Stolen Encounters With The Duchess. Julia Justiss

and wanted, nurturing her crushed and battered spirit to a renewed confidence? His obvious desire unleashed an unprecedented, heady sense of feminine power—and an urge to use that power to satisfy the increasing demands of desire.

      Ah, yes, desire. Having endured so many years of unhappiness made her a little reckless. She’d never be permitted to marry a man like Davie—if marriage were in fact on his mind, which it probably wasn’t. Lust certainly was, as it was on hers.

      Dare she yield to it? Would he let her?

      She didn’t know. Continuing to associate with him would lead her into a maze full of risks and dangerous choices—but also to the possibility of fulfilment, even joy. She wasn’t prepared yet to decide whether to proceed down that path. For the present, she’d seize every opportunity to be with him, and just enjoy.

      Make it soon.

      She’d write a note to Sarah this very night, seeking a convenient time for a visit.

      Still aglow with energy and optimism, she sprang down from the hackney and waltzed up the front steps. Not until the butler admitted her, informing her that the Dowager had returned from her entertainment and would enjoy a glass of wine with her in the Blue Salon, did her soaring spirits make an abrupt descent.

      She was home again, and back to being the much-maligned Duchess.

      But not any longer, she told herself. Not that she would be rude to her mother-in-law, but she did not intend to meekly endure her criticism. Though she wasn’t sure Lady Lyndlington’s ‘stare’ would work to silence so overbearing and self-important a woman, she would certainly excuse herself, if her husband’s mother decided that a ‘chat over wine’ meant a litany of reproof for her behaviour today.

      Bracing herself, she entered the Blue Salon. ‘Did you enjoy the opera?’ she asked, seating herself and accepting a glass from the footman the Dowager waved to serve her.

      ‘It was tolerable. Although it had to be more entertaining than a dull political evening at Lord Witlow’s. I can’t imagine why you accepted that invitation.’

      ‘I didn’t find it dull at all. Conversation about the new Reform Bill was fascinating, and Lady Lyndlington is a very gracious hostess.’

      ‘Lyndlington? Ah, yes—Witlow’s daughter, Lady Margaret, married that jumped-up by-blow of the Earl of Telbridge—who is to inherit, despite the fact that the earl divorced his harlot of a mother! Quite the scandal!’

      Just like the Dowager, to have some bit of disparaging gossip to divulge about every person one could mention. Avoiding any response that would allow her to elaborate, Faith said instead, ‘My brother-in-law, Lord Englemere, was also present, and asked me to call; his youngest child has been ill. I shall send my sister a note directly to see when is convenient. You mustn’t be alarmed,’ she added quickly, when the Dowager held up a hand in protest. ‘I know what a dread you have of illness, so there is no need for you to accompany me.’

      ‘Very well, if you feel you must, although I think it is very inconsiderate of your relations to ask you to visit a sick house, especially as you are a mother with three children of your own to protect!’

      ‘I believe the child is recovering, and most of my visit will be spent with my sister.’

      ‘I still think it encroaching. But I didn’t ask you to stop by to discuss some dull political gathering—I have exciting news that will certainly raise your spirits! Which have, quite properly, been downcast since the demise of our dear Edward—’ The Dowager paused, her voice wobbling as she wiped her eyes with a bit of muslin. ‘Well, no longer must we suffer being a household of women. My dear Randall has consented to live here with us! Now we shall have a gentleman’s escort to any entertainments we find proper to attend!’

      The memory of her brother-in-law’s leering face, drunken smile and hard, grasping hands swept over her, followed by a wave of revulsion. Faith set down a glass that suddenly wobbled in her hand.

      ‘How...useful,’ she said at last.

      ‘I would have expected you to exhibit a bit more enthusiasm,’ the Dowager said tartly.

      ‘I’m tired, and the news is...shocking.’

      ‘Shocking? What is so unusual about a son coming to care for his mother?’

      Faith bit down hard on her lip to stifle the replies that immediately sprang to mind. That the arrangement was probably more about the estate taking care of Lord Randall’s needs, than him caring for his mother. That he was highly unlikely to escort them to a gathering unless he wished to attend, and since he preferred spending most of his evenings at gambling hells, bordellos, and other establishments of dubious repute, they would be as often without masculine escort as they were currently.