Page 42 of To Dare a Duke

“Enough!” Prue shouted over the cacophony of gossip and intrigue. “There’s not a shred of evidence he did any of those things. It’s all malicious tittle-tattle,” she added, feeling strangely defensive of the duke for no good reason she could think of. She had gossiped about him more than they ever had, defamed his character more thoroughly than anyone, with her scurrilous tale of The Damned Duke.

The guilt she’d felt before rose again, more insistent this time, as she remembered the sincerity in Robert’s eyes, the truth she’d heard in his words.

“I would never hurt you. I would never, ever, lift a finger to you. I give you my word.”

Had he made his first wife such a promise? Had he kept it?

She turned her attention back to her friends who were staring at her with undisguised impatience.

“I already refused his proposal,” she said, a rather odd sensation settling in her chest at the words. “So, there is no need for all this hysteria, but I don’t think he’s nearly as black as he’s been painted.”

“You turned down a proposal from a duke?” This was from Lucia; the gorgeous young Spanish woman whom she might have thought would disapprove of such a piece of impertinence from one as low on the social scale as Prue was. Instead, Lucia looked more than a little impressed.

“I did,” Prue admitted, shrugging a little and wishing the strangely unsettled feeling besetting her would leave her be.

She felt the sudden need to get away and be by herself, to think about what she’d done and to remind herself of all the reasons she’d done it. Besides, she had a chapter to write. A chapter which ought to have been posted days ago. Yet her Damned Duke kept trying to redeem himself and she wasn’t sure she was ready to let him. At least there were two chapters still to publish before she was in trouble with the magazine.

There was no need to panic.

No need at all.

Prue swallowed as something cold and closely resembling panic stole over her and made her feel shivery and rather ill.

The women were all still talking, weighing the merits of marrying a duke against the dangers of marrying a man with Bedwin’s reputation. Prue let their words wash over her, replying to their questions with noncommittal answers.

Some of the women got up to investigate a tray of cakes they had ignored during the excitement of Prue’s arrival and Alice sat beside her as a space appeared. She covered Prue’s hand with her own.

“You look awfully pale. Are you all right?” she asked.

Prue nodded, forcing something approaching a smile to her face.

“Of course,” she said, infusing the reply with a bright tone she was far from feeling. “But dancing at midnight takes it out of a girl, you know. I’m a little worn out. I might go home and have a nap,” she said, gathering her things and ensuring Bedwin’s ring was safely back in her reticule. “Never mind me, in any case,” she added, hoping to turn the conversation away from her and the duke. “How is your dare coming along?”

Alice blushed and looked awkward, and Prue wished she’d not asked.

“Oh… I-I haven’t… that’s to say….” Alice turned her teacup around and around on the saucer in a distracted manner. “I’m having tea with Matilda tomorrow,” she said, rather more brightly. “She’s going to help me.”

Prue looked over to Matilda, who returned a bland smile.

“Well, then,” Prue said, feeling a little relieved. “You’re in good hands.”

“Yes,” Alice replied, the one word rather faint, as Prue reflected that Matilda had been ruined after being found alone with a marquess.

Chapter 12

Dearest Prue,

Tell me more about Bedwin! What was the duke like? Was his proposal dreadfully romantic? Did he kiss you?

―Excerpt of a letter from Miss Bonnie Campbell to Miss Prunella Chuffington-Smythe.

***

23th April. At Lord and Lady Faversham’s garden party. Hambleton House. Beside the Thames. Richmond. London.

You had to give Aunt Phyllis her due. She managed to keep in with all the best people.

The invitation to the Hambleton House garden party was one of the most sought after of the season and, by dint of Lady Faversham being an old crony, Phyllis had secured them all a place.