Duke of Disrepute (Dukes of Distinction #3) - Alexa Aston Page 0,50
and dislikes. It amazed him how well-spoken Claire was for a child so young. Elise attributed that to how well the girl already read and the fact she’d never spoken down to her. He’d read to Claire and had her read to him. He’d played games with her and her mother, as well, usually indulging in a game of chess or cards with Elise after Claire had gone to bed.
He had dined with Elise each night, getting to know her better. She was extremely intelligent and, besides books, must have read the newspapers voraciously. She’d freely given him her opinions on a variety of topics, from the war with Bonaparte to crop rotation. They would sip on brandy after dinner and she would become slightly tipsy after a single snifter, which only endeared her to him even more.
It was becoming increasingly difficult to keep his vow not to kiss her again. He might not love her—but her certainly wanted to make love to her.
George had ridden over two days after Christmas. His guests had gone home and the two had gone for a long walk. They’d argued about the idea of needing to love Elise in order to wed her. Finally, George gave in, declaring that Lady Ruthersby could always tell him no if and when Weston finally offered for her. The thought of her turning him down wasn’t acceptable. He wanted her as his duchess. No other woman would do. It would be imperative to see that she found something wrong with every bachelor of the Season that he might present to her.
Except him.
He hoped by Season’s end that they would get to know each other well and that she would become comfortable with him—and the idea that she could be the Duchess of Treadwell. Of course, that meant her attending Season events, which he would be speaking to Lord Ruthersby about in the next few minutes once they arrived at Briarcliff. Weston had sent word to the earl that he would be escorting his guests home today.
“Do you really think you’ll be able to convince my brother-in-law to allow me to participate in the Season?” Elise asked wistfully.
“It seems you have no faith in me, my lady. Granted, you have only known me as the Duke of Disrepute but being a duke, disreputable or not, I am expecting a spectacular welcome by Lord Ruthersby. He will be amenable to whatever I suggest.”
“Don’t call yourself that,” she chided. “Disrepute. I don’t care if that was your past. It’s certainly not your future.”
Not our future, he wanted to say but kept silent.
“How will you convince him?” she pressed.
He laughed. “Do you not think I can use charm on him? Or should I have brought George along for that?”
She pursed her lips. Her very kissable lips. Finally, she said, “You are quite charming, Your Grace. Perhaps that should have been your nickname instead of Colebourne’s. I shall have to think of a new nickname the ton can call you. It would be good to see something agreeable about you in the gossip columns for once.”
He chuckled. “They only write about the bad stuff. Like the Bad Dukes. Hopefully, two other new rakes will catch their eyes. With George happily married and me searching for a bride, I can’t see where either of us will be interesting.”
She studied him a moment. “You do realize that Polite Society will doubt your mission, don’t you? Even if you proclaim you have changed, they will delight in knocking you off your ducal pedestal.”
“I’m to be on a pedestal?” he teased.
Those violet eyes grew merry. “You know what I mean. They will watch your every step. There will be men goading you to behave badly as before. Women who will no doubt fling themselves at you, trying to tempt you into their beds again.”
“You’ll see. I am made of sterner stuff than they all imagine.”
The carriage began slowing and he saw tension fill her. He leaned over and took her hand.
“Don’t worry, Elise. I will take care of everything.”
“Even a seamstress?” she reminded him.
He hadn’t found one yet but he’d already sent a note to Sam, explaining what he needed. Weston knew by now that George and Andrew had told their wives of his plan to marry Elise and Jon must have spoken to Elizabeth, as well. Hopefully, none of them would divulge that information to Elise.
“I thought it best to wait until you go to London. I’ve found a modiste for you there. You will