Redemption of the Duke by Gayle Callen

only nod.
    “Plus, I do believe his insatiable need to fence might make him tired enough to fall
     sleep early at night.”
    “He fences?” Faith said, then inwardly winced. Of course he fenced—he’d been a military
     officer.
    “He loved it as a boy, and returned home with even more of a fascination with it.
     He goes to a fencing academy nearly every day.”
    No wonder he seemed in . . . fine physical shape. She thought of the width of his
     shoulders, the way his trousers fit snuggly to his thighs. And then a blush had her
     looking anywhere but in Lady Duncan’s eyes.
    “I am not certain how you wish my help with your letters, my lady,” Faith said brightly.
     “Writing them for you, reading them . . . ?”
    “Today you may read. What do you think?”
    The first letter was to a women’s group that was forming in industrial Birmingham,
     with suggestions for speakers at their meetings, as well as the best way to advertise
     their events.
    “You aren’t just a supporter, my lady, but you are active in the formation of like-minded
     support groups.”
    Lady Duncan beamed at her. “I do my best. How else will women know how to band together
     and accomplish important things, if we don’t help each other?”
    They spent another hour on the letters, and Faith was more and more impressed by the
     lady’s convictions. It was wonderful to speak so freely, to be unafraid to voice her
     own opinions. She and Lady Duncan seemed to relate on a level of deep friendship right
     from the start. It was refreshing and gratifying for Faith, who hadn’t had many friends,
     except for the Society of Ladies’ Companions and Chaperones.
    And that reminded her. As she was taking away the writing desk from Lady Duncan’s
     bed, she said, “I know we have not discussed my hours, ma’am, but might I continue
     to keep today, Wednesday, as my afternoon off?”
    “Of course, of course, that will do well. I am certain I can find other free times
     for you.”
    “I have friends I regularly meet. But since it is my first full day, I will not desert
     you.”
    “But you must! You cannot change an appointment so late.”
    “That is too generous, my lady. It is hardly work to spend time with you.”
    “Good, then you won’t mind accompanying me on a shopping trip in the next hour.”
    “Shopping?” she said doubtfully, thinking of the lady’s advanced age and use of her
     cane.
    “Do not be fooled into thinking I’m infirm,” Lady Duncan insisted, sliding from bed
     rather dexterously. “I may need my cane for balance, but my legs are healthy enough
     to walk, so walk I do, most frequently. You might accompany me occasionally, and we’ll
     see who has the strongest constitution.”
    Faith smiled. “You seem to like competition. Remind me not to play cards with you.”
    “Oh, you’ll be playing.”
    The two women laughed together.
    “Now go find your cloak and bonnet,” Lady Duncan said. “It’s still winter out there,
     though the sun is out. We will meet in the entrance hall.”
    And by “we,” Faith found out that Lady Duncan meant the entire household of women,
     including Lady Tunbridge’s daughter, Lady Frances. The girl, ten years of age, had
     her mother’s dark hair pulled back in a braid, and the blue eyes of the Chamberlins.
     She was eager to attend with the ladies, but shy when introduced to Faith, and even
     shyer when her mother spoke gently to her, correcting her posture. So far, Faith had
     not heard Lady Tunbridge speak civilly to anyone in the household other than her daughter.
     As they walked out to the carriage, Lady Sophia took Frances’s hand, and they swung
     their hands together happily.
    They rode in the largest coach of the estate, with the ducal insignia displayed on
     the side. On Regent Street, that insignia seemed to clear the way for them, and many
     people pointed at them from the pavement as they disembarked. Faith was used to being
     anonymous in a crowd, and it was