Page 1 of Taken By the Duke of Stone

CHAPTER 1

"What do you think about Miss Mallory? Her shock of red hair is unfortunate but that's why there are dyes, powders and whatnot."

Victor shot his mother an unimpressed look.

"Well," she continued, "I am not quite sure I shall want the next Duke getting that ghastly head full of red. What do you think?"

"I don't believe I am familiar with any of the ladies you've so patiently named and taken your time to extol their virtues," he informed his mother.

On the other side of him, his sister let out a decidedly unladylike snort. The look he shot her would have made a man quake in his boots but she only grinned at him.

"Victor!" the dowager duchess cried. "How do you intend to find a wife with an attitude such as this?"

The Duke held back his retort that he had no plans of finding a wife this season or even the next. He had only just gotten his feet on the ground when it came to his title and now, he planned on getting Georgie a good match after which he would be free to live a little.

But he wasn't going to tell his mother any of that. She may just pass right out from the shock of it.

"This is neither the time nor the place for this conversation," he gritted his teeth as he led the aggravating women in his life up the wide stairs leading to the front door of Carlton house where a ball was in full swing.

If a passerby managed to overhear the topic of discussion between them, he was sure that it would be on the tip of every tongue in attendance even before he stepped foot inside.

And then he would be hounded the rest of the night... And the rest of his life.

Even now, he still had desperate mamas pushing their pale, pastel-colored clad daughters at him at every turn. If word ever got out that he was in search of a wife, he could only imagine the sort of pandemonium that would ensue.

"This is in fact very much the time and the place," The dowager duchess countered, "I can begin by introducing you to some of the women I've mentioned. I'm sure nearly all of them will be in attendance."

"Lady Amelia is the diamond of the season," Georgie said, "And you are the most eligible duke with the deepest pockets. A perfect match I would say!”

"I do so hope you shall not blurt out whatever comes to your head while you're speaking with a gentleman," their mother was appalled.

The Duke's mouth twitched. After all these years, his mother still wasn't used to how much personality Georgie had. He truly pitied whoever would set their cap for her.

As the party of three approached the double doors, the footmen gave a deep bow before pushing the doors open to reveal a glistening hall full of activity.

"His Grace, the Duke of Wyld in attendance with the Duchess of Wyld and Lady Georgianna," the steward announced, drawing attention toward them.

The Duke sighed as he felt assessing eyes on his person. It was a good thing that unlike his sister, he didn't have to look polite and welcoming at all.

"Oh, there's Lady Amelia," his mother said, "and I believe I can see Miss-"

"If you'll excuse me, I think I see Lord Dillon," he cut in hurriedly.

"Where?" Georgie asked.

"I'm not letting you escape with me," he bent his head to whisper to her.

"I am not asking you to make a decision right now. I am only asking that you meet them at least. You may be pleasantly surprised," the dowager duchess said.

He cut his eyes over to Lady Amelia. Just like his sister had said, she was a blonde surrounded by eager bucks. She was beautiful, of course. But she was just another society mold that anyone could fit into. There had been a hundred Lady Amelias and there would be a hundred more.

Pleasantly surprised indeed.

"Do not stray from Mother’s line of sight," he narrowed his eyes at Georgie.

"Yes, Your Grace," she rolled her eyes.

He ignored her and his mother's disapproving scowl in favor of spinning on his heels and disappearing into the crowd as fast as he could.

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