The Decadent Duke by Virginia Henley

set down. It was most amusing.’’
    Georgina had managed to change the subject, and she made a determined effort to dismiss Bedford’s brother from her thoughts. That night, however, John Russell haunted her dreams.
    Georgina was fishing in the River Spey with her father. She waded out to the deeper water where the salmon were fighting their way upstream. The spring thaw had made the rushing river far more dangerous than usual, and Georgina slipped on a stone and lost her footing. Her head went beneath the swirling torrent, and she found herself out of her depth and in serious trouble.
    Suddenly, a powerfully built man with black hair appeared from nowhere. Without hesitation he forged his way into the raging water, and swam to her side. His arms closed around her, and he lifted her high against his powerful chest.
    Georgina clung to him, weak with relief, as he carried her from the river. His arms were so strong that she had never felt this safe in her entire life.
    "Little girl, it’s a wonder you didn’t drown!’’
    She smiled up into his dark eyes. He was angry, but he knew she was a woman grown. Calling her "little girl’’ was a term of endearment. She loved the idea that he had rescued her, and wanted to protect her from danger. She had never experienced such tender concern from a man before, and it was intoxicating.
    "Thank you, ’old man,’”she whispered provocatively.

Chapter 4
    "How are you feeling, Elizabeth?’’ John Russell crossed to the sitting room window to let some fresh air into the stuffy chamber.
    "Please don’t open the window. Drafts are very bad for me. I actually felt tranquil while you were all away this afternoon. I believe the boys are too much for me.’’
    John heard the plaintive note in her voice and strived for patience. What sort of a mother cannot bear the presence of her own children? "I hope you’ll be joining us for dinner.’’
    "No, I’m not hungry. All I want is peace and quiet. I think I shall go up to bed and have Gertrude bring me a tray.’’
    "If you wish.’’ John removed her lap robe and helped her to rise. He felt her stiffen at his touch, and quickly withdrew his hands. She had permitted no intimacy in almost nine years.
    John accompanied his wife as she slowly climbed the stairs. Young Johnny, who was standing at the top of the staircase, smiled sweetly at his mother. "It was a great cricket match!’’
    "Your mother’s not feeling well.’’
    "I’m so sorry, Mama. Would you like me to read to you?’’
    "No! I have a vile headache. Leave me be, Johnny.’’
    John saw the happy smile leave his young son’s face, and he bit back a cruel retort. "I’ll send Gertrude to you,’’ he said curtly. I should have left her in Devon. Sooner or later I’ll lose control of my temper. If I hold it in much longer, it will erupt like bloody Vesuvius.
    Â 
The next morning, John suggested that William get out his bat, and the four of them would enjoy a game of cricket. He cut some wood, made makeshift wickets, and then spent the next three hours pitching the ball to them. Not only did it give the boys much-needed exercise and fun in the fresh summer air, it kept them out of the house and away from their mother’s continual disapproval.
    When they returned, he sent them upstairs to clean up before lunch. He found Elizabeth on her usual chaise huddled beneath a lap robe. The sitting room shades were drawn to keep out any vestiges of sunshine, and John forced his hands behind his back to stop himself from lifting the blinds and flinging open the windows. "I hope you are feeling better today.’’
    "My chest feels tight. I have this constant fear that I won’t be able to breathe. I’m terrified of suffocating.’’
    I’d suffocate too if I spent hours in this overheated room. "I’m sorry, my dear. Perhaps if