The Decadent Duke Read Online Free PDF

room furniture.
    When she was introduced to the Earl of Winchilsea, her expressive dark green eyes lit up her face. "I am delighted to meet you, George. I shall look forward to a lesson in how to whack a cricket ball tomorrow.’’ Her mother had taught her to pander unscrupulously to the male ago and to treat gentlemen informally, no matter their noble rank. Therein lay the secret to charming the male of the species.
    "Lady Georgina, would you really deign to play cricket?’’
    "Why not? I play tennis, and when I’m in Scotland I often play golf.’’
    The earl was completely captivated by the vivacious beauty and hung on her every word. At the end of the meal, when they had finished eating and Georgina dipped her fingers into her crystal finger bowl, he murmured, "Your sweet touch could turn water to wine. I’m almost tempted to drink it.’’
    Georgina murmured back outrageously, "When I wash my feet tonight shall I have the maid save the water for you?’’
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Next morning, Georgina awoke to find Mary curled up in bed with her. "How did you get here?’’
    "Magic power,’’ Mary said solemnly.
    "Ah, from eating raspberry jam, I warrant. What would you like to do on this warm, sunny day?’’
    "Can we go for a ramble through the woods? Just us two?’’
    "May we go for a ramble?’’
    "Yes, we may !’’ Mary’s face lit with rapture.
    Georgina took one of Mary’s chubby feet in her hand and inspected it. "Are you a good rambler?’’
    "I can walk miles and miles,’’ she declared.
    Georgina took hold of the child’s big toe. "This little piggy went to market.’’ She moved on to the next one. "This little piggy stayed home. This little piggy had roast beef. But this little piggy had none,’’ she said sadly.
    "Aw, poor piggy, eh?’’ Mary said with heartfelt compassion.
    Georgina transformed her face from sad to happy. "This little piggy cried wee, wee, wee, all the way home.’’ She dropped the foot and tickled Mary’s tummy.
    The child giggled and wriggled, the pillows went flying, and the pair rolled off the bed with laughter.
    A maid arrived with a breakfast tray. "There you are, little Miss Mischief. Nanny’s been looking for you.’’
    "I’m a big girl,’’ Mary protested.
    "Tell Nanny that she’s safe and sound with me. The big girls are spending the morning together.’’
    "Very good, my lady.’’ The maid bobbed a curtsy and left.
    "I’ll soon be as big as you, Georgy.’’ Mary stood on tiptoe beside her aunt. Since Georgina was on the small side and still had some growing of her own to do, Mary’s head came just below her breasts. "I’ll soon be as tall as your titties.’’
    Georgina hid her amusement. "You have a way with words.’’
    The big girls soon devoured everything on the breakfast tray.
    "Go and get dressed. Choose an old smock that won’t get ruined on our ramble, and don’t forget to put on some shoes.’’
    Georgina donned her plainest gown. It was an oyster-colored batiste cotton that looked rather drab. It won’t matter if it gets soiled. I warrant the dirt won’t even show. She drew on her stockings and slipped into her sturdy walking shoes. She brushed her dark curls and left them loose about her shoulders.
    The pair of nature lovers set off on their ramble and soon left the gardens of Marylebone Manor behind. They began to climb the wooded slope known as Primrose Hill, and clouds of tiny midges gathered above their heads. Georgina broke off a couple of leafy branches and handed the smaller one to Mary. "Swish it about like a magic wand and the midges will disappear . . . poof!’’
    In imitation, Mary wafted her wand. "Poof! Poof!’’ The child laughed with delight. "It really is magic!’’
    They crested Primrose Hill and