The Decadent Duke Read Free

I needed so much brandy to face the ceremony that the only thing I recall is my dear friend Francis Russell propping me up. " ’Tis the world’s greatest pity that amore and marriage do not go hand in hand.’’
    "Au contraire! Making love to a wife is one of life’s sweetest pleasures, so long as I’m not her husband,’’ Russell quipped.
    "Lady Melbourne looks particularly ravishing today.’’ Both the prince and Bedford had enjoyed her sexual favors, and each had fathered at least one of her children. Prinny’s glance moved to the lady who had accompanied Elizabeth Melbourne, and a heartfelt sigh escaped him. Though for years he had professed his deepest love to Georgianna, Duchess of Devonshire, and had given her a lock of his hair, she always refused to become his mistress. He had been forced to settle for her devoted friendship, which they openly displayed before their aristocratic friends. Prinny raised his eyes from Georgianna’s opulent breasts, and they flooded with sentimental tears when he saw that she was sporting the Prince of Wales’s feathers. Like iron to a lodestone, Prinny gravitated toward Georgianna, and Bedford followed.
    She wafted her ostrich feather fan and sketched a graceful curtsy. "Your Highness ... Francis ... I am delighted you both condescended to attend. ’Twill banish our boredom.’’
    The Prince of Wales took her outstretched hand to his lips in a theatrical show of affection. "My dearest Georgianna, I am ever at your command.’’ He bestowed an elegant bow upon Lady Melbourne. "Lizzie, you look charming, as always.’’
    "Ravishing,’’ Bedford said with a leer. "I know a surefire cure for banishing boredom.’’
    "Devil roast you, Francis. Your cure takes nine months,’’ Lady Melbourne drawled. "Do try not to gloat over your bachelorhood. You will be ensnared in the tender trap sooner or later.’’
    The Duchess of Gordon, well versed in protocol, came to greet His Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales, before she acknowledged her other guests. "Such an honor, Yer Highness.’’ Her words were calculated to stress that the honor was his, not hers. Then to prove her point, she dipped her knee and afforded the gentlemen an eye-popping view of her lush breasts.
    "Jane, darling,’’ the Duchess of Devonshire gushed, "you’ve outdone yourself. Young Cornwallis is quite a catch.’’
    Jane glanced at Francis Russell. "You should have seen the one that got away.’’ She slapped her thigh and laughed at her own wit.
    The men and Lizzie, thoroughly amused, joined in her laughter.
    "Georgianna, dearest, it won’t be long before you are husband hunting for yer own daughters. Shall I lend you my rope and teach you how to tie a Gordon knot?’’
    "My dear Jane, the Devonshire girls won’t need a noose,’’ the duchess said sweetly.
    Jane Gordon was too good-natured not to laugh at the riposte. "Yer wit is exceeded only by yer beauty,’’ she said generously.
    "Dare I hope that you will be serving your magnificent Highland salmon, my dear duchess?’’ Prinny was almost salivating.
    " ’Tis the thing that makes a Gordon invitation the most sought after in London—that and our famous whiskey punch.’’ The duke owned a salmon fishery on the River Spey, and the wagons that arrived from Scotland always carried barrels of Scotch whiskey.
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The Gordon sisters gathered around the bride. Georgina kissed Louisa’s cheek. "You are now Lady Brome, freed from Mother’s control. I urge you to spread your wings like a butterfly.’’
    Charlotte scoffed. "You two young hellcats were never under her control. Whenever the two of you conspired, mayhem and madness were sure to follow.’’
    Louisa protested, "Georgy was the instigator. I but followed her brilliant suggestions for