Lord Love a Duke by Renee Reynolds Page B

escorts. “Well, enough about the happily
departed. I want to know the whereabouts of my niece and her
faithful friend. They are the true reasons for my travel. I desired
a front row seat to the Juliet and Miranda Exhibition.”

    Jonas turned and summoned a footman. “Please
tell Lady Juliet that her aunt has arrived.” He turned his
attention back to the Countess. “You make me nervous, Lady Ashford.
Are you privy to information that begs to be known?” he asked with
a hint of worry about his brow.

    “I keep a close counsel, Your Grace, so
you'll get no information from me. But to put your mind at ease, I
know of nothing yet that should over-set
your nerves. The sheer fact that you are having a house party
populated with the young and unmarried should be enough to keep you
on your toes, however. I am always vastly entertained by my niece
and Miranda, no matter what the setting, so when word made it
around that you were seeking an attachment for your sister, well, I
could not pass up the potential for diversion.”

    A noise above alerted them to the coming
arrival of the two ladies. “Speak of the devils,” muttered Jonas as
he turned to watch them glide down the stairs. He glanced at his
sister then found himself transfixed by the sight of Lady Juliet
flushed with excitement over the coming of her aunt. She had
grabbed the front of her skirt and slightly pulled it up to aid her
faster-than-fashionable descent and he was able to see her dainty
slippers and nicely turned ankles. He shook his head and blinked
several times to break the trance he seemed to be perpetually
caught in when in her presence of late. He straightened his posture
and flexed his fingers, suddenly restless.

    The Duke's sudden
discomfiture and fidgeting was not lost on the Countess. She
followed his gaze to her niece and narrowed her eyes
calculatingly. How very interesting , she thought. She congratulated herself on the wise decision
to remove to the country for this party as she turned to greet her
niece. “Juliet and Miranda, my two favorite mademoiselles! Come,
give me your greetings and then someone pray show me some
hospitality with a strong cup of tea and a decadent
sweet.”

    Miranda and Juliet fairly skidded to a halt
in front of the Countess, taking turns to both hug and kiss the
older woman. She grabbed a hand of each and squeezed them
affectionately.

    “Oh, Aunt Cath! I am so excited to see you.
I had no idea you were coming,” burst Juliet.

    “ No one did, dear. 'Tis
better that way as no one feels brave enough to bid me leave. I
could not bear to be absent from a party that included my two
favorite diables ,” she added with a
grin and a wink at the Duke.

    Juliet followed her aunt's gaze with a
quizzical raised brow while Miranda seized the opportunity to
tangle with her brother. “I need not ask how you came to the
appellation for us, do I, dear brother?”

    “It seemed an apt descriptor, although I
grant you are without the requisite tail and horns.” He poked at
Miranda's coif and glanced at her back. “At least I think you lack
those telltale signs.”

    Miranda's eyes flashed for the fight but the
Countess intervened. “Actually, my dears, the devil of which we
speak is my happily departed Earl, unrest his soul, although
perhaps your guilty consciences are getting the better of you two,
hmm?”

    Both ladies surprisingly blushed but were
saved from further comment by the arrival of two more guests, Lady
Juliet's brother, Major Lord Marcus Quinn, and his friend, Captain
William Hughes, both of the Royal Horse Guards.

    “Marcus!” she squealed. “We thought you
still on the continent! Mother and Father will be beside themselves
to see you. How are you?” Juliet ran to her brother, who braced
himself as she launched into his arms. He swung her around easily
with one arm, his left hanging still and straight at his side,
although Juliet failed to notice.

    “I am well, Jules. I am well. And glad to be
home.”