Page 77 of It's All About the Duke
“The other rakes,” she said with no fondness in her voice.
“Yes.”
“Why would you want to do this?”
He smiled softly. “Several reasons. Portington didn’t want to sell anything,” Rath said. “This way he doesn’thave to. Everything will continue to be his and he will be the owner and curator of it. I had the idea after I visited his house but didn’t mention it because I didn’t know what such a creation would entail. I still don’t know all I need to. I asked him if someone from The Royal Society could visit him and he agreed. They assured me, from what I told them, that the man indeed has many items museum-worthy. Meticulously documented. And they agreed that some things would probably need to be kept in storage until they can be researched more.”
“The Megalosaurus eggs?”
“Among other things.”
“I don’t know what to say except thank you. I’m grateful you’re being so kind and generous to him, but—”
“But you’re wondering how this helps Mr. Portington get the money back from the eggs so that Miss Everard can have her Season in the most fashionable way?”
“Yes.”
“It doesn’t. That is what I needed to tell you and once again offer to take care of her Season myself. Her benefactor can remain anonymous.”
Marlena stared into his eyes and wanted desperately to touch his cheek and kiss his lips. Instead she said, “I don’t think you are the rake you want everyone to believe you are.”
“Do not doubt that, Marlena. I am.”
“Well, then, I must ask you not to offer your help. Eugenia will be properly gowned for the balls and any of the teas or card parties she wants to attend.”
His gaze searched her face. “What did you—You gave her clothing, didn’t you?”
“It was much easier when I stopped arguing with Lady Vera and Justine about what I needed and let them purchase whatever they wanted for me. I had more than enough to share. Veronica and her maid will make alterationsso that Lady Vera and Justine won’t recognize the gowns.”
“That was very clever of you. So you didn’t need my help after all.”
Marlena appreciated the admiration that shone in his eyes. “It helps knowing how to be resourceful and to have a generous sponsor myself.”
Rath bent his head and placed a short, sweet kiss on Marlena’s lips.
“What if Justine had seen you do that?”
“She would have been upset. I would have had a lot of explaining to do, but I couldn’t let you come to my house without giving you at least one kiss. A rake likes to take chances, after all. What good is it being one if I can’t steal a kiss or two in my own garden?”
Suddenly he caught her up to his chest, held her tightly, and kissed her long and hard and deeply. Marlena melted against him and sighed as he slowly let her go and stepped away.
My Dear Readers,
The days are warming up nicely and much to my delight so is the gossip. Some in Society are calling the latest news about the Duke of Rathburne a scandal while others are saying it is perfectly innocent and the gentlemanly thing for him to do. I will leave it up to you, dear Readers, to decide for yourselves which you choose because it’s fact not rumor. The duke has moved out of his home in St. James for a few days in order to accommodate his ward, Miss Fast, and her companion while their house undergoes an inspection. I’m not usually one to give credence to anyone who misquotes Shakespeare even by a word or two, but I do think I agree with the person who said he thought he smelled a rat.
MISS HONORA TRUTH’S WEEKLY SCANDAL SHEET
Chapter 20
He could be a rake if he steals a kiss from you in the garden and doesn’t ask you for a dance at the ball.
MISSHONORATRUTH’SWORDS OFWISDOMANDWARNINGABOUTRAKES, SCOUNDRELS, ROGUES, ANDLIBERTINES
Marlena stepped down from the carriage Justine was so fond of, and a feeling of awe almost took her breath. The Great Hall was glimmering from the windows and open doors. It was teeming with beautifully gowned ladies and splendidly dressed gentlemen walking up the wide steps to the entranceway. She heard chatter and music coming from inside, and the clip-clop of horses’ hooves and carriage wheels grinding on the road behind her.
The air was crisp but she wasn’t cold wrapped in her black velvet cape. Her underdress had been made of a warm soft velvet and overlaid with the most beautiful alabaster-covered silk she’d ever seen. The trim on her capped sleeves and the band of her high-waisted gown was a gold-threaded brocade that also banded the hem of the three flounces of her dress and her headpiece.
“When I come here I always feel as if I’m eighteen and starting my first Season all over again,” Justine said as she walked up beside Marlena. Her black cape opened to reveal a puce-colored gown that had small silk roses trimming the neckline, and the crown in her hair.
