Scandal By The Ton Read Online Free Page B
Author: Virginia Henley
with scandalous sex lives to choose from, and it took her a couple of minutes to select one. She thought it priceless that George, Earl of Jersey, was Lord of the Bedchamber to the Prince of Wales, while his wife, Frances Jersey, was quite literally Mistress of the Bedchamber to the prince. However, Julia believed that most of the ton already suspected this, so she decided not to use it.
Finally, she chose her mother's friend Lavinia's sister-in-law, Henrietta. Ann Onymous has it on good authority that the Countess of Bessb---gh has produced not one, but two illegitimate children by the well-known Whig politician GLG. Julia paused, wondering if her readers would recognize that GLG stood for Granville Leveson-Gower. I believe they will; Dottie always says that a nod's as good as a wink to a blind horse!
Chapter Four
On Monday morning, Nicholas Royston stepped from his carriage on Fleet Street across from the building where the London and Country Magazine was published. He watched the people walking on the street and closely scrutinized anyone who entered the building. Nobody answering the descriptions the editor had given him went anywhere near the building.
He suddenly spied a newsboy, with papers tucked under his arm, leave the building. He knew instinctively this must be George the editor had spoken of who usually delivered the scandal column.
Nicholas strode briskly across the street and grabbed the newsboy. The lad kicked and screamed and squirmed, but he could not match Royston's strength. With difficulty, the viscount hauled the lad into his carriage, and knocked to signal his coachman to drive.
"Caught red-handed. Who pays you to deliver Scandal by the Ton ?" Nick demanded.
The boy, panting from his exertions, glared at him, and pulled his cap down over his ears. He made a sudden lunge for the door, and Royston grabbed him.
To Nick's astonishment his hands came into contact with a pair of round breasts hidden beneath the waistcoat and he realized his captive was a female. Surprised, he loosened his hold immediately. The young devil savagely bit his hand, and when Nick let go, the female opened the carriage door, and rolled out into Fleet Street.
"Stop!" Royston cried, but to his dismay, he saw the culprit dart into Fetter Lane and disappear. A foul oath dropped from his lips, as he looked down at his swollen hand. He vowed to return the following Monday. I'll catch the vicious little bugger, if it's the last thing I do!
The following day, when the London and Country Magazine was published, Royston bought a copy and eagerly turned to Scandal by the Ton to read the retraction. His expression turned grim as he read: Ann Onymous offers a profound apology and retraction for an item in last week's column. The typesetter made a mistake and printed 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.
Nicholas's expression turned black as he read further: Ann Onymous is sincerely sorry that Nick Royston is not Perdita Robinson's lover, but likely not anywhere near as sorry as poor Perdita.
"Good God, it's twice as bad as it was before, as Ann Onymous deliberately intended!" His eyes focused again and he read: After reading Scandal by the Ton, Lady Claire S------- handed poor Lord Royston his walking papers.
With a curse he tore the magazine in half and flung it across his library. "Walking papers!" I'll make Claire Shelborne rue the day she ever gossiped to her friends about me. And as for Ann Bloody Onymous, if I ever get my hands on her, I'll throttle the bitch!
On Friday evening, Julia brushed her long dark hair into a fashionable upswept creation and fastened the curls with diamond butterfly pins, loaned to her by Dottie. The evening gown she had chosen from Madame Martine's in Bond Street was white tulle decorated with silver ribbons and violets at the high Empire waistline. Dottie had persuaded her to
Finally, she chose her mother's friend Lavinia's sister-in-law, Henrietta. Ann Onymous has it on good authority that the Countess of Bessb---gh has produced not one, but two illegitimate children by the well-known Whig politician GLG. Julia paused, wondering if her readers would recognize that GLG stood for Granville Leveson-Gower. I believe they will; Dottie always says that a nod's as good as a wink to a blind horse!
Chapter Four
On Monday morning, Nicholas Royston stepped from his carriage on Fleet Street across from the building where the London and Country Magazine was published. He watched the people walking on the street and closely scrutinized anyone who entered the building. Nobody answering the descriptions the editor had given him went anywhere near the building.
He suddenly spied a newsboy, with papers tucked under his arm, leave the building. He knew instinctively this must be George the editor had spoken of who usually delivered the scandal column.
Nicholas strode briskly across the street and grabbed the newsboy. The lad kicked and screamed and squirmed, but he could not match Royston's strength. With difficulty, the viscount hauled the lad into his carriage, and knocked to signal his coachman to drive.
"Caught red-handed. Who pays you to deliver Scandal by the Ton ?" Nick demanded.
The boy, panting from his exertions, glared at him, and pulled his cap down over his ears. He made a sudden lunge for the door, and Royston grabbed him.
To Nick's astonishment his hands came into contact with a pair of round breasts hidden beneath the waistcoat and he realized his captive was a female. Surprised, he loosened his hold immediately. The young devil savagely bit his hand, and when Nick let go, the female opened the carriage door, and rolled out into Fleet Street.
"Stop!" Royston cried, but to his dismay, he saw the culprit dart into Fetter Lane and disappear. A foul oath dropped from his lips, as he looked down at his swollen hand. He vowed to return the following Monday. I'll catch the vicious little bugger, if it's the last thing I do!
The following day, when the London and Country Magazine was published, Royston bought a copy and eagerly turned to Scandal by the Ton to read the retraction. His expression turned grim as he read: Ann Onymous offers a profound apology and retraction for an item in last week's column. The typesetter made a mistake and printed 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.
Nicholas's expression turned black as he read further: Ann Onymous is sincerely sorry that Nick Royston is not Perdita Robinson's lover, but likely not anywhere near as sorry as poor Perdita.
"Good God, it's twice as bad as it was before, as Ann Onymous deliberately intended!" His eyes focused again and he read: After reading Scandal by the Ton, Lady Claire S------- handed poor Lord Royston his walking papers.
With a curse he tore the magazine in half and flung it across his library. "Walking papers!" I'll make Claire Shelborne rue the day she ever gossiped to her friends about me. And as for Ann Bloody Onymous, if I ever get my hands on her, I'll throttle the bitch!
On Friday evening, Julia brushed her long dark hair into a fashionable upswept creation and fastened the curls with diamond butterfly pins, loaned to her by Dottie. The evening gown she had chosen from Madame Martine's in Bond Street was white tulle decorated with silver ribbons and violets at the high Empire waistline. Dottie had persuaded her to
Readers choose
Peter Doyle
Aileen Erin
Connie C. Scharon
Catherine Wittmack
J. Sydney Jones
Terry Pratchett
A. C. Marchman
Diane Fanning
William Lashner
Tina Martin