Duke of Daring (Lords of Scandal 1)

“Should we club a man for you too, Ada?” Diana closed the distance between them, her skirts swishing in a way that drew men to her like moths to a fire. It wasn’t an act, however, it was simply how she walked.

Ada rested a finger on her chin. “I might prefer that to participating in a season, actually. I’m not looking forward to it.”

Minnie gave her sister’s arm a squeeze. “So when you offered to sit out for another season, you weren’t just acting in my best interest?” She was teasing, of course but Ada turned a deep shade of red.

“I was speaking in both of our best interests.” Ada slid her arms from Minnie’s and plopped down on a nearby bench. “You can withstand mother’s matchmaking attempts.” Ada shuddered. “She’s going to bully me into marrying some wretch.”

Minnie took the seat next to her sister. “We’re both in danger of that.”

She thought again of her mother’s invitation to Lord Darlington and inwardly groaned. Now she was going to have to see the intriguing man again tomorrow. “Who’s with Emily?”

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“Grace,” Diana answered. “Why?”

“Do you think Emily would object if I didn’t come to the picnic tomorrow?” The last thing she needed was another run in with Darlington. It was worth missing other prospects to avoid him.

“Only if you want her to have a complete fit.” Diana squeezed next to them on the bench. “If I act like this right before my wedding, you have my permission to slap me.”

“Enough with the violent threats,” Ada chimed in. “If you don’t want to see Darlington tomorrow, just surround yourself with other men.”

“Excellent idea,” Diana added. “Also, hold your tongue and snag one of them before he realizes how loud you can be.”

“Your love is overwhelming,” Minnie said as she rolled her eyes. But the idea had merit. She could both find other suitors and get rid of Darlington all in one day.

Chapter Five

Minnie stood behind Diana, Grace, and Cordelia, attempting to hide herself from the crowd. It was an odd position for her but she’d seen Darlington enter and she’d prefer that he couldn’t find her. Ever.

She’d assumed her mother would invite a parcel of unattached males to this event but it was as though her mother had only invited Darlington, like she didn’t want him to have any competition for her daughter’s hand. Which might actually be true. Her mother was terribly shrewd that way.

“Do you see anyone besides him I could attach myself to?” Minnie whispered, hissing into Diana’s ear.

“I’m afraid not. Oh wait. There’s your third cousin, Alfred.” Diana said while letting out a little giggle.

“He has had a crush on you for ages,” Cordelia pointed out as she pushed up her glasses. “And he inherits the title, so mother would likely approve.”

“As smart as you are, Cordelia, I don’t understand why you would ever consider Alfred a viable candidate,” Minnie sniffed.

“Well.” Grace tossed her golden blonde curls. “I suppose if you can’t find another man to deflect the duke’s attention, you could send another woman to distract him. The point here is to get a match between the two of you out of your mother’s head.”

“I suppose that would work,” she answered softly. Why did that idea upset her, causing a niggle of jealousy to twist in her stomach?

“Which one of us should it be?” Diana asked, fluffing out her skirt.

Minnie shook her head. “I don’t know. He seems to hate that I’m so saucy, which would lead me to believe that Grace is the better choice, and yet he never left my side the entire dinner party. Does that mean that it should be Diana?”

Grace cocked her head. “That is strange. Though, who knows with men? They say women are too loud, too quiet, too flighty, too strong. Perhaps he just doesn’t know what he likes.”

Diana nodded. “So the question is would he prefer me, who is more like Minnie, or someone more like Grace?”

“What am I?” Grace asked.

“Oh, you’re all pretty and nauseatingly perfect.” Diana patted her sister’s arm.

“Thank you?” Grace answered.

“Isn’t anyone going to suggest me?” Cordelia asked, her chin rising in the air.