Read Online His Courtesan Bride (Brides of Mayfair 3) by Michelle McMaster - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Michelle McMaster
Tags: Fiction, Romance, Historical, Adult, Regency, England, 19th century, Bachelor, Victorian, destiny, Britain, second chances, Forever Love, Single Woman, Hearts Desire, London Society, Years Later, Mayfair Ball, Scandalous Embrace, Reputation, Courtesan Club, Pledged To Another, Exclusive Courtesan
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their fancy promenade dresses and plumed hats in every color of the rainbow.
Here and there, carriages stopped so that their passengers might have a quick chat with someone they knew, and gossip about those they didn’t. Bucks and dandies sat astride prancing geldings, and flirted shamelessly with every woman between the ages of eighteen and eighty. Even the gentry’s horses sported fancy accoutrements, their manes adorned with colored bows and ribbons.
Darius scanned the crowd, changing his grip on the reins to steer the lightweight vehicle through the throng. For a moment, his thoughts turned to Henrietta, his late wife. He’d taken her here early on during their marriage, to show her off, as new husbands were expected to do. He had genuinely tried to be a good husband to her, even if he hadn’t returned her feelings of true love.
At least that was what she had called it. True love .
Looking back, Darius wasn’t so sure. He remembered the expression in her eyes as she’d gazed up at him with rage and contempt. That had been about the time everything went sour, when Henrietta revealed her true self to him.
And so began the jealousy and accusations, the irrational demands, and the selfish, violent acts of vengeance, which he could do nothing to assuage, no matter how hard he tried.
If that was what true love did to a person, Darius thought, he wanted no part of it. Either giving or receiving. Life was much simpler—and more enjoyable—without the complications of the human heart to muddle things up.
Of one thing he was certain. He did not want another wife. And though he had a duty to carry on the family line, the price for that now seemed too steep.
But there was certainly room in his life for passion. And for making amends.
Thank goodness his dear mother was away from Town at Manning Park, their family estate. What she didn’t know wouldn’t hurt her.
And right now, Darius was glad his mother didn’t know he was in Hyde Park, seeking out a woman he was determined to make his own personal courtesan. And spend a lot of money doing so—because his future courtesan certainly deserved it, for what he had put her through. If he could, he would hand over his entire fortune to her, if she would only accept it.
“Do you see her anywhere, Hav?” Darius asked. Havelock had eyes as keen as an eagle’s, one of the many skills that had made him such an invaluable partner during the wars. He could spot a French cuirassier from five hundred yards away. Of course, his quarry today was much prettier than the average soldier in Napoleon’s army.
Havelock glanced about as they traveled slowly through the crowd. “Oh look—there’s Lord and Lady Secord with their twin daughters, Eustacia and Euphemia. And there is the Dowager Duchess Melbyrne. You know, she’s still quite sprightly for a woman of seventy-two. Not bad looking either. And quite rich.”
Darius chuckled. “Are you saying you’d like to pay court to Her Grace?”
“I learned long ago not to rule anything out,” Havelock said, grinning. “And there is the Duke of Balfour astride his prize white stallion. He actually had the audacity to name the animal ‘Boney.’ As if Balfour himself had anything to do with routing Napoleon’s army.”
“Is Serena with him?” Darius squinted, but couldn’t make out who the duke was talking to.
“No, I believe that is the Countess of Tavington he is addressing,” Havelock replied.
“Is he getting a word in edgewise?” Darius asked.
Lady Tavington was known to rarely take a breath, as that would interfere with the speed of her discourse.
“It doesn’t appear so.”
“Good, a perfect time for us to find Serena without Balfour hanging about and making a nuisance of himself.” Darius was growing impatient. He needed to know why Serena hadn’t responded to his offer yet.
Plus, he simply wanted to see her again.
“I think…just a moment…can it be?” Havelock muttered.
“Damnation, man, is
Here and there, carriages stopped so that their passengers might have a quick chat with someone they knew, and gossip about those they didn’t. Bucks and dandies sat astride prancing geldings, and flirted shamelessly with every woman between the ages of eighteen and eighty. Even the gentry’s horses sported fancy accoutrements, their manes adorned with colored bows and ribbons.
Darius scanned the crowd, changing his grip on the reins to steer the lightweight vehicle through the throng. For a moment, his thoughts turned to Henrietta, his late wife. He’d taken her here early on during their marriage, to show her off, as new husbands were expected to do. He had genuinely tried to be a good husband to her, even if he hadn’t returned her feelings of true love.
At least that was what she had called it. True love .
Looking back, Darius wasn’t so sure. He remembered the expression in her eyes as she’d gazed up at him with rage and contempt. That had been about the time everything went sour, when Henrietta revealed her true self to him.
And so began the jealousy and accusations, the irrational demands, and the selfish, violent acts of vengeance, which he could do nothing to assuage, no matter how hard he tried.
If that was what true love did to a person, Darius thought, he wanted no part of it. Either giving or receiving. Life was much simpler—and more enjoyable—without the complications of the human heart to muddle things up.
Of one thing he was certain. He did not want another wife. And though he had a duty to carry on the family line, the price for that now seemed too steep.
But there was certainly room in his life for passion. And for making amends.
Thank goodness his dear mother was away from Town at Manning Park, their family estate. What she didn’t know wouldn’t hurt her.
And right now, Darius was glad his mother didn’t know he was in Hyde Park, seeking out a woman he was determined to make his own personal courtesan. And spend a lot of money doing so—because his future courtesan certainly deserved it, for what he had put her through. If he could, he would hand over his entire fortune to her, if she would only accept it.
“Do you see her anywhere, Hav?” Darius asked. Havelock had eyes as keen as an eagle’s, one of the many skills that had made him such an invaluable partner during the wars. He could spot a French cuirassier from five hundred yards away. Of course, his quarry today was much prettier than the average soldier in Napoleon’s army.
Havelock glanced about as they traveled slowly through the crowd. “Oh look—there’s Lord and Lady Secord with their twin daughters, Eustacia and Euphemia. And there is the Dowager Duchess Melbyrne. You know, she’s still quite sprightly for a woman of seventy-two. Not bad looking either. And quite rich.”
Darius chuckled. “Are you saying you’d like to pay court to Her Grace?”
“I learned long ago not to rule anything out,” Havelock said, grinning. “And there is the Duke of Balfour astride his prize white stallion. He actually had the audacity to name the animal ‘Boney.’ As if Balfour himself had anything to do with routing Napoleon’s army.”
“Is Serena with him?” Darius squinted, but couldn’t make out who the duke was talking to.
“No, I believe that is the Countess of Tavington he is addressing,” Havelock replied.
“Is he getting a word in edgewise?” Darius asked.
Lady Tavington was known to rarely take a breath, as that would interfere with the speed of her discourse.
“It doesn’t appear so.”
“Good, a perfect time for us to find Serena without Balfour hanging about and making a nuisance of himself.” Darius was growing impatient. He needed to know why Serena hadn’t responded to his offer yet.
Plus, he simply wanted to see her again.
“I think…just a moment…can it be?” Havelock muttered.
“Damnation, man, is
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