Surrender Your Grace by Maddie Taylor Page A

support for your sister’s new position, then I must insist that you end your visit and only return when you can keep a civil tongue.” That barb tossed, he turned to face his mother-in-law of only a month. “Lady Benton, although I would never begrudge a mother visiting her daughter, please in the future leave your sharp-tongued daughter at home if you cannot better control the child.” He held out a summoning hand to Cici. “Now, since this visit is over. I am in need of Her Grace’s presence.”
    Cici rose, biting the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing at the expressions on her mother and sister’s faces. Not only was Andrew an expert at physical punishment, it seemed he was rather adept at verbal chastisement as well. He had summarily put her sister in her place and given her mother room for pause.
    As they left the room the Duke could clearly be heard telling his wife, “Your father must be a saint to put up with such a shrew for a daughter.”
    Andrew escorted his wife to his study where he guided her into one of the large leather chairs before turning to lock the door. Taking his place before his desk, he leaned back against it and folded his arms as he waited for Cici’s mirth to die down. “I’m glad you found that scene so amusing. Especially since you were in a fit of pique when I entered just a few minutes ago.”
    “Oh Andrew, you have a wickedly acerbic tongue. Never have I seen Elizabeth so roundly censured. I couldn’t help but admire your skill, and well… after what she said and how she mocked me and mother, I found it lightened my mood considerably. Thank you, husband,” she commended as she smiled in delight at her handsome spouse.
    “And I did it without reverting to cursing and vulgar language. Imagine that.” That effectively wiped the smile from Cici’s face and she paled as her near future loomed dismally before her. “I am afraid I am going to be doing something to change that mood momentarily.”
    Crossing his arms over his broad chest, he gazed upon his innocent looking young bride who still amazed him with her unruly tongue. As he began to lecture he noted with surprise that he sounded remarkably like his father. “I believe we both agreed to watch our language, didn’t we? At the time I was worried about the cant, but now I walk in to find you cursing like a sailor. Surely a well-bred young lady would have been more sheltered during her formative years, so I wonder where you keep getting exposed to it now. Therefore, I must insist on knowing where you keep picking up such language so I can remove you from such negative influences.”
    “I spend an excessive amount of time about the stables.” She offered this thinking it was a reasonable excuse.
    “Hah! I know you didn’t hear such filth in my stables. Try again.”
    Not wanting to implicate her father who possessed a rough tongue, she insisted. “I am sure it must have been papa’s stables, My Lord, or maybe from books?”
    Shaking his head he walked to the corner of his study where he removed a hurricane lamp and a book from a chair side table. Too worried about her poor bottom, she didn’t notice him moving the table out to the center of the room, lifting the lid and opening drawers. When dared to look over at him, she saw that he had converted the clever table into a kneeling bench.
    “It can’t be Maggie bringing you such inappropriate reading material; she is still in the country with mother. I’m sure I have cleared out everything questionable from James’ library. So, I guess I will need to begin reviewing your selections from Hatchard's. Although with the Obscenity Publication Act in force I doubt that have illegal materials.”
    “I hardly think that’s necessary, Andrew. I promise to behave.”
    “Mm, hm… I’ve heard that before. Come here, Cecilia.”
    She rose reluctantly and moved to stand before him.
    “Turn around please.”
    Afraid to question or disobey, she turned her back toward him