Page 29 (2/2)

“But are you acquainted with the Duke of Soenie’s self-effacing jests

“Yes I o” Well, that at least was true

“Met hiasped

“No, of course not That would be silly” Eugenie forced a laugh “Met hio, I meant We have spoken many times since and—and written”

She was ht to be over With any luck the Duke of So and then after a decent time she could bury him

Averil was speaking “I’ve heard he is rather particular in his choice of friends A snob, in other words I cannot see hi down to dinner with a mere baronet!”

“He is a poood for the rest of us!” Tina added hotly “I have been cut by hih enie Why would you wish to spend your life with such a creature?”

“I, too, must express my doubts as to his suitability to be your husband,” Averil went on, a little wrinkle of concern creasing her smooth brow “He is not soenie, he is said to be arrogant and cold, quite unlike you!”

The final words burst out of her and there was a murmur of doubt from the others

“We’ve all heard you speak about your fa way “Are you sure you haven’t chosen Somerton because he is the exact opposite of them?”

Now Eugenie felt her skin flush, as it was prone to do when she was feeling e out It all carandrandenie’s hair was more brown than red, she had inherited the tendency to freckle and to blush

But it was true Her rackety family was the bane of her life Her friends knew the trials and tribulations she faced when it came to her family, and there was truth in what Marissa had said—she did drea someone as the polar opposite of the baronet, her father

“There is no point in denying it” Eugenie sighed theatrically “You’re right I have a desperate desire to be conventional And the Duke of Somerton is the most respectable man I know Will he love me? Do I love him? I think I could love hiht be fun to find out Just think, I could be the firs

t Belmont to be respectable”

They were silent and she knew they thought she was indulging in wishful thinking Why would the enie knew she was no beauty She was sure to speak of Her hair was broith red tints and curled wildly despite her efforts to subdue it, while her features were too sharp to be considered ravitate toward her at balls and parties, but she thought that was because she laughed at their jokes and listened syht of her as more like a sister than a possible romantic partner

Why, oh why had she chosen such an unlikely man to be her husband? Why had that particular name popped into her head? But it was too late now The hole she had dug for herself was too deep to get out of She’d just have to continue on and hope that at sole out of the mess she’d created

She lifted her pointed chin, fixing her friends with her clear green eyes “Yes, Soree he can appear rather stuck-up and—and proud But that isn’t the real Soenerous and kind; soh at himself”

Olivia grasped her hand “And, Eugenie, you are just the girl to bring out the best in him But how do you know he isn’t exactly as he seems to Averil and Tina? Are you so well acquainted with him?”

“I would not say I know him intimately, but I have seen him as few people can say they have”

It was true She had seen beneath the pompous exterior of Sinclair St John, the Duke of Soined, however Noas the enie Bel a duke

She gave a secretive little smile

“Eugenie! Tell us! Please!” they begged

“It happened three o”