Page 3 of Never Besmirch a Wallflower: Dukes and Wallflowers

“Of course, there does.” He wiggled his eyebrows. “It’s your favorite, and since you’re going to become my duchess, you need to accept that I’m going to give you everything you want.”

“Anything I want?” Miss Webb asked, her tone implying something wicked.

The Duke of Roxburghe groaned and wrapped his arms around Miss Webb, drawing her flush against his body. His mouth lingered near her temple as though he wanted to kiss her but couldn’t follow through on that desire due to their audience.

His eyes found the Duke of Lennox as he entered the dining room. “Lennox, I cannot attend this evening?—”

“No.” The Duke of Lennox strode over to Miss Fernsby-Webb and took possession of her chair.

“I haven’t given my excuse.”

“I won’t hear one.” The Duke of Lennox carted the wooden chair across the room, stopping beside the Duke of Roxburghe and Miss Webb. “I agreed to one hour, nothing more. If I have to beat you unconscious and then drag you behind my coach, I will do so.”

The Duke of Roxburghe scowled. “Our friends?—”

“Would support my decision.” Inclining his head, the Duke of Lennox disappeared into the hallway.

Pursing his lips, the Duke of Roxburghe grabbed the nearest chair, jerking it with more force than necessary, and strode after the Duke of Lennox, a cloud of annoyance chasing him.

“It’s very kind of them to assist us.” Helena wrapped her hands around a chair back and heaved, dragging the chair backward a few inches. “I don’t know how long it would have taken without them.”

“I’m certain we could manage without too much trouble.” Miss Webb copied Helena, pulling her chair halfway across the room. “Didn’t you say you’d planned all three of your sisters’ weddings?”

“I had help,” Helena said with a grunt.

“Who?” Miss Webb flicked her gaze to Helena. “Your sisters? Their fiancés? I don’t recall you speaking much about them.”

An intended oversight, as it was easier to maintain the lie with fewer details.

“I don’t like to discuss my family,” Helena replied, wrestling her chair into the corridor. “I miss them too much to reminisce.”

Miss Fernsby-Webb leaned backward into the hallway. “If we guess their names, will you confirm we’re correct?”

What harm could come from a silly game? It was near impossible that either lady had met her sisters… or her brother, for that matter.

“Alright.” Helena chuckled. “You may guess.”

“May we have a hint?” Miss Webb asked, joining them.

A chorus of wooden chair legs scraping on the corridor’s long, thick carpet accompanied them as they dragged the seats toward the parlor.

“One hint.” Helena expelled a burst of air, blowing a loose piece of hair from in front of her eyes.

“With what letter of the alphabet do their given names begin?”

Pausing, Helena released her chair and straightened. She swiped the hair from her face, glanced over her shoulder at the parlor, ensuring both dukes were still inside the room, then leaned forward and lowered her voice.

“E.”

“E?” Miss Fernsby-Webb frowned. “All three of them?”

Helena nodded.

“But not you?”

Dropping her gaze, Helena grabbed hold of the chair again and shook her head. She didn’t trust her voice not to crack.

She hated lying to them, but it was safer if Eveline Braddock didn’t exist.