The Heir Read Online Free PDF Page A

person? I didn’t see to your pleasure?” he asked, more curious than he wanted to let on.
    “You.” She glared at him with reluctant affection. “You probably had a list in your pocket as you set out today: Replace right hind shoe on gelding; draft terms for running the universe; visit Elise; meet cronies at the club. Except you don’t have cronies. And when you get here,” she ranted on, “kiss her cheek, and carefully disrobe. After folding each article of clothing precisely so , twiddle her bubbies, twiddle her couche, insert cock, and stir briskly for five minutes. Oh”—she threw up her hands—“just forget I opened my mouth.”
    “Twiddle, Elise?” Westhaven said, sitting next to her on the bed. “I perceive you are disappointed in me, but twiddle is a bit harsh. And given your sentiments, perhaps it’s best you aren’t going to be my duchess, hmm?”
    “Yes.” She nodded. “I would likely have killed you, Westhaven, though you aren’t a bad fellow underneath it all.”
    “A ringing endorsement.” He rose then turned and studied her. “What will you do, Elise? Renfrew is pockets to let, for all that he’s a good time.”
    “I don’t know, but I’d appreciate it if you’d give me some time to figure it out.”
    “Take all the time you need.” He hugged her, a simple, affectionate gesture that seemed somehow appropriate. “I believe I’ll swear off mistresses for the nonce, and the lease here is paid up through the year, so you might as well put the place to use.”
    “Most generous. Now be gone with you.” Elise shoved him away from her. “I’m swearing off titles. I’ll find myself a rich, climbing cit and get the blighter to marry me, bastard and all.”
    “Seriously, Elise.” He paused to force her to meet his eyes. “I’ll provide if there’s a child. You will allow it.” He put every ounce of ducal authority into his expression, and she visibly shrank from his gaze.
    “I will.” She nodded, swallowing.
    “Then good-bye.” He bowed, as if they’d just shared a waltz, and kissed her cheek.
    Westhaven left his mistress’s pretty little house, thinking he should have been angry with Elise and most especially with his father. The duke, though, had simply covered a logical base: If Westhaven were already swiving a woman, it made sense that woman was the most likely to conceive his child.
    But Elise, as a mother? Good God… His Grace must be getting senile.
    Mentally, Westhaven found himself adding to his list of tasks to complete: Send parting gift to Elise, diamonds, emeralds, and rubies, if possible; replace Elise; draft epistle to His Grace, decrying his suborning of bastardy.
    And had Val not sent him an alert, would Westhaven have seen through Elise’s ploy?
    He should just damned marry, he thought as he gained the steps to his townhouse. But if finding a mistress had been difficult, finding a woman worthy to be his duchess and his wife was going be almost impossible.
    “The prodigal returns,” a voice sang out in his front hallway.
    “Valentine?” Westhaven found himself smiling at his younger brother, who lounged in the doorway to the library. “You left our sire unsupervised? Our sisters unprotected?”
    “I’m up only for the weekend.” Val shoved away from the door and extended a hand. “I got to fretting about you, and His Grace is under the supervision of Her Grace, which should be adequate for a few days.”
    “Fretting about me?”
    “I overheard Renfrew bragging.” Val turned to lead his brother into the library. “Then it occurred to me my note was perhaps not clear enough.”
    “Elise and I have come to an amicable if somewhat costly parting. I will call upon Renfrew in the near future to suggest, quite discreetly, that should he see fit to precede me into holy matrimony, a token of my good wishes would be forthcoming.”
    Val whistled. “Elise was playing a desperate game. The girl has cheek.”
    “She and Renfrew would understand each