Neither did Alicia. She gave Lady Clarissa a confused look, who only shook her head in return. Alicia had no idea what that meant.
Before she had the chance to ask, her brother walked in. Francis Balfour, the Marquess of Somertown, was as handsome as his mother was beautiful and the bright smile he gave everyone as he strolled in served to light up the room. Even Lord Dalwater sat up at his arrival.
“Lord Somertown,” the Earl greeted. “I had heard you returned from India this afternoon.”
“But we saw neither hide nor hair of you all day,” the Duke of Riverdene cut in.
“Forgive me,” Alicia’s brother responded. He leaned down and pecked her on the cheek before claiming the seat next to her. “I was dreadfully tired. I had to rest before coming down to dinner.”
“You must tell me how your trip went,” the Earl said amicably.
Francis chuckled deeply. “Perhaps after dinner we can retire to the parlor with a drink to talk about it. I fear we may only bore the ladies if we deign to do it here.”
Lord Dalwater chuckled deeply. “I believe you may be right about that, My Lord.”
Francis laughed again, and then he leaned in closer to Alicia. “Good day, Sister,” he greeted with a smile.
Alicia shot him a glance, unable to keep her own lips from curving upward. “Good evening, Francis. I see you’re in as happy a mood as ever.”
“I get to see my Sister again. Of course that would make me happy.”
Her smile widened. Francis had always been able to put her in good spirits, no matter what. After their mother died, he’d grown even more protective and loving, and came to visit Evandale Manor quite often. Alicia didn’t know what she would do without him and his constant grin.
Although, it felt as if his smiles were a little more forced today. Alicia studied him out of the corner of her eye. She was sure he knew what day it was today and she wondered if it was taking as much of a toll on him as it was on her. He’d never shown those types of emotions around her.
“Clarissa,” the Countess said suddenly, dragging Alicia out of her head. “Are you sure you have enough gowns for the upcoming Season. You don’t think we should have a few more made for you?”’
Lady Clarissa looked up at her mother with eyes glittering with excitement. “I don’t think I can ever have enough ball gowns.”
Lady Dalwater matched her daughter's enthusiasm easily. “Of course, there is no limit! It is your first Season after all. We have to make sure that you are the most beautiful, most fashionable lady in London. It’s settled. I’m coming with you into town tomorrow to have a few more dresses made for you.”
“And hats, Mother,” Lady Clarissa said eagerly. “I have a feeling I’ll be going on many walks through Hyde Park with many suitors. Don’t you think so, Lady Alicia?”
“You are quite beautiful, Lady Clarissa,” Alicia said with a tight smile. “I don’t have any doubts about that.”
Lady Clarissa only nodded, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
Any talk of the upcoming Season made her stomach clench with apprehension. On a day like this, talk of the Season was the last thing she wanted to hear. She consoled herself with the thought that at least she would never have to subject herself to that ever again.
“Speaking of the Season,” her brother spoke up. “I got word from a friend of mine that he planned on attending. This year’s Season is bound to be quite festive, I believe.”
“Oh?” The Countess leaned closer with intrigue shining in her eyes. “Which friend are you referring to?”
“Only the Duke of Quisenbury, of course.”
Alicia’s heartbeat spiked. What?
“Ah, yes,” the Earl said with a knowing nod. “The new Duke of Quisenbury. I had heard that the late Duke passed away. I suppose his son has come to take his place?”
“He is back from the military,” Francis went on; seemingly unaware of the fact that Alicia had stopped eating. Everyone was looking at Francis while he spoke, interested in hearing about the new Duke—except Alicia. His words only played over and over in her head. The Duke of Quisenbury is back.
“I only just received the letter when I returned from India,” Francis continued. “But it says he has been in London for a few months now. He has invited me to London for the Season as well.”
“The Duke of Quisenbury.” Alicia’s eyes shot up to Lady Clarissa when she heard her friend’s thoughtful tone. Her heart clenched when she saw the light of intrigue in her eyes. “Is he handsome?”
“Clarissa,” Lord Dalwater hissed.
Lady Clarissa giggled, waving her father off. “Oh, Father, I’m only joking. You know that.” Then she returned her attention to Francis. “I would love to meet him, though. If he’s a friend of yours, then I’m sure he’s very interesting. You’re not one to surround yourself with boorish people.”
“You thought correctly, My Lady,” Francis said with a wink and Lady Clarissa giggled again.
Alicia slowly resumed eating. She was used to having the conversation at the dinner table go on without her, and especially today, she didn’t particularly mind at all. And at the discussion of the Duke, she was even more determined to keep quiet, lest she showed everyone in the room how much the mere mention of him made her flustered.
She knew the Duke personally. Not well, but well enough to inspire fantasies about one day being courted by him. It had been years since she’d last seen him but she had no doubt that he was as handsome as she remembered him to be. Her stomach erupted with butterflies at the thought of seeing him again.
But that isn’t likely to happen. She wouldn't be going to London for the Season and it was unlikely that the Duke would not find a wife during that time. Impossible, really. Like all those years ago, when she’d grown to realize how bland looking she was compared to the other ladies of the ton, Alicia told herself that since it was not meant to be, she was better off not thinking about it.
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Thank you very much!
Also by Scarlett Osborne
Thank you for reading Undressed to Impress the Duke!
I hope you enjoyed it! If you did, may I ask you to please write a review HERE? It would mean the world to me. Reviews are very important and allow me to keep writing the books that you love to read! ♥
Some other stories of mine:
A Touch of Sin for the Elusive Duke
Unmasked by the Alluring Duke
A Sinful Lady for the Proper Marquess
Sinfully Bound to the Enigmatic Viscount
Seducing the Perfectly Enchanting Marquess
Courteously Seduced by an Enigmatic Duke
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Scarlett Osborne
About the Author
Born in the Sunshine State of Florida, but of both British and Nordic descent, Scarlett Osborne grew up reading historical romances from the land of her ancestors. Fascinated with the British society of the 1800s and armed with a wild imagination, she obtained a degree in Creative Writing and immediately started her career as a Regency romance author.
A daydreamer extraordinaire, Scarlett likes to jump in the shoes of her heroines, immersing herself in her own stories, living the adventures that she wished she had experienced as a child. An avid reader and fan of the outdoors, Scarlett spends her free time either reading or going on long horseback rides along with her two sons.
Get lost in a land of enchantment, where adventure and love await around every corner...Scarlett hopes that through her heroes, you too will get to live a whirlwind romance in the Regency era, when fairytales were real and all dreams possible!
storical Regency Romance Novel
Undressed to Impress the Duke : A Steamy Historical Regency Romance Novel Page 30