Read Online June Calvin by The Dukes Desire - Free Book Online Page B

Mittens in the kitchen, the knocker sounded. A few seconds later, without even attempting to determine if she was at home to them, the butler showed Lord Morton and his two sons into the room.
    “Oh, admirable servant,” the duke muttered.
    Lady Cornwall was trapped. Awkward introductions were made all around, after which Morton, with a curt nod, marched past the duke and John, who were still standing, and took a seat in a sturdy armchair. His two sons followed his example. “Where is that pretty daughter, Deborah? As soon as I described her to my boys, nothing would do but they must meet her.”
    The last thing Deborah wanted was for her daughter to become involved with one of Morton’s sons, but she could hardly say so. “She and Lady Sarah have gone to take her dog to the kitchen.”
    “Not bringing one of those wretched little toy dogs to town, are you, Deborah? Thought Seymour had broken you from such sentimental mush. Only thing a dog is good for is to hunt or herd sheep, or fight other dogs.” Morton frowned. Now Seymour was gone, someone must take his wife in hand.
    Fighting down an angry retort, Deborah sat near the duke and looked up at him helplessly. He sat beside her, and John reluctantly took a seat also.
    Morton was just warming to his topic, the complete folly of keeping dogs for pets, when the two young girls returned. Deborah most reluctantly introduced them. Both girls were visibly impressed with Morton’s handsome sons, in spite of the warning Deborah had given Jennifer after the ball. They took their seats nearby, exchanging smiles and exhibiting a tendency to giggle.
    “Well, now, this is something like. A beauty for each of my boys. I’ve an idea! Why don’t you two take these pretty young things for a drive, eh? Lady Cornwall and I can have a comfortable coze about old times.” Morton gave the duke and John a dismissive look, sure their time for an afternoon call was about up.
    “Afraid that won’t be possible. We’ve already bespoken all three ladies. We were on our way out the door when you came in.” Harwood stood and offered his arm to Deborah. John, taking his cue from the duke, offered his arm to the nearer of the two girls, Jennifer. She took the hint immediately; Sarah lingered a little before slowly rising to her feet over the protests of Morton and his two sons.
    Embarrassed over the lack of manners this abrupt departure entailed, Deborah was nevertheless more than happy to permit the duke to extricate her from the situation. She was unable to prevent Morton from attempting to arrange for Harvey and Newton to take the girls for a drive the next day. Once again the duke intervened.
    “I am sorry to disappoint you, Morton, but Sarah is spoken for tomorrow, and if I do not mistake the matter, Miss Silverton is included in the invitation.”
    Sarah studied her parent in some surprise, but did not contradict him. Jennifer, now fully aware of her mother’s tension, agreed that their calendar was in fact quite full for, oh, weeks! Deborah gave Lord Morton a sickly smile and watched him, angry and insulted, stalk down the steps, closely followed by the two annoyed young men.
    “I hope you do not mind my routing that brute, but for the second time I have gained the definite impression that you do not care for his company.”
    Deborah turned grateful eyes on the duke. “Indeed, I do not mind! In fact, I thank you. I did not know how to stop him, yet he is odious and I am sure his sons are no better. Not at all what I would want for my daughter.”
    What I want for her is a man like you
, Deborah thought wistfully, looking up appreciatively at the duke. It was almost a pity Harwood and Jennifer were so far apart in age.
    Jennifer and Sarah exchanged puzzled glances, but accepted John’s escort, and, one on each arm, moved off down the stairs to the waiting barouche.
    “You and I have more in common than marriageable daughters we must safely shepherd through a season.” Encouraged