Page 5 of A Flaming Lady's Secret Valentine
Checking the coast was clear, he pressed an ear to the door.
“Why do you not…what…really about?”
Raphael flinched back, recognizing the duke’s mumbled voice. Thankfully, Cecilia spoke much more clearly.
“Disdain is not nearly as becoming as you think it is, Papa. It is as Mr Travers explained. I was here waiting for you when he arrived not a moment ago.”
A beat passed.
“What is this chair doing here?”
“My legs were tired.”
Covering his mouth to conceal his smile, Raphael listened for more.
“Be that as it may,” the duke coughed, “you must be careful.”
“Has Mr Travers done something to ignite some sort of distrust in you?”
“Of course, not.” Raphael’s skin prickled. “But heisa man, and you are yet unwed. If the staff…and I will not stand for that…they need their…and you."
Raphael was glad he had not heard the better part of the duke’s comment. It was easier to work for the man when he could convince himself that the duke did not consider him a plebian, like all the other peers.
He had heard enough. Turning on his heel, he proceeded uneasily to his next appointment, surprised to find that it was not the duke’s opinion of him that had bothered him most.
But the flash of Lady Cecilia’s ankle.
Chapter 3
“So, Lord Anthony loves parties but is never in attendance? And Lord Edward despises parties but is always in attendance?” Daphne took an eager sip of her fortified lemonade. “Try as I might, love them though I do, I earnestly struggle to wrap my head around your family.”
“There’s no struggle to be had. Anthony is in London keeping Papa’s seat warm in Parliament while he is poorly. Mama has forbidden Edward from travelling down until he finds a wife…or until he seems inclined to find a wife, I cannot recall.”
Cecilia looked across the room at Edward, who was locked in conversation against his will with their mother and a collection of young ladies. “Perhaps thingsarea bit upside down where we are concerned.”
Edward glanced her way briefly.Help…me, he mouthed.
Cecilia shook her head and grinned, turning back to Daphne.
The evening was much more bearable than she had built it up to be in her head. Their dinner had passed without a hitch, despite the fact that Cecilia had been sandwiched between two leering lords, who seemingly had not learned that it was rude to speak with their mouths full.
The dancing had been called after that, distracting her parents long enough for Cecilia to slip away with Daphne. They watched as a handful of garishly dressed pairs performed a country dance in the Radcliff ballroom, feathers whipping in the air.
Lord Radcliff himself was so busy hosting that he had barely noticed Cecilia, and she was grateful. She would not have been able to hold a conversation anyway, not with how distracted she was by the thought of Mr Travers.
“Sometimes, I get quite upset when I remember that I am an only child,” Daphne was saying. “Then I look at your brothers, and I think I am not so bad off all on my own. I have no one to squabble with, and I think that is a good thing actually.” She elbowed Cecilia in the ribs. “Cecilia, are you listening to me?”
She had been, just about.
“Of course. You were saying that you like to squabble.”
“What? Is something the matter? You have been distracted all evening!”
Cecilia parted her lips to speak, but she quickly changed her mind. Her mother and brother were fast approaching, bickering between themselves. She downed the last drops of her lemonade and promptly forced a smile.
“If I never have to speak to Lady Hamilton again, it will be far too soon.” Edward plucked the glass from Cecilia’s gloved hand. He scowled when he noticed it was empty. “I do notthink I have ever met a more tiring woman in my life, and her daughters are just as insufferable as she is!”
“Edward, people can hear you,” the duchess hissed, quickly composing herself. She smoothed out her pearls. “There are eligible daughters beyond number here this eve to better please you. Though I will remind you that we are fierce friends with Lord and Lady Hamilton—”
