How to Dazzle a Duke Read Online Free Page A

is a continual surprise to me that so few
    women, and indeed men, are able to see what is right in front of
    them. Now, in that vein, you certainly have observed the men
    whom must make up your list of potential husbands. Whom do
    you prefer?”
    “Lady Dalby, I have no preference. I do not know the gentle
    men well enough to have formed one.”
    Sophia raised her brows and considered Penelope. “Is that
    possible, Miss Prestwick? Surely a woman is able to form a pref
    erence for the simplest item almost instantly. How not with
    a man?”
    How to Daz zle a Duke
    17
    “I may form an instant preference for a hat, Lady Dalby, but
    a husband is a far more serious acquisition. I am not in favor of
    either haste or carelessness.”
    “And of course, one always does try the hat on. Not every hat
    suits every face, does it, Miss Prestwick?”
    Penelope Prestwick raised her own dark brows and said,
    “I have very many hats, Lady Dalby. I am quite adept at fi nd
    ing ones which flatter me. And if they do not, I adjust them until
    they do.”
    “I’m certain you do, Miss Prestwick,” Sophia said, smiling.
    “Shall I take you at your word, then? Any man? The choice to
    lie completely with me?”
    “If he is a duke or an heir apparent, Lady Dalby, I should
    think myself very much a fool not to leave the choice with you.
    You shall, I have been convinced by observation, make the
    choice for me in any regard. Why not dispense with the folly that
    I am in control of this? Having come to you, I leave all the details
    in your capable hands.”
    “Miss Prestwick, if England produced even one hundred
    women of your caliber, it would be an entirely different country
    indeed, and much the better for it, I assure you. Now,” Sophia
    said, rising to her feet, “you will want to make your way to Hyde
    House to deliver that badly torn shawl to Lady Amelia. It will do
    much to recommend you to her and to the men of that house. If
    you do not tarry, you can arrive in good time.”
    “The men of that house?” Miss Prestwick said in a slightly
    raised tone. “Are you recommending Lord Iveston, Lady Dalby?”
    “He is an heir apparent, is he not?”
    Miss Prestwick, having stood in response to Sophia’s rise to
    her feet and unable to keep herself from following Sophia’s obvi
    ous lead in directing her to the door into the hall, was neverthe
    less obviously reluctant to leave before the Duke of Edenham’s
    18 CLAUDIA DAIN
    arrival. The darling girl, quite uncommonly practical, was still
    disposed to seek her own way, which was also quite practical of
    her. Sophia didn’t fault her in the least.
    “Yes,” Penelope said slowly.
    “And you would prefer a duke in the full and luxurious
    possession of his title? Such as the lovely Duke of Edenham?”
    Sophia asked.
    Miss Prestwick blushed lightly. It looked most becoming
    on her.
    “He is most eligible, is he not?” Penelope asked in response.
    “You are not afraid of his reputation? He has had three wives
    previously, which has resulted in some perfectly ridiculous
    rumors about his tendency to kill off the women who share
    his bed.”
    “ Ridiculous is the word,” Penelope sniffed, pulling at her left
    glove. “Women die in childbed every day. I hardly see that the
    duke should be held accountable for ill health and a weak con
    stitution.”
    “You are formed of hardier stuff?”
    “Most certainly,” Penelope Prestwick huffed.
    “Miss Prestwick,” Sophia said with a smile, “I do believe you.
    However, I do think that a visit to Hyde House is the thing to do
    at this moment.” Miss Prestwick hesitated, even though Freder
    icks had opened the door and every physical indication was that
    the entire staff of Dalby House was encouraging her to the door
    onto Upper Brook Street.
    “ At this moment? Is this a ploy of sorts, Lady Dalby? Something
    to intrigue the Duke of Edenham?”
    Sophia smiled and drew a deep breath before answering.
    “Darling, most men require ploys of