Duke of Disrepute (Dukes of Distinction #3) - Alexa Aston Page 0,84

matter important enough to wake his employer.

“What’s going on?” the earl asked, his hair askew.

“Elise and I will be wed tomorrow. She and Claire are going to stay at my sister’s to help prepare for the wedding.”

Their jaws dropped.

“I’d also like for your boys to come visit us at Treadwell Manor for the summer once the Season ends,” he added. “I’ve grown quite fond of them and I feel it important for Claire to continue to be friendly with her cousins.”

“Of course, Your Grace,” Ruthersby said. “We are humbled by your invitation.”

“What of us?” Lady Ruthersby asked. “Are we invited to the wedding? And for the summer?”

He glanced to Elise and they seemed to communicate without words.

“You may stay the night once you drop the boys off and another night when you return for them,” he said to the countess. “As for the wedding, I would have to see a remarkable improvement in your attitude, Lady Ruthersby. Elise will outrank you when she becomes my duchess. I would hope you would exercise kindness toward her.” He paused. “A kindness that has been noticeably lacking on your part for some time now. Do you understand?” he asked, his tone brokering no excuses.

The countess appeared flustered but said, “I will be gracious to Her Grace in all future dealings.”

“Very well. You may expect an invitation to the wedding then. Bring the boys. It will be a small, intimate affair but they should be a part of it. Goodnight.”

He continued down the stairs, Claire in his arms. They reached the carriage and he saw Caldwell and the coachman loading a trunk into the wagon bed. Mrs. Caldwell and Mrs. Dandridge went to the wagon while Weston placed Elise and Claire inside his coach. The three sat together, Claire already asleep again in his lap, Elise resting her head against his shoulder. He took her hand and felt not only her warmth but satisfaction filling him. They were a family now.

“I have a new nickname for the ton to use,” Elise said. “You are no longer the Duke of Disrepute. You are my Duke of Grace.”

*

Elise woke, enveloped in warmth. She lay nestled against Weston.

Her husband . . .

A week had passed since their wedding and sometimes she still felt as if she were living in a dream. Her duke was attentive. Interesting. Charming. Handsome. And a phenomenal lover. He had already taught her so much in the art of lovemaking and promised her they had only scratched the surface. She didn’t know how it could get much better but trusted he was right.

She also liked that he listened to her. Since Norwood’s death, she had been so isolated. Her parents had offered no support. Neither did her in-laws. They’d kept her from her friends and society in general. With the Season in full swing, Elise was enjoying participating in so many social events, renewing old friendships and coming alive. Weston had taken her to the theatre. Riding in Rotten Row. To a bookstore.

He’d also spent time with Claire each day, sometimes in Elise’s presence and sometimes without her. They’d gone walking in the park and had ices at Gunter’s. He bought Claire a new stuffed animal. Claire had taken easily to calling Weston Papa and he beamed with pride every time she did so.

They’d also been the subject of the gossip columns. The topic of their quick wedding, so soon after the Season began, had been second only to stories written about Weston’s romantic proposal in front of hundreds of ballroom guests. How he’d scandalized Polite Society by kissing her in public and physically carrying her from the ballroom. Old stories of his and George’s rakish adventures were brought up but most of the gossip centered on the fact that the Duke of Disrepute and the Duke of Charm had been tamed by beautiful widows. Speculation occurred regarding the possibility of the Duchess of Colebourne being with child and the columns said it was only a matter of time before the new Duchess of Treadwell found herself in the same condition.

She’d mentioned to one rather talkative friend how she liked to call her husband the Duke of Grace and the nickname had spread. Weston teased that she’d reformed his roguish reputation overnight.

As Elise lay beside Weston, she couldn’t help but be grateful for this man coming into her life. He’d rescued her and Claire from an impossible situation and brought love and laughter into their lives. As much as she was enjoying their