The Wild Duchess/The Willful Duchess (The Duchess Club Book 1) by Renee Bernard Page A

reply. The man she’d met had given no indication of possessing a single sentimental bone in his body and had made her feel like a scullery maid who had wandered into a fancy dress dinner.
    “Was he rude to you, dearest?”
    “No. No, I…” Scarlett sighed. “I do not bring out the best in him and that is my doing, not his. He is wary of your heart and happiness and I think he suspects that I am not what I appear to be. I told you that I wasn’t an actress, Your Grace. But please. I shouldn’t have said anything. He is your friend and I will make more of an effort not to crumble under his intense study. I shall win him over or—” She laughed. “Or I won’t.”
    “You could win over anyone but don’t worry about, Rush. He’s cynical by nature and cautious in his alliances but life has made him that way. I’m not revealing his secrets but he is a gentleman through and through and I trust him completely to act accordingly. Don’t let his opinions trouble you.”
    “Ah, but as your pretend paramour, should I not do everything in my power to impress your friends?”
    It was his turn to laugh. “Not at all. As my pretend paramour, you should be entirely uncaring of any other man’s opinion, beyond mine naturally.”
    She agreed, some of the levity fleeing from the moment. “I’m a terrible pretend fiancé because I do care about Stafford’s opinion of me and I don’t know why. He thinks I’m a fortune hunter.”
    Elgin shook his head. “Your father’s fortunes are too vast to make that possible. If anyone is a fortune hunter, it would be on the male side of the equation, Miss Blackwell. You must be careful not to forget that.”
    Scarlett nodded then tipped her head to one side to study him. “You don’t have the look of a fortune hunter, Your Grace.”
    “A fortune hunter never does but my accounts are solvent, Miss Blackwell. I tell you, it is another reason why our game is driving the gossips mad. They are confounded.”
    “How goes our courtship? If you don’t mind me asking.”
    “I’m rusty and making almost no progress. I’ve informed Talon that you are an elusive girl and not so easily won.”
    “Elusive? However did I manage that?”
    “I don’t know but I loved the way it sounded when I said it.”
    Scarlett laughed. “Then I will have to make a study of being elusive. Where does one start?”
    “Good question. I think it best if you smile at me less. Perhaps look a little bored at an old man’s company?”
    Scarlett shook her head. “I cannot. I knew you would have been better off in collusion with a less transparent person. Could you talk about something boring to give me a push?”
    “Any suggestions?”
    “Grain futures? The inner workings of a paper mill? Your last hunt in excruciating detail?”
    He laughed, drawing several inquisitive glances from nearby dancers. “I love the way your mind works!”
    “That is the highest compliment anyone can give a woman, Your Grace.”
    “Pardon me, Chesterton.” Suddenly Talon was there and Scarlett’s senses were jarred at how young and vibrant he seemed next to Elgin. She didn’t want the man who had been so kind to suffer in the comparison and she wished she had the power to make it otherwise. But her heartbeat betrayed her as it sped up at the sight of Talon.
    Elgin slowed with a smile to face his friend. “Yes, of course, Stafford.”
    “May I cut in?”
    “If the lady has no objections?” Chesterton looked to her and Scarlett’s voice failed her. Stafford was not an ally but she couldn’t construct an excuse to say no. She shook her head and the transfer into Stafford’s arms was accomplished before she took in another breath.
    Chesterton stepped back. “Mind her toes, Stafford. She is priceless to me.”
    Scarlett gasped. It was such an extraordinary thing for him to say but then the next dance began and she found herself in the surreal position of dancing with a second duke—and knew that every gossip in the