The Decadent Duke by Virginia Henley Read Free Book Online Page B

was so loud that it blocked out the noise of the people in the crowd. Why are you running away? Only a coward would retreat, her inner voice accused. I’m not running away, she assured herself, I’m simply avoiding an unpleasant encounter. I cannot abide imperious, domineering males who think they have God-given dominion over females.
    Georgina did not return to her sister until Charlotte was sitting in the stands and the match was about to begin.
    "Did you find your gloves?’’
    "No. Perhaps I forgot to wear gloves today.’’ Her glance roamed the stands, surreptitiously searching for the dark man with the stern features. She finally spotted him standing close to the action. He had found an advantageous spot for his three sons to observe the game close-up. She deliberately moved her parasol to block him from her vision.
    During the match, Georgina found she could not concentrate on the game. Her mind kept wandering to the dark stranger, and she grew most annoyed that he drew her thoughts like a magnet. Though she felt intense dislike for him, she could not deny that her curiosity was piqued. She lost track of the runs, and at the end of the game she had no notion which team had won.
    "Charlotte, your husband played a first-class game.’’
    "Thank heaven the Sussex team won or there would be no living with him tonight. Let’s find the carriage. Lennox and Winchilsea will be hobnobbing and celebrating for hours.’’
    Later that night, at dinner, Georgina tried to satisfy her curiosity. "Before the match today, I saw you talking with a big fellow with black hair,’’ she said casually.
    "I spoke with a lot of chaps,’’ Lennox acknowledged. "Can you be more specific?’’
    "He had rather dark, arrogant features. He appeared to have his young sons with him.’’
    "Ah, that was John Russell, Lord Tavistock. He’s the member of parliament for his district in Devonshire. He’s quite a forceful speaker—has a commanding presence on the floor of the House. He’s a sincere chap, with strong views. Seems to thoroughly enjoy representing the people.’’
    Forceful and commanding describe him to a T.
    "John Russell? He’s the Duke of Bedford’s younger brother,’’ Charlotte said. "The Russell brothers were orphaned at an early age, and brought up by their grandparents, the Marquis and Marchioness of Tavistock. Strange how dissimilar brothers can turn out to be. Marriage is anathema to Bedford, yet John couldn’t wait. Against his grandmother’s express wishes, he wed Elizabeth Byng in Brussels when he was only nineteen. He was a young ensign in the Foot-guards, and fought in Belgium.’’
    "Speaking of grandmothers, Elizabeth Byng’s grand-mere was a Lennox,’’ Charles remarked. "So John’s wife is a distant relative of mine.’’
    "Lud, I wouldn’t be surprised if the entire British aristocracy was related through intermarriage,’’ Charlotte said dryly.
    "Charlie is about the same age as John’s youngest. They got along so well today that I invited him to visit us. He’s taken a house for the summer close by on the other side of Dorset Fields.’’
    Hell and damnation! I must avoid the surly devil at all costs. With any luck he won’t come.
    "I think we should extend an invitation for the Russells to come to the August races at Goodwood.’’
    Goodwood House was the seat of the Duke of Richmond, near Chichester in Sussex. The opulent mansion was filled with priceless treasures and had its own racecourse.
    Georgina’s spirits sank. She was sorry she had ever asked Charles who the man was. She assured herself she didn’t have the least interest in the churlish lout. I shall make a point of missing the Goodwood races
    this year. "Speaking of the Duke of Bedford, he flirted outrageously with me at Louisa’s wedding. Our brother gave him a