A Pregnant Courtesan For The Rake. Diane Gaston

Чтение книги онлайн.

       Chapter Five

      November 1818, three months later

      Oliver leaned against the wall in the billiard room of Vitium et Virtus, watching Frederick and Jacob knock the balls in the pockets of the green baize table. The day’s weather was cold and drizzling, but the fire in the fireplace kept the room comfortably warm. Frederick was meticulously lining up his next shot, taking long enough that Oliver began tapping his foot.

      ‘Just take the shot, Fred,’ he said impatiently. ‘This fuss does you no good.’

      Frederick ignored him and continued to study the ball some more before placing his cue and executing a perfect shot, sending Jacob’s cue ball and the red ball into the pockets.

      ‘That’s the game,’ groaned Jacob.

      Frederick looked up and grinned. ‘Does me no good, Oliver?’

      ‘You would have made it without all that fuss.’ Oliver picked up his cue and stepped up to the table while Frederick retrieved the balls from the pockets.

      Jacob flopped in a chair. ‘That is the second game you’ve won over me.’

      ‘You were distracted.’ Frederick turned his grin on the new duke. ‘Thinking of your bride, no doubt.’

      Jacob laughed.

      It was gratifying to see Jacob happy. Oliver had often caught Jacob spending the night hours at Vitium et Virtus, drinking and looking more haggard by the day.

      Jacob had been reeling with grief over the accident that killed his father and brother, and lamenting that he was not up to the enormous responsibility of a dukedom.

      But then Jacob met his Rose.

      Oliver wished them well. He really did.

      He wished Frederick and Georgiana well, too.

      Both Oliver’s friends were obviously besotted with their wives. When Oliver saw them with the women, the loving looks and tender touches between them reminded him of the many gestures of affection he’d long ago witnessed between his mother and father.

      But his father had still left his mother behind in India.

      Obviously love fled in the wake of expediency. Once gone, love could destroy.

      Oliver sincerely hoped the love shared by Frederick, Jacob and their wives would not be so easily shattered. But he would not wager any money on it.

      And he was known to wager on almost anything.

      Oliver stood next to Frederick and they hit their respective cue balls simultaneously to see who would have the first shot. Oliver’s ball stopped closest to the baulk cushion. He went first, hitting both Frederick’s cue ball and the red ball.

      Oliver concentrated on the billiards. That was what he liked about games or any competition. He could focus on winning and push all other thoughts out of his mind. Unfortunately, Frederick’s careful approach to billiards gave Oliver too much time to think.

      He frowned and crossed his arms over his chest.

      ‘Back to discussing my wife,’ Jacob said in good humour. ‘I highly recommend marriage.’

      ‘As do I.’ Frederick continued to eye the ball. ‘You should try it, Oliver.’

      ‘Not likely.’ Oliver’s reply came quickly.

      ‘You will change your tune.’ Frederick continued to consider the placement of his cue. ‘Once you meet the right lady.’ He finally hit the red ball and sent it into a pocket.

      Did Frederick not see how easily his marriage to Georgiana might have turned to misery? Oliver held his tongue, though.

      He took his shot and this time sent Fred’s cue ball into a pocket.

      ‘Maybe he already has.’ Jacob rose to pour himself some brandy. He turned to Oliver. ‘The mysterious Parisian lady.’

      Cecilia.

      ‘Nonsense.’ He regretted telling them of her, not that he’d said much, and it had taken him some time to divulge even that meagre information. He never discussed the more private elements of his time with women.

      ‘You cannot tell us you do not think of СКАЧАТЬ