Read Online London's Perfect Scoundrel by Suzanne Enoch - Free Book Online Page A

to worry about the reaction she might receive from the Duke of Wycliffe or Viscount Dare if they were to learn of her recent activities. And even their disapproval would be nothing compared to Victor’s. For a moment she wished Georgiana was here to intercede on her behalf with the male members of her powerful family, but the viscountess was having luncheon with her aunt. And besides, no one would intercede if Victor found out anything. No, she needed to learn to stand up for herself.
    “Now, where were we?” the duchess asked, wiping cookie crumbs from her fingers. “Ah, yes.” She lifted the books onto her lap, flipping through them, and then handed one to Evie. “This is a basic primer, which might at least give you a direction for starting some of the younger children on their letters. I would recommend beginning with vowels and their sounds—fewer letters to cause confusion.”
    “Oh, thank you,” Evelyn said feelingly, opening thebook. “I’ve felt so frustrated, wanting to do something and having no idea how to begin it.”
    “You have ideas,” Lucinda said stoutly. “You just worry too much, Evie. And no one could—or should—fault you for wanting to make a positive difference in anyone’s life.”
    Evie smiled. “Thank you, Luce.”
    Emma gave her a speculative look. “Are you going to be doing all of the instructing yourself? I might warn you, teaching is very rewarding, but it will occupy every waking and sleeping hour you possess.”
    “I would like to do some of it, but…” Evie hesitated. She knew she could trust the Duchess of Wycliffe with her secrets, but confessing aloud how restricted she felt in all this meant admitting it to herself.
    “Your family duties take up much of your time,” the duchess finished for her. “I understand. Believe me.”
    With a smile, Evelyn picked up another of the books. “I do intend to oversee the hiring of instructors, and the courses of education. These are wonderful, Emma. Thank you so much.”
    “My pleasure. Take whatever you wish, for as long as you need them.”
    “You summoned me?” a deep voice came from the doorway.
    Tall, broad-shouldered, and tawny-haired, the Duke of Wycliffe strolled into the room, Lord Dare on his heels. Evelyn grimaced, hoping they hadn’t been lurking in the hallway. In all fairness, “lurking” didn’t seem quite their style, unlike a certain marquis who’d been troubling her dreams over the past few nights.
    “Yes, I did. A magic faerie has taken up residence under the end table and is refusing to emerge for her bath.”
    The large duke lifted an eyebrow. “A faerie, eh?” He knocked on the smooth mahogany surface. “Is there a faerie under here?”
    A shrieking cascade of laughter answered him.
    With a grin that made Evelyn smile in return, the duke removed the candy dish and tea tray from the table, handing them to Dare. That done, Evie expected Wycliffe to lower himself to the floor as the duchess had done and extricate young Elizabeth. Instead, he simply lifted the table up and set it aside.
    “My Samson,” the duchess murmured with a warm smile that made Evie blush.
    Bright auburn hair in short curls all over her head and gowned in yellow and white, Lady Brakenridge gave another shriek and trundled toward the writing desk. In one long stride the duke caught up, scooping her into his arms. “Hello, Lizzie,” he cooed, hefting the infant up to his shoulder.
    With another blurbled word, Elizabeth wrapped her fists into her father’s jacket and giggled again.
    “Did you hear that?” the duke asked with a wide grin, turning to Dare. “She said ‘papa.’”
    The viscount returned the candy dish and tea tray to the relocated end table. “I distinctly heard ‘baboon.’”
    “Hm, well, you’re distinctly deaf.”
    “I heard that.”
    Laughing, Emma shooed the two tall men toward the door. “Go away. We’re chatting.”
    Immediately Dare came to a stop. “About what?” His glance took in