The Irish Duke by Virginia Henley Read Free Book Online

was good-looking then, but now he is an Adonis.” She ran after the steward. “Mr. Burke, be sure to seat me next to him at dinner.”
    Louisa found Abercorn a little too confident. His black curls and dark eyes alight with laughter would be a snare for Georgy. I don’t want her to have her heart broken, as Lanny broke mine.
     
    Louisa entered the Van Dyke dining room with trepidation. She did not wish to be seated anywhere near Edwin Landseer. She also was determined to avoid William and his wife, Bessy. She felt alarm however, when she realized that Mr. Burke had seated her on James Hamilton’s left, and her sister on his right.
    James, towering above her, held her chair while she took her seat and then he did the same for Georgy. When all three were seated, his smile moved from one to the other. “Ladies, at long last, we meet again.”
    Louisa raised her lashes and stared at him blankly. “We have met before?”
    “When we were children . . . at Carlton House. I’m James Hamilton.”
    “I do not recollect the occasion.”
    “You performed a Spanish shawl dance.”
    “Yes, so I did. How strange that I don’t remember you.”
    He held her glance with his dark, compelling eyes. You remember me, Lady Lu. You remember me well enough to lie about it. She had a vulnerability he couldn’t resist. She fought so fiercely to keep it hidden that he was tempted to wrap his arms around her and keep her safe. Always.
    “I remember you, James,” Georgy said. “I am delighted that Charles invited you.”
    The duchess introduced her sons’ Oxford friends to the others at the table. “This is Teddy Fox, Lord and Lady Holland’s son, and this young man is George Grey. Both sets of parents will be joining us in the next few days. Last but not least is James Hamilton, Marquis of Abercorn. At Oxford he is a champion oarsman.” Her smile of welcome was radiant.
    “Wasn’t your sister Susan’s husband a champion oarsman?” Bessy asked sweetly.
    Georgina threw her a quelling glance. “We will not discuss the Duke of Manchester at my dinner table.” Her smile returned. “There is plenty to keep you occupied at Woburn. More than a thousand acres have been set aside for riding and hunting. There is the lake for swimming or boating. We have a menagerie, an aviary, and tennis courts. There is a maze, a grotto, and a folly. Inside the abbey we have one of the most extensive libraries in England, as well as sculpture and picture galleries. There is a ballroom, card rooms, and a theater, which I hope you will make use of.”
    Georgy added, “We have a conservatory that leads to a greenhouse.” She glanced at Abercorn. “We have some rare camellias I’d be happy to show you, among other things.”
    “Next Saturday, we will have a celebration. Since Georgy’s birthday is at the end of June and Louisa’s is the first week of July, and mine shortly after, we will have a grand party to celebrate all three.”
    “This will be Georgy’s twentieth birthday, I believe?” Bessy’s smile was smug.
    Lu was furious. “And this year, I believe you turned thirty-six, Bessy.” Louisa threw her a pitying smile.
    Bessy choked on her wine.
    The duchess hid a smile. “I forbid anyone to mention my age. A lady’s age should be a mystery. It adds to her allure.”
    “The most beautiful women are ageless,” Edwin Landseer declared.
    “Who the devil asked you?” Lu muttered under her breath.
    James immediately sensed the tension, but the meal progressed without incident until the strawberries were served. He knew Lady Louisa had a sweet tooth, so he picked up the small sugar bowl and handed it to her.
    She covered her strawberries with the white crystals, helped herself to the clotted cream, and carried a spoonful to her mouth. The taste was intense and overpowering. By sheer willpower she stopped herself from gagging, lifted her napkin to cover her lips, and glanced about to see which wretched brother had replaced the sugar with