Page 36 of Courting Scandal With The Duke
Clearly her idea that she might use him to turn thetonagainst her was not working.
Perhaps it was time to come up with a new plan. And quickly, or her dear father would have her married in a trice the moment he arrived.
Running away was an option.
But as yet, she had not found a buyer for the jewels. Therefore she did not have any money.
She could not afford for anyone she knew to learn she was selling them in case Father found out. He would definitely try to stop her.
Nor did she want to let them go for a pittance. She needed someone with wealth who was not a member of theton.
She could work in the interim, perhaps? There were not many options for a woman with few skills. Perhaps she could become a governess. Or a housemaid. But without references it would be difficult to find a decent employer.
Besides, running away felt like giving up. She wanted her independence, not to swap one unpleasantfuture for another.
There had to be a better way.
If only she could think of it.
Meanwhile, she had to go driving with the Duke.
She waited patiently while her maid gently eased her hatpin through her coiffure.
‘Does it feel secure, my lady?’ the young woman asked. ‘I noticed that today it is rather breezy.’
Barbara gave her head an experimental shake. ‘Perfectly secure, thank you.’ She picked up her reticule and headed downstairs.
Her aunt looked up from her needlework and eyed her up and down. ‘For once I cannot fault your style.’
She wasn’t foolish enough to try a wardrobe malfunction a third time. ‘Do you like it? I had it made in Paris.’
Her aunt smiled. ‘It is elegant, perfect for someone of your height.’
Hmm. Everyone always mentioned her height. At five feet seven inches, she was as tall if not taller than many Englishmen. Not the Duke though. He was delightfully tall.
She cut off the stray thought.
While many men did not like a woman who towered over them, it was not enough to scare them off should they be attracted by her fortune in jewels.
A knock sounded at the front door. She kissed her aunt and headed down the stairs to where the butler already had the front door open.
His Grace stood upon the step looking magnificentin his redingote of navy blue and silver buttons and his shiny top hat.
He bowed. ‘Good afternoon, Countess. For once, the weather is cooperating. If you are in need of a blanket to cover your legs, please do not hesitate to let me know.’
Always the gentleman, this duke. Did he ever lose his implacable calm? Was it all an act, this chilly exterior? A way of hiding his true feelings? She had an irrational urge to find out.
Irrational and foolhardy.
He escorted her to the open carriage of forest green waiting at the curb and handed her up.
The groom holding the horses’ heads stepped back as soon as His Grace picked up the reins, and they moved out into the late-afternoon traffic.
He was an excellent whip. His driving seemed effortless and yet the traffic was busy, and a lesser man might have struggled to control his horses.
‘I was of a mind to cancel our engagement,’ she said after a few minutes. ‘After all, you did not give me the opportunity to refuse or accept, but simply issued your invitation like an order.’ And she wasn’t going to let him get away with it.
‘Then why didn’t you?’
