Page 5 of A Duke But No Gentleman
Tristan was dimly aware of Norgrave’s perusal as sweet Eunice pleasured him with her talented mouth.The smug bastard knew he had won this battle.For now, Tristan was inclined to let his friend savor his small triumph because their battle of wills revealed one thing—he did not have the temperament for celibacy.
Nonetheless, when he returned to London, he would handpick his own damn mistress.
Chapter Two
June 1, 1792
London
“Imogene!”
The lady in question sat in front of her dressing table as her maid finished curling her hair.She did not consider herself a vain creature, but it was important that she look her best this evening.
“That is the third time Papa has bellowed your name,” her younger sister said anxiously.“You know how he is.If he has to shout your name a fourth time—”
Imogene rolled her eyes.“Then he cannot be held accountable for the consequences,” she said, echoing what her father always told them when he was close to losing his temper.“I know, Verity.Besides, Margery is almost finished dressing my hair.Is that not so?”
“Aye, my lady,” the maid replied, setting aside the hot iron so she could fuss with the loose curls.“You will have every gentleman begging for a dance, I wager.”
Verity, who had been watching for their father through the crack in the door, glanced sharply at her sister.“What am I?A wallflower?”
“More like a tenacious weed if you persist in your whining,” Imogene teased, though her tone held a subtle warning.
Always ready to soothe a budding quarrel between the two sisters, Margery replied, “No, sweetie, you are too comely to be a wallflower.The gents will adore you, as well, but we have to marry your sister off first.”
“Why?”
“It wouldn’t do to have you marry first,” the maid replied, accustomed to Verity’s complaints about the unfairness ruining her life.“People would think there was something wrong with your sister.”
“Thereissomething wrong with her,” her sister muttered under her breath.“Everyone in the beau monde knows it to be true.”
“Just like everyone knows you are a brat,” was Imogene’s exasperated retort.
Verity was eighteen months younger than Imogene, and the reality of her situation was not to her liking.Imogene sympathized with her little sister for feeling slighted by the family and being a tad jealous.On several occasions, she had pulled Verity aside to assure her that it was only a matter of time before she also would be displayed like a prized rose in the Duke of Trevett’s hothouse, but her sister persisted to behave like a spoiled child.
Imogene stood.Giving her skirt a shake, she asked, “How do I look?”
“You’ll be the bonniest lass at Lord and Lady Kingaby’s ball,” Margery declared.
She raised a questioning brow in her sister’s direction.“No insults to hurl my way, Miss Brat?”
Verity huffed, and opened the door wider.“Mama will not have to worry about you shaming the family.You’d better go.I predict Papa has worked himself into a fine froth over your tardiness.”
In her sister’s current mood, Imogene should probably accept her sister’s words as a compliment.“I do not understand why everyone assumes I am late.We won’t be leaving the house for another hour.”
“Imogene!”The duke thundered her name.
“That’s four.You’d better go before he takes a whip to your backside.”Forgetting that she was annoyed with Imogene, she pushed her out the door.
“For all of his bluster, Papa has never taken a whip to anyone in this household.”She halted abruptly and turned back.“Good grief!My reticule and fan!”
Verity waved her off.“Oh, just go.I’ll bring them down later.”
Imogene rushed down the corridor as swiftly as her dress would allow her.She slowed her pace on the stairs.A broken ankle would be worse than any punishment her father could deliver since she would likely spend the next few months confined to the house.Once she reached the front hall, she hastened into the library.The duke had left the door ajar, an obvious sign of his recent retreat.
He was standing near the lectern that displayed an old family Bible.This did not bode well if the impending lecture required a quick perusal of the Old Testament.
“Good evening, Papa.”She curtsied, and offered him a smile that never failed to charm him.
