The Duchess was still dressed in black—in mourning for her father who had passed away last winter. To console herself, she had obtained a small King Charles Spaniel, named Isabell, which was now her constant companion. This caused Lucy no end of consternation, as when the Duchess called for Isabell, Lucy thought her friend had just arrived.
Isabell—the dog—resided in her Grace’s lap most of the time, except when Lucy was called upon to take the dog outside to do her business. Judith’s other main chore for Lucy was to keep her laudanum bottle filled; ever since her father’s death, she suffered from the vapors and needed her little boost to quell her melancholy from time to time.
“Fold that jacket properly,” the Duchess demanded, pointing to Lucy who was assisting by placing each item in a trunk destined for Oxford. “You fold the jacket inside out. It helps prevent wrinkles.”
“But what is George to wear until Oxford? You are practically emptying his armoire,” Lucy questioned.
“He has all of those work clothes he wears in the dresser. He will not be taking any of those filthy rags with him.”
“He might still want to paint at the university,” Lucy suggested.
“I think not. He is there to study law not to fritter his time away with his hobby. And whoever heard of a government minister—or one might even hope—a prime minister dabbling with paints?”
Lucy held her tongue. She knew all too well that George’s intention was not the law but painting. But far be it from her to suggest such a possibility to her Grace. That was George’s battle to fight.
The trunk was almost completely packed. Flossy was shuffling through the last of the jackets and preparing to examine trousers when George came into his room and stopped, obviously not expecting to find anyone in his rooms.
“What is going on here?” he asked with some degree of irritation.
His mother turned toward him and said, “We are preparing your clothes for Oxford.”
“Mother, that is months away, and besides, I have told you repeatedly that I do not want to study law. Papa wants me on the estate and I want to paint. When will you get that into your thick head?”
His mother looked at him with astonishment. “You will not speak to your mother in that insolent manner, young man. You are still under my roof and you will treat me with respect.”
George threw his hands up into the air and began pacing.
“I am sorry, Mother, but you exasperate me to no end. How am I to make you understand that I do not want to attend university? I want to paint, and I have already found a London gallery that wishes to show my work.”
Mother made her pinched face and shifted in her chair, causing Isabell to grumble and reposition herself in her Grace’s lap.
“George, I absolutely forbid such a scandalous idea. A Grayson selling paintings in a commercial establishment is unheard of,” she said in her most haughty voice.”
“Mother, we sell wool and sheep, how is that any more noble than selling paintings?”
“It is the idea. Sheep are humble, practical commodities. But painting—it reeks of anarchy and unseemliness.”
George and Lucy could not help themselves and began to laugh.
The Duchess became indignant and protested. “Enough. You will not mock me.”
“Mother, how are we mocking you? I can name any number of well-established painters with knighthoods, honors, and access to the queen. It is my understanding that she is, even now, in the process of having the royal portrait painted.”
“You have made me upset, and I need some reinforcement.” Judith turned to Lucy and pointed to the bottle on the table beside her.
Lucy went over and added some drops of the laudanum to the glass of water next to the bottle and handed it to her Grace. She drank and exclaimed, “Much better.” She waved her hand at George, dismissing him. But he was not to be dismissed.
Instead, he instructed Flossy, “Please put my clothing back in the armoire. I am not ready to be packed away at the beginning of the summer. And, please, ask for my permission before entering my rooms again.”
Judith looked at her son in astonishment but did not protest. Instead, she gathered Isabell in her arms, stood, and swept out of the room after pointing to Lucy to follow with the precious little bottle.
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Thank you very much
Also by Hanna Hamilton
Thank you for reading The Scandal of the Deceived Duchess!
I hope you enjoyed it! If you did, may I ask you to please write a review HERE? It would mean the world to me. Reviews are very important and allow me to keep writing the books that you love to read!
Some other best sellers of mine:
The Legend of the Betrayed Duchess
A Dashing Duke for Emily
Diana Adores the Puzzled Earl
Annabelle Enchants the Rejected Earl
The Governess Who Stole My Heart
The Lady and the Duke
Also, if you liked this book, you can also check out my full Amazon Book Catalogue HERE.
Thank you for allowing me to keep doing what I love!
Hanna Hamilton
About the Author
Hanna Hamilton has been fascinated with the regency era ever since she was a young teen, first discovering historical romance novels by famous authors such as Jane Austen and Lisa Kleypas. She believes that love was just so much more magical back then, more like a fairy tale. She always daydreamed about finding love herself that way, but since that is impossible in the twenty first century, she decided to write about it instead!
Born in Texas, Hanna Hamilton obtained a degree in Creative Writing, and has worked as a literature teacher before becoming a novelist. When she isn’t writing, Hanna likes to explore the countryside with her husband and two children, gaining inspiration from the natural world around her.
So, come on a journey into love, confusion, and redemption all within the regency era. Hanna hopes that you will enjoy immersing yourself into her novels, and that you too will find a love for old fashioned romance, just as she has.
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The Scandal of the Deceived Duchess: A Historical Regency Romance Novel Page 31