The Orphan and the Duke Read Online Free Page B

don’t see our cousins that often, but we always get along when we do.” Jonquil reached a hand out as if to touch Amelia’s but moved it back at the last second, as if realizing it wasn’t appropriate.
    “That’s true. In fact, I think we need to find time to see them soon, don’t we, Basil?” the second sister said.
    “If that’s what you and Jonquil want, Saffron, I will arrange it.”
    Saffron smiled up at the duke then turned to address Amelia. “It’s nice to see you again, but I see your friends—I mean, cousins—have noticed you’ve fallen behind and are gesturing for you to join them.”
    “Before you go, have you given any thought to my offer to hire you to assist with my sisters’ coming out and presentation at court?” the duke asked.
    “I don’t see how I can, sir. I have my cousin to tend to.” Amelia ducked her head, anxious to move away before Susan was able to say something embarrassing.
    “If I could arrange it with your aunt or uncle, for a few days a week, would you consider it?”
    “Yes, I think so. It would be nice to get out once in a while.” Amelia hoped she wouldn’t seem too eager. If I can get away from my own life for a little while each week and build some acquaintances, maybe I can live on my own someday. The offer was a gift, but she was afraid it would disappear in a trice.
    “I will call on them then if I have your permission.”
    “You have my permission, but I really must rejoin my group now.” She curtsied and turned to leave.
    “See you soon, Miss Mandeville,” Lady Saffron called after her.
    Amelia hoped her cousins hadn’t heard the comment. She didn’t hold out much hope that her aunt and uncle would allow her to help the man. They were too used to having her at their home to serve as the companion to their daughter. It will be interesting to see how they react to a duke.
    Amelia wished she knew which would appeal more to their parsimonious natures: having an unpaid companion for their child versus making a duke of the realm happy.

Chapter 3
    Two days passed with Amelia’s anxiety growing each time someone came to the front door. It seemed there were more visitors to her uncle’s home than there had ever been, but she was aware that could have been because she was so concerned about the reaction when the duke did eventually call. Surely the number of times the butler has answered the door is normal and I am overreacting. The Duke of Darnley never came by, so her nervousness was for naught.
    Susan asked Amelia on numerous occasions what had happened at the park. All Amelia told her was the duke and his sisters saw her and stopped to exchange greetings. This didn’t seem to satisfy Susan, but when she stuck to the same story each time she was asked, her cousin finally stopped asking.
    Late in the afternoon of the third day, the knock Amelia was waiting for came. Could it be the duke at last? She happened to be passing through the foyer at the time. It wasn’t the first occasion in those days for her to be in that area. She’d been there so often, she had almost set up camp as if she were a soldier on campaign.
    When the butler answered the door, a man dressed in blue livery with gold trim bowed and handed him a note. “Please deliver this to your master.”
    Once his errand was complete, the man turned on his heel and returned to the carriage waiting in the street for him.
    Amelia craned her neck to see what kind of markings were on the carriage, but she couldn’t quite make them out. All she could see was that it was gold and there appeared to be a large coronet at the top. Then she laughed. I wouldn’t even know the Duke of Darnley’s insignia by sight unless it spelled out his name. She hoped it was his because that would mean he’d summoned her uncle after all. If it wasn’t, she had no idea who else it could be nor what she would do.
    With her stomach in knots, she followed the butler into the hallway as he made his way down the corridor