The Decadent Duke Read online

  He winked. “Scottish lassies make the best partners.”

  “Do you mean in the dance, Lord Lauderdale, or in marriage?”

  “Call me James. In both, come to think of it. I wish these musicians would play us a rousing reel.”

  After the partners changed half a dozen more times, Georgina saw that the next man in line was Francis Russell. She masked her amusement that he would no longer be able to ignore her.

  He nodded politely, but did not smile.

  “Your Grace, it is such an honor.”

  “The honor is mine.V His tone was cool and detached.

  “Yes, indeed it is.”

  A fierce light kindled in his eyes, proving he was neither cool nor detached. “You are playing a teasing game of cat and mouse.” He placed his hand on her waist and squeezed. “I would enjoy playing other games with you, Georgina.”

  He’s flirting outrageously with me, yet I feel absolutely nothing, apart from distaste. “Lanterloo, perhaps?” She tried to keep the sarcasm from her voice, knowing she would be rid of him in a moment or two.

  “We could play for forfeits,” he said with a leer.

  Georgina heard the echo of her brother’s words: You shouldn’t banter with Bedford like that. He is a known womanizer.

  When the contradance ended, Georgina’s mother cornered her.

  “When Bedford partnered you, I hope you encouraged him.”

  “He needed no encouragement. His manner was most familiar.”

  “Splendid! I knew if you plied him with charm, he wouldn’t be able to resist you.”

  “Lady Gordon,” a Scots voice boomed. Lord Lauderdale bent his head confidentially toward Jane. “This ball canna compare to yours. These musicians dinna know how to play reels.”

  “James, you are too kind.”

  Georgina saw John Russell walking a straight path toward her and went suddenly weak in the knees.

  He nodded politely to her mother. “Lady Gordon.” Then he spoke to Lauderdale. “James, if I can steal you from the ladies, I’d like you to join me in a drink.”

  “There’s an offer I never refuse. Holland told me ye were looking for me.” He bowed gallantly to Jane and Georgina. “Please excuse us, ladies?”

  The uncouth brute totally ignored me. She was highly offended and stared after him, feeling strangely abandoned. If the surly sod does ask me to dance, I shall refuse him outright!

  Georgina was rescued by the Earl of Spencer’s son, Lord Althorp. Jack, Lady Dorothy’s cousin, was a red-haired scamp of eighteen and a fun-loving friend of Georgina’s.

  “Jack, I’m so glad you are here. I looked for you earlier, but couldn’t find you.V

  “I’ve only just arrived. There was a hell of a row at Spencer House tonight. Since the Duchess of Devonshire is Father’s sister, he insisted that we must attend. Mother adamantly refused because she detests her sister-in-law.”

  Georgina laughed. “Poor Lavinia lost the argument.”

  “Absolutely not,” Jack said with a grin. “She went off to the theater instead with an old admirer.”

  After she danced with Jack, she felt thirsty and headed toward a refreshment room. She encountered John Russell at the doorway.

  A look of amusement crossed his face. “Are you by any chance looking for me, Lady Georgina?”

  Conceited swine! “Sorry to disappoint you, Russell. The only thing I’m looking for is a glass of champagne.”

  The amusement left his face. “Aren’t you a little young for champagne, mistress?”

  “God in his goodness sent the grapes to cheer both great and small; little fools will drink too much, and great fools none at all,” she quoted.

  John felt the urge to protect her. “Wine can steal the senses and lead a young lady into trouble.”

  “I certainly hope so. Trouble is my middle name.”

  “Must you always be so extreme?”

  “Indeed I must. Extremes are sharp black and white . . . that’s why I love them.”

  Georgina returned to the ballroom, where Prince Edward partnered her again. He tried to lure her into a rendezvous, and she gave him a set down. Nevertheless, the prince’s advances made her feel vulnerable and she sought the safe company of Lord Holland. After Henry partnered her, Georgina’s confidence was restored, and she went on to dance with Lord Petty and the Earl of Winchilsea. After that, Lord Granville Leveson Gower asked her to dance.

  After so many dances, Georgina found the ballroom extremely warm and stuffy, and she fanned herself to catch her breath. She saw her mother, who’d been in deep conversation with their hostess, raise her head and search the ballroom with her eyes. Lord, she’s looking for me. Georgina slipped out onto a balcony and drew in a deep breath of fresh air.

  She lifted her face to the dark sky and gazed at the glittering stars. After a few moments of blissful solitude, she noticed the aroma of tobacco and sensed that she was not alone. She glanced across the stone balcony and saw the glow of a lit cheroot.

  “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb you.”

  “You don’t disturb me, little girl.”

  She drew in a swift breath as she recognized the deep voice.

  “You!” she accused.

  “Obviously you were expecting someone else.”

  She was outraged at his accusation. “Surely you don’t suspect me of arranging a tryst out here on the balcony?”

  “I suspect you are capable of arranging anything you damn well please, Georgina Gordon.”

  Her anger flared. Why are we like flint and tinder whenever we meet? The answer was obvious. The shrewd devil knew her too well. She had no defenses against him.

  “Go to the devil, old man!”

  Chapter 12

  “Georgina! Don’t you dare fall asleep. I am most disappointed in you.” Jane Gordon shook her daughter’s arm.

  Georgina had dropped off to sleep the moment she sat down in the carriage on the way home from the all-night ball.

  “Lady Dorothy somehow persuaded Francis Russell to partner her in four dances, while all you managed was two minutes in the contradance.”

  “It’s not a competition, Mother.”

  “That is exactly what it is—the Gordons against the Devonshires—and we are losing. Badly!”

  “What makes you think that?”

  “The Duchess of Devonshire smugly informed me that they have invited the Duke of Bedford for a visit to Chatsworth next week, and that Francis Russell has accepted!”

  A wave of relief washed over Georgina. If the duke was courting Lady Dorothy, she could cross him off her list of prospective suitors.

  “Well, two can play at that game. I shall write to Susan and have her issue Bedford an invitation from the Duke and Duchess of Manchester to visit Kimbolton Castle the moment he returns. Cambridgeshire is far more convenient than a trek up to Derbyshire at this time of year. Why, his Woburn estate is just a stone’s throw from Kimbolton.”

  Georgina climbed from the carriage, eager to reach the sanctity of her own bedchamber. Her mother followed on her heels as she ascended the stairs, rattling off plans to snatch the marriage prize of the decade from the clutches of the Duchess of Devonshire. Hell and furies, all I want is my bed.

  “I’m glad you talked me into going to the Devonshires’ ball last night, Francis. There were more Whigs there than in the House of Commons.”

  “It’s always like that. Devonshire House is like our own private club, complete with gaming. I’m invited to visit Chatsworth next week.”

  “Will you go?” John asked his brother.

  “Well, they’re obviously offering their daughter. I need to assess Chatsworth and its treasures to see if it compensates for the sacrifice that marriage would demand.V

  John did not utter the biting remark that sprang to his lips. Instead he sorted through the post that had just been delivered and opened a letter from his wife.

  Since you cannot bring yourself to write more than one letter per week, you make it
abundantly clear that you no longer love me. The absence of your letters demonstrates your complete rejection.

  Your sentiments of tenderness have been entirely wanting for some time. It is obvious that you no longer value my friendship and have come to despise me because of my lowness of spirits.

  I have been quite happy here with my dearest sister, Isabelle. I believe it would be better for both of us to live apart.

  John stifled a curse. He knew Elizabeth meant exactly the opposite of what she had said about living apart.

  Each week he had visited his sons at Westminster School and had written her in detail about their progress. She never asks about their welfare, or even mentions their names in her letters. The sole purpose of her correspondence is to condemn me for the treatment of my poor, neglected wife.

  “From Elizabeth?” Francis asked.

  John looked up. “Yes. I must make time to drive to Longleat and visit her.”

  “Duty calls to both of us, I’m afraid. You’re for Longleat and I’m for Chatsworth. First, however, I intend to pay a visit to my darling Marianna. Her ministrations will fortify me against the night starvation I’ll suffer when I trek north.”

  After Francis left, John put his wife’s letter in the fire and watched the flames devour it.

  I’ll be able to tell Pitt I can deliver the votes he needs. Once the Act of Union passes, I’ll drive down to see Elizabeth.

  “There, I’ve written to Susan, and for good measure I’ve penned a note to Charlotte asking her to coordinate her Goodwood ball with the grand entertainment at Kimbolton,” Jane Gordon declared. “We will show the Duke of Bedford what hospitality is all about.”

  Georgina chose her words carefully. “I’m not sure we should pursue the Duke of Bedford, Mother. George told me that Francis Russell is a known womanizer. His mistress is Marianna Palmer.”

  “Mrs. Palmer is just a commoner. You cannot expect a duke who has reached his midthirties to be celibate. That would be most peculiar. A man of the world is exactly what an inexperienced young noblewoman needs in a husband.”

  “But I don’t have my heart set on a duke. Charlotte married an earl and she’s extremely happy. I always have great fun with Jack Spencer and he’s heir to his father’s earldom.”

  “Lord Althorp is just a boy. It would be years before you became a countess.”

  “I met a lot of other gentlemen at Devonshire House. Charles, Earl Grey, is quite attractive.”

  “You couldn’t have chosen someone more unsuitable if you’d tried. Grey happens to be the Duchess of Devonshire’s lover.”

  Georgina’s eyes widened. “I had no idea.”

  “You are innocent in the ways of the world, and that is as it should be.”

  “I may be inexperienced, but I am not completely innocent, Mother. My own father has had more than one mistress, and I have reason to suspect that the Duke of Manchester is not entirely faithful to Susan.”

  Jane did an about-face. “I warrant it’s beneficial for a young lady to know these things. A noblewoman must learn to accept and overlook the frailties of her husband.”

  “Frailties? I think you mean excesses!” Georgina recalled another young man who had made a favorable impression on her. “I danced with another earl who had delightful manners . . . Granville Leveson Gower.”

  “I said you couldn’t have chosen anyone more unsuitable than Lord Grey, but I was wrong. Lord Granville is rumored to have fathered two of Lady Bessborough’s children.”

  Georgina gasped. “Not Caro?”

  “No, not Caro . . . Two of the younger Ponsonby offspring.”

  “If I’d known, I would not have allowed him to partner me in the dance.”

  “If you eliminate every noble who has by-blows, you will sit like a wallflower all night. Polite society turns a blind eye to these things, and you must do the same, Georgina.”

  I wish Louisa were still at home so we could share the gossip. Such sexual misconduct would shock her beyond belief.

  The next morning, Georgina received flowers from Lord Henry Petty along with an invitation to attend Drury Lane Theater with his family that evening. Since the play was Richard Sheridan’s The Rivals, she immediately sent a note of acceptance.

  Lord Petty arrived and helped her into his carriage.

  “Did your parents change their minds, Henry?”

  “No, they went on ahead. I wanted a chance to be alone with you, Georgina.” He took her hand and sat gazing at her.

  She was both bemused and flattered, and since it was only a short ride to the theater, she let him hold her hand.

  Lord and Lady Lansdowne awaited them in the lobby, and when they took their seats she found herself between Henry and his father. Once the play began, however, she forgot them as she was transported to Bath and the world of Lydia Languish and Jack Absolute. The heroine was obsessed with the romantic ideals of love, so the wealthy hero pretended to be a poor soldier.

  Georgina laughed with uninhibited enjoyment. Sheridan used his characters to satirize society, and in Mrs. Malaprop, who wanted Lydia to marry for financial reasons, she saw the resemblance to her own mother.

  On the ride home, Lord Petty again took her hand. “Henry, I had a marvelous time. Sheridan’s characters are vastly amusing.”

  Henry pulled her into his arms and kissed her.

  Georgina did not struggle. It was a nice kiss, and she thought him sweet. But when the carriage stopped in front of her Pall Mall residence, she gently pulled away from him.

  “Lady Georgina . . . Georgy, I’m in love with you. I want to marry you,” he blurted. “I’m sorry, that’s not the way to propose.”He began again. “My lady, will you do me the honor of—”

  Georgina was stunned. She quickly placed her fingers against his lips. “Oh, please, no, you mustn’t propose to me, Henry.” Dear Lord, I mustn’t hurt him. He’s so young and so earnest.

  “I’m sorry,” he said miserably. “It’s too soon. I should have asked permission to court you first. Please forgive me. It’s just that I will have so many rivals for your hand—”

  “Henry, my Season has only just begun. There are no rivals. It is too soon for me to consider marriage to anyone.V He looked so dejected that her heart ached for him. “I would like us to be friends.”

  He helped her from the carriage and escorted her to the door. “Good night, Georgina. Thank you for a wonderful evening.”

  “Thank you, Henry.” She kissed his cheek and went inside.

  “Did you enjoy the play, my dear?” her mother inquired.

  “Yes, I did, but I feel just awful. On the way home, Henry told me that he loved me, and I had to stop him when he started to propose to me.”

  “Lud, it’s most fortunate that you stopped him. Such audacity is beyond belief. Petty is a younger son, with not a hope in Hades of coming into his father’s title of Marquis of Lansdowne.”

  It’s not his lack of title that stops me from considering him. It’s his age. “Henry is little more than a boy”

  “Exactly. A mature nobleman like the Duke of Bedford would be a far more suitable husband.”

  It was not a picture of Francis that came full-blown into Georgina’s mind. It was an image of John Russell.

  The following week, William Pitt put the proposal for an Act of Union on the floor of the House of Commons for a vote, and it passed by a sizable majority.

  “Congratulations, Mr. Prime Minister.” John Russell shook Pitt’s hand. “This is a huge step forward for Ireland.v

  “I owe you a debt of gratitude for your support and the Whig votes you rounded up.v

  John Russell felt good about the outcome and the small part he’d played in it, knowing Catholic emancipation would follow. He spotted Charles Lennox. “Thanks for coming back to London for the vote today. I appreciate it.”

  “You can return the favor by attending the ball Charlotte is planning for her sister. Lady Georgina’s Season must be a roaring success or the Duchess of Gordon will hold t
he entire family responsible and make our lives pure hell.”

  John was saved from making a commitment when Lord Holland joined them. “What say we celebrate at Brooks’s tonight?”

  “Sorry, Henry,v John said with a laugh, “I’m barred from the club because I refuse to wear a wig. Now that the vote has been taken, I shall drive to Longleat tomorrow to visit Elizabeth.”

  John returned to Russell Square, where he ate alone and then caught up on all his paperwork pertaining to Tavistock and his constituents. He considered it a privilege, rather than a burden. Representing the people of Tavistock, Devonshire, gave him a great deal of personal satisfaction.

  He retired late, and as he lay abed he gave a fleeting thought to Francis, who had left yesterday for his visit to Chatsworth. Try as he might, John could not picture Lady Dorothy Cavendish as his brother’s bride. I feel sorry for the naive young woman if he does wed her. Francis would install her at Woburn and neglect her shamelessly for the rest of her life.

  His thoughts progressed to the other young debutante, Georgina Gordon, and he could not help comparing the two. There was certainly nothing naive about the vivid beauty, and he could not picture her as a complacent wife, no matter whom she wed. The audacious hellcat will lead all her suitors on a merry chase. Whoever catches her will have to tame her.

  Thoughts of Elizabeth intruded. He recalled her letters complaining of neglect, and knew there was some truth in them. I hope the visit with her sister has been an antidote to her melancholia. He knew her dark thoughts were a mania that sometimes bordered on madness, and he wished she could be cured for their sons’ sakes, as well as her own.

  I kept her off laudanum for a month before I took her to Longleat, and she’s now been there for five weeks. I should have warned Isabelle about her craving for the soporific, and the terrible effect it has on her condition, but I’m certain her sister won’t have provided her with the filthy stuff.

  John wondered if he was deluding himself that his wife could be permanently weaned off laudanum. He was convinced it would improve her melancholia if her addiction could be cured. He put her from his mind, turned over and finally fell asleep.