Duchess in Love by Eloisa James Read Free Book Online

so much easier.”
    â€œMake what easier?”
    â€œWell, living away from him…” They slipped past a cluster of diamond-clad matrons. “When I’m not with Tuppy, I don’t think about him all that much. You know I love to dance and shop, and I see my friends.”
    â€œYes?”
    â€œBut when I see him, well—I feel guilty!” she finished in a rush.
    â€œWhy did you leave him?”
    â€œWe fought,” Carola said. “We fought bitterly, and so I left. I thought he would come to my mother’s and beg me to return, but he didn’t.”
    Gina looked at her curiously. “Did that make you sad? I thought you had a perfectly amicable arrangement.”
    â€œOh, I cried endlessly at first,” Carola said lightly. “I had high ideas about marriage, in those days.”
    Gina noticed that her eyes looked a little watery. “But you are very happy without him.”
    â€œYes, of course,” Carola replied, giving a wavering smile.
    â€œIt’s vastly more entertaining this way. He is a terrible stick in the mud, Tuppy. Never wanted to go out in the evenings.”
    â€œHmm,” Gina said. She had just caught sight of Sebastian talking Cecilia Deventosh, who had five daughters to marryoff. “Look at Lady Deventosh! She’s trying to wrap up my fiancé and give him to one of her daughters as a present.”
    â€œI wouldn’t worry. The marquess is devoted to you. Anyone can see that.” An impish smile lit up Carola’s brown eyes.
    â€œWhat does he offer as a husband that the duke does not?”
    â€œIt’s different!” Gina exclaimed. “Camden and I barely know each other, but Sebastian is everything I want in a husband: calm, and steady, and just good .”
    â€œYes,” Carola said, following her gaze. Marquess Bonnington was undoubtedly one of the handsomest men in England, with high cheekbones, a lean jaw, and deep set blue eyes. “But do you ever think that marriage with him might be…a trifle constraining?”
    â€œConstraining?” Gina looked startled. “No, do you?”
    â€œHe’s very particular. Look how he’s snubbing Lady Deventosh. I gather she offended him in some way.”
    â€œWell, she is quite pretentious to try to foist one of her daughters onto Sebastian!” Gina exclaimed. “He is a marquess.”
    â€œYes,” Carola murmured.
    â€œHe may be a little stiff in his manners. But it’s just his way. He may be stuffy in public, but not in private. Although I don’t think he’ll be as easygoing as your husband.”
    Carola smiled, a little crooked smile. “No indeed, because he loves you. Husbands are only so easy when they feel no love at all.”
    â€œOh dear,” Gina said, unsure what to say. Her friend’s eyes were bright with tears.
    â€œIt’s quite all right. I always find the first evening difficult, but after that Tuppy and I shall be quite comfortable in each other’s company, I promise you.”
    Marquess Bonnington came up beside them and bowed. The sounds of tuning violins sounded from the far side of the room.
    Carola’s face brightened. “I wonder where Neville is?”
    â€œHere he is,” Sebastian said, moving to the side as an extravagantly elegant gentleman rushed through the crowd. He had the penny-bright hair and blue eyes of a dandified cupid.
    â€œYou must forgive me!” he cried. “Your Grace, Lord Bonnington, my dearest Lady Perwinkle. I had a terrible time dressing this evening. Slapdash, that’s what I am!”
    Gina smiled. One couldn’t not smile at Neville’s merry grin.
    Carola had tucked her hand under his. “I’m feeling blue. Shall we dance?”
    â€œYour every breath is my command,” he exclaimed. “I believe that Lady Troubridge has decided to open the assembly with a polonaise.”
    â€œThat’s