Compromising Miss Tisdale by Jessica Jefferson Page A

graveled and tired. His time left on earth was surely limited, and the guilt washing over him was more agonizing than any of the bruises and scrapes he bore. Jason had devoted the whole of his adult life righting his parent’s wrongs, and all Duncan had contributed was further harm. He detested the precarious state of his family’s good name and dissipated fortune, but instead of trying to remedy the problems, his behavior had only exaggerated it. He was no better than the parents he hated and vowed never to become.
    He knew he couldn’t change completely, but he could at least fix what was in his control. He could restore the finances and publicly try to repair the Bristol name. It would mean a certain amount of sacrifice, but it would only be temporary until he could get back from whence he came and resume life as normal.
    “I have a prospect.” Duncan said quietly, unsure of how the statement would be received.
    “Prospect?” Richard asked, looking up, hope in his voice.
    “For marriage.”
    Richard’s slumped shoulders began to straighten. “You’re not serious?”
    “Most serious. I’m afraid Lord Kenning and I were celebrating last night and may have gotten carried away.”
    “Why, this is a different matter altogether. I had thought you weren’t taking your new position seriously. But I’m happily mistaken. Who is she, then?”
    He swallowed. To recant now would be the death of his Uncle, and Duncan did not want blood on his hands.
    “Miss Tisdale.”
    Richard’s eyes grew wide. “One of Viscount Tisdale’s daughters?”
    Duncan smiled and shrugged his shoulders. “Of course, one of his daughters. Isn’t there but one Tisdale family? I’m interested in the eldest—Miss Ambrosia Tisdale. From what I’ve come to know of her, she is quite an upstanding young woman and I believe she’ll provide a solution to all our family’s problems.”
    “Enough of that, I’m so happy to see you’ve found someone. So, you intend to ask for her hand? Soon, I hope?”
    “When the right time presents itself, of course. But I assure you it will be done before the end of the Season.”
    Richard smiled. “The Tisdales are quite a distinguished family—a rich , distinguished family. Tisdale may only be a Viscount in rank, but his power rivals that of any superior. And the Viscountess is always the picture of beauty, so there is little doubt that her daughter would be any less with age. ‘Tis an excellent match, indeed.” He hesitated for a moment before continuing. “Are you sure she’ll have you?”
    Duncan exhaled deeply.
    Even his own flesh and blood doubted him.
    “Of course she will have me,” he lied, confidently.
    Richard stood up and embraced Duncan, patting him on the back and singing his praise. “You have done me most proud! I knew you had it in you.”
    Duncan returned the gesture and stood back, distancing himself from his uncle’s embrace, his words, and guilt.

 
    Chapter 11
    Ambrosia stared at the items on her vanity. Each tortoise shell comb was positioned carefully in its rightful place. She turned and looked at her bed. There was no wrinkling in the cream colored linens, nor were the pillows laid askew or tossed to the side haphazardly. Everything in her room had a place.
    Order. Routine. Schedules.
    Control.
    She controlled everything around her. She had always been a bit predictable, but since Thomas had died she had organized her life to the minutest of details. She always knew what to expect and when to expect it. Until now.
    Until him .
    She was nervous and she was never nervous. Going to a ball was as natural as breathing. But this ball was different.
    He would be there.
    There was no denying that the man’s very presence, unwanted or otherwise, had a profound effect over her. She had no choice but admit to a mild attraction. He was, after all, terribly handsome and quite charming when he chose to be so. But whenever he was in close proximity, she simply could not trust