Page 3 of Five Ways to Bed a Duke

Returning her gaze to her friend, she noticed Emmeline was completely oblivious to her faux pas and was still smiling and regaling her with a tale with such enthusiasm that she didn’t have the heart to call her attention to her misconduct.

“Oh, it was so beautiful, Cat. The countryside is so full of vibrant colors. The air itself tastes different, I swear it…”

Of course, the countryside air was going to be different, as the pollution in London was absent. Apart from the occasional odorof farm animals’ excrement, the countryside air was remarkably fresh and calming. A fact that Emmeline had only recently come to appreciate.

It was unfortunate, but the only daughter of the late Duke of St. George had only visited her family’s seat following news of her father’s deteriorating health and eventual death—a father that she barely knew at that. But there was a good explanation for that.

The beautiful Dowager Duchess of St. George had been a remarkable woman in her prime, and when she had debuted in English Society, she had been the equivalent of a diamond.

She had been highly sought-after by the young gentlemen of the ton, and the late Duke had not been free from the fever of infatuation she had left in her wake. She had been the daughter of a baron, but her popularity made her family’s modest townhouse the most popular location in London at the time.

Men fell over themselves to offer her flowers and poetry—some poorly written. Deborah Terrel had been vain, as she did not hesitate to lap up the attention she received. Shereveledin it. That singular trait should have warned the late Duke off, but at the time, he had been blinded by love.

When it came time for her to choose a suitor, she had settled for the young Duke of St. George. That was no surprise to the members of the ton, as they believed she had simply settled for the highest rank in the English aristocracy. There were whispers that she was only marrying him for his money, but the youngDuke had paid them no mind, as he truly believed he had found his soulmate. He secured a special license so quickly that there were whispers that she was already with child, but the Duke had simply wanted to secure his prized diamond before a more discerning gentleman swept her off her feet and married her.

After marrying her, he whisked her away to his country estate, where, nine months later, she gave birth to a son whom they named Richard, after her father. That happy event had put to rest the rumors that had stemmed from their impromptu wedding, and eventually, everyone wrote it off as a true love match.

For the first year or so, they had lived in relative tranquility, savoring the quiet serenity of the countryside while raising their young heir. It was by far the closest to paradise that the late Duke had ever experienced. Until everything changed.

Deborah slowly started becoming restless, nagging and accusing her husband of imprisoning her in the countryside. She had decided that she preferred London’s lavish lifestyle to the deafening silence of the countryside, and she wanted her husband to set up the family’s permanent residence there.

The late Duke reminded her that he had informed her before their marriage of his need to remain in his country estate for most of the year, and she had agreed. But apparently, Deborah had not been paying attention at the time, as her mind was occupied with the fantasy of marrying a duke.

Over time, their quarrels turned into feuds, with the Duchess moving to a different wing of the mansion despite her husband’s entreaties.

With time, the Duchess started to entertain the attentions of other men in the neighborhood, because, at her core, she was a vain woman. She had missed the euphoria of having men fawn over her, and no matter how much the late Duke tried, he was just one man unable to fulfill her obsession with external validation.

Her tawdry affairs eventually cemented the chasm between her and her husband, causing a cold atmosphere to permeate the mansion.

Richard had been unfortunate to grow up in that atmosphere, and even at a young age, he was forced to become conversant with the true definition of a cold war. A war fraught with deafening, cold silence. He had loved his mother and tried several times to win her affection when he was a boy, and she had at least loved him.

That was why everyone had been surprised when the Duchess’s belly started swelling with another child ten years after she had Richard. The servants speculated that she must have been impregnated by one of her many lovers, but the late Duke proclaimed to everyone who cared to know that the child was his and forbade anyone from suggesting otherwise.

Even with their separation, he believed she was his wife and hence remained under his protection. This singular act madeten-year-old Richard swear never to allow a woman to jerk him around by the collar simply because he had the misfortune of falling in love with her.

All would have been well, but the worst was yet to come, as one day, when Emmy was barely a week old, the household woke up to the news that the Duchess had taken flight, leaving just a note behind.

She had decided that the secluded life of a duchess did not suit her. She had then decided to flee to the Continent with her new lover, leaving her newborn and her family behind.

That single act took a toll on those left behind. The late Duke shut down, emotionally distancing himself from his children, abandoning little Emmy to the care of the staff. Everyone suspected that one of the reasons he ignored the little girl was that she was the one symbol that reminded him of his beloved wife’s infidelity.

By the time he was fifteen, Richard had taken her from the countryside to London, away from their negligent father. He didn’t care if she had been born from the loins of his mother’s lover or not. She was his sister, and she deserved his care. He then proceeded to raise her, hiring staff and assuming the role of a father.

For this singular decision, Catherine felt a modicum of respect for the man. Unfortunately, that also meant that Emmy had no real memory of their countryside home and was able to enjoy its charms only recently.

“Oh, I would have really loved to stay longer, but Richie insisted that I must return so I could be presented in Court.” She scrunched up her pert nose in defiance. “I only agreed because I missed you so much. I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed reading your letters.”

Her entire being radiated so much excitement that she was positively vibrating with it.

It must be true what they said that opposites attract because Emmy was a bright ball of energy compared to Catherine’s more cool-headed personality.

“Ladies, what is so interesting, might I ask?” a rich baritone suddenly drawled in amusement.

Catherine looked up to see the Duke himself standing close to them, an amused smirk on his ridiculously handsome face.

“Your Grace,” she greeted, curtseying.

She noticed the uncomfortable look on his face, which he quickly covered with a teasing smile.

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