Read Online Say Yes to the Duke by Kieran Kramer - Free Book Online

left her sewing shop behind and married Daddy. Everyone around Janice these days was
     entirely too competent. Even her younger siblings, Robert and Cynthia—despite their
     occasional foray into high jinx that made no sense to her—were generally sensible
     and able to handle their own business.
    The maid brought Janice to a large door and opened it quietly. “Lady Janice Sherwood
     to see you, Your Majesty.”
    “Send her in,” a tiny voice proclaimed with a great deal of haughtiness.
    Janice walked shyly into the room, which was small and dark, entirely inappropriate
     for an elderly convalescent or a queen.
    A nurse stood in the corner, folding cloths. Deep in the pillows was a petite elderly
     lady with a proud chin and nose. She had silver hair and wore a beautiful mauve muslin
     dressing gown. “I’ve been anticipating your arrival.” Her eyes were narrowed, her
     gaze unrelenting. “Don’t you know that one must never, ever keep a queen waiting?”
    Janice felt a moment’s shock but tried not to show it. Without hesitating, she went
     to the woman’s bedside and sat down in a chair already placed there. “I’m so glad
     to be here, Your … Majesty. ”
    The old lady extended her tiny, wrinkled hand. There was a giant ruby ring upon it.
    The duchess might be frail, but she managed to keep her hand aloft. Obviously, she
     wanted Janice to kiss that ring. Gingerly, Janice lifted the bony fingers to her mouth
     and pressed her lips to the cold red stone. She felt silly. But immediately the dowager
     withdrew her hand, so Janice supposed she’d done the right thing.
    “I didn’t send for you so that I can reminisce of my childhood and bore you to tears,”
     her hostess said testily, “so don’t you dare imagine we’ll be sitting here all day
     wasting time. I’m not an invalid. I have things to do. Places to be. If only Halsey
     would let me out.”
    “Won’t he?” Janice didn’t know what to think.
    “No, he won’t.” The dowager’s eyes filled with the most interesting mix of scorn and
     bravado. “How does he expect me to find my crown jewels?”
    “Oh.…”
    “Do you know where they are?” Her tone was accusing.
    “I-I don’t at the moment.” It must be awful to be so worried about something that
     is entirely in one’s head, Janice thought. “But I’m sure they can be found.”
    The old woman gave a gusty sigh. “Perhaps a princess is borrowing them. If that’s
     the case, she’d best bring them back. Do you know if there’s a ball tonight?”
    “Yes,” Janice said. “I believe there is a ball.”
    The old lady stretched out her other hand, which was completely bare. Ah . She simply wanted someone to hold it. Janice took it and felt a great tenderness
     toward her. Her nerves disappeared. The duchess was only someone who wanted love and
     attention. Janice could manage that easily.
    “Where are the festivities to take place?” the dowager asked impatiently, even as
     she clung to Janice’s hand as if she never wanted to let go.
    “Down the street.” Janice was surprised how easily she was able to lie. But the dowager
     was like a little girl in this state, even if she was rather haughty, too. Janice
     wanted to please her. “There’ll be loads of women in bright gowns. And the men will
     look quite elegant, I should imagine. Flowers will spill from every window, and the
     chandeliers will blaze with candles.”
    “What address?”
    “Somewhere on Half Moon.” Janice smiled just thinking of the lovely residential street.
    The dowager frowned. “Must be Lord and Lady Foster, then. He’s entirely too cocky,
     and she—well, she’s a watering pot, cries at the least little thing. No wonder he
     has no patience with her.” She released a gusty sigh. “I knew I could trust you to
     tell me all the goings-on.”
    “Of course,” murmured Janice.
    The dowager lifted an enormous handkerchief to her nose with her free hand and sneezed.
    “Bless you.” Janice