Lessons From a Scarlet Lady (23 page)
It was irksome that at nearly twenty-one years of age she had to answer to him for almost every choice she made in life, but that was how things were for all young ladies of her class. From father to husband, always at the bidding of some domineering male. Not even Brianna, with the prestige of being married to a very wealthy Peer of the Realm, had any real independence, though she’d confided that her husband had for no apparent reason told her recently he would no longer monitor her expenses and she could spend her allowance as she wished.
“I don’t want to be the cause of any conflict, so play whatever you wish.” Brianna rose and yawned. “Oh dear, I am so tired lately. It must be the country air. After the chat with you and Bella this afternoon, I took a nap. I was so surprised, for I thought to lie down for a minute and just rest a little. I never have been able to fall asleep during the day for some reason. Perhaps I’d better say good night.”
“I imagine your husband would appreciate your company.” Rebecca grinned.
“I hope so.” Brianna smiled back, a shimmer of laughter in her eyes. “I am certainly working on keeping it that way.”
“If the Duke should ever find out you bought that book—”
“He won’t. Why should he? Besides, isn’t it marvelous?”
Since she hadn’t had a chance but to read that one wicked paragraph, Rebecca hedged. “I just don’t think he’d approve.”
“He can be a bit imperious now and then, but I refuse to worry about any consequences for purchasing the book.” Brianna told her. “I will see you in the morning.”
After she left, Rebecca quickly locked her door and retrieved the book. She settled back against the pillows and cautiously reopened the slender volume, turning straight to the chapter Brianna had suggested.
Never Forget You Know What He Wants More Than He DoesMy dear reader, do you doubt the interest of the man whom you have decided to favor with your attention? If so, you will find this segment enlightening. There are a variety of ways to gauge the attraction of a specific man to your charms, if one is but aware of them. A glance caught from across the room, his perusal of your bosom, a certain heated light in his eyes. Those are the subtle nuances, of course, but a more practical test can be performed.For this experiment you will need three essential elements. The first is your intellect. The second is your femininity. The third, and most obvious, is a moment of privacy with the object of your interest.In short, you need to plan, to be as beguiling as possible, and to secure a clandestine spot to conduct your test of his possible affection for your person.It is necessary also, to decide ahead of time your level of determination. What is it you want from this gentleman? Do you wish to become simply his lover? Do you wish for him to take you in as his mistress, shower you with gifts, and satisfy your desires? Or is your plan of a more permanent nature?The latter, depending on the male involved, is the most difficult—but rarely impossible.
Heavens, Rebecca hoped the woman was right. She turned the page, even the sound of the rustling paper making her look around the room with guilty perusal. As much as Colton might disapprove of Brianna having purchased the book, Rebecca knew her parents would faint dead away if they found it in her possession. There would be no way to explain it. None at all. They would be outraged, and with good cause, considering the tidbit she’d read earlier. At least this chapter seemed less outrageous.
The circumstances of how you secure his undivided interest are up to you, but you must get him alone. Then the dynamics are in your favor. Should he choose to seize the moment and attempt a seduction, you’ve achieved your goal very easily. If he doesn’t, you must be inventive and convince him that he wishes to seduce you. Do not be shy about using your charms to gain control of the situation. After all, when a man meets a woman, her appearance is the first thing he notices about her. This does not mean you must be beautiful to capture his attention, but honesty compels me to remind you that the basic fact he is a man and you are a woman is what drives you together. It is a matter of logic.Men desire women. Oh yes, women also desire men, but we are much more understated in our approach. Where they pursue, we feint. Where they grasp, we touch. Where they need, we want.What a beautiful dance of nature it is, and the civility of our age only adds to the intrigue of it. We mask our steps of seduction in politesse and meaningless protocol, but no one is truly fooled. It is basic, it is inevitable, and it is all to our advantage as women of our time. Honorable men cherish us, and it is up to us to decide to which level to elevate their regard. Once you know a gentleman is interested, do not wait for him. Take charge at once. After all, you know what he wants.
Women of our time?
Rebecca lowered the book, more than a little surprised. She’d always equated her position in life with having very little freedom, but perhaps the author was right. Robert knew full well he couldn’t dally with her in a casual way. So she needed to somehow convince him that a dalliance of the permanent sort would be to the advantage of them both.
If she didn’t do
something
, she would find herself wed to another man.
something
, she would find herself wed to another man.
Here she’d been waiting for him to make the first gesture, but why must it be so?
Apparently she needed to get him alone and just see what might happen. The night in the garden he was just being helpful in her escape from Lord Watts, but on the terrace after dinner last night, she’d felt something different in him. A certain tension under his usual effortless charm, especially when they’d stood by the balustrade, talking.
. . . a certain heated light in his eyes . . .
It was possible she’d seen that very light.
Rebecca was beginning to allow herself to hope it was true. After their performance this evening, he’d avoided her. She’d fully expected him to find her afterwards and say something about the music or the duet. Everyone else had—but he hadn’t. It was out of character in a man who was usually so smoothly polite.
A good sign, surely, if he didn’t trust himself to talk to her in front of other people. What would happen if they were alone?
Lady R, as Brianna called her, might just be brilliant.
Chapter Thirteen
It is my belief that women love more deeply and men more fiercely. What is the difference? I am not sure how to define it.
From the chapter titled: “The Mystery of It All”
T
his was a poor time to be coming down with an illness, Brianna thought in dismay as she lay in bed, watching the sun pour in across the room. Even the smell of the fresh flowers in the vase by the side of the bed was cloying and overwhelming. Of course, the party was almost over and the guests would leave tomorrow, but today was Colton’s actual birthday and tonight she planned to give him his surprise gift. Not a good evening to have a touchy stomach.
his was a poor time to be coming down with an illness, Brianna thought in dismay as she lay in bed, watching the sun pour in across the room. Even the smell of the fresh flowers in the vase by the side of the bed was cloying and overwhelming. Of course, the party was almost over and the guests would leave tomorrow, but today was Colton’s actual birthday and tonight she planned to give him his surprise gift. Not a good evening to have a touchy stomach.
This queasy feeling wasn’t conducive to romance.
“Just hot tea and some toast,” she told her maid, sitting upright against the pillows piled behind her, her smile wan. “And I’d like to bathe.”
“Of course, Your Grace.” The girl bobbed a curtsy and hurried off.
It was a relief when an hour later she felt much better. The toast stayed down, but it was doubtful for a while until the tea seemed to settle her nausea. Though she had considered abandoning the idea of a morning ride near the river and the picnic she had so carefully planned, she donned her new riding habit after all. It was her husband’s celebration, and if she’d planned all of this in his honor, she was determined to not only enjoy the day, but to make sure it all went as she intended.
Especially this evening.
If she dared.
Lady Rothburg had been a font of wisdom so far, so even though it sounded more than a little wicked to follow her suggestions, she was willing to give anything she thought Colton might enjoy.
Brianna adjusted her hat, gave her appearance a look of approval in the mirror—for the midnight blue of her riding habit suited her eyes—and went downstairs. To her surprise, Colton was at the stables, conversing with one of the lads, his sleek, huge horse saddled and ready.
He turned as she approached, his chestnut hair slightly ruffled by the breeze, his azure eyes assessing her. Approval? She wasn’t sure. Her husband’s formidably impassive expression was never easy to read.
Brianna always thought him attractive—but this morning he was strikingly so, dressed like a country gentleman for riding with no cravat, his white shirt just open at the throat, his coat a dark blue that nearly matched her habit, his chamois breeches fitted and tucked into boots that were well worn but still highly polished. Flustered for some reason, she said breathlessly, “Good morning.”
“Good morning.” He glanced over her attire. “You look lovely as always, my dear.”
There it was again, the same look he’d given her a few times lately. She found it puzzling, almost as if he was deliberately making some judgment, and she wasn’t sure what it could be. “Thank you,” she murmured. “I admit I didn’t expect you to join us.”
His smile was merely a quirk of his lips. “Riding out on a beautiful morning such as this is far preferable to capturing errant and indignant caterpillars and collecting sticks. Besides, it is my birthday, and I had a feeling my wife might scold me if I stayed in my study all day.”
Uncertain, because of the tone of indulgence in his speech, Brianna bit her lower lip. Most of the guests were already mounted and she turned to ask for her mare, a little surprised when one of the stable lads led out a sedate older horse. Colton said in a bland tone, “You weren’t feeling well this morning, I understand. Hera is a little spirited. I requested a calmer mount.”
She blinked, surprised he knew she had been indisposed. She hadn’t even said anything to her personal maid other than to order the blandest breakfast possible. How the devil would he know what she ate unless the cook or her maid ran off to tell him after every meal—and that seemed absurd. Surely her husband wasn’t
that
controlling.
that
controlling.
He extended his hand and looked at her expectantly. “Brianna?”
“Yes.” She put her gloved hand in his and let him draw her forward and then lift her into the saddle. Gathering the reins, she looked down at him, still a bit puzzled. The solicitude wasn’t precisely out of character, for he was polite always, but his appearance for this ride and the glimmer in his eyes set her aback.
“You are sure you feel well enough?”
“To ride a horse?” She smiled and shook her head. “Of course. My goodness, Colton, what has you so concerned?”
“I’m always concerned about you, my dear.” He swung himself gracefully into the saddle, reminding her of the honed body under those well-fitting clothes. “Shall we?”
He led them across the park and down several scenic country lanes, naturally athletic and easy on his mount, conversing with Lord Emerson but all the time aware of her.
How did she know it? She wasn’t sure. Brianna could
feel
it. He watched her even as she rode next to Arabella.
feel
it. He watched her even as she rode next to Arabella.
Because Brianna sensed he was paying more attention than usual, she kept her voice low. “Rebecca declined to come along because she wished to practice for this evening. Or so she said. I think she’s in the music room, but she’s not playing. She’s
reading
.”
reading
.”
Arabella stifled a laugh behind a gloved hand. “You are a bad influence, Bri.”
“Or a good one. You and I are lucky, for we married men of our choice.”
“True.” Her friend gave her a sidelong glance. “Both of whom look quite handsome this morning, if I may say so. Did you expect the Duke?”
“No,” Brianna admitted. “I was sure after sacrificing his morning yesterday, he would be too busy. I didn’t even mention the picnic to him.”
“Yet he apparently invited himself.” Arabella’s eyes held a hint of mischief. “Simply because he wished to accompany us. I think he might be enjoying the festivities after all.”
Brianna hoped so, but it was, as always, hard to tell with Colton.
There were only eight of them, most of the guests having chosen to sleep late or take a stroll in the unusually warm fall weather. Brianna walked her horse, not discontented with the sedate pace, but surprised. Colton was usually in a hurry to get back to his ever present duties. She was actually embarrassed she hadn’t invited him personally to the picnic. There was no part of her that thought he’d accept, and pressuring him into the hunt yesterday had only worked because his grandmother was so pleased.
But he’d come on his own. That alone was enough to buoy her spirits, and when they all arrived at the designated grassy spot for lunch, her enigmatic husband lounged next to her on the provided blanket, relaxed and apparently content.
Colton? Content out of his study and in a group of people having a picnic at midday?
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