“Now, Aunt,” Chloe chided, “I never claimed anything of the sort. Oh, Mr. Hastings, there you are!” She pretended surprise at finding him red-faced in the doorway. “We are Miss and Mrs. Wynchester, here to see His Grace.”
He reddened in consternation, likely torn between throwing her out on her ear and demanding to know how, precisely, she’d characterized his esteemed employer to her great-aunt.
“If the ladies Wynchester wouldpleasewait here.” Mr. Hastings turned and stalked down the corridor.
“Was he handsome?” Tommy’s trembling nasal voice was loud enough to be heard in the kitchens. “I love a handsome butler. Even more so than matched footmen. Did I tell you about the time—”
“Yes, Aunt,” Chloe assured her, trying to disguise her laughter. “Many times. I fear it’s for the best that your eyes aren’t what they used to be. A man as important as His Grace must have very fine footmen.”
“May I help you?” came a low, droll voice from the doorway.
“Yes,” she said brightly. “That is, I hope so.”
With a final pat on Great-Aunt Wynchester’s supposedly frail shoulder, Chloe turned to face the duke. His striking blue gaze was aimed right at her.
The duke’s dark hair looked as though he’d recently raked his fingers through it, and his chest moved as though he was still catching his breath.
The poor man must have sprinted from wherever he’d been occupied. Chloe and her “aunt” had been left alone less than five minutes.
She wanted to touch her fingertips to his lapels, to feel the rise and fall of his strong chest as he caught his breath. Perhaps then she could find her own. And her wits, which seemed to have scattered.
His lips curved in a smile so faint, it was easily missed, yet she was certain it had been meant for her alone.
Chloe was standing still, yet her heart thudded against her chest, pressing her bodice toward him with every heartbeat. He stood laughably far from her, but neither of them dared close the distance. Anything could happen if they were close enough to touch.
“Mrs. Wynchester, Miss Wynchester.” He arched a brow. “How may I be of service?”
Chloe opened her mouth.
“You likely cannot,” Tommy barked, then shook a scolding finger at Chloe. “My niece was raised by wolves.”
“I will keep that in mind and do my best,” Faircliffe said wryly. “Once I have any idea what we’re talking about.”
“Social ruin for this chit.” Tommy waved a hand. “If she shows her face at the Apeworth parade.”
“Ainsworth party, Aunt,” Chloe corrected gently. “Please let me tell it.” She looked up at Faircliffe and affected an expression of deep distress. “I’ve been invited to a society supper tonight, followed by dancing. It’s a wonderful opportunity to meet my future husband…if I don’t embarrass myself with all those spoons and forks and who sits where.”
“Ainsworth party?” Faircliffe’s forehead lined. “Tonight?”
“I won’t take more than half an hour of your time,” she said in a rush, “if you’re able to part with that much. It’s just…Wynchesters have never been given proper instruction in anything”—Bean had filled the house with tutors and drilled them oneverything—“and if I make a poor showing tonight, there mightbeno further invitations until your end-of-season gala.”
“You intend your comportment to be indistinguishable from that of a highborn lady in…half an hour?” Faircliffe glanced at the clock atop the mantel, then frowned at her. “The dinner won’t start for hours.”
“Waste of everyone’s time,” Tommy blustered with an exasperated shake of her head. “You’re a lost cause, girl.”
The duke let out a defeated sigh. “One hour. That’s all I can give you.”
“Thank you,” Chloe gushed, doing her best to keep the laughter out of her voice. “Tonight I might meet my future intended.”
A tendon pulsed in Faircliffe’s neck. He turned to his butler, who had been hovering behind him. “Hastings, would you have the formal dining room set for a party of, say, twelve?”
“At once, Your Grace.” But the butler slid Chloe an appraising look.
She smiled back at him blandly.
He disappeared to do his master’s bidding.
“I suppose we should begin by pretending I’m your escort.” The duke raised his elbow toward Chloe, then frowned over her shoulder. “Does your aunt require assistance?”
