บททั้งหมดของ The Disreputable Duke: บทที่ 21 - บทที่ 30

Grant Dawkins leaned against the bus stop and watched the shining glass tower block's doorway where Conway Gibbs offices were. He'd seen Jasper and Ellie walk in hand in hand about an hour ago; they couldn't be much longer surely. She was a bit of a'right that Ellie a bit too a'right to hurt. He wouldn't hurt her too much, not permanently anyhow. Maybe he should just go for Jasper. If he topped him, he would be a Duke. Grant lit another cigarette and thought about that. Would he want that, all that performance? He hardly had the right accent for a Duke, and he couldn't see himself being hoity-toity wiv a load o' toffs, having dinner parties and cocktails. Huh, the only cocktail he wanted was a Jagermeister and some Four X, mind you a nice bit o' smack would be cool.

Jasper sat his desk and jotted down his list of things to do. He should arrange an engagement dinner to present Ellie as his fiancee to all of their friends and family He wanted to make it unique for Ellie, and he would like to surprise her, so the dinner should be held somewhere special.The one thing he wasn't worried about was his mother. She loved Ellie as much as he did. They spent hours on the phone chatting, and they had hit it off straight away when she called in after shopping in town. Ellie's Mum and Dad were a more difficult subject. Her dad, from what Ellie had said, was easy going and liked his golf. Her mum was a bit more difficult, though Jasper was sure she was lovely, just a bit overawed by him and his position as a duke. However, he was sure he could charm her, or so Ellie assured him.Ellie stared at her phone as if it could give her all the answers she needed. Just what could she say to her mum that would not allow illicit an hysterical response. It

"Evening, Tom," said Jasper as he opened the door for him. "Jasper, how are you mate." said Tom obsequiously "And what's all this about you getting married? What a load of bollocks." he followed Jasper up the stairs to the sitting room."Let me get you a drink, and I will tell you all about it."Tom sprawled on one of the sofas his suit jacket thrown over the back he would need it near him. He had the bag of rufies in the pocket. "Come on, then, let's hear all about it," he said.Jasper got himself settled on the other sofa and began the tale of his fathers will.When Ellie got back to the house, it was all quiet, she carefully unlocked the inside door to her flat and went to stand at the bottom of the kitchen stairs, she could hear murmured voices and knew Jasper's voice by the tone, his voice was lower than Tom's. She slipped quietly up the stairs to the ground floor and listened again. Tom was laughing. Oh God had she got this all wrong? W

"Listen, your 'Gracelessness'," Richella spat out, "If it weren't for Ellie, you would be about to pay bloody enormous amounts to that fuckwit you call a friend.  That photo would have gone straight to the red-top that paid most. Thwaite would have ruined your good reputation," Richella curled a lip, "well, reasonably good reputation. I'm not sure your clients, future and past, would have enjoyed seeing your limp prick on the front page. The ridicule you may have faced Jasper would have ruined you. Not to mention that the two-faced twats who run the country would have determinedly taken the high road and pariah would have been your second name. I'll go and get changed." Richella got up and left the room. Jasper rubbed his hands over his face, god what a fuck up. Just wait until he got hold of Tom. Kylie and Suki walked hand in hand by the side of the Serpentine. They had fed the ducks, and had a little picnic. Suki loved the squirrels, she laughed and

Ellie was nervous. She hadn't stopped talking for the last twenty minutes, and she was driving him mad. Once he parked the car, Jasper turned to her, taking hold of her hands."Ellie, Ellie shh, please stop it. I'm quite capable of making people feel at ease, its part of the job love. I know you're nervous, but honestly, I'm looking forward to meeting your mum and dad. Just let me do the talking okay?"Ellie closed her eyes, he was right, she had been going on and on. "I'm sorry my mum makes me nervous. I never feel as if I live up to her expectations. I'm not married to a director of some boring company, I haven't given her grandchildren, and my director husband doesn't play golf." Jasper laughed. "Silly girl. You are marrying a director of one of the most prestigious companies in the world. There is only one Duke of Shettleham, and we will give them beautiful grandchildren, the only thing I'm not too happy about is the golf. It's never really appealed to