The Orphan and the Duke Read Online Free

and all it entailed had made him into someone he no longer recognized. And it seemed his own sisters agreed with him.
    He tried to decide what to do about his situation. Returning to the country estate wasn’t the answer. Saffron and Jonquil deserved their season, and he would have to make sure they had it. He also had to learn to be more aware of their emotional needs. What do I know about women? No matter their age, they are a mystery.
    Knowing he needed to talk to Jonquil first and then Saffron, but not knowing what to say, Basil took another instant to gather his thoughts. He felt a weird sensation on the back of his neck, something raspy, almost like a file but strangely damp.
    Swatting behind him, his hand came into contact with fur. He jumped forward to the edge of his chair.
    The orange tabby cat sat on the table, staring at him and licking one paw.
    “Thanks, Archimedes, you’re absolutely correct. I can start by allowing them to adopt you, but we have to agree that you stay off the draperies. What say you? Gentlemen’s agreement?”
    The cat meowed, which Basil took as a yes. He had a bad feeling, though, that the creature was going to be as hard to understand and make behave as his siblings.
    Amelia woke early after a long night of tossing and turning brought on by the conversation at dinner. Despite the pact Susan had made with her, it came out that Amelia had spoken to the Duke of Darnley. As expected, her aunt was not pleased at all by the news. Amelia had been subjected to a lecture not only at the meal, but later in the evening as she tried to work on her embroidery by firelight.
    When she finally was able to escape to her quarters, she fell on the bed and wept. Susan was becoming more difficult by the minute. Amelia wasn’t sure how much longer she would be able to stay in the home she’d never grown to love but thought of as the only place she had to live.
    Determined to find a position somewhere, she washed her face and dressed. Once she was ready to face the day, she slipped downstairs to the kitchens to see if Cook would save the day’s papers for her. They always ended up in the kitchen as the cook liked to use them to wrap leftovers to be taken to the workhouse.
    Her aunt and uncle felt it was beneath their station to eat reheated food, so they gave the leftovers to the workhouse as a way to build their reputation.
    Amelia gave an unladylike snort. At least if I end up in the workhouse, I’ll still be dining from Uncle Henry’s table .
    After making her arrangements with the cook, Amelia made her way to the breakfast room. Bracing herself, she opened the door and was relieved to see she was the only one present.
    She filled her plate at the buffet and sat. Before she could take the first bite, Susan stepped into the room. “Oh good. I’m glad to see you’re up early. I’ll need you to come with me to the park this morning. Mother is too busy.”
    “Why do you need to go there?” Amelia didn’t care, but she knew she needed to keep Susan talking if she was to eat her breakfast. Amelia oftentimes had been denied a meal because Susan wanted what she wanted when she wanted it.
    “I want to take a turn around the park to see who might be there. I’m determined to make myself into one of the most desired of the season. It’s imperative that I be seen. You can be my chaperone since you won’t be at any of the balls. No one will know you’re my cousin.”
    Amelia thought to point out that anyone of their acquaintance already knew she was the poor relation living on the charity of her father’s family, but she knew it wouldn’t make any difference to Susan.
    “All right. I can be ready to go as soon as I retrieve my reticule.” Amelia took a couple more bites of her meal before pushing her chair back.
    “No need to rush. It’s still too early for anyone of any importance to be out. I merely wanted to be sure you would be ready when I am.”
    “So, what you mean is that I shouldn’t