Eloisa James - Duchess by Night Read Online Free

better to be a duchess than not to be a duchess. Ive lived on the Continent. I visited Jemma in Paris, and spent a great deal of time in my favorite of al cities, Venice. But now I want my life as an adult woman to begin.
    And I cant do it while caught in this half-life!
    Harriet blinked at her. It sounded as if Isidore were voicing the same things she had just been thinking to herself.
    To be brutal y honest, Isidore continued, Im tired of sleeping alone. If Cosway turns out to be a horrible sort of man with whom I dont want to spend time, wel , then I might leave him and return to Italy. But at least I wont have this talismanic virginity any longer. And I might have a child.
    Harriet choked, and even Vil iers opened his eyes. Did I hear the word virgin?
    Isidore, you are being deliberately provoking, Jemma said, handing her a smal ruby glass of cordial. You are trying to shock us.
    I assure you that I am horrifical y shocked, so you can relent now.
    Virginity is a womans most valuable possession, Vil iers said, looking not in the least shocked.
    Nonsense, Jemma said briskly. Since were al being so remarkably intimate, I dont mind pointing out that a virgin without a brain is a useless creature.
    Ah, but a virgin with a brain is beyond the price of rubies.
    I have beauty too, I might point out, Isidore said.
    Vanity, thy name is woman, Vil iers said. But he was smiling. I gather you intend to impress upon your husband the possibility that you might birth a cuckoo to inherit his dukedom.
    More to the point, Jemma put in, impress it upon his mother. Because if Cosway were interested in his estate, he would have come home years ago.
    You truly mean to lose your virginity? Harriet asked. It was so fascinating to see another woman face lonelinessand do it with al the courage that she, Harriet, lacked. Isidore wouldnt sit around on the side of a bal room weeping onto a stuffed goose.
    I havent made up my mind yet, Isidore said airily. I shal make that decision based on how long it takes my husband to return. I just need a potent kind of man.
    In order to father your child? Vil iers asked. May I say that this is a fascinating conversation? I cant say Ive ever seen adultery planned with such ruthless lack of emotion.
    Id prefer he were potent in terms of scandal, Isidore said. Someone like you, Vil iers. If I were flirting with you, the news would travel to Africa by the end of the month. Harriet, you must know whos the most scandalous man in England besides Vil iers.
    Oh, Vil iers isnt truly scandalous, Harriet said.
    Vil iers opened his eyes. You surprise me, Your Grace. Truly, you do.
    I dont know why. You never real y step beyond the bounds of the commonplace.
    I have children out of wedlock, Vil iers said, looking slightly wounded.
    What nobleman doesnt? Harriet retorted.
    I am lowered by a sudden sense of my own inadequacies, Vil iers said. Not truly scandalous. Commonplace. My pride is dashed to the ground.
    Harriet ignored him. There are no interesting men in the ton.
    Worse and worse, Vil iers mumbled.
    Then who is the most scandalous man in England, to your mind? Isidore asked.
    Lord Strange, of course, Harriet said.
    Lord Strange? Isidore asked, knitting her brow. Surely a lord is part of the ton .
    Not Strange, Vil iers said, sipping a glass of water. Strange is the richest man in England, give or take a shil ing or two. At some point the king gave him a title. After al , he keeps rescuing the English economy. Strange could certainly afford to pay for a dukedom if he wished, but he told me that the only reason he accepted the title was because he liked the sound of Lord Strange.
    Hes odd, very intel igent, and truly scandalous, Harriet said. Not like the men who claim to be rakes in London but real y just trot around after opera singers
    Vil iers groaned.

    Hes mad for architecture, by al accounts, and has built his own replica of the leaning tower of Pisa, she continued.
    Ive seen the original, Isidore said. Surely