The Decadent Duke Read Online Free

overhear them.
    "Not one penny more!’’ The duke’s deep voice rumbled like thunder. "Nay, not a brass farthing more!’’
    "You unreasonable swine! I cannot manage on the annual pittance you allow me.’’ The duchess was primed and ready to do battle.
    "Pittance?’’ Alex bellowed. "Only an avaricious vulture like ye would call four thousand pounds sterling a pittance!’’
    "Scot skinflint! Penny-pinching miser! You are one of the wealthiest dukes in the realm, yet you expect yer duchess to live like a bloody pauper. I cannot hold my head up in society.’’
    "This miser has just laid out two thousand to pay fer yer fancy firkin society weddin’. Yer head is so high, ’tis in the clouds. If yer no’ careful, ye will be a bloody pauper.’’
    "Don’t threaten me, you uncouth Highland bully,’’ Jane screeched.
    Georgina, whose bedchamber was directly over the library, drew up her knees and laid her forehead against them. Please stop!
    "I’m generous to a fault, woman. I provided Louisa with a dowry of three thousand pounds and she isna even ma’ daughter!’’
    "How you have the bare-faced gall to cavil over Louisa’s legitimacy when you have at least half a dozen of yer bastards living at Gordon Castle is beyond belief!’’
    "Ye refuse to share ma bed,’’ he accused. "I’m a mon, not a bloody monk!’’
    Georgina pulled the covers over her head with trembling hands.
    "Alexander Gordon—Cock o’ the North! I wouldn’t touch you with a ten-foot pole!’’ Jane vowed.
    The library door crashed and Georgina sprang from her bed, threw open her wardrobe, and began to pack her clothes into a large traveling trunk. When it was full, she threw a bed robe over her nightgown and made her way into the east wing, where most of the guest bedchambers were located.
    She paused at her sister Charlotte’s door and tapped lightly.
    "Come.’’
    Georgina turned the knob and the door swung open to reveal her eldest sister struggling to sit up against her pillows. "Oh, you’re still abed.’’
    "Of course I’m still abed. What the devil time is it?’’
    "It’s after nine. I’ve been packing.’’ Georgina hesitated. "Didn’t you hear the row?’’
    "I heard something, but Lennox’s snoring blotted it out.’’ She glanced at her sleeping husband. "What were they rowing about?’’
    "Money. As usual.’’
    "I should have known.’’ Charlotte saw her sister’s pallor. "Don’t be upset, Georgy. You’ll feel better once you’ve eaten. I’ll come along to your room, and we’ll order some breakfast. That’ll give Champagne Charlie here some time to sleep it off.’’
    The sisters made their way back to Georgina’s spacious bedchamber and Charlotte pulled the bell rope. She inspected her sister’s packing. "You’ll need sturdy walking shoes. The whole area surrounding Marylebone Manor is quite countrified.’’
    A maidservant answered the summons. She bobbed a curtsy. "The duchess asks ye to join her downstairs fer breakfast.’’
    "How did she know Charlotte and I were up?’’
    "She didn’t. The duchess said any of her daughters would do.’’
    "Lumped together like a gaggle of bloody geese,’’ Charlotte snorted.
    "Speak for yourself,’’ Georgina protested. "I’m a swan.’’
    Charlotte sighed with resignation. "She most likely feels in need of reinforcements. You may tell Mother we’ll be down.’’
    The sisters didn’t bother to dress; they went down in their bed robes and slippers. Unconventionality reigned supreme in the Gordon household, and each member felt free to dress and speak exactly as she pleased.
    "Good morning, my wee lassies. I think you will agree the wedding was a triumph! I