The Duchess of Love by Sally Mackenzie

Blackburn and the other unwelcome London visitors.
    Drew had always thought Mannard a fat boil on the ton ’s arse, but he hadn’t until just this moment realized how stupid he was. Did the nodcock want him to shove his annoying grin down his throat? He would be more than happy to oblige.
    Mannard must have realized his peril when Drew took a step toward him. “Er, no offense meant, of course, your grace.”
    â€œI should hope not.” Drew swallowed—with great effort—the rest of what he wished to say. His words would not be at all appropriate for mixed company, and in any event he had more important things to do than castigate Mannard. He had to catch Venus.
    Lady Mary slipped by him and linked her arm through Mannard’s. “Don’t mind his grace, Chuffy. He’s in love .” She might as well have said he was insane. She turned to Mrs. Blackburn. “This party is sadly flat, don’t you agree, Constance?”
    Nigel must have given the widow her congé for she nodded immediately. “Yes, indeed. Such a collection of rustics. I don’t know how I’ve kept from falling asleep.”
    â€œWe should have room for you at Beswick’s party,” Mannard said. “What do you think, Nanton?”
    â€œRight-o.” Nanton wasn’t as cabbage-headed as his companions. “Let’s leave now.”
    â€œVery good,” Drew said. “Don’t let me keep you.”
    Lady Mary sniffed. “I’ll have a word with Mrs. Higgins about fetching our things,” she said as she and her group of annoying Londoners left.
    Thank God. Drew had never been so happy to see the backs of a set of people in his life. Now he could go after Venus. She had quite a head start, but—
    â€œGreycliffe, I’ve been looking all over for you.” Nigel came up behind him, clapping him on the shoulder.
    Drew bit back his impatience with effort and turned. Damn, Mr. and Mrs. Collingswood and Aphrodite were there, too. Why the hell did they have to choose this of all moments to emerge from the study? Venus would be all the way to the Colonies before he could go after her.
    He forced himself to smile. “I hope you are enjoying the party?”
    â€œOh, yes, indeed,” Mr. Collingswood said. “Far more than we expected, I’ll admit. Mr. Valentine is quite the classics scholar, you know.”
    â€œI know. He puts me to shame.”
    Nigel snorted. “I should tell you that his grace is a far better mathematician than I could ever hope to be.”
    Drew kept smiling. Surely they were not going to waste precious time trading compliments?
    Aphrodite came to his rescue. “But where is Venus? I thought we might find her here with you.” She blushed furiously. “I mean, we didn’t see her inside.”
    â€œI believe I saw her heading into the gardens,” Drew said. “I was just on the point of following her to offer my escort.”
    â€œOh.” Mrs. Collingswood frowned. “She did say she wasn’t feeling well, but I thought she’d improve once we got here. Venus is never sick, you know.”
    â€œPerhaps she went home,” Mr. Collingswood said. “It’s not far.”
    â€œNevertheless, I must make sure she’s come to no harm,” Drew said. It was unlikely now he’d catch her before she reached the vicarage, but he would knock on the front door when he got there and try to persuade her to listen to him.
    â€œThat’s not necessary,” Mrs. Collingswood said. “Venus is used to walking all over Little Huffington by herself. It is quite safe. She’s never met with unwanted attention.”
    Except when she’d encountered him naked at the pond.
    â€œAnd you can’t leave your guests,” Mr. Collingswood pointed out.
    â€œI’m afraid I can and I must,” Drew said. “There is something I need to speak to your daughter about. It can’t