Florentia ignored the image of the imposing new duke that suddenly clouded her mind.
No.
She forced a smile behind her teacup.The dowager did not waste time with pretense.Good.
“Whom I sleep with is no concern of the Widow’s League,” she said pointedly, refusing to be treated like a child.
“Aww, but it is my dear.”Lady Wyndam waved the cane in the air like it was a long sword.“As you are a duchess, and if you’re being reckless, then it will reflect badly on us all.”
“So, what do you suggest I do?Obey you when I don’t even obey my own mother.”It was comical, Florentia liked the dowager, but in the end, she would do as she pleased.
“I suggest you learn to be discreet, or marry again, but perhaps this time, you choose your own husband.”Lady Wyndam suggested.“I hear your new duke is quite young, and if he looks anything like his father, he’ll definitely be handsome.”She gave her a knowing smirk.
Her duke?
He meant nothing to Florentia, and he especially was not hers.
“I won’t marry again, especially not to that brute who inherited the dukedom.”She shook her head, trying to hide the sudden rush of emotion that assaulted her.
Yes, Tavish O’Brien was quiet pleasing to look at, and she was sure he was more than an adequate lover, but she wasn’t marrying anyone.
“It is just a suggestion, my dear.”Lady Wyndam waved her hand at Florentia.“What other choices do you have, unless you plan to be a mistress, or return to your mother?”
The older woman waited for an answer.It was no secret among society that Lady Allendale was not a very kind person to anyone in her family.Florentia would not return to her parents, nor would she marry Primwood.
“If you need us, the Widow’s League is here for you, and you are more than welcome to stay at Matron Manor for as long as you wish, but you must stop this reckless behavior at once.”Lady Wyndam tapped her cane against the dark carpet.“If you’re going to behave badly, at least do it in private.”
CHAPTER SIX
Florentia sat at the breakfast table the following day, enjoying her chocolate.It was a treat she’d loved since childhood, the one good thing she’d had in her strict upbringing.
After her visit with the Dowager Lady Wyndam, she paid a call on Charity and the little earl.Though she was still unsure if she’d ever want children herself, there was something positively joyous about being in the company of the three-year-old boy, playing with his blocks and smiling at his mother like she was the most important person in the world.The image still bought joy to Florentia’s heart.
“Your Grace, the correspondence has arrived,” Anderson said, placing the silver tray piled high with letters and invitations beside her on the table.
It was strange for her to be inundated with invitations, even for the beginning of the Season.She might be a duchess, but the ton had never very much liked her, not that she’d cared.
“Thank you, Anderson.”Florentia set down her chocolate and began sifting through the pile of missives.They were all addressed to the Duke and Duchess of Summerset; no doubt society wanted to get a good look at the new duke.But for them to assume that she would attend with him, was ludicrous.
“Will His Grace be joining you?”Anderson asked, standing stoically by the table.
“I’m not sure.”She opened one of the missives and read the invitation.“Did the new duke return yesterday evening?”
When she’d arrived home last evening, Florentia had taken dinner in her old rooms.It had been nearly a year since she’d stayed in the duchess’s chambers.The duke’s rooms had much more space, the large copper tub, and a bed double the size of the one in the duchess’s chambers.
“Yes, His Grace returned late in the evening,” Anderson, said, as Thomas walked in carrying a tray laden with breakfast.“Some of the servants are nervous, Your Grace.”
Anderson wasn’t the butler when she’d first arrived at Summerset House.The previous butler, who her husband spoke of often as a firm and faithful servant, had died before she’d become the duchess.The complete opposite of his predecessor, Anderson was a kind man, and a stickler for professionalism.
“Nervous about what?”she asked, ignoring the way Thomas was staring at her.
“With the new duke in residence, we were wondering what is going to happen now, Your Grace?Especially with you leaving.”Anderson stood, waiting patiently for her reply.
“Who said she was leaving?”The duke entered the small breakfast room, his bright blue eyes surveying each person like he could read their thoughts.
He was as big and wild as she remembered.Unruly red hair with hints of brown glinted in the meager daylight shining through the window.
Her body heated, her sex pulsating with need just at the sight of him.Surely, she couldn’t be attracted to such a man.
