The Decadent Duke Read Online Free Page B

himself,’’ Georgina teased. She tentatively ran her tongue around her lips, and then blurted out, "Who is Louisa’s father?’’
    Charlotte stared at her youngest sister for a full minute, then recounted what she knew. "When Mother was your age, she fell madly in love with an Edinburgh lad from the Fraser clan. He was sent to fight the war in America with the Fraser Highlanders and it broke her heart when she got word that he had been killed.
    â€™â€™Her Mother insisted she accept a proposal of marriage from the wealthy, powerful Duke of Gordon, since such a miraculous offer from one of Scotland’s highest nobles would never come her way again. After a year of mourning her first love, Mother gave in to the relentless pressure and did her mother’s bidding.
    "When she was about six months pregnant with me, she received a letter from Fraser in America. When she realized he was very much alive, she collapsed from shock and suffered some sort of a breakdown. I don’t think Father ever forgave her for preferring another man over him.’’
    "It would be a devastating blow to his pride to be thought second best,’’ Georgina said with heartfelt compassion. "So you believe that her childhood sweetheart returned to Scotland and he and Mother became lovers?’’
    "Putting two and two together, that’s the explanation I came up with. Louisa has the distinctive Fraser auburn hair and, approximately nine months before she was born, the seventy-first Fraser Highlanders regiment returned from America.’’
    Georgina jumped in. "The Fraser ancestral home is in Struy, not too far from her beloved farm in Kinrara, where Mother has always spent her summer months.’’
    "Exactly. Though Fraser returned to America years ago.’’
    "We are lucky she didn’t run off with him,’’ Georgina said.
    "And give up her exalted position as Duchess of Gordon? I think not. When she married Father, she decided that her head would rule her heart, and she’s brought us up to do the same. It’s the wisest choice, Georgy, when all’s said and done.’’
    But they are not happy together! Georgina kept a wise silence. Perhaps Charlotte’s head ruled her heart when she wed the future Duke of Richmond. She closed her eyes. I will never do that. I will never marry a man unless I love him with all my heart!
    Â 
A chorus of "Mama! Mama! Georgy! Georgy!’’ greeted the two sisters when they entered Marylebone Manor. Charlotte’s young children outran their two nursemaids. Lord John and Lord James, four-year-old twins, and three-year-old Lady Sarah wrapped their arms about their mother’s skirt and jumped for joy. Lady Mary, who was five, almost six, threw herself at her favorite aunt and said with a beatific smile, "I didn’t know you were coming!’’
    Georgina picked her up and twirled about. "Surprise! Surprise!’’ She absolutely adored children and couldn’t wait until she had her own. She suspected that being a mother was the only part of marriage that she would truly enjoy. A nursemaid came forward carrying a baby girl who was not quite two. Georgina asked Mary, "What’s the baby’s name ... I have forgotten.’’
    Mary giggled helplessly. "Her name is Georgina !’’
    "Such a strange name ... I can never remember it.’’ Georgina counted the children aloud, "One, two, three, four, five ... someone is missing.’’
    "It’s Charles. Papa came home, and they went to the stables.’’
    "He likely prefers male company now that he’s almost nine.’’
    "This year I’ll be six, and next year I’m going to be seven ,’’ Mary said importantly. "Can I try on your hat, Aunt Georgy?’’
    " May I try on your hat?’’ Georgina corrected.
    "I’m not wearing a hat, silly,’’ Mary said, giggling.
    "So you’re not.