GypsyDukeEpub Read Online Free
Author: Unknown
Kitty. Just a simple landowner with nary a romantic thought."
She pouted up at him, and he relented. There was power in that small female's glances.
"But I will do my utmost to attend you, you winsome chit."
"Such praise will go to my head. I must needs retreat to my room and contemplate your pledge."
He shook his head, laughing then reached up to tweak her nose. "Until tomorrow. I shall not disappoint you."
Chapter 2
Kitty laughed as she rode back to the stables, remembering the look on John's face when she requested a love note. The poor man hadn't known what to do with her.
Thought she was a child, did he? She would change that. Just because their betrothal was fixed, didn't mean she didn't want romance. She would have to help him along, it seemed.
With raven black hair and blue eyes bright enough to make a girl swoon, especially when he smiled, John was every maiden's prayer for a suitor. And that cleft in his chin…If he ever stayed in London to enjoy the season, he might realize what a catch he was.
It wouldn't matter that he was already betrothed. All the scheming mamas and their daughters would flock to him. He was a duke. Or soon would be, but that was a depressing thought she did not wish to consider just now. Later, when she was in her room, she would pray about it.
She sighed. What would show him that she'd grown up? She needed a plan, but it wasn't something she could discuss with Mama. She would probably be shocked. Perhaps the maid. Kitty could listen the next time Amy talked about one of her beaux. That way, she wouldn't have to ask anyone how to catch a man's attentions. She smiled. An excellent decision.
The countess planned to retire after tea to attend some correspondence and suggested Kitty do the same.
Kitty stuck out her tongue. "Is it an order, Mama, dear?"
"Does it have to be? You know your cousins would feel injured if you did not return their felicitations."
"If not for you and Aunt forcing our hand, we would be blissfully correspondence-free."
The countess chuckled. "Oh, Kitty. Do you really see Gertrude standing over the girls, instructing them in every swirl of their nib? And surely your mama is not that stringent."
"There is no better mama, and I am blessed to have you. If you need me, I shall be in my room, slaving beside a hot candle, penning cheery tomes to my dull cousins."
"There is no need for the hot candle. Have Amy move your writing desk near the window. It's lightweight, but if she encounters difficulty, call for a footman."
"Yes, Mama."
Minutes later, she and Amy were ensconced in her room. While Amy slid the desk closer to the open window, Kitty flopped on the bed.
"You will never guess who I saw the other day."
"And who is that, mi'lady?" Amy asked with an abstracted air as she rearranged Kitty's writing utensils.
"Tad…at the Somerset estate, working the fields."
"That layabout? I can scarce credit it. Not with his mum making free with the blunt." A dreamy look settled on her face, and she stared out the window. "Did you see my Ray when he come to pick me up yesterday?"
"He seemed a most earnest young man. I don't see how you ever got him to look your direction. Even as pretty as you are.
"I could tell you tales…"
"Tell me." Kitty sat up and patted her bed.
Amy eyed the pink satin counterpane. Kitty could practically hear her thoughts. It wasn't proper to have cozies on the bed with Kitty. Sometimes, Amy could be such a snob.
Kitty tipped her head, flashing her most beguiling smile. "It has been such a while since we had a long chat. You could marry soon, and I'll have no one."
Amy hesitated only a moment then plopped on the bed beside Kitty.
"Now, tell me how you caught Ray."
"'Tweren't easy, I can tell you. Many's the village girl who threw their eyes his way. He's a hard worker, makes a decent living, and he won't knock a girl about."
"Never say...gentlemen strike you?"
Amy's eyes shuttered, and she shook her head. "Never you mind, sweet.
She pouted up at him, and he relented. There was power in that small female's glances.
"But I will do my utmost to attend you, you winsome chit."
"Such praise will go to my head. I must needs retreat to my room and contemplate your pledge."
He shook his head, laughing then reached up to tweak her nose. "Until tomorrow. I shall not disappoint you."
Chapter 2
Kitty laughed as she rode back to the stables, remembering the look on John's face when she requested a love note. The poor man hadn't known what to do with her.
Thought she was a child, did he? She would change that. Just because their betrothal was fixed, didn't mean she didn't want romance. She would have to help him along, it seemed.
With raven black hair and blue eyes bright enough to make a girl swoon, especially when he smiled, John was every maiden's prayer for a suitor. And that cleft in his chin…If he ever stayed in London to enjoy the season, he might realize what a catch he was.
It wouldn't matter that he was already betrothed. All the scheming mamas and their daughters would flock to him. He was a duke. Or soon would be, but that was a depressing thought she did not wish to consider just now. Later, when she was in her room, she would pray about it.
She sighed. What would show him that she'd grown up? She needed a plan, but it wasn't something she could discuss with Mama. She would probably be shocked. Perhaps the maid. Kitty could listen the next time Amy talked about one of her beaux. That way, she wouldn't have to ask anyone how to catch a man's attentions. She smiled. An excellent decision.
The countess planned to retire after tea to attend some correspondence and suggested Kitty do the same.
Kitty stuck out her tongue. "Is it an order, Mama, dear?"
"Does it have to be? You know your cousins would feel injured if you did not return their felicitations."
"If not for you and Aunt forcing our hand, we would be blissfully correspondence-free."
The countess chuckled. "Oh, Kitty. Do you really see Gertrude standing over the girls, instructing them in every swirl of their nib? And surely your mama is not that stringent."
"There is no better mama, and I am blessed to have you. If you need me, I shall be in my room, slaving beside a hot candle, penning cheery tomes to my dull cousins."
"There is no need for the hot candle. Have Amy move your writing desk near the window. It's lightweight, but if she encounters difficulty, call for a footman."
"Yes, Mama."
Minutes later, she and Amy were ensconced in her room. While Amy slid the desk closer to the open window, Kitty flopped on the bed.
"You will never guess who I saw the other day."
"And who is that, mi'lady?" Amy asked with an abstracted air as she rearranged Kitty's writing utensils.
"Tad…at the Somerset estate, working the fields."
"That layabout? I can scarce credit it. Not with his mum making free with the blunt." A dreamy look settled on her face, and she stared out the window. "Did you see my Ray when he come to pick me up yesterday?"
"He seemed a most earnest young man. I don't see how you ever got him to look your direction. Even as pretty as you are.
"I could tell you tales…"
"Tell me." Kitty sat up and patted her bed.
Amy eyed the pink satin counterpane. Kitty could practically hear her thoughts. It wasn't proper to have cozies on the bed with Kitty. Sometimes, Amy could be such a snob.
Kitty tipped her head, flashing her most beguiling smile. "It has been such a while since we had a long chat. You could marry soon, and I'll have no one."
Amy hesitated only a moment then plopped on the bed beside Kitty.
"Now, tell me how you caught Ray."
"'Tweren't easy, I can tell you. Many's the village girl who threw their eyes his way. He's a hard worker, makes a decent living, and he won't knock a girl about."
"Never say...gentlemen strike you?"
Amy's eyes shuttered, and she shook her head. "Never you mind, sweet.
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