How to Dazzle a Duke Read Online Free

I fear
    that makes me unusual to an unpleasant degree.”
    “By being unique? Hardly. But who has implied this is an
    unpleasant condition? Not the viscount.”
    “Not precisely the viscount,” Miss Prestwick said, squirming
    just a bit on her seat. “More a general impression from those I
    converse with.”
    “Such as dukes and heirs apparent?” Sophia asked.
    “Such as, Lady Dalby,” Miss Prestwick admitted with a sol
    emn expression.
    “On the occasion of your remarkable ball during which your
    remarkable roses were damaged?”
    “On that occasion, yes,” Miss Prestwick said. “But this does
    not bring us round to what you want of my father, Lady Dalby. I
    can’t think that he would have anything you could want.”
    How to Daz zle a Duke
    15
    “You would likely be surprised at what I can want, Miss Prest
    wick. I am nearly certain your father can satisfy me.”
    If she said it with a certain suggestive overtone, she must be
    excused for it. Teasing Miss Prestwick was entirely too delightful
    as the girl was so artfully composed. One could not but wonder
    what, or whom, it would take to rattle her.
    “Lady Dalby, if you could find satisfaction from Prestwick
    and if it were in my power, I would place him entirely at your
    disposal.”
    Well. How very interesting.
    “A gracious offer, Miss Prestwick. Have Lord Prestwick drop
    round tomorrow, will you? I shall certainly be at home for him.”
    Miss Prestwick lifted her head, took a shallow breath, and nod
    ded. Such a completely remarkable girl. Sophia had not the
    smallest doubt that she’d make a duchess who would be remem
    bered for a full century, at the very minimum. “Now then, as you
    so kindly offered Lady Amelia your shawl at your memorable
    ball, and as it has become something of a talisman for scandal,
    which is absurd as any method required to bring a man to heel
    is bound to require some small particle of scandal, it would be
    such a lovely display of friendship and concern if you should
    decide to give Lady Amelia your shawl, torn so violently upon
    your roses at your ball, so that it not fall into other, less generous
    hands and increase the scandal. Though, I do admit to some
    small bias as to the size of a scandal. Can a scandal ever be too
    large? Not in my opinion. They can, however, be too small to do
    anyone any good at all. Would you not agree, Miss Prestwick?”
    Miss Prestwick smiled and said, “I confess to have not given
    scandal, its breadth or scope, very much thought at all, Lady
    Dalby. As you have done so, I will take your instruction upon its
    merits to heart.”
    “Miss Prestwick, you are entirely remarkable, and I am not in
    the habit of making such pronouncements. You will do exceed
    16 CLAUDIA DAIN
    ingly well and, I daresay, have all your plans and wishes bear the
    desired fruit.”
    Penelope Prestwick’s dark eyes gleamed with suppressed joy,
    and she said, “I expected nothing less, Lady Dalby, having
    come to you for aid. Now, you wish me to deliver my torn shawl
    to Lady Amelia? I shall do so. Indeed, I had attempted to do so
    during the Duke of Aldreth’s At Home, but could not fi nd the
    opportunity.”
    “No, I should think not, what with the Earl of Cranleigh drag
    ging darling Amelia into the mews and having his delicious way
    with her. Such an unexpected display, was it not?”
    “Was it?” Miss Prestwick countered, holding Sophia’s gaze.
    “The Duke of Aldreth did not seem either exceptionally surprised
    or displeased, which must also be said of Cranleigh’s parents, the
    Duke and Duchess of Hyde. Quite remarkable behavior for par
    ents to display when their children are behaving so scandalously.
    But you are friends with both the Hydes and with Aldreth, are
    you not? That was my impression.”
    “Your impressions, Miss Prestwick, are quite on the mark,
    which does commend you. There is very little that a woman
    needs beyond the ability to observe very carefully what occurs
    before her very eyes. It