Duke of Disrepute (Dukes of Distinction #3) - Alexa Aston Page 0,2
stroked his cheek, then used the gown to mop up the blood. Weston’s belly soured and he fought the urge to empty all the drinks he’d had, swallowing hard and then holding his breath.
His fiancée came to him. She tried to put her arms about him but he waved her off.
“Oh, come now, Treadwell,” she said softly. “You aren’t surprised, are you? You know my appetite is voracious when it comes to matters of the flesh.”
Anger flushed through him. “Surprised? I’m disgusted. Horrified.”
She touched his forearm but he threw off her hand.
“It’s only for fun. That’s what carnal pleasure is all about. Indulging yourself. Living out your fantasies.” Juniper smiled. “In fact, the three of us together will have some interesting times.”
“Are you mad?” he hissed.
She shrugged. “We’ll try it. You’ll get used to the idea. A wonderful, wicked world awaits you. You’ll see. You’ll try it . . . and like it. I know you will.”
“I’ll see nothing,” he said hoarsely. “There will be no trying. There’ll be no us to do the trying.”
She frowned. “What are you saying?”
“We are not getting married,” he told her.
“Treadwell, you must—”
“I must follow my common sense, Madam. Right now, it’s telling me to get as far from you as possible.”
“You cannot break our engagement,” she said firmly. “I’ve waited for the right man. I wanted a duke. A handsome, wealthy duke. One who enjoys sex as much as I do.”
“Not unnatural coupling!” he shouted, not caring who heard him.
She sniffed. “It’s in your nature, Treadwell. You are as carnal as they come. You enjoy all the naughty things we already do. There’s a world of interesting things to try together. It doesn’t have to be with Monty. We can find others. Your friend Colebourne, for example. He’s quite dashing. I’m sure he’d be amenable to having some fun with us.”
Weston vehemently shook his head in denial. “You are deliberately not understanding, Juniper. I want nothing to do with you or any of your sick games.”
Her eyes narrowed. “My reputation will be ruined if you break our engagement.”
“Then say you broke it for all I care. I will be a gentleman and keep to myself what I saw this night. Polite Society will never hear of your misdeeds from me.”
Her eyes gleamed. She looked like an entirely different person. How could he not have seen what she truly was?
“You must promise you will not speak publicly of this. That you will let me tell my version of the events and not contradict it.”
“I promise,” he said begrudgingly. “What is the story you will tell?”
“I’ll have to give it some thought,” Juniper said. “It must cast me in a positive light. I’m afraid, though, it will paint you in quite a bad one.” She smiled wickedly. “In fact, you will be totally, utterly disgraced. Of course, society forgives a duke anything. Eventually, that is.”
“What kind of lies will you paint me with?” he demanded.
“Lies which will become known as the truth. Ones which will make your new nickname reflect who you truly are, Your Grace.” She paused. “The Duke . . . of Disrepute. Yes, that is what I will call you. Disrepute. You will have no respect. No honor. No one will hold you in esteem.”
In that moment, Weston didn’t care what she said or did. He only wanted to get as far away from her as possible. He had loved this woman. Worshipped her body. Given his very soul to her. Now, he realized the truth. Love didn’t exist. Women were never to be trusted. And if he was to be known as the Duke of Disrepute?
Then he would live up to the title and wear it with pride.
Chapter Two
London—April 1809
Lady Elise Purnell waited nervously at the foot of the staircase with her father.
“Why can’t Mama ever be on time?” she complained.
He chuckled. “It’s not in your mother’s nature to let a clock rule her life, my dear. She’ll be ready when she’s ready. And she’ll be beautiful, as always.”
“But I’m the one making my come-out!” Elise exclaimed. “If we are late, we won’t be able to go through the receiving line. Or worse. All the eligible gentlemen will have already circulated through the ballroom and signed their names to dance cards. I’ll be left standing alone, the first designated wallflower of the Season.”
Papa came and enfolded her in his arms. “That won’t happen, Daughter. You are a lovely person, both inside and out. If the bachelors of the ton can’t recognize