Sarah's Duke: and Ellie's Gentleman (The heir and the spare, book 1) by Georgiana Louis

Charlotte bested by anyone in a conversation. She had been trained by her mother, a true dragon of the ton .
    “Excuse me,” Lady Charlotte bobbed a shallow curtsy and turned on her heel before she could say anything else.
    Oliver shook his head and turned back to his friend. “What was that about? That is the first time I have ever seen Charlotte back down from a fight.”
    “She probably doesn’t think I’m worth fighting with.”
    Archie’s eyes were following Charlotte’s retreating figure and Oliver wondered about what he had just witnessed. If he didn’t know better, he would have thought Archie was interested in Charlotte, but he couldn’t be. Could he? Their group of friends didn’t think of her like that, having brotherly feelings towards her.
    “John tells me you have shown interest in someone. Is she here?” Archie carefully pitched his voice so that no one else could hear him.
    “No, she’s not. And I’m not interested in her.” He should have thought before opening his mouth.
    Archie chuckled softly.
    “Where is she, then?” Archie asked just as quietly.
    “Not here, that is for sure. Let’s join John for a brandy in the card room. I’m in the mood for a night at the cards.”
    They retreated to the card room and had a drink. Oliver didn’t stop at one drink. He gambled too much and drank more than he had in years. His plans for meeting the demi-mondaines and partying until the early hours of the morning were forgotten in the endless glasses of hard liquor. John poured him into his carriage and it was the last thing Oliver remembered. He didn’t remember getting home, he didn’t remember his butler getting him into bed. All he remembered the next day was a pounding in his head that beat to the drum of Where is Sarah?
    ****
    Sarah had not enjoyed her days off from the ton circuit. She had spent them eating pastries, and now wondered if she would fit into the expensive wardrobe her mother had invested. She had also spent the week trying not to think about a certain Duke who invaded her thoughts even whilst she slept.
    She dressed carefully for the night’s festivities. She had never been to the opera before and would most likely never get to attend again. Especially not in a ducal box, which she would be sharing with Charlotte and her older brother John tonight.
    “Sarah, the Duke’s carriage has arrived.” Her mother’s shrill voice rang through the house. Sarah knew her mother was more nervous than she was, if that was possible.
    “I’ll be down in a moment,” Sarah called out, smoothing her dress down her slim waist and noting the roundness of her full breasts, which her opera dress did nothing to disguise.
    “Good night mother,” Sarah kissed her mother on the cheek, grabbed her cloak and headed off into the night with Charlotte and her brother John.
    “Good evening to you, Miss Collins,” John nodded his head slightly, as the carriage didn’t allow him to stand and make his bow.
    “Good evening. Lord John. Good evening, Lady Charlotte.” Sarah breathed. Almost unable to get past the anxiety in her stomach, she grabbed for her friend’s hands.
    “Oh, Lady Charlotte, what if I do something wrong? What am I meant to do at the opera? I have never been and I’m so nervous. Please tell me everything.”
    Charlotte and John both laughed loudly, making Sarah blush crimson.
    “You do not have to do anything other than be yourself. Walk in, watch the opera and walk out.” Charlotte smiled confidently and Sarah felt her stomach drop nervously again.
    “But will I have to talk to anyone? Will people be able to see me?”
    This time, only John laughed but Charlotte smiled.
    “Of course people can see you. That is half the fun of the opera. Being able to see what everyone else is wearing and doing, but not having to talk to them.”
    “Oh.”
    “Is anyone else going to be there tonight whom I know?” Sarah asked quietly, dropping her eyes so her new friends would not see the