A Duchess a Day (Awakened by a Kiss #1) - Charis Michaels Page 0,35
about. I must be consulted. From the beginning. There is too much at stake to mishandle this.”
“Well, look who is now keenly interested in not mishandling this,” she said. “Previously I had to beg you to stand in the garden and take down a few names.” She crossed her arms over her chest.
“The notion of stealing away from this house every afternoon is improbable and dangerous,” he lectured. “Perhaps you could manage it once or twice, but not seven times.”
“Alright,” she said, and his brain misfired. He’d not expected her to agree.
He cleared his throat. “Do you have the list of potential duchesses from Lady Canning’s party?”
“You need only ask.” She slid a piece of parchment across the glass case.
He stared at her, suspicious of some duplicity or conceit. Her expression was open and bright. She looked interested. She looked so beautiful his heart lurched.
“If I remember correctly,” he said, dropping her schedule beside the list, “these women can be found at known locales around the city. The errands and social calls on your mother’s schedule are, likewise, scattered about town. Why not engineer some sort of encounter with as many as possible while we are out? If we are shrewd and crafty,” he added, “and if your family and Lusk continue to ignore you. If a miracle occurs, this may work.”
Slowly, Helena began to bob her head. “So we would scout the girls while we are on morning calls?”
“In theory—yes. Look, tomorrow you are meant to be in New Bond Street for a fitting. This girl . . .” he pointed to the duchess list, “. . . is said to frequent New Bond to shop nearly every day. This one . . .” he pointed down the list, “. . . goes to the country market in Wandsworth for medicinal herbs. You are scheduled to visit Lusk’s farm in Wandsworth, not a mile from the market, on Tuesday. And on and on it goes. At least four of their known haunts align with your business in town. The others, we can improvise while your mother naps. A ride in Hyde Park would opportune this one.” He pointed again. “These two you can approach at this Winter Solstice ball.”
She made a face. “I was hoping to decline the Winter Solstice ball. It’s a masquerade.”
“If you can encounter these girls as a matter of course, you’ll lower the risk of discovery. They’ll be less confused when you turn up.” He glanced at her. “It’s a very long shot. We will need incredible luck on our side. But—”
“I love it.” She beamed at him.
And just like that, Declan felt his fight drain away.
“Aren’t you clever,” she went on, studying the notes more closely.
He forced his brain and mouth to work. “Right. So, tomorrow. The fitting in New Bond Street.” He pointed at the map. “If your discoveries about these women can be believed, this girl . . . Lady Genevieve . . . would consider no other street for her compulsive shopping.”
“Yes! Lady Genevieve,” Helena enthused, rounding the case to stand beside him and peer at the map. The closeness conjured the smell of clean air and apple tarts. His vision blurred. He squeezed his eyes shut.
“Have you worked out what you will say when you approach these women?”
She nodded, the satin bow at the base of her neck sliding up and down her shoulders. Declan fought the urge to reach out and give it a gentle tug.
“I’ll need to revise it now,” she mused. “I am working on several renditions. I am not so hopeful as to think every girl is appropriate for Lusk. If they look all wrong, I’ll not approach them. If they seem alarmed or put off by my vague suggestions, I’ll retreat. I’ll only move in if the girl has real potential. And, in the end, I’ll invite the best candidates to meet the duke at Girdleston’s birthday party next week.”
“Can you invite strangers to Girdleston’s party?”
“Oh, he invites half of London,” she said dismissively, “the man has no real friends.”
She looked again at the first girl on the list, Lady Genevieve Vance. “For this girl, I’ll be prepared to dangle Lusk’s great wealth. If she likes the shops, she’ll want to hear of all his vast houses to redecorate.”
“The conversations will be your purview,” Declan said. “I’ll always be nearby, but my actions and behavior will be limited to that of a servant and—”
“I’m sorry you have to serve me,” she said, glancing up. “Truly.”