Scandal By The Ton Read Online Free Page A

newsboy called George who delivers it."
    "I see." Royston's tone was grim. "Make sure next week's column prints a retraction and an apology, or I'll see the owner, Alexander Hamilton, and have you dismissed."
     
    An hour later, Julia, wearing the blue livery and tie wig, marched into the newsroom and confronted the editor. "Here's a note for you from Ann Onymous."
    The man took the note and read: I was under the impression that the London and Country Magazine had high standards and impeccable credentials. Some pin-brained illiterate booby misspelled a name in my column, and if such an unforgivable blunder ever happens again, I will take my column to your rival newspaper.
    "Well, young man, you can tell Ann Onymous I've just suffered through a visit from Lord Royston. He demands the next Scandal by the Ton column contains a retraction and an apology or he will sue for libel. If that happens, there won't be a column, or a magazine. His lordship looks to have the Devil's own temper, if crossed, so I suggest we bow to his demands."
    Julia was hard pressed not to give the editor a piece of her mind. With difficulty she kept her tongue between her teeth. She nodded curtly. "I'll pass along the message."
    All the way back to Berkeley Square she fumed over Royston's high-handed demands. I''ll give him a bloody apology!
     
    That evening, Dottie handed Julia an invitation she'd received in the morning post.
    "This is from Jane, Duchess of Gordon. How do you know the leading Tory hostess?"
    "Through your grandfather. Alex Gordon had hand weavers at the Gordon estate in Scotland, who produced the Black Watch plaid. When he decided to use it for the Gordon Highlanders, he visited our mills in Manchester, to see if it was feasible to install mechanical weaving machines. Jane and I became friends, and over the years I've often been invited to her entertainments. Most frequently when she was looking for contributions to charity events."
    Julia laughed. "There's always an ulterior motive."
    "I like Jane Gordon. She doesn't put on airs, has a vulgar sense of humor that matches mine, and her table is the envy of every other political hostess. They serve Highland salmon from the River Spey and they import Scotch whiskey by the barrel rather than the bottle."
    "So will you accept the invitation?"
    "Only if you'll come with me, Julia. It's high time you were introduced into Society."
    "I have nothing to wear. All my dresses make me look fourteen."
    "We'll soon fix that. I shall take you shopping on Bond Street tomorrow and buy you something elegant to show off your dark curls and violet eyes. You have lovely breasts that need to be displayed. We'll make Jane Gordon's daughters gnash their teeth with envy!"
    "Mother won't be there, will she?" Julia asked, slightly apprehensive.
    "Absolutely not. Her bosom friends are Whigs. Jane Gordon is a Tory. William Pitt, the Prime Minister might be there, and you'll hear enough gossip to fill half-a-dozen columns."
    "Then I'll attend. I shall make note of a week Friday on my busy social calendar,” she teased. "Right now I have to compose a most important apology."
    Julia entered her own spacious bedchamber and sat down at her writing desk. She dipped her pen in the inkwell and lapsed into thought, searching for just the right words and the proper tone.
    Ann Onymous offers a profound apology and a retraction for an item in last week's column. The typesetter made a mistake printing the letter N in place of the letter M. Perdita Robinson is not the mistress of Nick Royston, but rather the mistress of his brother Mick. Ann Onymous is sincerely sorry that Nick Royston is not Perdita Robinson's lover, but likely not anywhere near as sorry as poor Perdita. After reading Scandal by the Ton, Lady Claire S------- handed poor Lord Royston his walking papers. Rumor has it that Lady S will replace the viscount with an earl.
    Julia smiled with satisfaction, and moved on to Tart of the Week. There were many noble ladies