made beads of sweat form on his forehead. He actually felt likesquirming in his seat for the first time since he was a schoolboy.

“Just as I didn’t think it was fitting for you to question my correspondence, it’s probably not myplace to wonder why you would find it suspicious, but I must say that I am now consumed withcuriosity.”

A laugh coming from his own throat surprised Gilbert. Despite the awkwardness, the chitamused him.

Before he could dismiss her, Felicity rose to her feet, making ready to leave him. She neverfailed to surprise him in her lack of deference. He reminded himself that she was gentry even if shehad sought employment and tried not to take umbrage with her once more.

“Before I leave, Your Grace, I’ve been meaning to tell you, I finally got her ladyship to explainto me why she was so opposed to school. She associates going to school with her grief and the loss ofher mother, as well as the rest of her family. I do believe having her brothers home for the summerwill be very good for her, so thank you for arranging it.”

Gilbert stared at her blankly for a moment, wondering how it came about that the seemingly shyyoung woman was reprimanding him and commending him all in one breath. He could do nothing butnod and watch as she turned around and left his library.

~~~

Felicity turned the corner into a little used corridor and stopped to catch her breath. With a handagainst her chest as though to stop her heart’s unusual racing, she leaned against the wall in a terriblyindelicate way. Her mother would have fits were she to see her, but Felicity couldn’t dwell uponposture at a moment like this.

She had nearly been caught.If the duke had seen fit to open any of her letters and see for himself what she was writing about,

she would have been done in. She should never have let a week go by without stopping at the postoffice. But she had been so caught up in the children, she hadn’t thought of it. How was she to knowthe postmaster would take it upon himself to forward her letters for her?

It was clear to her that Rathnelly hadn’t looked too closely at the letters or he would havenoticed that a couple were from the same source. She had given all the money she had to her formermaid’s sister to forward all her post for her. Between Clara, her sister, and Felicity’s sister Graciela,Felicity had thus far been able to stay in touch with her mother, sisters, and a couple of close friendswithout any of them noticing that most of what she wrote was pure fiction and that none of them knewwhere she actually was. She would be forever grateful to the two servants and her younger sister fortheir assistance, but Felicity was beginning to realize just what they had all risked on her behalf.

As someone who was now employed, she finally realized that Clara and her sister could verywell lose their positions if Felicity were caught out. Or rather, if it were revealed that the servantswere found to have assisted her. Felicity vowed to herself that would never be the case. Perhaps, sheought to cease in her letter writing for a time. But then, she reasoned, that could cause just as muchtrouble. With a sigh, she straightened from the wall to return to where she had left the children in theorchard, with only the briefest detour to drop her letters on a table in her room. It was something shewould have to mentally wrestle with later. She had responsibilities to care for at the moment. Thatthought bolstered her floundering spirits, and she managed to find her smile as she returned to theorchard.

Chapter Fourteen

Felicity rode with all three Barrington children into the village. She wasn’t quite sure how it hadhappened, but it would seem she was now unofficially the paid companion to all three of them. Therehad been no offer of an increase in her wages, she thought with a wry twist of her lips followed by amental shrug. It really wasn’t any more difficult with three than one. In fact, one could argue that itwas easier, as Adelina was well occupied with her brothers. In some ways, Felicity felt more like atagalong than the girl’s companion, as they pretty much always did whatever Wickham suggested. Theboy was clearly born to inherit his father’s title, even if Felicity had yet to witness much of thetraining Rathnelly had mentioned he intended to do with his sons that summer.

Just thinking of the duke sent a shiver through Felicity. She hadn’t been as successful at avoidingthe man as she had hoped to be, and it was getting increasingly more difficult to ignore the feelingsthoughts of him never failed to generate. Just thinking about him caused her heart to speed up and herpalms to grow damp. Glancing down at them now, she was amused and relieved to note that hergloves would ensure she could retain control of the reins.

When the children prevailed upon her to take tea at the inn, Felicity was more than relieved thatshe had accepted when the duke had insisted upon giving her pin money for just such an occasion.

“I can’t rightly entrust Adelina with a purse of coins, now can I?” he had reasonably asked.“Why ever not, Your Grace? I would expect she could be responsible.”“That’s sweet of you, Miss Jones, but surely you realize she is very likely to misplace it.

Besides, you’re far more capable of defending your purse than she is.”That had made Felicity wonder if she ought to laugh or be afraid but either way, she was glad

she would be able to pay for the children’s refreshments rather than denying them the treat.They were nearly finished when Felicity became uncomfortably aware of someone staring at her

from across the taproom. She tried to ignore it, thinking it was the presence of the Barrington childrencausing a stir. Felicity had known she ought to have insisted they take a private parlour, but the boyshad overruled her. She had accepted their argument that the time of day ought to make it sufficientlyrespectable.

“Pardon me, do forgive my rudeness for staring, but are you by chance any relation to the Earl ofSherton?”

Felicity’s hand froze as it was in the act of lifting her tea cup toward her lips. Everything in herseized, and her conscience flailed her mercilessly. It had been one thing to make up a new identity forherself, but how could she deny her family? Her mouth opened even before her brain finishedengaging, but she was saved from the need to respond from the unlikeliest source.

“I am Viscount Wickham, and none of us is related to Sherton,” Gardner said in the haughtiesttone Felicity had ever heard from the mouth of an eleven-year-old. Even in the extreme moment, ittouched her sense of humour, and she fought laughter as she realized how very like the duke the boywas. She wondered if Gilbert had been nearly that proud as a youngster.

“But surely, this young woman is not a Barrington, my lord,” the still yet to be identified manprotested.

“Not that it’s anything to you, who she might be,” Gardner continued in that terrible voice. “Butthis is Miss Jones, my sister’s companion.”

Felicity’s face felt as though it had been scalded, and she could meet no one’s gaze as thecurious man continued to stare as though he couldn’t quite believe what the viscount was telling him.

“I don’t think we’ve been introduced,” the man said, as though Gardner hadn’t even spoken, “ButI am good friends with Wexford and his wife. You are much like her.”

This made Felicity almost snort and conversely helped her distress to diminish.“You are mistaken, I’m afraid. Now, if you would be so good as to leave us to our repast, we

would much appreciate it.”The strange man grinned. “You even sound like her.” He stared hard at her for another moment,

taking in her attire and her in company with the children, and he shocked her by giving her a wink. “Idon’t know what you’re playing at here, but I’ll leave off for now.”

Felicity’s day had been ruined. She had no idea who the man could possibly be, but she knew hewas trouble. Her carefully made plans had required her anonymity. She was dreadfully afraid that herdelightful sojourn as Miss Jones was about to come to an end.

The three children seemed to take the incident in their stride, almost as though they encounteredstrange men on a regular basis. They made so little fuss about it that Felicity was almost able to forgetthe incident. Although it niggled at the back of her mind from time to time, she allowed herself todismiss it as a one-time incident that she needn’t concern herself about. She didn’t even mention it toGracie when next she wrote.

And so it was that she was completely unprepared the next time she was summoned toRathnelly’s library a fortnight later, for the fury the duke unleashed upon her.

“I knew you would be trouble,” he declared in the hardest, coldest tones she had ever heard. “Ishould have thrown you out when I had my suspicions over all your correspondence.” Then hesnorted. “I should have known the minute I laid eyes upon you at the coaching station. You must havebeen laughing yourself to sleep every night over the denseness of Rathnelly. How could I notrecognize you when Carrington could?” He waved a crumpled piece of paper at her.

Felicity could only stare at him. “What is the meaning of this, Your Grace?” She tried to brazenit out but was already feeling the chill all the way to her bones.

“Your bags are being packed as we speak. The damage is no doubt already done, but I can claimignorance since how was I to know you were the Earl of Sherton’s daughter? You shall remove to theinn in the village until someone from your family can fetch you. I cannot have your presence taintingmy children.”

“Your Grace,” was all she could stammer out as she fought the nausea threatening to overwhelmher. All her plans were burning to ash around her. How could the man she had come to respect andcare for regard her in such a hateful way?

“Are you truly the most selfish female ever born?” Rathnelly asked quietly. “Why did you do thisthing? Who have you been telling what you have learned in my household?”

Felicity frowned over his last question. His tone and ferocity led her to believe it was actuallyof uppermost concern to him, but she didn’t understand the question.

“I wasn’t being selfish, Your Grace,” she began, even as she was forced to wonder if she had, infact, been. “And I told no one anything. I don’t know of anything worth telling, truth be told. I can’tsee that any of my acquaintances are in the least bit interested in the doings of a nine-year-old girl.”

“What of all your letters?” he demanded. “What was your agenda here, Lady Felicity? Who areyou in league with?”

Felicity nearly choked on her dismay. Rathnelly was clearly furious with her for her ruse, but itseemed as though he were more suspicious that she had revealed some sort of deep secret than thatshe had not been fully honest about her identity.

“I don’t know what you are referring to, Your Grace, and to be honest, I haven’t told anybody

anything about life at Rathnelly, as the only way I could be here is if no one knew where I was, surelyyou must realize that.”

“Then what of all your correspondence?”“I’ve been spinning tales. Which is part of why my correspondence has dwindled of late. It is

quite difficult to make up believable fabrications when you are enjoying your reality so very much.”She thought his face softened slightly, but then cold fury filled it once more.“It matters little. You will leave this house, and I hope to never lay eyes upon you again.”“But what of the children?” she gasped. “I cannot just leave. I promised Adelina I would never

abandon her.”That might have been the very worst thing to say, as anger blazed across his features for a

moment before the duke regained control of himself.“You should have thought of that before you risked her entire future with your little escapade.”Felicity was torn between despair and her own fury. But she lifted her chin and stared him

straight in the face. “Will you not allow me to explain?”“There is nothing to explain,” he replied coldly. “Unless you are not, in fact, Lady Felicity

Sherton, an unchaperoned lady, who made herself comfortable in my home under false pretences.”Felicity opened her mouth as though to protest but then shut it with a snap.“I thought not.” He practically sneered at her even as he gestured for her to precede him from the

room.Felicity dragged her feet, but there was really nothing she could do other than to accept her

defeat. She would never recover from the disappointment and humiliation, she was certain of it.She couldn’t look at him. It hurt far too much.“How did you find out?”“The same way everyone around here finds out anything,” the duke said in a mocking tone.

“Through a letter.” He paused for a moment, and Felicity nearly choked unable to ask further about it.It really didn’t matter anyway. She should have been the one to tell him. But she hadn’t wanted it to beyet.

“Ought I to be flattered that you sought me out in this way, my lady? Were you hoping tocompromise me into the parson’s mousetrap?” There was a snarl in his voice as he asked hisquestions. Felicity fought not to quail under it

“No, you ought not be flattered, Your Grace, as I did not seek you out. In fact, I was terriblydismayed to discover that you never seemed to leave home. I had no intention of ever being in yourcompany. How was I to know you would always be in your daughter’s pocket?”

She thought she saw his lips twitch, but she dismissed it as he didn’t bother responding to herwords.

“What are you going to tell the children?” She couldn’t help herself, she had to ask.“They are no longer your concern,” he answered coldly.Felicity resumed her silence. The only thing she had left was a shred of dignity. She wasn’t

going to throw that away by openly weeping in front of him. She doubted he would be affected by hertears, but she would rather die than give in to the weakness.

It wasn’t until she was alone in a small room at the very inn that had been the cause of herdownfall. She should have known that man who had spoken to them that day was going to ruineverything. She threw herself on the bed allowing the tears to flow freely, even as she worked out herfeelings in the form of composing a letter in her mind.

Gracie, dearest,

I have allowed it all to be ruined. I gave my heart to the Barringtons, and he has kicked meout of his home. I didn’t mean to fall in love with the duke, and now he hates me. And I’ll never seehis lovely children again. I shall either shrivel up into a prune, locked in the cellars at Glendale,or Mother will find some horridly suitable and dreadfully boring nobleman for me to wed. I don’tknow how I shall bear it.

She thought she might drown in the tears that were flooding her pillow.To her surprise and disappointment, she lived to see the sun rise the next day. Felicity stared

listlessly at the ceiling as long as she could bear it but never one for inaction, she rolled off the bedand gazed about her. She hadn’t even changed into a nightgown before falling asleep, so she was arumpled mess. She might not wish for the life her mother had planned for her, but she had stillreceived the lessons her mother had taught. One could not ever face the day in a dishevelled state.

Righting her appearance with a less wrinkled gown and some cold water from the pitcher on thebureau refreshed her slightly, and Felicity faced the fact that she would survive the experience even ifshe didn’t rightly want to at the moment.

Part of her wanted to march back to Rathnelly and force the duke to listen to her explanation, butshe accepted that he wouldn’t be willing to receive her, and it would only make the situation worse ifthat were at all possible. Felicity entertained the thought of running away but knew that to be thecoward’s way out. And she couldn’t do that to her family, anyway. She had known she was safe allthe while she was at Rathnelly and since her family had thought she was elsewhere, they had noreason to worry about her. Until now. She couldn’t run away and leave them to wonder what hadbecome of her. That would truly be a scandal, besides being beneath her. No, she would have to facewhat was to come with as much dignity and grace as she could muster.

After straightening the room and packing her baggage, Felicity descended to the taproom toawait whoever would be coming to fetch her. If Rathnelly had sent for her family, Felicity doubtedshe would have very long to wait, despite it being some distance for any of them to travel. She shouldhave asked him who he had summoned but realized he might not have bothered to tell her, even if shehad thought to ask.

It was mid afternoon before she finally heard the clatter of a sudden arrival, and Felicity’spatience had been stretched quite thin.

“Wexford, I should have known you would be the one to come for me,” she said by way ofgreeting.

“I could barely believe it when that ridiculous coxcomb Mr. Carrington was insisting he hadseen one of my sisters-in-law in company with the Barrington children, but when we began to makeinquiries, I’m sure you can imagine our surprise when it became obvious that no one in the familyactually knew where you were. In fact, no one had seen you for months. And then, of course,Rathnelly sent word.”

The terrible calm of Wexford’s voice made anxiety pool in Felicity’s midsection, but her onlyoutward response was to lift her chin a notch higher.

“I do apologize for putting you to the trouble, Your Grace.”“Putting me to the trouble,” he repeated, apparently dumbfounded. “You have no idea the stir

you’ve caused. You’re only lucky that it is I who has come to collect you and not your father.”“I am sure that was never even a question, Your Grace, so you needn’t make such a threatening

statement. You and I are both fully aware that Father wouldn’t be able to tear himself away from littleAugustus for something so insignificant as a fourth daughter.”

She must have allowed a little too much pent up emotion to show in her words, as they were met

with a stunned silence from Wexford for the briefest moment.“Lady Felicity, come now, surely you realize your family loves you and would not support such

a start as this. Going into service? What would happen to Lady Grace’s prospects if word got outwhat you have been up to? Because now that Carrington knows, you can be sure that it is a distinctpossibility.”

Heat was rising within her once more, but Felicity refused to give in to it. She knew quite wellthat Gracie didn’t care in the least, as they had discussed it at length. But since trouble had arrived,Felicity didn’t want to include her sister in it, so she held her silence. If Grace’s involvement in herscheme hadn’t yet been revealed, Felicity had no intention of doing her sister the disservice.

“Wexford, Your Grace, I truly appreciate your concern, but this is my life to live. I did not wishto make my debut. I was clear about that, but no one would listen. I needed something far morefulfilling to do with myself. This position was exactly what I was looking for. I only wish I had beenallowed to keep it.”

“Have you run mad?” her brother-in-law demanded. “You are a young lady of noble birth. Youare doing a disservice to Rathnelly and his family by your very presence. Surely, you are not sosimple-minded as to not realize the scandal that will attach itself to everyone involved if thisbecomes known, which I can assure you it will.”

“You could prevent it from becoming known,” Felicity insisted.“Felicity,” Wexford broke in, “was this your convoluted way to avoid a Season? Did you think

to compromise Rathnelly into marriage so that you wouldn’t have to make your debut?”Feeling as though all her blood were pounding into her face, Felicity felt lightheaded for the

briefest moment as she stared at her brother-in-law in horror.“I can assure you that being compromised into an inconvenient marriage was and is the furthest

thing from my mind.” She managed to utter the words as firmly and proudly as possible, even though apart of her merely wished the ground would open and swallow her to end the awful moment.

“Well that hardly matters, as it is what will have to happen, regardless of what your wishesmight have been. I have only stopped here to make certain you hadn’t run off once more before I go toassure Rathnelly of exactly what must take place.”

Felicity was finally struck mute for a moment before she was filled with purpose once more.“No, Wexford, Your Grace, I beg of you. I thought you had come to collect me home. You cannot

speak to Rathnelly. He is furious with me, and I suppose rightly so, as I told him so many lies. Surely,you wouldn’t wish to see me wed with a man who hates me. You cannot force me upon him, itwouldn’t be right or fair.”

“Well, you should have thought of that before you dragged everyone into your adventure, mylady.”

“I have done nothing of a compromising nature, Wexford, and you needn’t stand there castingjudgment upon me.”

“Have you never been alone in the same room with the duke, then? In your role as, what was it?Companion to his daughter? Did you never have to seek direction or instruction from him or discussany sort of situation involving his daughter?”

Hot colour splashed across her cheekbones, but she held her chin firm and met her brother-in-law’s gaze.

“Nothing untoward ever took place, Your Grace, and well you ought to know it.”“That is neither here nor there, my dear, and well you ought to know it. Your presence there

without a chaperone compromised you the moment you set foot in his house.”

“Could we not ignore it? Brazen it out? No one need know. My conscience would certainly beclear, as we all know nothing happened.”

“I’m trying to keep my patience uppermost, my lady, as I’m aware your family has neglected youin the last year or two, but surely, you must have known this could only lead to disaster. In fact, youought to be grateful Rathnelly is going to offer for you.”

“But he isn’t going to offer for me. He brought me to this inn and sent for you to come collect me.You could surely prevent the gossip, couldn’t you?”

“Trying would only make it worse. Have you no sense?”

Chapter Fifteen

“I will, of course, be honoured to marry Lady Felicity.”Gilbert was almost amused as two sets of eyes swung toward him, displaying wildly varying

reactions. Unfortunately, he could barely read either of them. Wexford had always had the ability tohide his feelings, and Felicity had far too many chasing themselves across her face to be able toidentify them.

“No, Your Grace, please.” Her voice and lips trembled for a moment before she put her chin up,and Gil found himself swelling with pride at her backbone. “Wexford and I were just leaving. Youneedn’t trouble yourself with this matter.”

“No, we were not. I was, in fact, on my way to see you Rathnelly, to ensure you felt that verysentiment.” Gil watched as the other man turned to his sister-in-law. “Felicity, you must listen toreason. You have well and truly compromised yourself, and you ought to feel grateful that he iswilling to offer for such a scapegrace as yourself.”

He watched her war with herself. She was clearly mortified over the development. It wasevident to him that she hadn’t planned for this to happen, but that was surely short-sighted of her. Sheobviously wanted to rail against both him and Wexford but couldn’t decide which tack to take witheither of them. Finally, she turned to her brother-in-law. Gil was surprised to feel disappointment.

“Wexford, Your Grace, surely it needn’t come to such a disaster. I would rather be ruined thanbe forced into such a marriage.”

Gil would have been less concerned if she had declared it in a fiery, dramatic manner but hercalm, dull voice spoke volumes.

“But what of Adelina’s ruination? And your sisters’?”The deathly pallor was back in her face, and Gilbert regretted the need to make her see reason.

For the first time, he saw tears welling in her eyes, but she again lifted her chin and was able to blinkthem back.

“Perhaps, Wexford, you would be so good as to give us a moment of privacy.”“Seems to me it’s been too much privacy that has gotten you into this mess,” the duke drawled

but didn’t argue further as he strolled toward the door.“I will see what sort of refreshment the taproom might have for me,” he concluded before

pinning Gilbert with a piercing stare. “I expect to have delightful news for my duchess shortly.”Gil almost grinned at the other man, surprised to feel an inkling of amusement in such a moment,

but then his gaze returned to Felicity, and he marvelled that she hadn’t even stirred from her spotwhere she was staring quite fiercely at him. He went to her.

“Why are you here? You sent me away, quite clear that you hated me and wished never again tolay eyes upon me. Now, you are here making ridiculous declarations. We shall both be miserable.”

Again, Gilbert felt amusement well within him. He was more certain than ever that her laststatement was far from the truth.

“Before I answer your questions, Felicity, my dear, you must be honest with me now, and wewill do our best to work through it all to both of our satisfaction.” Her intense focus didn’t waver,even as he grasped her hands. “Why did you pick me, Felicity, and who have you told about beinghere?”

She frowned at him and huffed a sigh of irritation.“Are you back to thinking about my letters? My maid and her sister have been helping me. And

one of my sisters knew the truth of where I was. They are the only ones I have had directcommunication with.” She sighed again and paced away from him, making him feel the loss of herclose presence. “I know I shouldn’t have lied, but no one would let me have a useful life. Theycouldn’t understand why I didn’t want a Season. I wanted to find a position, but no one would agreeto that. So, I made it happen. I led everyone to think I was at a different friend or family member’shome. It was complicated, and I realize now, foolish to think it could last, but I hoped to prove tothem that I could be useful.”

“How did you intend to maintain your ruse?”She shrugged as though helplessly. “I knew I’d have to tell you eventually. I hoped that you

would allow me to stay on.”“As Lady Felicity? Did you really think that would be acceptable?”“Why not? Why was it all right for Miss Jones but not Lady Felicity? Miss Jones was gentry.

Why did the fact that she required employment make it acceptable when just desiring it does not? Whydid you not need to marry Miss Jones, but now you must with Lady Felicity?”

“Because Miss Jones had no choice,” he answered quietly. “But does it really matter, Felicity?The fact remains that you didn’t need to be here. You have a father and brothers, or at least brothers-in-law, who would be happy to provide for you. And your choices threatened to ruin my daughter. Butbesides that, you have quite ruined me.”

Colour rose in her cheeks once more and finally, tears spilled out of her eyes. Gilbert could seethat she didn’t catch his meaning.

“I swear to you, I never had any intention of harming anyone, least of all dear Adelina. I love herquite fiercely, surely you know that.”

“I do. And that is why you will marry me.”She began to quiver with nerves and more tears followed the first.“Is there truly no other way? Surely, you don’t wish to be saddled with me, and I think being a

duchess will be dreadfully tedious. Is there no other lady you could quickly wed, and this could all bedeclared a misunderstanding?”

Gil actually laughed at that, surprising an answering smile from Felicity.“I actually do quite wish to be saddled with you, which is why I find myself in this rather ugly

chamber preparing to beg you if I must. But first, you must tell me, why do you think being a duchesswill be tedious? Being my duchess will probably not be all that much different from being Adelina’scompanion,” he observed, ignoring certain aspects of marriage that would make it far different. Hewas surprised to see hope beginning to shine in her attentive gaze and relieved to see no more tears.

“Truly, Your Grace? I wouldn’t have to go up to London and try to curry favours and learn aboutfashions and all that rot?”

Gil laughed. “Well, there might be a little bit of that, but first tell me, what had you hoped for?Why did you want a position? Surely, it isn’t something usual for a gently bred young woman.”

“Surely, you realize I am far from usual,” she countered before turning her eyes to the middledistance, as though searching for her words. “I know enterprise is unseemly, but I find it fascinating.Much like your villagers’ wool business. Aren’t you so terribly proud of them for their ingenuity?Don’t you want to learn everything there is to know about mills and wool and knitting and help themmake it even bigger? I knew I couldn’t have something like that, but I wanted to do something moreproductive than being a debutante.”

Gilbert stared at her hard for a moment.“So, you don’t think business is vulgar?”

The very idea appeared to shock her. “Vulgar? No, why, do you?”Gil grinned. “Not in the least. That is why all of the businesses around here were my ideas. My

first duchess was offended by the very thought. But hunger and poverty for my family and dependentsseemed far more offensive to me.”

“You came up with the ideas for the wool enterprise?” Felicity breathed the words as though inawe, and she was looking at him suddenly, as though he had hung the moon. Gil’s chest felt as thoughit were swelling with pride. “Tell me more,” she suddenly demanded. “You said all the businesses.What else have you done?”

Gil laughed again. “I’ll tell you all of it eventually, as long as you promise to keep our secrets.And as long as you promise to help me think of more ideas.”

Her chin dropped open as though in shock. “You think I could help?”“Of course!” he declared. “You are the most inquisitive female I’ve ever encountered. I’m

certain you could help us profit immensely.”Suddenly she, too, laughed. “Is that why you are offering for me, then?”Gilbert grabbed her hands once more and finally pulled her into his arms, as he had been

wishing to do for weeks.“Not at all, my very dear lady. I’ve offered for you because I can’t see a complete life for myself

without you in it. I am terribly sorry for how angry I was yesterday. I should never have thrown youout of the house. I ought to have locked you in it and made you swear to marry me, as I cannot imaginea happy future for myself if you do not agree to do so. Do say you’ll stop fighting it, and you’ll be myduchess. I cannot promise that it will be completely free of tedium, but I swear to do my best to giveyou an interesting life.”

Her gaze searched his intensely for a moment before a grin split her face, and she nodded.“I thought you would never ask,” she said with a little smile. “I didn’t know how much I had

come to love you until you left me here all alone.”He pulled her into his arms as he had thought to do several times in the past. Then her eyes

widened as she watched his head descend and his lips sealed hers as their love welled up betweenthem, filling all the empty spaces within them that they’d never thought could be filled.

Epilogue

Dearest Graciela,Now that I am a duchess, I suppose I ought to be more formal and use your full name. I do not

expect that part to last, but I am trying to be a good, supportive wife even though some of thecustoms feel ridiculous.

The children have taken my changed status much in their stride, as very little has changed. Istill spend much of my day with them. They haven’t quite decided what to call me, though. Myhusband doesn’t appreciate Adelina calling me Jonesy anymore, but I quite like it, and the boyshave taken to calling me that at times, too, much to His Grace’s chagrin.

I must say, I am relieved no one ever found out about your involvement in my “escapade,” asMother called it. I was surprised at how angry they all were with me, even though they did come tothe wedding. I actually thought she would be glad. She has always had such ambitions for us, onewould think she would be delighted to have a second duchess in the family. And the fact that shedid not have the bother of escorting me to Town should have made her happy rather thanexpressing her disappointment in me.

Has Lord Sterling called upon you? I thought perhaps, I witnessed an interesting exchangebetween the two of you at the wedding, but I did not have a chance to ask you about it. I do notknow him well, but he seems like a pleasant gentleman, even if he is a little high in the instep attimes, especially for a viscount. He is often mentioned in the letters I receive, so I expect he is apopular guest during ton events. If you do get convinced to go up for your Season, I am sure youwill have occasion to further your acquaintance.

It has come as a great surprise that being a duchess is such a delight. Of course, as youpointed out, I had been developing feelings for the man for months without realizing it, but nowthat we are wed, I find that he is even more interesting than I had realized. There is much that Icannot speak of in a letter. When will you come for a visit? I really am ridiculously happy, but Istill long to see you.

Yours,Her Grace, Felicity “Jonesy” Barrington

The End

Read the final story in the Sherton Sisters series:

A Sister to Beguile

Two hearts determined to keep their distance.~~~

Start the Bequest Series, Book 1 is connected to the Sherton Sisters:

Inheriting Trouble

The inheritance was meant to better her life, not muddle it.

About the Author

While Wendy has been writing pretty much since she learned to read when she was five yearsold, those early efforts were really only something a mother could love. After leaving school, Wendyput writing aside and stuck exclusively to being an avid reader, happily reading any words she cameacross, including the cereal box.

A little over ten years ago Wendy’s husband dared her to write a book instead of always havingher head buried inside one. Despite her fear of not being able to accomplish such a lofty goal, to hersurprise she grew to love writing nearly as much as reading. Those early efforts became her firstpublished book – Tempting the Earl (published by Avalon Books in 2010). To the Andrews’ delight,that long ago dare has become a much loved career.

Wendy is a firm believer that everyone deserves a happily ever after. Her wish is for eachreader to get an escape from the everyday for a little while through the pages of her books.

When not reading or writing, Wendy can be found wandering around her neighbourhood ortravelling the world with her favourite companion. She loves hearing from readers.

Stay in touch with Wendy May Andrews and forthcoming publishing news.Sign up for her biweekly newsletter

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Other books by Wendy May Andrews you will enjoy:Another breathtaking series you don't want to miss:

The Ladies of Mayfair - Book 1:

The Governess' Debut

The governess must charm both the spoiled child and the haughty earl.

Orphaned and destitute, gently born Felicia Scott must find a way to keep a roof over herhead. No longer able to enter the Marriage Mart, but also not of the servant class, the only option

is to find a position as governess.After his spoiled, seven year old daughter has sent off three governesses in the 18 months

since her mother died, the Earl of Standish doubts the young, inexperienced Miss Scott couldpossible manage the position. Since he’s desperate and she comes so highly recommended, theearl agrees to give her a chance. Much to everyone’s amazement, the beautiful, young governesssucceeds where the others had failed. The entire household benefits from the calm, including the

jaded earl.How does he overcome his arrogance to see his governess’ true value?

Available now on Amazon

If you like Regencies with a touch of adventure, you will lovethe Mayfair Mayhem series. Book 1 is:

The Duke Conspiracy

Anything is possible with a spying debutante,a duke, and a conspiracy.

Growing up, Rose and Alex were the best of friends until their families became embroiled ina feud. Now, the Season is throwing them into each other’s company. Despite the spark of

attraction they might feel for one another, they each want very different things in life, besidesneeding to support their own family’s side in the dispute.

Miss Rosamund Smythe is finding the Season to be a dead bore after spying with her father,a baron diplomat, in Vienna. She wants more out of life than just being some nobleman’s wife.

When she overhears a plot to entrap Alex into a marriage of convenience, her intrigue and somelast vestige of loyalty causes them to overcome the feud.

His Grace, Alexander Milton, the Duke of Wrentham, wants a quiet life with a “proper” wifeafter his tumultuous childhood. His parents had fought viciously, lied often, and Alex had hated it

all.Rose’s meddling puts her in danger. Alex will have to leave the simple peace he craves to

claim a love he never could have imagined. Can they claim their happily ever after despite theturmoil?

Available now on Amazon

If you like Regency Romance, read

Inheriting Trouble

Book 1 in the Bequest SeriesThe inheritance was meant to better her life,

not muddle it.Georgia Holton, wellborn but nearly penniless, is best friends with one of the Earl of Sherton’s five daughters. When she is

invited to accompany her friend for two weeks of the Season, Georgia jumps at the opportunity to have a little adventure awayfrom her small village.

The Earl of Crossley is handsome, wealthy, widowed, and jaded. He has no intention of courting any of this Season’sdebutantes. After all, every woman he’s ever known has been dishonest, including his late wife. But when a chance encounter

throws him into contact with the Sherton ladies and their lovely friend, he can’t help being drawn to Georgia’s beauty andendearing personality.

When confusion about Georgia’s small inheritance becomes known, a sense of obligation to right a wrong forces the earl andGeorgia into close association.

But is she really different from any of the other women, or does she have an ulterior motive?And can Georgia even consider getting close to a man from High Society, when all she wants is to return to her simple

village life?Sparks fly between these two, but it will take forgiveness and understanding on both their parts to reach a happily ever after.

Available now on Amazon