Page 2 of Her Duke By Accident
Lord Debany scowled at him. “Now, why would you?—”
“He just wants a marquess to visit the business he put money into.”
The gentlemen shared a laugh as Lord Debany tried to save himself from the embarrassing mess. Owen stared at them impatiently, waiting till they finished their pointless discussion. The moment there was silence, Owen stepped forward.
“I’m sure all you gentlemen are keeping an eye out for eligible ladies this Season.”
Alicia tried to hold back the embarrassed wince.Why would he outrightly say such a thing?She pulled out a wide smile. “Brother, how about we?—”
“Not now, Alicia,” Owen quickly hushed her.
Lord Tally, with a pinched face and rosy cheeks, turned his attention towards Owen. “You know very well we arealwayskeeping an eye out, Egerton,” he said. “Ladies seemingly know less and less each year!”
A laugh came from the men, prompting Owen to join in. He eyed Alicia amidst the chuckle, a warning gleam in his eye. She pressed her lips together in a smile. Who knows, maybe the women Lord Tally courted had never had the pleasure of learning the pianoforte or reading literature. Alicia breathed a sigh, feeling a sudden tightness within herself.
“I will tell you, Tally,” Owen said, “that my sister is skilled in many things.”
Lord Tally looked her over. “Is that so?”
Avoiding the lord’s gaze, Alicia tried to tighten her grip around Owen’s arm—give him some sort of notion that it was time to move on.
“Go ahead, Alicia,” Owen said to her, slightly pushing her forward.
“Brother—”
He moved himself a foot away from her.
Alicia turned back towards the gentlemen, feeling their prying eyes stuck on her as they awaited a response. If there was one thing the ton knew about Lord Tally, it was his snobbish expectations and attitudes. She felt as though she sank in that very moment with his eyes set upon her.
“Reading has been a hobby of mine for years, my lord,” Alicia quietly said, arms crossed in front of her.
Lord Tally raised his nose at her. “Not a skillset, I believe.”
“What skill might you be seeking, my lord?”
“Can you sew?” he asked, almost interrogatively. “How about music, my lady? What can you play?”
Lord Rochester stepped forward. “A well-rounded lady should be well acquainted with the pianoforte.” His gaze landed upon Alicia. “How well do you know the pianoforte?”
“I’ve heard,” Lord Debany added, “ladies find recreation in embroidery.” He moved closer alongside the other gentlemen. “I’m sure you can embroider at your age, my lady.”
Breathing heavily now, Alicia had a palm pressed to the center of her stomach. A queasiness grew there, heavy and lingering, as the men continued their questions. “My age?” she repeated, a wave of embarrassment creeping up her spine.
“Well,” Lord Debany looked at Owen in a pitiful matter, “my apologies Egerton, I know your… predicament that has led you to being the head of your household can be harrowing, but—” he paused, eyeing Alicia, “—debuting a lady who has turned twenty is quite disreputable for your name.”
Lord Rochester huffed. “Disreputable?” he boisterously laughed. “It’s despicable! What about the youngest in your family? What was it? Lily, Penny, or?—”
“Penelope,” Alicia weakly mumbled.
“Right,” he said. “Lady Penelope. What might become of her?”
Lord Tally crossed his arms. “Truly a pity,” he said. “Egerton is quite the home.”
“I suppose the late marquess left it in a poor state, my lord.” the viscount looked upon Owen with those pitiful eyes once more.
Alicia turned, looking upon her eldest brother. He was already watching her, his gaze harsh and cold. It was unlike any she had ever seen before. And it shot right through her as though she were the cause of it.
Owen gave the trio of gentlemen a smile. “I appreciate your concern, my lords,” he said coolly. “The situation is far from ideal, but we make do with what we have.”
