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The duke sat beside Felicia in his coach, and she was very aware of the stares they received froton Square

She turned and found the duke’s silver eyes alive with pleasure “You look fetching in that little chip bonnet”

She beaown and brown Spencer, don’t you think?”

He chuckled and gravely inclined his head “I do”

She laughed “Ah, you arefun of me”

“Felicia,” he said softly “Are you excited about this evening?”

“Yes, and no … I would have been more comfortable if Becky were here already I had hoped she would have been allowed to accompany us, but I expect she and her father will arrive in London soon, and that will be wonderful” She brightened “And Scott said he will attend, so there is that” She cocked a look at him “Where is Scott, do you know? I have not seen hi”

“He went off with some friends he had bu together for the season”

“Do youwith you in the meantime?”

“Not at all He is a very good fellow”

Felicia sighed “It is, you know, dashed inconvenient … being your ward”

“Is it? Because it is dashed inconvenient being your guardian,” he answered, his voice low and suddenly husky

“Because I know you would like to kiss me, and now you can’t” She dimpled at him

“You are a she-devil, but, yes, I would like to kiss you, and now I can’t,” he said on a hungry note

“Why?” she returned “Why can’t you? Whose business is it but ours?”