Read The Duke I’m Going to Marry (Farthingale Series Book 2) for Free Online Page B

always odors emanating off the Thames, no matter what time of year.
    “How is His Grace, by the way?” Although she thought of him as Ian, and at his urging would call him that whenever they were alone, he was a duke and his title had to be respected when in the company of others.
    “Looking fit as ever.” Gabriel eased onto the settee beside Daisy and lazily stretched his arm across its back. He looked so comfortable and happy. So did Daisy. “He had business in town and had to come down early.”
    “Will he be off before the season starts?” Daisy asked. She poured her husband a cup of tea, and then rose to take Ivy from Dillie’s arms when Ivy began to fuss.
    Dillie wasn’t quite ready to let go of the little bundle in her arms, so she motioned for Daisy to sit down. “I have her. Go on, Gabriel. You were saying?”
    Gabriel frowned lightly, as though worried about his friend. “He plans to remain in London, even though he knows it’s dangerous for a bachelor to do so. He’s raw meat and every predatory society mother will be after him for one of her daughters.”
    Dillie rocked her niece in her arms to keep her content. “Hear that, Ivy? England’s most eligible bachelor is going to brave the London battlefield. Should make for an exciting few months.”
    Ivy let out a squawk. Then another. Then she let out a howl that filled the room despite her tiny lungs. Daisy sighed as she rose again. “Nap time for you. Nanny Grenville’s waiting for you upstairs.”
    Dillie once more motioned for her to stay seated. “I’ll take her up. I know the way.” She patted Ivy’s back gently as she continued to rock her. “You two lovebirds seem to need a moment alone anyway.”
    Gabriel laughed and nudged Daisy down beside him. “Excellent idea. Let me show you just how much I missed you.”
    Daisy lightly swatted him on the shoulder. “Come right back, Dillie. You haven’t touched your tea yet. More important, we haven’t exchanged the juiciest bits of gossip.”
    “First of all, I haven’t got anywhere else to go, so you’re well and truly stuck with me all afternoon. Sorry, Gabriel, you’ll simply have to endure. And second, I love gossip.” She made a silly face that evoked another giggle out of Ivy. “I hope you have something thoroughly scandalous to share, because I have no news whatsoever. Life at Coniston has been dull as dishwater.”
    She walked into the hallway, singing softly to the squirming bundle in her arms, but hadn’t quite made it to the stairs when Ivy suddenly let out another squawk and decided to get playful. She grabbed Dillie’s hair with one tiny hand, winding her fingers in what was left of Dillie’s once stylish curls and efficiently pulling out several more pins.
    At the same time, she raised the other tiny fist and wound her fingers in the loop of her earring. Then, with a demonic grin, she tugged with all her little might. Dillie let out a laughing yelp. “No, Ivy! Let go of Auntie Dillie. You need to—ow!”
    Apparently, her niece took Dillie’s pained laughter as a request to continue. She tugged again, taking out more hairpins with one pudgy hand while pulling on the earring with the other. “Ow. No, I—”
    Ivy squealed and began a new game called Slap Dillie’s Face. Thankfully, playing that game meant she had to release the earring she’d been holding in a death grip. While Ivy was busy slapping Dillie’s nose, Dillie managed to extricate her little fingers from the strands of her hair, but not before significant damage was done to her fashionable chignon.
    “Need assistance?” someone asked from behind her.
    She whirled to face the new arrival. Ian.
    “Like your new hairstyle.” He gave her a long, lazy grin that warmed her blood and made her heart skip beats. “That crazed, maniacal look suits you, Daffy. Not every woman can pull it off as well as you do.”
    She hastily attempted to tuck the stray ends behind her throbbing ear, but she knew she was