Page 7 of Her Passionate Duke

But, just when Linnet was beginning to think that they might safely avoid mentioning the Duke, Lady Caroline spoke.

“Some of us rather enjoyed His Grace’s speech, too, even if it was rather… impassioned.”

Linnet glowered at her, but the Duchess of Grantsham looked pleased.

“Did you really? Not everyone seems to have approved, but I couldn’t have been prouder. How can we call ourselves a nation founded on Christian principles while ignoring the beggars on our doorstep? I’m humbled to have raised a son who understands that. Even if, I must admit, I rather wish that he’d been a little… less enthusiastic… about decrying the uncaring nature of our peers.”

“Lady Linnet was telling me that she’s often felt the same way as he seems to feel on the matter,” said Lady Caroline (to more glowering from Linnet). “But that she was never able to put it into words clearly, until she heard him speak last night. She, and I, hope that he brings a bill to the House of Lords, and enacts the reforms which are so desperately needed!”

Linnet couldn’t remember ever saying this — and she thought that Lady Caroline had been largely indifferent to the Duke’s speech when he gave it — which led Linnet to wonder if perhaps she was having a private joke at her expense. But her words seemed to have pleased the Duchess of Grantsham, who spoke animatedly.

“I’m very glad that both of you liked it. You slipped out last night before I could ask you, but —would you like to assist us in raising money for the Orphanage?”

“But—” Linnet began to object, but Lady Caroline spoke over her.

“We would be delighted to assist!”

She threw a sideways glance at Linnet, a smile playing at the corners of her mouth.

“On Thursday, in two weeks, at 8:30 in the evening I’m hosting a charity dinner at Grantsham Hall. Some of the wealthiest peers of the realm are expected to attend, but we’re going to need help coaxing them into giving up their money.”

“I see - what can we do to help?”

“Of course, Grantsham and I are both going to be speaking, but I know that you’re both articulate and passionate, and I think that they would listen to you, I really do. To show them that the younger generation care about such things would hopefully shame some of them into caring too. So I would like you to speak at the event. If you’d like, we can meet next week and go over what we’re going to say — you might even consider visiting St. Agnes’ beforehand to get a sense of the conditions there and how much they need funding, as well as what terrible lives the children had, before coming to the orphanage.”

Lady Caroline nodded eagerly, but Linnet felt a familiar tightening in her stomach. The thought of standing in front of a room and addressing all of those important personages frightened her.

But, at the same time, she didn’t want to risk saying no to the Duchess of Grantsham and earning her displeasure – for that would earn Linnet her mother’s displeasure.

“So,” said the Duchess of Grantsham, “what do you think?”

“We’ll do it. It’s such a worthy cause.” Lady Caroline nudged Linnet in the ribs. “What say you?”

“That sounds lovely,” said Linnet, slowly and softly.

Even as she said it, she could sense that she was consigning herself to another night of pain and embarrassment. Worst of all, the Duke of Grantsham was going to be there, and this time she knew that she wouldn’t be able to avoid him.

The man who had filled her dreams last night, who was the most interesting man she’d ever met, was going to be witness to her greatest embarrassment.

It was enough to make her feel like fainting.

Chapter Four

If Linnet could have disappeared from the world for a few days she would have gladly done so. She felt anxious enough speaking in front of one or two people — yet somehow the thought of addressing all of those people didn’t trouble her nearly as much as the fact that he would be there, listening, watching.

She wished that she could have arranged for him to be somewhere else for the night.

“I don’t know what you’re upset about,” said Lady Caroline as they drove home late in the afternoon. It would be a warm evening and the sounds of carriage wheels on cobbles filled the streets. “I think it’s very exciting.”

“Of course you do,” said Linnet, who hadn’t bothered to hide her anger. “You’re not the one having to speak in front of him.”

“No, but I would be happy to speak, actually,” Lady Caroline pointed out. “If you faint, I’ll revive you with my smelling salts and drape you over the sofa like a woman of middle age who’s been twice widowed.”

On the seat opposite them, the two maids studiously pretended not to be able to hear their conversation.

“I’m glad you think it’s funny,” said Linnet coldly. “Next time, consider asking me before impressing me into things I don’t want to do!”

“Now that isn’t fair. If you didn’t want to do it you had every opportunity to say so. It’s your own fault for not speaking up for yourself.”