The Duke's Undoing (Three Rogues and Their Ladies) Read Online Free

insulted her in such a way? Definitely not. On both counts.
    *

    In the following days, her erstwhile fiancé showered her with gifts, flowers, and daily epistles, telling her of his love and admiration. He even begged her pardon for his “impetuosity,” claiming he couldn’t be blamed for loving her body and soul. Violet was beside herself and, according to Aunt Clarice, could not imagine why Elise would not receive her. This state of affairs continued for two weeks. Suddenly, the letters stopped. Even more ominously, Violet ceased to call.
    One day, two days, three days, a full week. Elise tried to congratulate herself on her perspicacity but found it difficult to face her lonely future. She sent back Gregory’s engagement ring. He did not return it.
    This was the longest span of time she had passed without seeing, writing, or speaking to Violet, and she missed her friend more than she missed Gregory. She missed attending the musicales where her talented friend would sing with her bewitching coloratura soprano voice. She missed attending lectures with Violet on social reform. Most of all, she missed their spirited debates and conversations. The sad fact that she missed Violet more than Gregory was telling.
    As far as the rest of the world knew, a putrid sore throat explained Elise’s seclusion. Sukey took her place at the canteen (not without complaint), and Elise sent notes to acquaintances expressing her regrets that she was too unwell to attend their ball, rout, dinner, tea, or musicale. She absolutely could not set eyes on Gregory and Violet, together or apart.
    Her Aunt lived in a dreamworld of her own. Childless, she used her vast inheritance from her husband to endlessly redecorate her home according to her present fancy and to entertain Whig luminaries, whose company she and Sukey sought to further their own schemes for social reform. In addition, she was writing an opera and had formed several charities to promote literacy among the lower classes. She held board meetings for these in her home. Elise refused to participate in any of these gatherings to the point that her aunt began to despair over her behavior.
    Sukey was another matter. “Elise Edwards!” she exclaimed one afternoon when Elise came down to take tea with her aunt and companion in the newly redecorated Chinese saloon.
    “I cannot believe you are eating your heart out over that fribble! Where is your sense of proportion, your taste for irony? It is so much a part of your prose, my dear, I cannot believe it has deserted you entirely over this paltry issue.” She raised her Imari teacup to her lips and took a large gulp. Sukey gulped everything, including life. Always thoroughly involved in some entomological enthusiasm, she had no time for fits of melancholy.
    “My darling,”Aunt Clarice added, “I agree with Sukey. You simply must pull yourself together.”
    “Aunt, Sukey, try to understand. This isn’t just about Gregory. It’s about Gregory and Violet together. Don’t you see? Violet has been my dearest friend since we were in the nursery. I want to wish her well, but I just cannot seem to manage it. I am afraid that when I am confronted with a vision of the two of them I will just . . . dissolve!”
    Sukey shook her head until her gray ringlets bounced. “Rubbish!” she said.
    Her aunt said, “Sukey, dear, he may seem a fribble to you, but he was Elise’s fiancé. It is a loss, you know. However you look at it.” Then, to Elise, “He still doesn’t look at Violet the way he looks at you. I saw them together just last night at a musicale.”
    Elise felt a jab to the heart. This was her first real confirmation that Gregory and Violet were an item.
    Her aunt, undoubtedly reading her face, said, “Well, for my part, I always did think you came alive as soon as he entered the room. I realize that this doesn’t march well with your intent to mourn poor Joshua all your life, but you should not have treated the viscount so shabbily,