This Duke is Mine by Eloisa James

going to faint.”
    “Then he was foolish,” Georgiana said loyally. “I’m sure you look as lovely naked as you do dressed.”
    “Better,” Olivia said consideringly. “Although I’m hoping that the new gowns will make a difference in that respect. I didn’t order a single gown that caught up under my breasts and billowed out at my waist. The style works only for women whose hips don’t match their breasts, whereas it makes me resemble a milk cow.”
    “Gentlemen like a bovine air,” Georgiana pointed out.
    “You did hit your head,” Olivia said, laughing. “That was a joke, Georgie! A proper joke.”
    Her sister rolled her eyes. “Hardly. What will you wear to luncheon? It’s so warm that we’re eating on the terrace.”
    “Interesting. I wouldn’t have thought that the dowager ever countenanced irregular eating habits. You see, Georgie, I am already learning to appreciate her.”
    “You must, if she’s to be my mother-in-law.” Georgiana hopped off the bed. “Do you think it’s possible? The maid told me last night that Lady Althea Renwitt is in residence. What if the duke has already fixed his interest? Althea is an aristocrat. I don’t suppose you remember her?”
    “Not in the slightest. Is she one of the new flock on the market this year?”
    “Yes. She’s got the most beautiful eyes,” Georgiana said, sinking into a chair. “And pretty hair, the color of buttercups. But she’s a little . . . well, silly. I’m not sure that I can picture the duke with her.”
    “Silly, is she? Then she won’t care for His Soberness.”
    “I have no doubt but that Althea would be happy to be a duchess even if Sconce were as crazy as a bedbug—which he’s not.”
    “Room for only one bedbug-brained duke in this kingdom,” Olivia said cheerfully, “and I’ve already got the monopoly on him. How do you suppose Rupert is doing in Portugal, by the way? He must have gone ashore by now.”
    Georgiana waved her hand dismissively. “I expect he’s missing Lucy, but fine otherwise.”
    “Which reminds me that I’d better ring for Norah. It’s surprisingly difficult to take care of a dog. It seems as if she’s always having to go out, or eat, or be given her bath.”
    “Olivia!” Georgiana said impatiently. “This is not the moment to talk about you or your dog. Do you think the dowager has already made up her mind to choose Althea? Her name sounds appropriate for a duchess.”
    “I think it sounds like some odd sort of digestive. Drink Althea for your bowels! Lady Cecily would love it. Do you suppose, Georgie, that her ladyship is perfectly unconscious of how odd it is for a woman with the surname Bumtrinket to be constantly talking about her digestion?”
    “Only you would notice such a thing. It certainly never occurred to me.”
    “The duke noticed as well. I saw a gleam in his eye that might have been a guffaw in a man who knew how to laugh.”
    “My point is that the dowager duchess will certainly look for birth along with elegance. I do hope that she hasn’t already decided for Althea. Or even worse, perhaps Althea has already caught the duke’s fancy,” Georgiana fretted. “She’s very sweet.”
    “I don’t think so,” Olivia said, bundling up her hair and then reaching over to pull the bell.
    “You don’t think the duchess has chosen a daughter-in-law, or you don’t think the duke has settled on Althea?”
    “I don’t think the duke has any idea whom to marry. He doesn’t have the right look about him,” Olivia said flatly. And—she added silently—presumably he wouldn’t be kissing strange women, no matter how revealing their clothing.
    “What kind of look would he have if he had made such a decision?”
    “Less dashing. At the moment he has a kind of highwayman appeal that suggests that he wants every woman in his vicinity to lust after him.”
    Georgiana frowned.
    Olivia spoke before her sister could disagree. “His hair, Georgie? Loose around the shoulders? And