The Irish Duke

by Virginia Henley

  “I could wear your Spanish costume, Lu, and everyone would think I was you.”

  Louisa felt alarm. Georgy got up to all sorts of promiscuous behavior.

  “We will go to the costumiers tomorrow and see what strikes our fancy,” the duchess declared. “When I was your age, I went as Diana, goddess of the hunt.”

  “Don’t encourage our daughters to be licentious, Georgina.” John Russell frowned his disapproval. “Provocative costumes invite provocative behavior.”

  “Yes, darling, I remember it well,” Georgina teased.

  The following afternoon, the duchess and her two daughters were busy trying on costumes. Bedecked in a large lace ruff and a stomacher, Georgina gazed into the mirror. “I don’t believe the Virgin Queen suits me and I know damn well your father would refuse to wear tights. I don’t think he’d demur at being King Charles Stuart, however.”

  “That’s an excellent idea, Mother.”

  “There’s method in my madness, Louisa. If he is Charles, I can be Barbara Castlemaine, Duchess of Cleveland. A king’s mistress is sure to cause a stir and I can wear one of those fabulous cavalier hats with a sweeping ostrich feather. I shall also need a silk mask and some face patches.” She moved toward the dressing room to remove the Elizabethan gown. “What have you chosen, Louisa?”

  “It’s a dancer’s costume,” she said evasively, “but not Spanish.”

  “Is it a famous dancer, darling?”

  “If you must know, it’s pretty, witty Nell Gwyn.”

  “Oh, how very droll. King Charles and both of his favorite mistresses. The ton will be agog. Best not mention it to your father ahead of time.” She laughed wickedly. “Better keep it as a surprise.” She called out to her other daughter in the next room. “What have you chosen, Georgy?”

  “Like Lu, I shall keep it as a surprise.”

  Louisa and her mother rolled their eyes and went off in a peal of giddy laughter.

  “Dressed as King Charles Stuart, you are tempting as sin.” The Duchess of Bedford stood on tiptoe and kissed her husband. “I think it’s the slim mustache that attracts me.”

  “I know what attracts me,” John said, running his finger across the swell of one half-exposed breast. “Trouble is it will attract every other male bent on seduction.”

  “Then I make a perfect Barbara Castlemaine. She was never faithful to Charles.”

  John turned as his daughter descended the stairs in a flowing white robe. “Now there’s a costume I fully approve of. You make a lovely novitiate nun, Louisa.”

  “It is Georgy!” She lifted her white silk mask.

  “Good heavens, darling, I never would have expected you to choose a nun’s habit,” her mother declared. “The wimple covers your lovely hair.”

  “This is a perfect disguise. I’m going to have great fun tonight.”

  When Louisa came down, she was wearing her cloak, which completely covered her costume. She had tucked her dark hair beneath a wig of saucy red curls.

  Her mother laughed with delight. “Now I know what baby Rachel will look like when she grows up. The carriage is waiting . . . we’ll be fashionably late as usual. I wonder what Queen Adelaide will be wearing.”

  Saint James’s Palace was lit up like a Christmas tree for the Royal Masquerade Ball, and even the liveried servants wore masks. The Russell sisters, eager to distance themselves from their parents, melted into the crowd of costumed revelers. Louisa spied Red Riding Hood and knew immediately that it was Lady Holland. A man in a wolf mask hovered behind her. Louisa tapped him on the shoulder. “Hello, Uncle Holly.”

  He turned to stare at the pretty redhead dressed in a short skirt that showed off her legs and a corset laced provocatively beneath her breasts. When he saw her green eyes through the black mask, he realized it was Louisa. “How on earth did you know it was me?”

  “I didn’t. It was Beth I recognized. If you hadn’t been together, I would never have known you. Will you partner me? I’d love to dance with a wolf.”

  Henry led her onto the dance floor. “You remind me so much of your mother. Your saucy costume is exactly the sort she would have worn at your age.”

  “I’m Nell Gwyn. I’ll have to keep away from Father. He would never approve.”

  “Teddy has been looking for you. He came as Robin Hood. My son is quite smitten with you, my dear.”

  “We’ve known each other since we were children.”

  “Exactly. Nothing would please Beth and me more than seeing you and Teddy make a match.”

  Louisa drew in a quick breath. “Teddy and I are friends . . . I don’t feel ready for marriage, Uncle Holly.”

  “No rush, my dear. But when you are ready to play Maid Marian to his Robin, we’d love to have you as our daughter.”

  When the dance ended, Louisa thanked him and melted into the crowd as quickly as she could. Good God, I hope Teddy isn’t seriously interested in me. Georgy would be devastated. She recognized King William, who was aptly wearing an admiral’s uniform. She curtsied before him. “Your Majesty, I warrant you have salt water in your veins.”

  “I’m far more at ease on the deck of a ship than on the dance floor, m’dear.” When he learned it was Louisa Russell, he confided, “Just between us, I prefer a ship to the throne, if truth be told.”

  “I don’t see Queen Adelaide.”

  “She’s off dancing. Just look for Queen Cleopatra.”

  Louisa laughed. “This is such fun. We are all indulging our secret fantasies tonight.” She spotted Charles Stuart heading toward the king and moved away quickly.

  With the tenacity of a terrier, Georgy was on a manhunt for Lord Burlington. She had eluded his amorous advances at the Prime Minister’s Ball, playing him like a trout on a line to whet his appetite. Tonight she intended to reel him in. When she recognized the Duke of Devonshire, she focused her attention on the man beside him. He wore a black cape with a red lining and a devil’s mask complete with horns. She knew she had viewed her prey. When Devonshire headed toward Sailor Bill, she moved in.

  “The only man here who could lead me into temptation. Devil take me!”

  Burlington thought he recognized her voice. “Georgy, is that you?” He threw back his head and laughed. “What on earth are you doing masquerading as a nun?”

  She licked her lips provocatively. “I am every man’s fantasy. What male breathing hasn’t imagined unfrocking a nun?”

  “Christ, it makes me hard just thinking about it.”

  “Well, think about this. I’m stark naked beneath my robe.”

  “Lord have mercy! Why don’t we find a private place where you can save my soul?”

  She took his hand. “Follow me, and I will give you a religious experience.”

  They left the crowded ballroom, hurried through an antechamber, and made their way down a palace corridor until they found a dark empty room.

  Burlington’s hands seized the hem of her robe and lifted it high. Then he caressed her naked breasts, belly, and thighs. “Will you get down on your knees and . . . pray for me?”

  She unfastened his trousers and took hold of his hard erection. “Mm . . . For what you about to receive, may the Lord make you truly thankful.” She sank to her knees and sucked his cock into her mouth.

  “Ahh . . . Ahh . . . Ahmen,” the devil groaned, as she drained away his sins.

  As she tucked his limp cock out of sight, he heaved a deep sigh of satisfaction. “You’re the best, Georgy.”

  “Indeed I am, William. We make a perfect couple. If you were wed to me, you could enjoy this every night of your life.”

  “Ah, you lead me into temptation, sweetheart.”

  “I warrant the only reason gentlemen marry is to have sex on a regular basis. The lucky ones find a wife who is insatiable.” She took his hand, raised her robe, and pushed his fingers into her hot, wet cleft.

  “An insatiable nun!” Burlington’s knees went weak at the thought.

  It was announced that at midnight, all
masks were to be removed and the guests’ identities revealed. For the remaining hour the lights in the palace ballroom were lowered. This added to the risqué atmosphere and encouraged the gentlemen to act boldly.

  Lady Louisa found her dance partners trying to steal kisses. Since her mother had declared them insignificant trifles, she allowed a few liberties in the spirit of fun. It wasn’t hard for her to discern the identity of the young lords who kissed her. She knew Earnest Winterton because he had kissed her at the last ball, and she identified Lord Edgecombe because of his receding chin. It took a little longer to guess that the pirate was actually her friend George Grey. She was surprised that his kiss was rather pleasurable and put it down to the bold buccaneer’s disguise.

  Two males stood before her wanting to partner her. One was Robin Hood and the other was Caesar, wearing a Roman toga and a laurel wreath. Since Lord Holland had told her Teddy was Robin Hood, she chose to dance with Caesar. The minute he put his powerful arm around her, Louisa knew it was James Hamilton. “I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him!”

  “Lady Lu, is that you? Your red wig disguises your identity completely. You are dressed as Nell Gwyn, unless I miss my guess.”

  “Abercorn, you are the only one who knows who I’m supposed to be!”

  “Well, knowing you, it had to be a dancer. A guinea says you can’t sing one of Nelly’s infamous ditties,” he challenged.

  “You’re on! Find us a private spot and I will prove you wrong, noble Roman.”

  The pair made their way to a well-lit antechamber. Louisa curtsied low, then executed a saucy dance, kicking up her legs to show her frilly petticoat and warbling, “It’s rolling in the dew that makes the milkmaids fair.”

  As James watched her delectable performance, a daring idea occurred to him. “Lady Lu, what if I came up with a way to make your fondest dream come true?”

  “You are Caesar, not Merlin.”

  “I keep my magic wand well hidden,” he teased.

  “You rude Irish devil!” She laughed in spite of herself. “Tell me more. How do you propose to make my fondest dream come true?”

  “I’ll divulge the secret when I call for you on Wednesday.” He waggled his eyebrows suggestively.

  Chapter Twelve

  A footman from Campden Hill, the Russells’ estate in Kensington on the outskirts of London, handed the Duchess of Bedford a letter.

  “Oh dear, Rachel’s nursemaid says she is fretful and may be coming down with something.” When the Russells came to London for the season, they had brought their two youngest children to stay at Campden Hill. “I shall pack some things and go immediately.”

  “Would you like me to come with you, Mother?” Louisa offered.

  “No, no, darling. You’re going to the theater with Abercorn this afternoon. Besides, baby Rachel may have something contagious. I don’t want either you or Georgy to come down with anything that would keep you from socializing.”

  “What about Almack’s tonight? I have captured the attention of a certain eligible noble who will likely be there,” Georgy declared. “Can’t you wait and go tomorrow?”

  “No, I can’t wait. Your brother Charles will escort you. Who might this noble gentleman be?” her mother asked eagerly.

  “He shall remain nameless until I am sure of my conquest. Actually, I have two young men paying their addresses to me.”

  “What a clever girl you are, Georgy. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do, darling.”

  “You are my role model in everything I do, Mother.”

  Louisa knew her mother hadn’t the faintest notion that Georgy was promiscuous. “Please send us a note to let us know how Rachel is. I hope it’s nothing serious.”

  Lu, wearing an afternoon dress in a delicate shade of peach, picked up her hat decorated with pale green ribbon and descended to the entrance hall, where she paced about waiting for James Hamilton. She heard a carriage and opened the door, but was surprised to see it was her father. “Oh, I thought it was Abercorn.”

  “When he arrives, don’t bolt off, Louisa. You must invite him in. I’ve just had lunch with Johnny and the prime minister. I have something I’d like to ask Abercorn. I’ll be in the library.”

  Georgy descended the stairs. “If you are wise, you’ll let a footman answer the door and keep Abercorn waiting. Anticipation whets the appetite.”

  “Don’t be silly. He’s not courting me. He’s acting as my escort to the theater because he knows I have a passion for it.”

  “Don’t be naive, Lu. He’s after kindling your passion, but not for the theater.”

  “Then he’ll be disappointed, won’t he?”

  “I doubt that. I’d wager the dark devil is tenacious as a terrier.”

  The thud of the doorknocker made Louisa jump. She ignored her sister’s advice about making him wait and opened the door. “Good afternoon, James.”

  “Lady Louisa, you look exceptionally lovely today.”

  “Thank you. I’m sorry, but Father would like to see you in the library.”

  “Don’t be sorry, Lu. I thoroughly enjoy your father’s company.”

  More than mine, likely. “The library is this way.”

  John Russell stood when he saw Abercorn. “Do come in, James.” He glanced at Louisa. “Where’s your mother?”

  “She left you a note. She’s gone to Campden Hill. Rachel’s nursemaid thinks she’s coming down with something.”

  “Oh dear.” He glanced at his desk and spotted the note. “Here it is.” He picked it up. “I won’t keep you, James. I don’t want you to be late for the performance. I had lunch with Johnny and Earl Grey. Before Parliament recesses for the summer, I’d like to visit the Lords and wondered if we could go together?”

  “I’d be honored, Your Grace.”

  The duke scanned his wife’s letter. “I think I’d better drop in at Campden Hill. Tell you what—when I get back, I’ll be in touch and we can arrange a date to visit the Lords together.”

  “I shall look forward to it. I hope there is nothing seriously wrong at Campden Hill, Your Grace.”

  Louisa settled back against the leather squabs in Abercorn’s carriage. “I don’t expect Mother to be back for at least a week. She worries when Rachel is unwell. We all do, actually. Mother lost a baby boy once. The fear of losing a child never leaves you.”

  Abercorn had a revelation. This was the reason Louisa was skittish about marriage. She’s terrified of having a child! “The Duchess of Bedford is a devoted mother. She’ll nurse little Rachel through all her childhood ailments, have no fear.”

  “Will you be returning to Ireland in August when Parliament recesses?”

  “Actually, I have business in Scotland that needs my attention.”

  Damnation, we usually go to Scotland for part of August and September. I’d better take care not to divulge that to you, Abercorn.

  “Before that comes the boat race between Oxford and Cambridge. Since I’m now a graduate, this will be the last year I’ll be allowed to row. It’s held at Henley-on-Thames. I’m sure your brother Charles will attend. I’d love you to come and watch, Lu.”

  “Do you think Oxford will win this year?”

  “I know Oxford will win. Cambridge doesn’t stand a chance.”

  It must be wonderful to have so much self- confidence. “Cocksure devil!”

  “And then some,” he said with a grin.

  Inside the theater, Louisa led the way to her family’s box. When the curtain went up and the chorus danced onto the stage, she sang the words perfectly along with the performers.

  James smiled into the darkness, feeling confident that Louisa would not be able to resist the plan he was about to propose.

  At the intermission, she applauded with gusto. “I enjoy it more every time.” She leaned forward to look at the audience below. She was fascinated by everything about the theater.

  When the intermission was over and the chorus danced out again, Lu glanced at him knowingly. “There’s your r
ed- headed friend.”

  “Do you believe you could do her part, if you were down there on the stage?”

  “Of course I could.” She tossed her head. “I could do it better than Kitty!”

  James leaned close. “Cocksure devil.”

  Her lips twitched, but she refused to look at him. Instead she focused all her attention on the performers. When the musical was over, Louisa stood up and applauded loudly. “Thank you for bringing me. It was exceedingly kind of you.”

  “I had an ulterior motive.”

  She went still. If Kitty was your ulterior motive, you can go to the devil!

  “Lady Lu, I have thought of a way to make your fondest dream come true. What if I could arrange for you to sing and dance on Covent Garden’s stage for just one night?”

  “That’s quite impossible. My parents would never allow it.”

  “They’d never know. No one would know. If you wore a red wig, everyone would assume you were Kitty Kelly.”

  She drew in a swift breath and her eyes filled with wonder. “You could arrange it?”

  “Absolutely. Are you up to the challenge, Lady Lu?”

  His proposition was almost too tempting to resist. “At what price?”

  James looked deeply into her eyes. “What price would you be willing to pay?”

  She thought about it for a full minute. As she hesitated, her longing threatened to overwhelm her caution. But she guessed exactly what price Abercorn was asking. She raised her chin and said primly, “My answer is no.”

  When the carriage arrived in Belgrave Square, Charles rushed out of the house to speak to his friend James. He flourished a piece of paper. “I got confirmation. I’ve been accepted into the Household Cavalry as a first lieutenant.”

  “Congratulations, Charles. Your fondest dream has been realized,” James replied.

  His choice of words was not lost on Louisa. He was subtly pointing out that dreams could be realized, if you went after them. “I’m very happy for you, Charles.” She turned to James. “Thank you for your escort, Abercorn.”