She crossed the room in six quick strides and placed herself between Nora and the Duke's line of sight, which Percival felt was either extremely brave or extremely foolish, depending on how the next 30 seconds went. "Your Grace," Lady Farroww said, "I must respectfully clarify. My niece is here in a supporting capacity only. I have three daughters who were properly presented to your household through the correct channels. Miss Clarissa Farrow is my eldest.
She is accomplished, well-read, and has been praised by three separate music instructors for her talent at the pianoforte. Miss Delia Farrow has managed our household accounts since she was 17. Miss Tilda Farrow, my youngest, is considered by many in Ketmore to be among the loveliest young women of her generation. " The Duke let her finish. He was polite in that particular way that powerful men sometimes are. Not the kind of politeness that has nothing to do with deference and everything to do with patience.
Then he said, "Where is Miss Vane from? " Lady Farroww paused. "Ketmore, your grace. " "As I said, she is my late sister's daughter. She has no fortune, no establishment of her own, and no particular "Ketmore," the Duke repeated as though the name meant something to him. Nora, who had been standing very still during this exchange, spoke then. Her voice was quiet, but steady.
"Your grace, I think Lady Farroww is right. I believe there may be some confusion. I was not presented. I'm not on any list. I am here because my aunt needed help with her pins this morning, and the maid was busy. " Several people in the room made small sounds, the kind of sounds that meant they were trying very hard not to react.
The Duke looked at her. "You repaired your aunt's dress this morning? " "Her brooch pin had come loose from the backing. It was a simple fix. " "And the hem you were working on when I entered? " "Miss Tilda's, your grace. She caught it on a chair leg in the carriage. " "So you came to Ashvale Manor to mend things? " Nora's chin lifted just slightly. "I came to be useful. " The Duke was quiet for a moment.
Something moved behind his eyes, but Percival could not name what it was. He had worked for this man for 11 years and had learned to read most of his silences. This one he could not place. "Clear the room," the Duke said. That caused more immediate chaos than the first declaration had.
Lady Farroww inhaled sharply. The matchmaker, a stout woman named Mrs. Corbett, who had been arranging noble marriages for 30 years and had never once been dismissed from a room mid-selection, pressed her hand to her chest. The 10 candidates stirred like a flock of birds, uncertain whether to land or fly. "Your grace," Mrs.
Corbett said, her voice carrying the weight of considerable professional indignation. "A private meeting with an unpresented young woman would be highly irregular. Without a chaperone present, it would be, frankly, scandalous. " "Then stay," the duke said to her. "Everyone else, leave. " Mrs. Corbett blinked.