Free The Decadent Duke by Virginia Henley

Mary joined Georgy in urging them on to victory, alternately cheering and spitting.
    When their games were done and the children had wrung every last ounce of fun out of the afternoon, Georgina led the way back to the house. Charlotte rolled her eyes when she saw their bedraggled state.
    "We need a fire. How about the library?’’ Georgina asked.
    "By all means—once you have removed your soggy shoes. I’ll get some dry clothes.’’
    All four removed their shoes and carried them to the library.
    "John, how would you like the honor of kindling the fire?’’
    John’s eyes lit up at the mere thought of such an adult responsibility. Charlotte arrived with dry clothes, deposited them inside the door, and quickly departed.
    Georgina removed her stockings, and the children followed suit. She promised to hide her eyes and vowed not to peek while the boys changed into dry shirts and pants. When they were all sprawled comfortably around the fire, Georgina said, "How about a story? These library shelves are filled with great adventures.’’
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The afternoon light was leaving the sky by the time the men and older boys returned from their ride. Francis was overjoyed that his father had purchased the horse for him, and William had high hopes that his father would soon consider a new mount for him.
    John Russell thanked Charlotte for a lovely day. "It was most generous of you to entertain Johnny. Where might I find him?’’
    "It was our pleasure. Come again, anytime.’’ She pointed down the hallway. "You’ll find him in the library.’’
    John heard his son’s voice before he got to the library door. Johnny was reading aloud from Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe while his audience sat before the fire, mesmerized by his words.
    John’s glance was drawn to Georgina. The rapt look on her face as she listened to his young son showed that she was enraptured by the way he read the fascinating tale.
    Georgina was the first to notice John Russell standing quietly in the doorway. "John, your father is here. Thank you so much for entertaining us. You read better than many adults I know.’’
    Reluctantly, Johnny closed the book and handed it to Georgina.
    She gathered up his dry clothes and handed them to his father.
    "I’m sorry, my lord. We were playing in water again, in spite of the fact that I know you thoroughly disapprove of such wicked, wanton pleasures.’’
    He knew her words were chosen to provoke him, so rather than react to the provocation, he merely took the clothes and nodded politely. He hid his amusement when he saw a fleeting glimpse of disappointment cross her face because she had not been able to goad him into an angry retort.
    On the ride home, John hung on to his youngest son’s reins.
    "I had a wonderful time, Father. Georgy is such fun.’’
    "You mustn’t call her that. Her name is Lady Georgina.’’
    "Yes, I know. But she doesn’t seem like a lady.’’
    "Indeed, she does not.’’ She is an outrageous minx.

Chapter 5
    John Russell fought to keep his fury under control. "As soon as I opened the bedchamber door, the smell of laudanum hit me in the face. Gertrude, did I not expressly forbid you to feed my wife any more of the filthy stuff?’’ he demanded.
    "My lord, I swear I did not give it to her.’’
    "Yes, it’s enough to make anyone swear,’’ he said curtly. His wife’s maid looked terrified of being dismissed on the spot. "Very well, I’ll take care of it.’’
    He went back upstairs to his wife’s chamber and began to search. He opened every bureau drawer and every cabinet. He looked in the cupboard of the night table and the washstand. He opened her wardrobe and searched every pocket of every garment. When he found the brown bottle in one of her hatboxes, he uttered a foul oath.
    He crossed to the bed and stared down at the