Page 5 of The Wedding-Crashing Duchess

Duncan was already striding across the terrace, and Augusta hurried after him, gathering her wet skirts in both hands. Charity had little choice but to follow. The rain had begun to soften, though the paths were slick beneath their feet. Duncan made Augusta walk behind him as she directed him through the garden.

“Here,” she said when they reached the narrow path. “It was just beyond this turn.”

They rounded the hedge, but the ground was empty. Duncan moved toward the trees, searching the wet gravel and the shadowed edge of the path. There was no body, no hooded man, and no sign that anyone had been there at all.

“Are you certain this is the place?” he asked.

“Yes…. I saw the body; this is exactly the place where I saw it.”

“It was dark, Augusta.” Charity came beside her and slipped an arm around her shoulders. From her tone, she didn’t appear too convinced, but at the same time, she was trying to be gentle about showing it. “You must have misunderstood. That is a possibility, surely.”

Augusta stared at the empty ground, and the certainty that had driven her from the garden began to falter. Of all things, she had never been the delusional sort. Surely, her eyes hadn’t deceived her.

“I’m sure of it, I saw…” she started but was cut off mid-sentence.

“I think it’s better for you to get into warmer clothes,” Duncan stepped in. “There is little use lingering here, especially when there is not much to see. It’s best if we go home.”

Augusta opened her mouth to speak, but then thought it would be better to stay silent. What argument could she possibly make at this time? It was going to be difficult.

Instead, she allowed Charity to lead her back toward the house, though she glanced over her shoulder once more. The path remained empty, and now Charity and Duncan were worried for her beyond belief.

Had she imagined the whole thing? How was that even possible?

CHAPTER 2

“Istill do not understand why I am not permitted to attend, and all of you get to go.”

Augusta looked up from the etiquette book resting upon her lap and found Matilda staring at her with a wounded expression.

“I should have been invited on account of being your sister.”

“Phillipa is marrying the Duke of Ravenhill, not joining our family. My invitation does not extend to every person related to me,” Augusta replied.

“At least I shall have the baby to myself,” Matilda said, looking at their nephew. “While all of you attend the wedding.”

“That is great. Now, let's focus on your lessons,” Augusta said, opening the book again. “If a gentleman approaches you at a ball and asks you to dance, but you have already promised the dance to another, what do you say?”

Matilda’s attention remained fixed upon the cradle, and she seemed the least bit interested in continuing the lesson. Augusta tried to be patient for some time, but when no answer came, she closed the book sharply.

Matilda jumped at the noise. “What?”

“You have not heard a word I said.”

Matilda leaned back in her chair. “I cannot help it if you insist upon teaching etiquette while there is a baby in the room. Don’t you think that one of those things is infinitely more interesting than the other?”

“Please, I need you to focus,” Augusta said in a calm tone. She knew that it would be no use getting frustrated at her sister, and therefore being calm was the only way that she would possibly listen.

“Fine,” Matilda grumbled under her breath.

Augusta opened the book again, although she was beginning to suspect that very little progress would be made before they left. Charity and Duncan were still upstairs preparing for the wedding, and the carriage was expected at any moment.

“Let us try one final question,” she said. “If you are seated when a duchess enters the room, what must you do?”

“Rise and curtsey.”

“And?”

“Wait for her to acknowledge me before I sit again.”