A Brazen Lady And The Shunned Duke (Faces of Love Series #3) by Jessie Bennett Page A

cheerfully.
    “That is very kind,” I agreed, “but it won’t be necessary. I can assure you that I am quite well versed in society. We have often hosted balls and dinners at my family estate growing up. Lord and Lady Kensington are very close friends to both my mother and father.”
    “Yes, I’m sure. It’s just that things in the country are always a little bit more relaxed than they can be in town. I must insist upon chaperoning you, at least at first. That way you can make all the right connections, and stay away from any that might be less desirable.”
    I knew what they were both hinting. It was a polite way of saying they thought I would embarrass them. I was a guest here and didn’t know either well, so I did my best to bite my tongue. “I am grateful for your concern, Your Grace. I will happily stay by your side for as long as you wish. Since I am obviously so new here, it will be nice to have a companion already when being set upon a new society.”
    I tried my best to sound as civil as possible. I think I did a relatively good job of hiding the disgust I felt in her underlying connotations.
    However, with that matter apparently settled, the Duchess of Bellingham perked up entirely. She spent the remainder of the evening telling me who was and wasn’t appropriate to be seen with currently. She also informed me of all the future social outings we would be attending.
    “Yes, well, we all know the real reason for Mother sending you here,” the duke interrupted his wife. “It is so that you can find a proper match this season.”
    “Yes, I am well aware of her wishes,” I said, already growing weary of this barrage.
    “She, along with your father of course, has given me leave to be your guardian through the season. They have asked me to approve of, and help you make, any match that I find appropriate. They have also provided me with the amount of your dowry.”
    He said this last part with a raised brow. It was always shocking for people to know how much money my father had accumulated. As their only daughter, much of that money would be going to me.
    “I would prefer to keep my dowry on a need-to-know basis,” I said.
    “Are you serious?” he asked, surprised. “Your dowry is enough to secure you a duke! You could quite possibly marry a member of the royal family with that amount of money.” He added under his breath, “We all know they could use the funds, what with the war and all.”
    “I don’t feel comfortable having someone attach themselves to me solely for financial gain.”
    “My dear sister, that is the only reason a nobleman would ever consider marring you,” he said with a look of pity.
    “I don’t deny the truthfulness of that statement. I am sure you are much better versed in society than I could ever dream of being. That being said, I would prefer my money to be kept a secret. It will be obvious that I am well endowed simply by my father’s reputation. I just want to keep the actual amount quiet.”
    “Well, it might not matter anyway. I already have someone in mind for you,” the duke said, raising his chin in pride.

CHAPTER 2

    CHARITABLE FRIENDSHIPS

* * *
    T he following day , the Duchess of Bellingham invited me to attend afternoon tea at the home of Lady Withington. It was to be a charity event for orphaned children. I was excited to go since I had already made a connection with their second eldest daughter, Lady Julia.
    The last I saw of her was when she and my beloved brother, Colonel Henry Fitzwilliam, were married. I had heard that she had come to town with her family while Henry was away with his regiment.
    I entered the drawing room, which was tastefully decked out in fragrant bouquets of pink and red roses. There were several tables set up with delectables decorating the centerpieces. I couldn’t help but think that for the price of this event alone, we could have housed an orphan for the remainder of his or her life.
    “She is making up for her lack of