Read Online The Wagered Heart: Signet Regency Romance (InterMix) by Rhonda Woodward - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Rhonda Woodward
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unmitigated libertine.”
“Do not be a widgeon, Julia. I am not personally acquainted with the Duke of Kelbourne. It is just that
everyone
calls him ‘Kel.’ Every wild thing he does is gossip fodder for the beau monde. I admit that his behavior toward you was beyond the pale, but that kind of deed is exactly why his name is on everyone’s tongue.”
“
Every
wild thing?”
“Yes, he’s always up to something shocking. An infamous bet he made with Lord Petersham is still spoken of. They wagered five thousand pounds on which rose of a particular bush would be the first to have a bee land upon it. Despite the threat of transportation, he has been involved in several duels. There are countless stories about the Duke of Kelbourne. Even the gifts he gives his mistresses cause a commotion.”
“Good heavens, what sorts of gifts?”
“I should not have told you that last bit. As a married lady I may discuss such things, but should not with you.”
Rolling her eyes at her cousin’s prim tone, Juliawould have none of Caro’s stuffy airs. “Tosh! What sorts of gifts?”
Caro instantly gave in with a grin. “His last mistress, an opera dancer called
La Perla
, received a house and four snow-white prime bloods. When he was done with her, he gave her an enormous cache of jewels, including a ruby as large as a robin’s egg. She wore the jewel in a toque and named it
L’amour de Kel.
I saw the vulgar thing myself once as she tooled her white horses through Rotten Row. It is said that she tried to bring him back to her side by threatening suicide, but he sent her a note saying he could not leave his card game.”
Slightly shocked at this tale, Julia reseated herself. “I would believe any horrid thing I heard concerning him.”
Caro’s expression was full of sympathy. “Well, I certainly do not blame you. It was too horrid to have your Season ruined in such a scandalous way. It’s no wonder you have no desire to return to London.”
Julia nodded her agreement and watched the crystalline water cascading down from the stony mouth of the spring. At least she had been able to give the cur a resounding slap for his insult, she mused as she contemplated the beautiful scenery.
“You never seriously answered my question.”
Julia looked over at Caro. “What question was that?”
“Don’t you wish to be married?”
Julia contemplated her answer. “After a fashion, I suppose I do. I am aware that I shall be five-and-twenty this fall. While not yet a spinster, it is time to start thinking of my future. On the other hand, I do not see how my life would be improved by marriage. I have the bequest from my father, so I have no financial inducement to wed. I am not lonely—how could I be when I have my lovely family andfriends? I have all my interests and pursuits in the village to occupy my time. Social standing matters naught to me. So, at this time, I give marriage little thought. I would hate to marry just for the sake of convention.”
“I agree with you up to a point. However, what about love? Do not look at me that way. I own I am sometimes out of patience with my Clive, but when it is all said and done—I adore him.”
“Of course you do.” Julia’s tone was gentle in response to her cousin’s defensiveness. “I do not discount love. True love is why I will not bow down to the convention that says a woman must marry—that any husband is better than no husband. I just have not met a man who has caused any strong feelings in my heart.”
“Except for Steven Thorncroft,” Caro said with an impish smile.
“I have a notion that I shall regret sharing my tale with you,” Julia responded with a wry smile.
“Not a bit. I am growing cold here in the shade. Shall we make our way back?”
Julia agreed, and they left the cascading spring. Glancing back, she thought it would be an enchanting place to bring a book.
The talk between the two women continued in a desultory fashion. They discussed their time
“Do not be a widgeon, Julia. I am not personally acquainted with the Duke of Kelbourne. It is just that
everyone
calls him ‘Kel.’ Every wild thing he does is gossip fodder for the beau monde. I admit that his behavior toward you was beyond the pale, but that kind of deed is exactly why his name is on everyone’s tongue.”
“
Every
wild thing?”
“Yes, he’s always up to something shocking. An infamous bet he made with Lord Petersham is still spoken of. They wagered five thousand pounds on which rose of a particular bush would be the first to have a bee land upon it. Despite the threat of transportation, he has been involved in several duels. There are countless stories about the Duke of Kelbourne. Even the gifts he gives his mistresses cause a commotion.”
“Good heavens, what sorts of gifts?”
“I should not have told you that last bit. As a married lady I may discuss such things, but should not with you.”
Rolling her eyes at her cousin’s prim tone, Juliawould have none of Caro’s stuffy airs. “Tosh! What sorts of gifts?”
Caro instantly gave in with a grin. “His last mistress, an opera dancer called
La Perla
, received a house and four snow-white prime bloods. When he was done with her, he gave her an enormous cache of jewels, including a ruby as large as a robin’s egg. She wore the jewel in a toque and named it
L’amour de Kel.
I saw the vulgar thing myself once as she tooled her white horses through Rotten Row. It is said that she tried to bring him back to her side by threatening suicide, but he sent her a note saying he could not leave his card game.”
Slightly shocked at this tale, Julia reseated herself. “I would believe any horrid thing I heard concerning him.”
Caro’s expression was full of sympathy. “Well, I certainly do not blame you. It was too horrid to have your Season ruined in such a scandalous way. It’s no wonder you have no desire to return to London.”
Julia nodded her agreement and watched the crystalline water cascading down from the stony mouth of the spring. At least she had been able to give the cur a resounding slap for his insult, she mused as she contemplated the beautiful scenery.
“You never seriously answered my question.”
Julia looked over at Caro. “What question was that?”
“Don’t you wish to be married?”
Julia contemplated her answer. “After a fashion, I suppose I do. I am aware that I shall be five-and-twenty this fall. While not yet a spinster, it is time to start thinking of my future. On the other hand, I do not see how my life would be improved by marriage. I have the bequest from my father, so I have no financial inducement to wed. I am not lonely—how could I be when I have my lovely family andfriends? I have all my interests and pursuits in the village to occupy my time. Social standing matters naught to me. So, at this time, I give marriage little thought. I would hate to marry just for the sake of convention.”
“I agree with you up to a point. However, what about love? Do not look at me that way. I own I am sometimes out of patience with my Clive, but when it is all said and done—I adore him.”
“Of course you do.” Julia’s tone was gentle in response to her cousin’s defensiveness. “I do not discount love. True love is why I will not bow down to the convention that says a woman must marry—that any husband is better than no husband. I just have not met a man who has caused any strong feelings in my heart.”
“Except for Steven Thorncroft,” Caro said with an impish smile.
“I have a notion that I shall regret sharing my tale with you,” Julia responded with a wry smile.
“Not a bit. I am growing cold here in the shade. Shall we make our way back?”
Julia agreed, and they left the cascading spring. Glancing back, she thought it would be an enchanting place to bring a book.
The talk between the two women continued in a desultory fashion. They discussed their time
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