Page 7 of The Duke's Bride in Disguise

Chapter Two

"Gemini!"

The well-dressed young woman spoke first, her face lighting up with excitement as she looked Ava up and down, from top to toe.

"Be the holy God," the maid, Mary, added, blessing herself as she stared with horror between Ava and her mistress. "'Tis the devil himself, my Lady."

"I am not the devil," Ava protested, casting an annoyed glance at Mary.

"It's said he speaks only lies," Mary whispered, edging closer to her mistress, "Be careful, now, my lady. No sudden movements."

"Gracious, Mary," the girl who looked so like Ava laughed, and Ava was shocked to hear it sounded so like her own carefree giggle. "She's not the devil and nor am I. She's simply a girl who looks like me, that's all."

"She doesn't simply look like you," Mary protested, "She is you. What's the bet that when she takes off that awful cap, her hair's the same ebony black as your own?"

"Must every situation evolve into an opportunity for gambling?" the young woman grumbled with a roll of her eyes, before turning to Ava with a curious expression. "May I ask you to remove your cap?"

Ava mutely obliged, tugging off the hideous, white cap which covered her hair, in one fluid motion. She did not have to wait long for the two women's reaction, for the instant that she revealed her hair to be the same dark, mass of black curls as the lady's opposite her, they both gasped in astonishment. Though the other girl's curls, Ava thought with admiration, had somehow been tamed into a rather stylish up-do.

"Lud," the girl whispered, her green eyes meeting Ava's in shock and confusion, "We could be twins."

"Indeed, we could," Ava stammered, "But how could it be so?"

"The birthmark," Mary interrupted excitedly, pointing at Ava as she addressed her. "Tell me, Miss, do you have a birthmark at all?"

"I do," Ava admitted.

"Where is it and what shape?" the maid continued to probe.