Read Online The Orphan and the Duke by Jillian Chantal - Free Book Online Page B

them to leave Susan and me on our own . She wasn’t sure if their absence was a good thing or not. On the one hand, they weren’t there to urge Susan on in her bursts of anger. But not knowing where they were made Amelia wonder if they’d gone to the duke’s house to be sure he was going to comply with their terms.
    Not wanting to inquire as to their whereabouts, Amelia stayed silent as they were handed into the carriage.
    The trip across town passed faster than Amelia wished. Susan kept up a one-sided conversation with herself while Amelia fretted about how things would go.
    When they arrived in front of the duke’s massive townhouse, Amelia couldn’t help but examine the area near the square to be sure her aunt and uncle weren’t lurking in the bushes or behind a tree. She let out a little bark of laughter when she realized what she was doing. Surely the senior Mandevilles are too civilized for such behavior.
    “Don’t laugh. I’m so nervous.” Susan put her hand out and squeezed Amelia’s.
    Stunned, Amelia couldn’t respond. What is this all about? Susan had never touched her except to inflict pain.
    Before she could explore her cousin’s actions further, the two Staunton sisters came out the front door and down the walkway. Both were blond, but the one with the lighter hair was in the lead and nearly bounced down the path. The other one had a more sedate pace and was carrying something. They were followed by a footman.
    Stopping at the carriage, the girls stepped aside as the footman opened the door and handed Susan down first and then Amelia.
    The lighter-haired one held out her hand first. “I’m Lady Saffron, and this is Lady Jonquil. I wasn’t sure if you remembered our first names.”
    “I’m Miss Susan Mandeville.” Susan smiled at the sisters. That made Amelia nervous. Susan smiling usually means Susan planning something unkind. But maybe she is actually going to try to be nice. Amelia decided to stop worrying and trust that things would work out. She considered the opportunity a gift of some sort from above . There is no reason to think God would have given me this opportunity only to snatch it away.
    “I remembered your names, but thank you for reminding me which of you is which. It was hard to recall on such short acquaintance.” Amelia smiled.
    “Come inside, Miss Mandeville,” Saffron said.
    “Please, call me Amelia. Since both my cousin and I are Miss Mandeville, it’s easier to call me Amelia.”
    Susan muttered something under her breath about the Miss Mandeville comment and illegitimacy, and Amelia prayed she was the only one who heard it. Susan was already showing how things were going to be, and Amelia’s heart sank with dread. She didn’t want the Stauntons to look down on her, but if Susan was determined to denigrate her, there wasn’t anything she could do about it.
    Determined to make the best of things while she could, Amelia nodded to the bundle in Jonquil’s arms. “Is that your pet?”
    “Yes, this is Archimedes.” Lady Jonquil’s blush was pretty, and Amelia liked the girl instantly.
    “What a great name for a cat.” Amelia reached out and patted the kitty on the head.
    “Seems a little odd to me,” Susan said.
    “Let’s go inside. I think my brother wanted to talk to you before we do anything.” Lady Saffron led the way to the house.
    Glad that both girls ignored Susan’s comment about their pet, Amelia allowed herself to hope they would be able to cope with her cousin’s bad manners.
    Once inside the house, Lady Saffron turned to her sister. “Please show Miss Susan Mandeville into the parlor while I escort Amelia to Basil’s study.”
    Lady Jonquil’s eyes widened, and she raised her eyebrows. It was as if she were terrified of the prospect of being alone with Susan. Amelia couldn’t blame her since she herself was afraid of her cousin.
    “I’ll be right back. I promise.” Lady Saffron reached out and touched the cat, still in Lady Jonquil’s