Page 145 of Ironvine

“To be his mistress.”

“Ahh, as a triumph over me, no doubt. This keeps getting better and better,” quipped the Duchess.

“I am desperate for a glass of wine now,” Georgina said. “I imagine she assumes that achieving the Duke’s favour would mean a life of ease and largesse paved with diamonds.”

“Oh, they all do.” The Duchess’s eyes gleamed as she let out a soft laugh.

Was it the sardonic tone in her voice, the cold amusement?They all expected largesse but that was not the reality of being Oakley’s paramour.Georgina’s lips parted at the Duchess’s remarks, and Charles placed a hand at her back.

“But would she have the vigour required, I wonder?” A smirk slid over her lips. “His most recent mistress waned quickly under his attentions, and he was most displeased.”

His breath stalled.Poor Frederica Ashton. Had Oakley done away with her?The Duke’s brand of decadence and desire was a darker sort than most could endure or even fathom. Charles was sure Oakley’s mistresses were simply not ornaments but workhorses. It was something Hugh had intimated once or twice but never articulated outright. It was whispers he’d heard on occasion at his club in London of the Duke and his inner circle. It was disquieting.

It was perfect.

“Your Grace, the Duke recently remarked to me that one thing in life he does not forgive is someone who disappoints his beloved wife.”

“Quite true. In general, my husband does not forgive easily. For my well-being, most especially, Oakley has a very passionate sense of justice. He is most protective of me, and I of him.”

“That is the very thing I am counting on in this instance, His Grace’s unique brand of justice on your behalf and his authority.”

An eyebrow arched stiffly, her lips parted. She said nothing in reply, for she knew what he was implying. The sudden silence between them roared.

“Would His Grace agree to this?” asked Charles.

“Be assured, Ryvves, for me, His Grace will pursue justice most fiercely, until I too am satisfied.” A small, tight grin slashed her lips.

The sudden sharpness of her tone, the tension in her upper lip, and her choice of words, all made her meaning clear to him.

“But would that satisfy you?” she asked him.

“It shall satisfy me greatly. She not only threatens you, Your Grace, but has threatened Georgina’s reputation if I do not comply with her wishes. She has already polluted the atmosphere here amongst our friends with her false rumours about Georgina and Hugh and I, and now she has set the stage in motion for more.

Georgina flinched. “What has she done?”

“She and Matthew have woven truths and lies together for their diversion and our downfall. I want her to be swept away from us all and hurled to a most unexpected fate, the opposite of the gilded one which she believes awaits her. If, of course, His Grace were to agree.”

“My husband trusts my judgement in helping him make decisions of all kinds. We are partners in all things. After all, we are one in this life. I feel you know this now as a husband.”

“I do.” His arm slid around Georgina, and he kissed her temple.

“Come.” Her Grace led the way out of the maze. “We must speak with the Duke immediately.”

ChapterSixty-Three

Charles

The Dukeand the Duchess stood together by the enormous marble fireplace in his private study. Georgina was at his side, her hand in his. Charles’s grip on Georgina’s hand grounded him, centred him when he needed it the most.

“I apologise for taking you away from your party, Your Grace, but this is a matter of great urgency,” said Charles.

“I would not be here if I did not believe you, Ryvves. Zandra told me as much, and I can see it on all your faces.”

He explained to the Duke that he felt Amanda was the one who’d killed Hugh and had stolen his final letter.

The Duke’s eyes narrowed. “This is the same woman who attempted to strike Zandra and struck Lady Ryvves instead?”

Charles and Georgina shared a quick glance. The Duchess had told her husband everything. “Yes, the same,” said Georgina.

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