The Courtesan Duchess Read Online Free Page A

Nothing like English women.”
    “Do not be so quick to judge. There is one English woman in particular who is certainly all of those things.”
    “Mayhap I will get the chance to offer up a comparison. Is there a Mr. Leighton?”
    “No. Died years ago, left the poor woman entirely without funds. But there’s some nobility in her background. Her father was a cousin to the Earl of Kilbourne, I think.” Then Winchester grew serious, and Nick braced himself. “Colt, I feel compelled by my friendship with your wife to at least—”
    “Enough. Did we not discuss this last evening? I have—”
    “Let me speak!” Winchester set his cup down sharply. “There may come a day when you regret your poor treatment of that woman. Even now, the rakes circle her like a prized lamb. She will tire of waiting on you, and God help you when that happens, Colt.”
    Nick ignored the small amount of guilt produced by Winchester’s words. His wife was nothing more than his father’s instrument of control, Nick reminded himself. She’s the best you’ll ever do, you ungrateful whelp. Do you think to do better, boy? Nick had no intention of doing anything his father wanted, even if the arrogant whoreson was long dead.
    With practiced control, he fought down the bleakness and anger inside his chest, and calmly took a sip of coffee. “If my wife finds someone else, all the better. I never want an heir, and I will not fashion myself into a proper duke and husband. Her Grace is free to do as she pleases. Hell, the woman is a bloody duchess with no husband to curtail her freedom. How could she complain?”
    Winchester drummed his fingers on the table, a sure sign that Nick’s answer had annoyed him. “Her name is Julia, Colt. She’s a real living, breathing person and innocent in what happened. I know you blame your father, but you’re making her suffer needlessly. If you do not wish to live in England, send for her. Bring her here.”
    A part of Nick accepted the sense of those words, but the bigger, angrier part of him wanted to punish everyone involved with his family—including the woman who’d married him. Besides, why would a gently bred lady want him, a man far more familiar with brothels than ballrooms? God, she’d been so young and beautiful—and so innocent—on their wedding day. How could he tarnish such a chaste girl when he’d driven his own brother—
    Nick deliberately stifled that particular line of thinking. No, his wife was better off finding a well-titled young buck who knew how to be a careful, respectful lover. “I won’t send for her, and I’ll not apologize for it. If you are truly her friend, I trust you will relay what I’ve told you. Let her find happiness elsewhere, for none can be found with me.”
    Winchester leaned back and crossed his arms over his chest. “Fine. But you’re making a mistake.”
    Nick regarded his friend thoughtfully. “Have you developed feelings for my wife? You are unusually concerned with her happiness.” Winchester turned a dull red, and Nick added, “I have no tender emotions for the woman. But if you do, I promise it would not affect our friendship. In fact, it would explain why you are so determined to see me return to England.”
    “I am not mooning after Julia. That distinction belongs to Wyndham.” Nick’s eyebrows rose at that piece of news but he made no comment, so Winchester continued. “But don’t you think you’ve given it enough time? The scandal, I mean. Damn, it’s been eight years, Colton. And to watch Templeton act as if he’s the duke . . . Christ, it’s disgusting.”
    Nick shook his head. “All of London believes I seduced my sister-in-law, which caused my brother to fly into such a rage that he fell off his horse and broke his neck. That, on top of all the Depraved Duke nonsense, ensures the ton won’t ever forget me.”
    “The nickname is a fair one, as I witnessed much of your youthful depravity myself. The label merely became catchy for