“John, they are so splendid. I thank you with all my heart.” She put on a diamond necklace, and John fastened the clasp for her. “I won’t wear one of my Paris gowns. They won’t do my jewels justice. The white and silver gown from my debutante ball will show off my diamonds to perfection.”
John bent and kissed the nape of her neck. “I heartily wish all our guests at the back of beyond at this moment. I’d like to drape you in diamonds and carry you to bed.”
She laughed up at him. “And prevent me from being the belle of the ball? I think not, Bedford.” She tied his neckcloth and touched her lips to his. “You’ll have to wait until dawn. After the Scottish dances, I’ll need you to carry me to bed.”
In the ballroom, all the ladies gathered around Georgina to admire her jewels.
Lady Holland lifted Georgina’s right hand to look at the exquisite solitaire ring. “The Russell diamonds are legendary. At long last there is a worthy Duchess of Bedford to wear them.”
Jane Gordon whispered to her daughter behind her fan, “I once told you if you could capture Bedford, the rewards would be beyond your wildest dreams.”
Her mother’s words threatened to take away some of her pleasure. You don’t even remember that you were speaking of Francis. Georgina closed her eyes. I absolutely refuse to let the ghost of Francis Russell spoil my birthday.
“So this is where you are all hiding!” Georgina stood with hands on hips at the library door as she surveyed the room. John, Henry Holland, William Montagu, Charles Lennox, and her brother, Huntly, were smoking and drinking brandy. A sudden suspicion crossed her mind. “You weren’t talking politics, were you? Oh, damn the lot of you for excluding me!”
The men laughed good-naturedly.
“Methinks the lady has designs on becoming a political hostess,” Henry declared.
“She’ll get her chance sooner than she thinks.” John winked.
“Tell me, you devious devil!”
“While the government is in summer recess, we’re going to host a get-together for Whigs and Tories at Woburn in a fortnight.”
Georgina gave her husband a radiant smile. “How exciting . . . I can’t wait.” Scottish music floated from the ballroom. “Come quickly. They are playing the first strathspey. At midnight I’ve ordered them to play the ’Gey Gordons’ when I intend to partner the decadent Duke of Bedford. Politics can wait.”
The men hooted. “Decadent, is he?”
Georgina rolled her eyes. “You have no idea.”
Two hours before dawn everyone gathered outside to watch a spectacular fireworks display.
Georgina leaned back against her husband, enjoying the brilliant colored illuminations that burst upon the dark sky. “This is a lovely surprise.”
“It was Mr. Burke’s idea, but I’ll gladly take credit for it. Happy birthday, Mrs. Russell.”
“I’m ready for some private skyrockets,” she teased. “You may carry me to bed now, Mr. Russell.”
The moment all the guests departed Woburn, Georgina began making plans for the political gathering on the first day of August. She consulted John about the guest list. “Politicians always have an agenda. What is it you hope to achieve?”
“You’re a shrewd little minx. Why don’t you tell me?”
“I suppose your ultimate goal is to get rid of Addington and replace him with Pitt as prime minister.”
“Trust you to get right to the heart of the matter. However, it won’t be easy. It will take a deal of maneuvering. Henry tells me that Pitt seldom attended parliament before it recessed.”
“A clever tactic.” Georgina bit back Absence makes the heart grow fonder. She didn’t want John to think of either Francis or his wife Elizabeth. “Pitt is wise enough to realize you never know the worth of water till the well goes dry.”
“I wonder if Pitt will accept our invitation to Woburn.”
“Why don’t I write a note to Mother’s dearest friend, Henry Dundas and ask him to persuade William to come?”
“That just might be the spur he needs. Write your letter.”
“Why don’t you invite Pitt and Dundas to come a day early so you can discuss things in private before the others descend?”
“Your idea has merit. Holland should be here too—I will drop Henry a note.”
“I’m afraid we won’t be able to dine en famille tonight. William Pitt and Henry Dundas are coming to dinner,” Georgina told her stepsons.
Francis spoke up. “William and I don’t mind. Unlike Johnny, we find politics rather dull and boring. Be sure to look under the table to make sure the little pissant isn’t there.”
Georgina was pleased to see Johnny give Francis a good thump over disparaging his lack of height. She had been urging him to stick up for himself all summer. “Johnny doesn’t need to hide under the table—he knows I’ll tell him everything that’s said.”
“Ah, it’s a conspiracy of the little people,” Francis teased.
Georgina gave her oldest stepson a box on the ears.
He grinned down at her. “If I grow any taller you won’t be able to reach me.”
“Then I shall simply kick your arse!”
John overheard the exchange. He hid his amusement and asked sternly, “Have you been teaching my wife to use bad language?”
They hooted with laughter. Georgina had taught them to swear.
“Congratulations on your marriage, Bedford. I’ve known Lady Georgina since she was a child. You would have to search far and wide for a more accomplished mistress of Woburn.”
“Thank you, Mr. Pitt. I realize my good fortune.” John poured him a glass of claret since he did not drink strong liquor.
“Since I had no wife to fill the role, the Duchess of Gordon generously acted as my political hostess for years. She has uncanny powers of persuasion that even the king cannot resist.”
John nodded. Georgina has all her mother’s virtues, and none of her vices. “Ah, here she comes now. My wife has the power to charm the ducks off the water.”
Georgina had Henry Dundas on one arm and Lord Holland on the other. She had been showing them the landscaping that Humphrey Repton had designed. When she saw Pitt, her face lit up. “William, how lovely to see you!” She went up on tiptoe and kissed his cheek. “It is my pleasure to welcome you to Woburn.”
She tucked her arm into his, led the way to the dining room, and seated the former prime minister of England on her right, between herself and the Duke of Bedford.
“I miss the House of Commons,” John lamented. “The House of Lords deals with frivolous matters. Last time I was there, they were voting on a bill of divorce for one of the members.” When William Pitt made no comment, John wondered how he could lead him into a discussion about the political situation.
John watched his beautiful wife work her magic. By using subtle flattery, she soon had Pitt talking about himself.
“I seldom attend parliament these days. My time is better spent at my house in Wimbledon than the House of Commons.”
“You aren’t the only one, Mr. Pitt,” Henry declared. “The members had sparse attendance before the recess.”
“When you were prime minister, William, the benches were all filled, and there was standing-room only in the gallery,” Georgina said with admiration. “Your oratory skills are unmatched.”
“From what Lord Holland tells me, the Tory members are reluctant to give their support to Addington,” John said.
“Addington asked me to join the cabinet, but I declined,” Pitt confided.
Georgina gave Pitt her undivided attention. “Why did you refuse, William?”
“If I joined the cabinet, I would be unable to express my criticism of the government.”
“Is there something to criticize?” she prompted.
“Indeed there is, my dear. The government’s mounting debt will soon be unmanageable. Changes are needed to the tax system, but the Whigs and Tories cannot agree, so nothing gets done.”
John jumped in with a
leading question. “Mr. Pitt, are you opposed to a strict partisan political system?”
vI am indeed, Your Grace. I’m referred to as a Tory, but in reality, I am an independent Whig.” The amazing admission prompted Georgina to glance up at her husband. John’s eyes met hers, and she knew they were thinking the same thing. When dessert was served, she skillfully changed the subject to opera, knowing Pitt was a devotee.
After everyone had retired, Georgina sat up in bed, impatiently waiting for John. When he arrived, the subject returned to politics. “Do you think Pitt could be persuaded to join the opposition?”
“Your thoughts mirror mine exactly. If Addington loses his parliamentary support, he will have to resign.”
“Will you suggest it to Pitt?”
“I’m not sure I could persuade him.” John slid his arms about her and drew her close. “You did your job as hostess exceedingly well tonight. Enough politics. Concentrate on your job as wife.”
She closed her eyes and offered up her mouth. Suddenly, she withdrew from the kiss. “I have it! Charles James Fox should be the one to invite Pitt to join the opposition.”
“What took you so long to think of it? You did invite him?”
“Of course I invited Fox. Not only is he leader of the opposition, he’s Henry’s uncle. Charles Fox is a particular friend of the Gordons—we spent a lot of time together in Paris.”
“Yet another male rendered weak by your fatal charm.” His possessive mouth erased all other men from her mind.
After they made love, however, Georgina lay in the dark feeling acutely vulnerable. Not for the first time, at the climactic moment of passion, John had withdrawn. He doesn’t want me to be the mother of his children. He doesn’t love me enough. That honor is reserved for his angelic Elizabeth.
Chapter 30
“I love the smell of new-mown hay.” Georgina had ridden out with John’s sons so they could watch the harvesting. The men scythed the tall oats and grass, and the women followed, gathering up huge armfuls and binding them into sheaves. “Are you sure you want to stay in the fields and help?”
“It’s work to the farmers, but it’s a novelty for us to make haystacks,” Francis assured her.
“Are you sure the attraction isn’t the pretty farmers’ daughters?” she teased. “I have to go and get ready. The government is about to descend on Woburn en masse.” She refrained from asking the two older boys to keep an eye on Johnny. She wanted him to become independent.
When Georgina returned to the house, she went into the formal dining room to inspect the table settings. “You’ve outdone yourself, Mr. Burke. The flowers are particularly striking.” Arrangements of spiky asters in the Bedford colors of purple and white decorated the side tables and filled the empty fireplace.
“You can put out the Scotch whiskey that Mother brought me. Politicians are particularly partial to a dram of whiskey.” She switched a couple of the place cards, moving Prime Minister Addington away from William Pitt and putting him next to Lauderdale.
She went upstairs, took her bath, and went to her dressing room to choose a gown. She was glad it was a warm evening since the material of all her Paris gowns was diaphanous. She decided to wear the pale green empire dress. She pinned a single white rose into the low décolletage, and put on dangling diamond earrings.
Georgina was admiring her reflection in the mirror when John came in from the other bedchamber through the adjoining door. She turned and pirouetted prettily for him.
“You cannot wear that. Our guests are all male. It is most unsuitable, Georgy.”
“What on earth do you mean?” She turned back to the mirror.
“The material is almost transparent . . . I can see the shape of your body through it.” His tone was forbidding.
“But it’s the very latest style from Paris,” she protested.
“French women are known for their tasteless, seductive displays. English ladies are more refined, more respectable.”
“Really? You are a walking authority on refined English ladies, having been married to one. What is your opinion on Scottish ladies, pray tell?”
His dark eyes narrowed. “This particular Scottish lady is a precocious minx who likes to flaunt her beauty. I know you enjoy being deliberately flamboyant, Georgy, but I would appreciate it if you would change your gown. Our guests are arriving.”
She wanted to fly at him and scratch his arrogant face. Instead, she hung on to her temper and tried to see the situation through his eyes. He made it plain he was marrying me because he needed a political hostess for Woburn.
Georgina wanted to dig in her heels and assert herself against her husband’s dominant, controlling attitude. But because she knew tonight was extremely important to him, she acquiesced to his demands gracefully. “I’ll change my gown. You go and greet our guests.”
Georgina changed into a rose-colored rustling taffeta and went downstairs. It was against her nature to be petulant. All her life she had been taught to use her feminine charm, and it flowed naturally from her.
John watched his beautiful young wife as she welcomed the politicians to Woburn. She moved among them with such ease, he couldn’t take his eyes from her. Whether she was speaking with Lauderdale, who was rather coarse, or to Adair, who was effete, she enchanted them. When she engaged a gentleman in conversation, she concentrated her charm upon him as if he were the only man in the room, and it never failed.
The atmosphere she created at Woburn was at once elegant and comfortable. The dinner was a resounding success, and the whiskey helped the politicians of both parties to relax their guard and converse affably.
After dinner, Georgina gave John a speaking look, then proceeded to engage Prime Minister Addington. “I need your help and your advice, if you would indulge me, Mr. Prime Minister.”
“It would be an honor, Your Grace.”
“I have turned the stillroom into an apothecary of sorts. Since you are such a renowned medical man, could you come and look at the electuaries and herbal remedies I have concocted and tell me which are most effective in treating the minor ailments of our tenants?”
John joined his friend. “Henry, my wife has deliberately spirited away Addington so we may bring Fox and Pitt together. Let’s hope the union bears fruit.”
That night, in the privacy of their bedchamber, John’s eyes were filled with admiration. vYou were superb tonight, Georgy. I believe we made great strides toward accomplishing our mission, and you deserve a good deal of the credit.” Georgina’s wicked juices were bubbling. “How gratifying. Imagine what I could have accomplished if I’d been allowed to wear the Paris creation.”
“You make me sound like a controlling devil,” he protested ruefully.
“You are a controlling devil. Irrational demands come only from irrational people. I let you get away with deciding what I could and could not wear tonight, but I warn you that’s the last time, Bedford. Marriage should be a partnership, not a dictatorship.”
“How about a Tory-Whig alliance?”
vOnly if I’m allowed to be an independent Tory.” When he laughingly agreed, she went into his arms and kissed him.
Georgina began a portrait of Johnny for his birthday, and he decided he wanted the Abbess to be in the painting. The cat sat beside him on the sofa, purring loudly as he stroked her back.
“Who would you like me to invite to your birthday party?”
“My cousin Charlie and Uncle Huntly.”
“No, I mean your friends from school. Francis is inviting Will Cavendish and the Abercorn boy, and William wants his friends Jack Rawdon and Teddy Lister.”
Loud purring filled the silence, and she stopped sketching.
Johnny finally murmured, “I don’t have any school friends.”
Cold fingers stole about her heart. “What about the boys in your class at Westminster?”
“I don’t want to invite them. They laugh at me because I like to read and make cruel fun of me for being short.”
&n
bsp; Georgina was outraged. “The bloody louts have been bullying you! Give me their names, Johnny.”
He smiled sweetly. “It doesn’t matter, Georgy.”
It matters a great deal. I intend to make this your
happiest birthday ever. “If you had a wish, what would it be?”
“I wish . . . I wish . . . I’d like to go to the theater.”
Georgina sensed that he had been about to wish for something else and was too shy to express himself. “Your wish is my command. I shall arrange for all of us to go into London and attend Drury Lane. Did you know the theater is on Bedford land?”
vDoes that mean we may attend anytime we want to?”
vIndeed it does, Johnny.”
Johnny’s birthday, on August 18, exactly one month after Georgina’s, was celebrated with gusto by all the Gordons, the Russells, and their friends. John, after much trepidation, gave in to his wife’s pleading and presented his youngest son with his own horse. It was a young chestnut gelding, a far cry from the plodding Grey Lady that Johnny had ridden all summer.
“Thanks so much, Georgy. I know it was your idea. I’ve decided to call him Titus.”
Georgina winked at him. “What’d we do without Shakespeare?”
The next day, John and Georgina took the boys to a performance of A Trip to Scarborough by their friend Richard Sheridan. The play pricked the pretensions of people who were above themselves, and the duke thought the comedy would teach a valuable lesson.
The following week whenever Francis did something high-handed, Johnny dubbed him Lord Foppington, to the great delight of the rest of the family.
At the end of August, John took his eldest son up to Cambridge. “I’m going to miss Lord Foppington,” William declared, “but I can’t wait for school to start. I’ve waited four years to be a senior at Westminster and enjoy all the privileges. I stand a good chance of becoming captain of the cricket team.”
“Your father and I will come and watch you play, William. Better start packing your trunks. Would you like me to help you?”
The Decadent Duke Page 34
