Page 98 of Dukes for Dessert

“Good, I think. Though, she could use a bit of help with comportment. If there’s something to be spilled or an item of clothing to be torn, Dorothy will be the one to suffer it. I suppose she’s clumsy.” Lady Gilpin flashed a worried smile.

“I’ve helped other young ladies who are very similar to how you describe your Dorothy. I’m confident we can have her ready to conquer London next spring.” Did that mean Juno would accept Lady Gilpin’s offer? Companion to the daughter of a baronet wasn’t the most illustrious position, but it was right in front of her. What if no one else responded to her inquiries because Lady Wetherby made quick work of denigrating her? Better she secure a position now before she wasn’t able to.

“Does that mean you’ll come?” Lady Gilpin looked so happy that Juno couldn’t possibly decline now. “Your reputation is exemplary. Indeed, I considered writing to you a few months ago, but my mother assured me you would be too busy to help someone such as my Dorothy.”

Juno winced inwardly. The inquiries she’d sent were to a viscountess, two countesses, and a marchioness. If given the choice, would she have selected Dorothy?

It didn’t matter, and she wouldn’t feel bad for working to place herself in the highest echelons of Society. She was a woman alone in the world, and she’d been fortunate to build an independent livelihood. She’d be a fool not to take the best-paying, most distinguished position she could find. Just as she’d be a fool now to decline a job that was hers for the taking.

“I’d be delighted to help Dorothy,” Juno said. “I don’t ever commit to a specific time period, however. It may be that we complete our work together before the Season begins. I’ll be able to give you a better assessment after I spend time with her. Is that acceptable to you?”

“Oh yes. Thank you so much.” The woman’s relief was palpable, and Juno was doubly glad she’d agreed. “I can barely contain my excitement. When can you start?”

“I need to return home to Bath first, but I can come to you a week after the house party ends. Will that give you time to recover?”

“That would be just lovely. Dorothy will be so pleased to have help. She can be so nervous.”

Juno looked forward to helping her. She sounded a far sight easier than Marina had been. That thought made Juno feel bad. She’d come to care for Marina a great deal, but she was rather difficult. She was the only young woman Juno had tried to help who hadn’t really wanted assistance. Indeed, she would rather have been left alone.

They chatted a few more minutes before Lady Gilpin excused herself. Juno felt her own sense of relief at having secured a new position before Lady Wetherby could malign her. And now she had a bit of time before she had to start.

Her gaze strayed to the duke. He stood across the room with a pair of gentlemen, but he seemed rather disengaged. He was staring at her. When her eyes met his, he lifted his tankard in a silent toast.

An unexpected flash of heat swept through her. Unexpected? It shouldn’t have been. Not after yesterday’s kiss or the way her entire body had tingled when she’d touched him during the walk to the village.

The idea of spending a few days tucked away with the duke was incredibly alluring. And she was nearly certain he’d be interested in a liaison. Weren’t house parties perfectly suited to such endeavors?

No, she couldn’t risk her livelihood in that way. If Lady Gilpin were to catch wind of any impropriety on Juno’s part, she wouldn’t allow someone with such a base character to supervise her daughter. Juno would need to be on her best behavior until she left for Bath.

Cecilia approached her. “What did Lady Gilpin want?”

“To offer me a position helping her daughter. I assumed you’d told her I was looking for a new arrangement.”

“I did, in fact. I’ve known Penelope for years. Are you going to help Dorothy? She’s such a lovely girl but a rather awkward bundle of nerves.” Cecilia smiled faintly.

“Yes, I’ve agreed to help. Thank you for mentioning me.”

“It was my pleasure. I also came to tell you that you’ll be riding back to the house with the duke and me.”

At first, Juno had thought she was going to say only the duke. Because she hoped that would be the case? She couldn’t deny there were far worse things than sharing a coach alone with the duke.

“I’d hoped to ride back with Sir Edmund and Lady Gilpin,” Juno said. “So we could discuss Dorothy.”

“Oh dear, I think they’ve probably already left. They were in the first coach. Anyway, you’re the only person I trusted to ride with the duke. He frightens everyone else.” Cecilia laughed.

Juno wasn’t amused. Now that she knew the duke better, she understood his eccentricities. He wasn’t at all scary. “Is that true?”

Sobering, Cecilia pursed her lips briefly. “Not exactly, no. He doesn’t frighten most of the gentlemen, but they are all riding with their wives.” Right, and there were no other single gentlemen. By Cecilia’s design.

Cecilia turned toward the door. “I’d best oversee the departures. The conveyances are already outside.”

Juno finished her ale and set the empty tankard down on a table. As she started toward the door, she noted that most people had already left. Except the duke. He was waiting for her just inside the threshold.

“I understand we’re to ride back together,” he said. His voice was always so deep and tinged with that gruff growl that she liked more than she realized.

“With Cecilia,” she clarified, lest he think it was to be just the two of them. Would he have looked forward to that?

“Yes.” There was a darkness to the word, as if he were disappointed that they wouldn’t be alone. A delighted thrill shot through her.