Page 1 of Her Duke By Accident
CHAPTER 1
“Remember,” Owen Caney, the Marquess of Egerton, said for the fifth time that evening, “stand up straight. Talk to people, not around them, and big?—”
“—pearly smiles,” Alicia Caney, six years younger than the marquess, finished for him. She twisted her fan nervously between her gloved fingertips. “I know, brother.”
A ball, where families were made and lives decided, took place all around them. Alicia was already twenty years old, but had finallyjustmade her debut into the elusive ton. Her years of growing up in an untraditional household gave the freedom to live how she wanted until responsibility knocked on the door.
Owen twined his sister’s arm with his own, pulling her through the ever-growing crowd. “I’ve had my fair share of balls,” he said, “do not tease my wisdom.”
“Wisdom?” she repeated with an airy laugh, pressing at the jade clips holding up her pinned brunette curls.
“Alicia,” he warned, the playfulness he might show at home nowhere to be found on that evening.
She bit her tongue, falling in line beside him. Beladylike,she told herself.Charming.
They passed by rooms full of chattering aristocrats, Owen flashing smiles and nods along the way. Beautiful women walked the halls, their gowns shining delicately in the Benedict House’s candlelight.
“Smile at people,” her brother said.
Alicia bent her head down lower. “I can’t just smile.”
“You can, Alicia,” Owen said, the irritation lacing his words. “Try. Smile at the ton. They will remember you better that way.”
There was no easy way for her to tell him that she did not want to be remembered. Alicia sighed, ignoring her thoughts and lifting her head. Any lady or gentlemen who met her gaze saw the strongest smile she could muster. She glanced at Owen; he seemed slightly more relaxed.
“This is all for good reason, Alicia,” he said to her after a few more minutes of walking.
“I know,” she replied. “I know you don’t talk of it, but…I can’t imagine the responsibility you have for our family, Owen.”
He didn’t bother to meet her gaze. “Now is not the place for that.”
“I only meant to say that I will try for you,” Alicia quickly added before he changed the conversation. “My struggles are not purposeful. I will try my best for you.”
Owen finally glanced at her, their matching green eyes connecting for just a moment. It was gone quickly as he moved them along, circling back into one of Benedict House’s countless ballrooms. A trio of gentlemen talking beside a fireplace waved Owen over to them.
The men paused in their talks, bowing their heads towards him and setting their eyes upon Alicia.
“Good evening, Lord Egerton,” the gentlemen closest to them on the left said. He held a hand out to Alicia. “I don’t think we have been introduced.”
“This is my sister,” Owen introduced, “Lady Alicia.” He pointed to each of the men, beginning with the man to the left, “Lord Debany,” he moved to the one in the middle, “Lord Tally,” before finally addressing the one on the right, “and Lord Rochester.”
Alicia struggled amicably, giving an unbalanced curtsey that caused the men to fidget awkwardly. “Good evening,” she said, trying to keep her chin up.
The men looked her up and down, surveying the dress she wore and her pinned brunette hair. She struggled not to cover herself, to lay an arm over her stomach as they watched.
“How are things in Egerton, my lord?” Lord Debany asked pleasantly, moving on from the fumble.
“Quite well,” Owen curtly replied.
“And Lady Egerton?” Lord Rochester inquired. “I hope your mother is well.”
Alicia could see the annoyance on Owen’s face. His polite smile twitched into a frown. The trio of gentlemen did not seem as interested in Alicia as much as Owen had hoped.
“Quitewell,” he repeated.
Before he could continue, Lord Debany spoke quickly: “Lord Egerton, you must take time this season to visit my associate’s gentlemen’s club. It has become the talk of London in the matter of months!”
“Don’t waste your time,” Lord Rochester interrupted with a laugh.
