Duchess by Mistake by Cheryl Bolen Read Free Book Online

to avoid putting on a scandalous display in front of the servants.
    After she had seen every room--some of them only from the doorway--her sparkling eyes looked up into his face. "This house is perfect! You are ever so kind to lend it for this purpose."
    "It's not as if it's my house; it's merely a lease property that happens to have been inherited by me."
    "Still, it's a wonderful thing you're doing."
    A solemn expression on his face, he offered an arm. "Allow me to escort you to the coach."
    She tucked her arm into the proffered crook of his. "Pray, your grace, could I impose on you to take me to Mrs. Hudson's so I can give her the good news?"
    "Certainly." When they came to the first floor, he asked, "How is it the plight of Mrs. Hudson came to your attention?"
    "My brother, James, served with her husband, and when the man died, James wrote and asked me to look in on her. He had great admiration for her husband."
    "How many widows have you?"
    "Personally, I have had communication with seven. They're all desperate. My brother has a contact at the War Office who can put me in touch with others."
    "I think there will be room enough for thirteen families," he said, "--provided none of them have the progeny of Mr. Jonas White."
    She giggled as they returned to his carriage.
    "Where do we find your Mrs. Hudson?" he asked.
    "Actually, not too far from here. In the Covent Garden area."
    "Then, if she's respectable, we need to get her out of there."
    "It was all I could afford."
    "I don't like your being there at all." Hunched over, he moved to sit beside her, taking her hand into his. Her heartbeat quickened.
    "We shall have to see that your pin money is replaced."
    She stiffened. "I have no intentions of accepting any money from you."
    "As a maiden, you are right to refuse pecuniary imbursement from any man." Then, drawing her into his arms, he spoke in that husky voice that frightened her with its intimacy. "But as my wife, Elizabeth, you'll have a very generous settlement."
    Drawing in her breath, she placed both hands upon his chest and pushed away. "I shall tell my brother what a beast you're being."
    He began to laugh. "I shall tell him myself."
    * * *
    Once he and Lady Elizabeth shared his carriage with girlish Mrs. Hudson and her three-year-old daughter, Aldridge felt inordinately satisfied with himself and the manner in which he was spending his day. Mrs. Hudson was the same age as Elizabeth.  So young to be widowed, so young to be a mother. There was an incredible sweetness about her fair appearance and her simple muslin dress that showed signs of having been patched. There was also melancholy. Her eyes sparkled only when she peered at her little Louisa. He saw that the woman still wore a simple gold wedding band. Offering his property for her and others like her made him feel uncommonly good.
    "My Harry always said Captain Upton was the finest officer in the Peninsula," Mrs. Hudson said, referring to Elizabeth's brother. "I should like to write to him and thank him for his concern for me and my Louisa."
    "I will be happy to post it for you. My brother is always happy to receive letters. I know he will want to know how you're doing since he thought so highly of your husband."
    The young window's eyes moistened. "There was never a finer man than my Harry."
    After depositing Mrs. Hudson and her little Louisa to Number 7 Trent Square, he explained he would send a servant to fill the pantry, then he settled back in his luxurious carriage, eying Elizabeth. Elizabeth remained on his side of the carriage. He couldn't have been happier with any woman than he was with Lady Elizabeth. Her genuine goodness was more than he'd ever hoped to find in a wife.
    He meant to make her his duchess.
    Even if it meant going to Almack's. He shuddered.
    * * *
    Haverstock rarely put his foot down with Elizabeth, but this night he had insisted that she accompany him and Anna to Almack's Assembly Rooms. "Even Lydia will be there," he had