Free The Decadent Duke by Virginia Henley Page B

duchesses never met without betraying some signs of approaching hostilities. The patroness of reels cracked the shoulder straps of sixteen dresses by exercising herself in shrugs at the Duchess of Belgrave. At length the war was openly declared by both parties, and the first blow was struck by the Duchess of Drinkwater, who gave a grand gala the same night on which her rival had previously announced one. ” She slammed the book closed. “There is no rivalry between the Duchess of Devonshire and myself. We are the dearest of friends! How dare the miscreant write such slanderous codswallop?”
    â€œI don’t think anyone will recognize you,” Georgina said in her most reassuring tone.
    â€œHe called me the patroness of reels fer Christ’s sake!”
    â€œThere is that,” Georgina acknowledged.
    â€œHe casts you in a better light than the Duchess of Devonshire. She clearly comes off the loser,”Charlotte assured her.
    â€œDo you think so?”Jane asked, trying to see it through the critical eyes of society.
    â€œPut it on the back of the fire, and dismiss it as scurrilous tripe. Then go to the theater, and hold your head up high. Better yet, attend one of the Duchess of Devonshire’s entertainments,”Charlotte advised.
    Georgina gasped as her mother threw the novel into the fire.
    â€œGeorgy, pack yer things. We shall do both.”
    â€œBut Susan invited me to Kimbolton,” Georgina protested.
    â€œThe entertainments the Duke and Duchess of Manchester give at Kimbolton are far too sophisticated fer you. Their guests are allowed uninhibited freedom of speech and action, and illicit liaisons are encouraged. You may visit them once you have been introduced at court, but until then a sojourn at Kimbolton Castle could very easily sully yer reputation.”
    With a sigh of exasperation, Georgina gave in to her mother’s demand. “I’ll go upstairs and pack.”
    Charlotte followed her sister from the sitting room. “Why the devil did you tell her to throw it on the fire?” Georgina asked. “I was dying to read it!”
    â€œI have a copy in my bedchamber. I’ll lend it to you, but you must promise to give it back once you’ve read it.”
    â€œYou devious witch! Why didn’t you tell me?”
    â€œIt could very easily sully yer reputation,” Charlotte teased.
    Mary arrived in the pink bedchamber, breathless from her hurried climb upstairs. “I don’t want you to leave, Georgy!”
    â€œIf you were listening behind the sitting room door, as I suspect, you must know that Grandmama gave me no choice.”
    â€œWho is the Duchess of Drinkwater?” Mary whispered.
    Georgina removed her garments from the wardrobe and began to fold them. “She is a Titan who must be obeyed.”
    â€œIt’s Grandmama, isn’t it?”
    Georgina nodded. “But you must promise not to tell anyone.”
    Mary crossed her heart. “It will be our deep, dark secret.”
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The Duchess of Gordon, decked out in a fashionable gown of striped crêpe de chine , her hair decorated with bejeweled feathers, stepped from her carriage in the Haymarket. Georgina followed, wearing a simple empire gown of white gauze over green with a matching wrap. Her dark curls were piled high and held in place by green ribbon and a jeweled dragonfly.
    They entered the King’s Theatre. With her head held high, the Duchess of Gordon led the way to her private ground-floor box, where mother and daughter took their seats.
    â€œI don’t think you’ll enjoy this Mozart opera, Mother. La Clemenza de Tito is a dark tale about a woman who plots the assassination of the Roman emperor Titus.”
    â€œI am here to be seen , not to enjoy the opera. It’s all in Italian anyway—I shan’t understand a word, nor will many of the haut ton , believe me.”
    â€œI don’t think you’ll find many ladies of the