Page 22 of Second Duke's the Charm

Tess bit her lip, oddly reluctant. She’d worn red withhim, her handsome stranger. What if he recognized her? Or the dress?

No, there was no chance of seeing him here in London. She had to forget him.

“I only wore that dress because nobody knew who I was,” she countered. “If I wear it to Lady Iveson’s, as the Duchess of Wansford, it’ll be a public declaration that I’m back on the marriage mart. I might as well take out an advertisement inThe Timessaying I’m looking for my next husband.”

“That’s true,” Daisy said with a grin. “You’ll be inundated. But that might not be a bad thing. Being surrounded by men will make it easier for the blackmailer to approach you.”

“She has a point,” Ellie said. “He can hide in the crowd.”

Tess sighed. “Fine. But what if there’s another lady at the party with a red dress and fan? The blackmailer might approach the wrong person.”

“I suppose if he does, he’ll realize his mistake when they don’t know what he’s talking about.”

“Actually,” Tess mused aloud, “what if Daisy and Ibothwear red? That will double our chances of being contacted. If he speaks to Daisy first, she can feign ignorance, and we’ll have identified the target before he approaches me.”

“Good idea,” Daisy said. “I’ll dress as Anne Boleyn. Ready to get my head lopped off.”

“Why are you suddenly so obsessed with execution?” Ellie gave an exasperated laugh.

Daisy grinned. “Just reminding myself of the stakes.”

“Whoever’s contacted second can arrange to meet the blackmailer somewhere private, like the garden, or an empty room, to make the exchange,” Ellie said.

“Any sensible blackmailer’s going to want to see the money before he hands anything over,” Daisy said. “Are we each going to have five hundred pounds in our reticules?”

“I suppose you’ll have to,” Ellie said. “But the blackmailer won’t get to keep it. As soon as you’ve got the letters, we’ll force them to give the money back—at knifepoint and pistol point, if necessary. We’ll all be armed.”

“The crook might be planning to do the same. They’ll certainly be wary of being arrested. And also armed.”

“It’ll be three against one. The odds are in our favor.”

“It could be a trick,” Tess said. “What if they don’t even have any letters? It might just be a ploy to lure us somewhere secluded and rob us.”

“Probably why they wanted a female to make the exchange,” Daisy muttered. “We’re always seen as an easy target.”

Ellie smiled. “Well, they’ll soon learn their mistake. Alone, we’re good. Together, we’re a force to be reckoned with.”

Daisy chuckled. “Oh, this is going to be fun.”

Chapter Seven

Justin glanced around Lady Iveson’s crowded ballroom and decided he’d rather be anywhere else.

Not one for social niceties, he hadn’t bothered pasting a fake smile on his face, but his brooding expression hadn’t deterred the hordes clamoring for an introduction.

It was just as he’d predicted. An audible ripple of speculation had risen up when he’d appeared at the top of the steps with his old school friend Edward Hussey, and Lady Iveson’s majordomo had announced him as His Grace, the Duke of Wansford, in bellowing tones.

The crowd had surged forward. He’d spent the past half hour parroting the same answers.

Yes, he was surprised, honored, and delighted to have been named heir.

Yes, he’d received his letters patent and been accepted by Parliament.

Yes, he planned to take his seat in the House of Lords.

No, he was not married, nor engaged.

That last answer had induced flutters of ill-concealed delight from the assorted females in attendance. Mothers with eligible daughters had showered him with invitationsto take tea, walk, and ride in the park with their universally charming progeny.