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

money,” the duchess whispered in my ear as we entered. “It is well known that her husband squandered it all in his youth. Ever since her oldest daughter married the Duke of Gaffton, she thinks she has re-entered the portion of society that had thus far been kept from her.”
    I looked over at my companion questioningly. Certainly the wife of an earl couldn’t be shunned just because of money.
    “I would never dream of coming to such an event, even in her current fortune, but since Fitzwilliam married her daughter, it is my duty to show face here. Stay close though, we will be leaving shortly.”
    I couldn’t believe that all women of her stature were so full of themselves. I wanted to say something to her, but before I could, we were interrupted by our hostess.
    “Your Grace, it is such a joy to have you attend today,” Lady Withington cooed a little too loudly. She was clearly making a show of the duchess’ presence at the event.
    “Yes, well, we are practically family now, aren’t we?” the Duchess returned with an indifferent look on her face. “Let me introduce my companion also, this is Miss Scarlett. She is a relation of my husband.”
    “Oh yes, my Julia has spoken quite highly of you,” she said as I bowed to her. “Though her words don’t do justice to your beauty.”
    “Thank you, Lady Withington, you are very kind.”
    “Julia is here with us,” she waved, looking around the room. “The colonel, as you know, has been called back to the front lines. Julia has been staying with us as she prepares for motherhood.”
    “I was not aware that she was with child,” I said, surprised.
    I had gotten to know Julia very well when I took a trip with her and Fitzwilliam to a horse auction. I absolutely adored her. She was the sister I’d never had.
    “It is a rather new development,” a voice called from behind me.
    I turned to see Julia standing there. She was her same rose-cheeked golden-haired self. She couldn’t have been that far along, because she didn’t show at all. We embraced each other in greeting before her mother cleared her throat. She then made introductions to the duchess.
    Finally, I was left alone with Julia as the other two went off to meet other prominent ladies.
    “I am so happy to see you here,” I said at last. “I had no idea you were pregnant though. Why did you not say in your last letter?”
    “I didn’t know then. Henry was home on holiday when I wrote it, if you remember. I found out probably only a few weeks after I sent it. I knew you would be here in London for the season, so I figured I would get the chance to tell you in person.”
    Over the last year since Julia had married my brother, we had devout correspondences to each other. It was nice that even though I hadn’t seen her in a year, we were still able to pick up right where we had left off.
    “So how do you like living with the Duke and Duchess of Bellingham?” Julia asked as we sat at a small table with tea.
    I gave a very un-ladylike sigh.
    “That good?”
    “Well, it has only been a few days.”
    “But,” Julia prodded.
    “I think they will be the death of me,” I whispered. “They are so quiet and refined. I don’t think either one of them has ever smiled.”
    Julia did her best to hide a giggle. “Henry and I spent last Christmas with them. It was awful,” she said with a bright smile.
    “I know Henry can be on the serious side too, but the duke…I can’t believe we come from the same stock,” I retorted.
    “Well, perhaps he is more your father than your mother.”
    I nodded in agreement. “Her Grace has taken it upon herself to chaperone me around to make sure I don’t make a fool of myself apparently. Or, even worse than that, attach myself to someone she might find inappropriate.”
    “There is a rumor going around that you already have a match in place. I could see them wanting to keep you close so as not to fumble that.”
    “How do you even know about that? The duke just