Duke of Disrepute (Dukes of Distinction Book 3) by Alexa Aston

Author:Alexa Aston [Aston, Alexa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, romance, Historical
Publisher: Dragonblade Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2021-04-05T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

Weston looked at Elise and Claire, who sat opposite him in the carriage as they journeyed to Briarcliff. Claire was stretched out so that her ankle could be propped on her mother’s lap. If he couldn’t have Elise’s warmth next to him, having his eyes rest on her was the next best thing.

The week after Christmas had passed too quickly. He’d spent as much time as he could with the pair, learning both their likes 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.

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