The next week went by in a daze. Fiona and the Duke had avoided each other all the while. Only on one occasion had they come face to face—after he'd returned from town. They'd greeted each other stiffly and then had dashed off into their respective havens.

The entire household could sense that their lively and talkative Miss Butterworth was now solemn and quiet. But they were happy that she was here to stay—now that the duchess had made her position permanent.

As for Fiona herself, she'd decided to forgive the Duke and herself for that night. She'd blamed the lateness of the hour to justify her actions but she knew better. Then again, it was pointless to berate herself. What was done was done. She'd just make sure that it never happened again.

After that she was too busy to indulge in self pity because the house party was to begin. The Duchess—who was now on her feet again was overlooking the preparations and asked for Fiona's opinion on everything. What was ironical was that Fiona didn't know a thing about house parties and balls. She had received an extensive education from her father, but her knowledge was limited to history, mathematics, greek and basic sciences. She could run her tiny home well enough, of course. But that didn't mean she could take over the management of a Duke's household with ease.

While she found it odd that the dowager duchess was taking her help, she didn't protest. At this point, she would welcome anything challenging just to keep her mind off the handsome Duke that resided there.

*******************

Nate stood by his fiancé, brooding all the while as he took in Fiona's appearance as she flitted about but never left his mother's side for too long.

She shouldn't have been here. But his mother had sputtered some nonsense about there not being enough women to match the number of men. He knew this was all a ploy because his mother wanted to catch a husband for her dear companion. Not that he cared, he told himself.

He'd agreed to his mother's plea, thinking there'd be no harm.

But he hadn't imagined that Fiona would be dressed in the soft, practical yet pretty muslin gown that she was wearing now. The neckline was much lower than that of her usual dark gowns. And that displayed quite a lot of her creamy chest and swanlike neck. He didn't mind the view. But he hated that the other men were noticing her untouched beauty and were just as taken by her as him.

God damnit, but this was a disaster.

He'd made an enormous mistake by agreeing to his mother's request. He'd been an idiot to think that it was perfectly alright to have the woman he was going to marry and the woman he was lusting after under the same roof. He was a cad, an utter ass.

Sophia touched his arm and Nate turned towards her, half hoping she hadn't caught him staring at his mother's companion and hoping more secretly that she had.

"Are you alright?" she smiled at him.

Nate nodded stiffly, oddly untouched by her smile.

"Who is that woman?"

"Who?" Nate feigned nonchalance.

"That plain woman in the pink gown, next to your mother," Sophia said, her eyes twinkling.

Nate was about to tell her that Fiona was not plain, but he held himself back. He looked at Sophia carefully and found that there was no malice on her face. She looked like she'd just made an innocent observation.

"You mean Miss Butterworth? She is mother's new companion," he said.

"Isn't she a little too young to be a competent companion?"

"I wouldn't question Fiona on her competency were I you," he chuckled. He realised what he'd just said a little too late.

This time Sophia was looking at him more carefully, her green eyes searching his face keenly.

"It appears you know her quite well," she said finally.

"I couldn't allow just anyone near my mother," he shrugged noncommittally while mentally chiding himself.

If Fiona was to continue working for him, it wouldn't do if Sophia developed any form of jealousy towards her.

Sophia nodded, apparently satisfied with his answer.

But Nate knew he couldn't afford to repeat such a mistake.

"Why don't you introduce us? It would be prudent if she continues working here after we marry," she smiled shyly.

Again, Nate was unaffected but he murmured his assent and began leading her towards where Fiona stood, surrounded by some people.

Fiona's carefree laughter reached him before he could reach her. His muscles tightened reflexively and he had to force himself to relax, to appear composed.

"I hope Nathaniel and I aren't interrupting," Sophia said breezily as they joined the group. Everyone was loud in their reassurances that they were very pleased to have her join their conversation.

Only Fiona was silent. At first her eyes had widened on seeing him. Then her gaze slid to Sophia on his arm. Her animation as she was recounting some antidote immediately vanished.

After that, she refused to look at him.

"Miss Butterworth," he started, leaving her no choice but to acknowledge him. "This is Lady Sophia. And this is Miss Butterworth, Sophia."

Fiona curtseyed and greeted her with a smile.

"I'm pleased to make your acquaintance, Miss Butterworth," Sophia smiled back. "I hope we shall get on well. I understand you will remain here until some gentleman sweeps you off your feet. And while I'm sure her grace loves having you around, I wouldn't wish a sweet girl like you to rusticate here in the country."

Nate frowned. Is that what Sophia thought about the country? Did she or did she not know that they would be spending the majority of the year here?

"I'm sure we will get on very well," Fiona said politely, ignoring the rest of Sophia's musings. But the other gentlemen weren't so eager to let her words pass.

"Of course! With you off the market, I'd despaired that I'd not find any woman worth her salt, Lady Sophia. But meeting Miss Butterworth has indeed relieved me in that regard," Lord Winston grinned down at Fiona. The other men murmured their agreements.

And although Fiona blushed, it was more out of embarrassment. But that didn't mean that Nate didn't wasn't to strangle Winston.

"You are much too kind, Lord Winston," Fiona replied.

"Lord Winston is rarely kind. I believe he is taken by you, Miss Butterworth," Sophia tittered.

Fiona began to stutter under all of their watchful gazes and Nate wanted to strangle his fiancé for making her uncomfortable. Unlike Sophia, Fiona wasn't used to the attentions of men, hell this was probably the first house party she was attending.

"Miss Butterworth, I think my mother is looking for you," Nate interrupted them. Fiona shot him a grateful glance before murmuring her apologies to them and dashing off. And in a few minutes, Sophia was called by one of her friends and she too, left.

"It's just unfair that you've kept her hidden all this while, your grace" Winston whined, just as Sophia left.

"Yes, isn't it enough that you have Lady Sophia?" Baron Grayson muttered.

Winston was handsome and a few years his junior. Since he was an Earl, it would be quite shocking if he set his sights on Fiona. But such unions weren't uncommon. And that made Nate angry. He couldn't let that ass have Fiona, she deserved better.

"I'd advice you to stay away from Miss Butterworth."

"Why?" Winston watched him shrewdly.

"Because she is in my employment and I am responsible for her."

"She isn't a child, Duke. I'm sure she can take care of herself. And my intentions are pure, I assure you. Surely you cannot begrudge me then?"

"Is it marriage you're offering then?" Nate challenged, the reckless words falling from his mouth before he could stop himself.

"If she'd have me," Winston grinned. He'd never been able to resist a challenge and Nate had been a fool to issue one.

"I propose a wager that Winston here will woo Miss Butterworth by the end of this house party," the idiot Baron spoke up.

Before Nate knew it, there were several men wagering on Winston.

And he knew that in his fit of jealously, he'd probably made the biggest mistake of his life.

****************