Miles Lesson - Jennifer Connors.pdf

about? Or has she decided to retire early?”
Elinore's eyes flashed again, but this time with something more ugly.
Gathering her wits and trying her best to look placid, she responded,
“As I said earlier, Natalie prefers the company of her books. She
decided to retire as soon as dinner was over.”
Arching an eyebrow, “Oh, she reads, does she? I have recently read a
few novels myself. I wonder if she has had the pleasure. Perhaps
tomorrow, I will seek her out and see if she would like to borrow
them.” Miles knew he was being cruel, but he simply couldn't help
himself. For a woman who was taught everything she needed to know
to lure a man, Elinore was easily displaced. Her mouth resembled a
fish out of water, gasping for breath.
“My cousin will not be below stairs tomorrow, your grace. She has
many duties to attend and will not be joining in the activities.”
“Pity, that. She seems a nice, young lady. Why does she not wish to
join in all the trivial pursuits my mother has planned?”
“Your grace, really? She is my companion,” Elinore drew closer and
whispered the rest of her reply. “She is but a servant to me. Surely
you do not expect her to act the role of proper, young lady.”
Before he could stop himself, Miles' expression turned dark.
Recovering quickly, but not before Elinore saw her grave mistake, he
replied, “As your cousin, I would have thought Miss Tibbets would be
treated as family, not as an employee.”
With that, Miles walked away, leaving Elinore speechless and staring
at his back. Lady Norbury, her mother, walked up to stand next to her
daughter as she watched the duke's back.
“You had the duke's attention for a good ten minutes, my dear.
Excellent work.” Lady Norbury knew that it was her daughter that
would be chosen. She was, after all, the prettiest and most graceful of
all the young chits attending.
“Mother, Sutherland keeps asking about Natalie. Why would he care