Why Do Dukes Fall in Love?: A Dukes Behaving Badly Novel Read Online Free Page B

decade.
    No, never mind that. It was his fault.
    “I do not. Send her in.” He accompanied his words with a dismissive wave of his hand, gritting his teeth at the thought that
     Hawkins’s sense of propriety and what was due a duke would overcome his common sense.
    A moment, and then Hawkins appeared to realize what was required. “Excellent, Your Grace,” he said. Michael heard voices in
     the hallway, including a young child’s voice, and had to wonder again just what was wrong with him that he had acted so—so
     rashly. Perhaps so imprudently.
    And if he would come to regret his hasty decision as he’d regretted every hasty decision he’d ever made before.
     
    “The duke is waiting for you.” The butler came as close to sneering as he could without overstepping the limits of politeness.
     Edwina had to admire his dexterity at it, even if it smarted.
    She glanced down at her gown and sighed, allowing a rueful smile to cross her lips. “I suppose he cannot wait until I am more
     presentable,” she muttered, hoping the butler would sympathize and she could win him over sooner rather than later.
    His gaze traveled over her gown as well and he met her eyes, a slightly warmer expression on his face. “The duke is a gentleman
     who values promptness and efficiency over everything,” he said in a low tone, ensuring none of the footmen currently on duty
     in the hallway could overhear.
    She smiled at him, thankful he’d already unbent a bit. If only she could so easily conquer the thousand or so other people
     who likely resided in this mammoth household, her life would be much easier. “That is good to know, I appreciate the information.”
     She paused, but decided to ask anyway. Because if she didn’t begin as she meant to go on it would be a very difficult situation.
     “Mr.—I’m sorry, I don’t know your name.”
    “Hawkins, my lady.”
    She smiled. “It is Mrs. Cheltam, and it is very nice to meet you. I was hoping if it would not be too much of an imposition,
     perhaps you could ask one of the footmen to take my daughter to the kitchen to wait for me?”
    His gaze darted to where Gertrude stood, currently haranguing Honeychop about the terribly long walk her mother had made her
     go on, as though Honeychop weren’t there every step of the way. And she saw how his eyes crinkled up at the corners, just
     slightly, as though he were trying not to smile. “I will take her there myself, Mrs. Cheltam.”
    “That is terribly kind of you, Mr. Hawkins.” She raised her voice to interrupt Gertrude. “Sweetheart, can you accompany Mr. Hawkins
     to the kitchens?”
    Gertrude looked from her mother to Mr. Hawkins, clearly skeptical about the whole thing. Edwina couldn’t blame her; she was
     as well. But it was either this or separation or starvation, and on the whole, she much preferred living in a duke’s enormous
     town house to either of the other two options, and hopefully Gertrude would come to that conclusion as well.
    “Will there be cakes?”
    Mr. Hawkins bowed. “The best cakes, my lady, I know for a fact that Cook has just brought a tray out from the oven.” He lowered
     his tone. “The duke doesn’t care for cakes, or food in general, so it will be a treat for Cook to have someone who appreciates
     her work.”
    How could the duke not care about food? Edwina wondered. But he did care about promptness, and she had already spent a few
     precious minutes getting her daughter settled. “Where will I find the duke?”
    Mr. Hawkins paused in his escorting Gertrude to the kitchen. “The duke’s study, Mrs. Cheltam, just through there.”
    Edwina felt her insides tighten. This was it. This was the start of the next, hopefully much better, phase of her life. One
     where she and her daughter were fed, housed, and she wouldn’t have to endure a foolish man twenty-four hours a day.
    Hopefully not at all, in fact—the duke didn’t strike her as foolish. Arrogant, impatient, and totally