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Every Lady Wanted the Duke — But He Chose the Chubby Girl Who Didn’t Even Notice Him

Every Lady Wanted the Duke — But He Chose the Chubby Girl Who Didn’t Even Notice Him

Chapter 16

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Mabel kept chewing. "I was slicing."Lucien folded his arms. "The housekeeper says the distinction is irrelevant."Mabel selected another piece of cheese. "What did Hobb do?"Lucien kept his voice low. "He visited the steward's office."Mabel looked up. "Alone?"Lucien nodded. "He believed nobody was watching."Mabel smiled slightly. "That is useful."Lucien watched her. "He also asked whether you had received any more letters."Mabel nodded. "Then he will send another."Lucien frowned. "Why?"Mabel kept her voice calm. "Because a successful liar repeats himself. It reassures him."Lucien watched her chew. "You are enjoying this."Mabel pointed at the cheese. "I am enjoying the cheese."Lucien kept his gaze on her. "That was not what I meant."Mabel raised an eyebrow. "Then ask a clearer question."Lucien did not. He was distracted by the fact that Mabel had somehow acquired a smear of jam on her sleeve. She looked entirely untroubled by it.The second letter arrived two days later. It claimed that Mabel had been seen gambling in Bath; it claimed that she had a secret husband in Scotland; it claimed that she had once broken a bishop's nose with a soup ladle. The bishop was real; the soup ladle was not.Mabel read the letter at breakfast. "I am impressed by the variety."Lucien's aunt took the page. "You have never been to Bath."Mabel buttered her toast. "I have never broken a bishop's nose."The Marchioness looked at her. "Have you gambled?"Mabel nodded. "At cards once. I lost three shillings to a woman who cheated with her elbow."The Marchioness looked at Lucien. "Where did you find her?"Lucien kept his expression blank. "At a musicale."The Marchioness set down the letter. "You should have left her there."Lucien picked up his fork. "She saved the dinner."The Marchioness folded her arms. "She has also invited scandal into my breakfast room."Mabel folded the letter. "Scandal is cheaper than entertainment."The Duke's aunt examined her over the rim of her cup. "Do you truly intend to remain in this arrangement for six weeks?"Mabel nodded. "That is what I was paid for."The Marchioness narrowed her eyes. "And afterward?"
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Every Lady Wanted the Duke — But He Chose the Chubby Girl Who Didn’t Even Notice Him

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