Page 15 of Never Beguile a Duke
“Mr. Braddock punched him.” Amusement danced through the Duke of Roxburghe’s blue eyes. “May I escort you to your shared chamber?”
Snickering, Winifred fell into step beside him. “I bet I can determine the reason.”
The Duke of Roxburghe glanced over, the corner of his mouth pulling into a grin. “I’m extremely fond of wagers, Miss Fernsby-Webb. However, since I am in a similar position as Lennox, I’m certain you know what he did to earn the blow.”
“I do.” Winifred inclined her head. “And though I may not have the physical strength to complete the same task, I’m quite certain Mr. Braddock would volunteer for the assignment should I ask him.”
“That he would.” The Duke of Roxburghe chuckled, opening the outer door and bowing as Winifred and Nora entered the house.
He led them across the tiled foyer, up a grand staircase, and turned left down a corridor decorated with glowing golden sconces.
“Beautiful.” Winifred’s murmured comment caused the Duke of Roxburghe to glance back over his shoulder.
“You seem surprised.” He stopped outside a door halfway down the hallway and reached for the handle. “Despite his tendency toward absurdity, Beaufort is titled, and his lodgings reflect that refinement.”
Heat rose into Winifred’s cheeks. “I meant nothing but a compliment regarding his discernment for exquisite furnishings.”
A soft grunt echoed down the corridor, and a moment later, Mr. Dunn appeared, carting two traveling trunks, one stacked atop the other. He trudged past them, entered the chamber, and deposited the chests at the end of a four-poster bed.
“Your Grace,” he said as he exited, “do you have a few moments to discuss an issue with one of the horses?”
“Certainly.” The Duke of Roxburghe inclined his head toward Winifred and Nora, then followed Mr. Dunn down the corridor.
“Come,” Winifred said, slipping her arm through Nora’s and dragging her into the bedchamber. “There will be plenty of opportunities this week for the Duke of Roxburghe to earn my disapproval by attempting to seduce you.”
Nora’s mouth popped open. “He?—”
“Won’t deny my accusation.” Winifred knelt in front of her trunk and unlatched the lid. “And while you wait for that happy moment, I propose we dress for dinner.”
“I hope,” Nora said, crouching beside Winifred, “that Cupid’s arrow rewards me with the duty to act as your guardian during your courtship. However, I ask that you delay that happy event until we return from Greece.”
“We’re going to Greece?” Opening the trunk, Winifred frowned and shifted her attention to Nora.
“Not you and me,” Nora said with a shake of her head. “The Duke of Roxburghe and I, after our wedding. We’ll be traveling for over two months.”
“Oh! Of course.” Chest squeezing, Winifred dropped her eyes and dug through her clothing.
Two months! Where would she live while Nora and the Duke of Roxburghe were visiting Greece? She possessed no funds to secure her own residence.
The soft scrape of shoes pulled Winifred from the increasing dread boiling in her stomach, and she raised her head, her gaze meeting the hazel eyes of a young girl.
“Good afternoon,” Winifred said, adding an encouraging smile. “Are you looking for your mother?”
“My father,” the girl replied, tucking a loose strand of mousey-brown hair behind her ear and then holding out her hand. “My name is Miss Juliette Ridlington.”
“It’s lovely to make your acquaintance.” Winifred shook the young girl’s slight hand. “I don’t recall meeting anyone with that name. Is your father a guest?”
“No.” Miss Juliette giggled. “He owns this house.”
Winifred gasped. “Your father is the Duke of Beaufort?”
“Mama called him Silas.”
CHAPTER FOUR
SILAS MORTON, DUKE OF BEAUFORT
“Your Grace?” Mrs. Upton’s hesitant voice stopped Silas as he turned away from her coach. “There’s something I must share with you about Miss Juliette, and I pray it doesn’t sway your decision to keep her.”
