My Divinely Decadent Duke Read online

  “And that is?” she asked.

  “When you retire to sleep tonight, think of all the things I will do to you. Rub your hands over your naked stomach and pretend they’re mine. Circle your fingers over your navel and then lower. Let me know if there’s a wetness below. If you feel an inferno, close your eyes. If you see me over you, we can be a force to be reckoned with.”

  Her breath raced and his lips tightened. “You did say you wanted to be wicked, just once, didn’t you, my angel? This is the start of your lessons. Au revoir, Cassandra.” The expression on her face was priceless. He opened the door, and felt her gaze on his ass. Oh, yes, it had been an instructive afternoon.

  Chapter Eight

  Cassandra sent a note to the duke asking if it would be convenient for her and the children to call on the dowager duchess at mid-morning. She received a reply note by messenger. My mother looks forward to the visit and sends her regards. My carriage will collect you at 10:45.

  Cassandra arranged for Nanny to dress the children in their formal clothes. A carriage with the duke’s lion emblem arrived on schedule. The footman assisted the children and Cassandra into the conveyance, and the team of bay horses carried them to the villa where they were met by the majordomo. Chester expressed the duke’s regret that he could not immediately join them, but would present himself at a later time.

  “Will we be able to see the puppies?” Alicia asked.

  “All in good time, my dear,” Cassandra replied.

  The trio followed the servant to the sitting room where the door remained open. They wore wide smiles and warmth. “Good morning, your Grace. We’ve come to see you since we’ve established residence at the Castle Inn. You remember Alicia and Alfie?”

  The dowager smiled, nodded, and motioned for the children to approach. They ran to her, and she gave them each a pat on the head. The caretaker stood in attendance in a corner of the room in strict observance.

  Lady Madelaine wrote on a piece of parchment: They have grown by leaps. You are so fortunate, my dear.

  “The children and I have brought some freshly made meringues with jelly in the center. It’s a favorite of theirs. Would you like to taste one?”

  She nodded.

  Cassandra opened the confectionery box. A dessert dish sat on the small table next to the dowager’s chair. Cassandra placed the sweet treat on the plate. She handed it to her.

  The caretaker intervened in a sharp retort, “She is not able to help herself. I will have to cut it and spoon it to her.”

  Cassandra was taken aback at the rudeness in the woman’s voice.

  “I’m sorry, Lady Madelaine, that you are unable to do things for yourself, but I’m sure with special help, you’ll be back to your old ways soon. Then we can take walks along the beach the way we did last summer.”

  “That will never happen,” mumbled the caretaker. She shoved the spoon into the dowager’s mouth, and the jelly dribbled down the Duchess’s lips. “She shows absolutely no improvement in speech.” Callously, she took a linen napkin and brushed it across the lady’s face. “This was a poor choice of confection.”

  “I strongly advise you, whatever your name is, Lady Madelaine would rehabilitate better if you weren’t so harsh and impatient at her inabilities. You didn’t warn her you were about to put the spoon in her mouth.” Cassandra arched an eyebrow in admonition.

  The caretaker turned from the patient, and with a rapier look said to Cassandra, “I’m the professional here, and I will be the judge of what is good or bad for her. Not you. You aren’t even a relative.”

  Cassandra arose and went to Lady Madelaine’s side. “Would you like me to assist you, your Grace?”

  The dowager nodded. Cassandra stood before the caretaker. “Move, if you will. I can handle this much better than you.”

  “I will report you to the duke for interference.”

  “Do so if you wish.” Cassandra took the spoon and a small piece of the confection. “Lady Madelaine, please try to open your mouth. You can take as long as you want. I know everything is new to you now.”

  The dowager smiled and her lips opened.

  “There we go. Take your time. Isn’t it delicious?”

  She handed plates to the children. “Mind your manners.”

  Lady Madelaine mouthed the words, Thank you.

  “Very good, dear lady. Shall we try again?”

  “You endeavor to make me look bad,” said the caretaker.

  “It doesn’t take very much effort since you are dispassionate and inept.”

  Suddenly the duke strode swiftly toward the caretaker. “You are dismissed,” he said, his tone crisp as an arctic storm. He rang the pull for his majordomo.

  “Yes, your Grace?”

  “Remove this person from my sight and my property. Pay her off and send her away. I will not have my mother treated with such disrespect. No references.” His temper had elevated to fierce proportions.

  “Yes, it will be done.” He went to the caretaker, motioned her out of the room.

  It wasn’t long before they appeared back downstairs. The duke met them in the foyer. “You are fortunate I don’t summon the constabulary for your maltreatment of your patient who happens to be a Grand Duchess.” He gave her three coins. “This is more than you deserve. Depart at once before I summon help to eject you.”

  The sound of footsteps preceded the servants who arrived at the door. “His Grace advised us to show the caretaker out of the villa.”

  “Humph, that chit doesn’t know beans about being a caregiver,” said the angry woman as she slammed her cloth satchel on the floor.

  “Neither do you, Madam. You’ve been dismissed.”

  He motioned to the two men. “See she leaves and doesn’t return.”

  Chester soon advised the duke the matter was resolved.

  Althorn went to his mother, leaned in and spoke in a low penitent voice, “I’m sorry you were ill treated. It will never happen again.”

  Lady Madelaine smiled and held her son’s hand. She scribbled a note, Thank Cassandra for her help. She put that woman in her place.

  The duke read the note. “You are indeed an angel,” he said to Cassandra. “My mother is precious to me. Stay a while longer.”

  “Yes, Auntie, may we? We’ve yet to see the puppies.” An expectant Alicia smiled at the duke. “Is that not what you told us, your Grace?”

  “The children have practiced salutations, Althorn. Admirable, Alicia,” she turned to the precocious child.

  “That’s correct. Chester,” the duke addressed his man again. “Bring Clayo and the box in here. We have children whom I promised would see the puppies.”

  “Yes, your Grace.”

  Within minutes, two men arrived with Clayo and the puppies.

  There were squeals of delight and happy children kneeled at the blanketed box and viewed eight puppies in various shades of red-brown.

  “May we hold them, your Grace?” asked Alfie.

  “Yes, choose one. Take it out of the basket. They are playful. You, too, Alicia,” encouraged the duke.

  Alicia selected the smallest in the litter. “Ooh, this one is so small. Doesn’t it get enough to eat?”

  “It’s the runt, Alicia. As he grows stronger, he will fend for himself. Right now, he waits his turn,” the duke said. “The servants do make sure the pup gets his share.”

  “Runt? I like that name. May I call him that?”

  The duke smiled, “Yes, he is now officially Runt.”

  Alfie chose the largest pup. “I would like to name this one Giant, like in the beanstalk story.”

  “Well, we have Runt and Giant. Eventually, they all will be named. And if Auntie agrees, when they are weaned, we can deliver them to you both.”

  More excitement, more squeals, more smiles, but mostly the dowager’s face beamed. Cassandra and the children were good company for her. Their unfettered joy and excitement livened the old house—and his heart.

  “Althorn, you created a
problem for me. I will have to check with the innkeeper to see if they allow dogs. What will I do if they won’t? How do I explain it to the children?”

  “Anything is possible, Cassandra. They still have weeks to go before they’ll be ready to leave Clayo. I do have some influence in Brighton.”

  Alicia took Runt and ran to Lady Madelaine. “Would you like to hold him with me?”

  The dowager nodded.

  “I will sit next to you and help.” She looked to Auntie. “It’s all right, isn’t it?”

  “Yes, dear. Lady Madelaine is seated, and you can place the pup in her lap, but keep hold of him. He squirms. Please remember she is a Duchess, too. You may address her as that.”

  Alicia nodded and turned to Lady Madelaine. “Duchess, this is Runt. He will belong to you and me. Every time we visit, I’ll go get him.” She looked at the happy face of the dowager. “I think she would like that.” Alicia turned to her. “Am I correct?”

  The dowager nodded.

  Cassandra walked out of earshot to the large oval window and stared at the ocean view.

  “Althorn, I regret I precipitated the dismissal of your caretaker. No patient should be subjected to cruelty by a person charged with the responsibility of compassionate care. It set my stomach afire to hear her harsh words.”

  He reached and held her hand. “Cassandra, I’m grateful you were here. As I listened outside, I was prepared to storm in and thrash her. You came to my aid for I might have lost my temper, and I would never hurt a woman. It would damage my reputation further. While I’m alive, no one will injure my mother.”

  “You’re not angry with me for the things I said?”

  “I’m content. I will have one of the maids stay with her until I can find a replacement.”

  He kissed her ungloved hand. “I can see why my mother adores your visits. You make her giddy with joy—you and the children. And puppies. Who could ask for more?”

  The question was pertinent and he aimed it at himself.

  The duke summoned Chester once again. “Please remove the puppies. It’s time for Clayo to nurse them, and my mother tires. Summon one of the maids to stay with her.”

  “Children, run along with Chester. You may watch how the mother dog feeds them. It is a good lesson to learn.” His lips curled in a smile.

  “May we, Auntie?”

  The duke turned to Cassandra. “I trust you have no objection to an example of animal rearing.”

  “No.” She addressed the children, “I will collect you shortly. Do not leave without permission. Remember? Stay in the villa.”

  They nodded and ran off to accompany the majordomo, who settled the pups in the kitchen.

  “I see the startled look on your face. One of these days, you may trust me enough to tell me about your paranoia. Is now not a good time?”

  She turned from him. “I want to, but now is not the moment.” She wanted to tell him she had a cousin whose little girl was kidnapped and was never seen again. The pain and agony caused her relative to lose her mind. Cassandra would never forget the look of emptiness on the woman’s face when she visited her in the sanitarium.

  “You can rely on me. Secrets, and the burden of them, are often best when shared. Lord knows I have a few of my own.”

  “Althorn, we have overstayed our visit. Come say goodbye to the children, and we will return to the Inn. They are fond of you.”

  He nodded, and they walked to the kitchen.

  ****

  Upon her return to the Inn, Cassandra sat at her imported French desk with the ormolu decorations and penned a quick note on her engraved parchment for delivery to the Duke of Althorn. She thought about the appropriate words for a long time and decided to simply write,

  Duke of Althorn: There is a matter of business import I would like to discuss. Will you call on me at your convenience? Sincerely, Lady Cassandra Montgomery.

  It was important the tone of her note be formal and not intimate in nature. She’d hoped he would respond quickly. It was also essential the moment be appropriate. Otherwise she would frighten him away. Of a certain, he was an amorous man, demonstrative. Yet, he seemed hesitant to get too close to her, except physically. Her proposition could send the duke away in a hurry.

  To her, Althorn was cautious, thorough, and deliberate. While he was a rake and a womanizer, most young gentlemen of the nobility were roguish when it came to women. There was this softer, salt-of-the-earth side of him. His appreciation of the finer things his nobility and peerage brought him did not displease her. She also became aware he gave the impression to others of possession. It also irked her at times because it did send a message of attachment to each other, when there was none. That is what she hoped to remedy, but it was still a brave move on her part.

  A loud knock sounded at her door.

  “Enter.”

  Alicia and Alfie skipped to her, with outstretched arms. Not far behind was their governess, Miss Dutton.

  “Sorry, my lady, but they would not rest until they saw you this afternoon.”

  “I enjoy them too much not to see them when I can.” She turned to the children. “Tell me, Alicia, what have you studied today?”

  “Auntie Cassie, we have learned such wonderful things. Alfie played with his toy English soldiers. We also saw pictures of the French and Prussian officers. We had our own make believe battles. Of course, I pretended I was a captain, but Alfie was the general.”

  “I am pleased, Miss Dutton, you instruct them with actual events. It makes a wonderful history lesson, but what about poetry? Did you study it today?” Cassandra turned to the governess.

  “Not today, Auntie, but we have improved our French. Mademoiselle, that’s French. Miss Dutton says if we do well, then we can learn a third language. Wouldn’t that be exciting?”

  “If you could choose, my dearest, what language would you like to learn next?” She twirled the little girl’s blonde curls around her finger, and caressed her cheek.

  “Perhaps, Italian?”

  “Italian?” Cassandra asked, and glanced at the governess.

  “My lady, we read a story about medieval times which took place in Italy. The troubadour sang an ode to the beauty of the Italian countryside and Alicia became enamored. Although, I am not sure whether it was with the landscape or the picture of the troubadour.” Both ladies laughed.

  “You’ve done well, Miss Dutton.” With Alicia on her lap, Alfie at her feet, she spoke, “I’m pleased the children learn things with their senses, such as the soldiers for Alfred. He won’t forget the lesson easily. What is next?” she asked with great interest.

  “After they rest, we’ll go on a nature hunt along the shoreline to see how many seashells we can identify.” She addressed the children, “Come, my dears, let’s take a rest. We have a big afternoon ahead of us.”

  Alicia ran to her auntie looking very much the child of privilege in her embroidered blue pinafore, with sweet scents and a cherub face. Alfie was much the earl’s son in his white sailor suit, although Cassandra had the impression the suit would soon give way to a red English uniform…or a blue Royal Navy ensemble.

  The room became quiet after they left. There was another tap on her door. The footman handed her a note on a silver tray. She tore open the envelope. She thanked him and asked him to wait. She read quickly. Praise be to heaven, the duke agreed to meet with her at four that afternoon, if she was available. She penned back a quick reply and indicated she would receive him at the appointed time. The footman disappeared to deliver the message.

  Cassandra rang for the maid, and looked in her armoire for the gown she would wear. It should be something more than a day dress, with a little sheerness in the bodice, but no exposed décolleté. She chose a silk gown in the latest Empire style that hugged her form, and flowed softly down her hips into a skirt with a ruffled hem. The sleeves were appropriately long, while the bodice covered in a chiffon that hinted at her voluptuousness. Cassandra blushed at the thought of she and duke on the
balcony at the ball where his nimble hands covered her breasts.

  Her maid dressed her tresses and pulled her hair into a chignon at the nape of her neck. Tendrils bordered her heart-shaped face. She practiced a demure glance down her long lashes and pursed her lips. Her jewelry box lay in front of her, and she chose an opal necklace and earrings, her birthstone, for good fortune. Lastly, she rose to look in her mirror, preened, turned, and liked the reflection. Her maid glanced at her. “My lady, you do look lovely today. Do you expect a visitor?” She returned to gather the discarded dress.

  “Yes. The Duke of Althorn visits at my request. We have business to discuss.” She gave Mary Ann a sly look that suggested she didn’t want the entire household to know the details. “Please ask the inn staff to have tea prepared. I will be in the room when the duke arrives.”

  The maid scampered away to carry out her mistress’s instructions.

  Cassandra took one last look in the mirror, pressed her skirt down on her hips, and then proceeded down the grand stairway to the private room, blessedly without an encounter with anyone.

  Cassandra was sure her sister-in-law constantly argued with her husband to be rid of them. It was a thorn to the woman’s side. She needed to find a different situation for herself. Felicity had accosted her on the landing of the upper foyer. She remembered the words exactly. “What do I have to do to get rid of you and your brat? I give you fair warning. Get out of my way now and forever or you’ll live to regret it.” She kept remembering it would be better to live with the devil she knew rather than the one she didn’t know. Felicity was a female Satan in disguise and Cassandra had to get out of her clutches. Lord knows she was desperate. She kept muttering to herself the word, “Courage.” There was no one to hear so she waited.

  She centered herself on the settee, where he would immediately see her as he entered, clenched her hands, and awaited her fate.

  Chapter Nine

  Did Cassandra dare continue with her plan? Would he think her indecent? How would she explain all the details and the questions he’d be sure to ask? The first step was to invite him to speak with her. The second step was to present him with the proposition. Thereafter, it would be up to him. The third step could mean she faced utter disgrace.