Eloisa James - Duchess by Night (9 page)

But Mr. Cope, it seemed, was not as intimidating as a duchess, and certainly more interesting. Harriet guessed this because Miss Galeor Nel , as she quickly asked to be cal edimmediately did a complicated little maneuver with her hip that made her chest jiggle in a startling manner.

Strange drifted away a few minutes later, and Harriet found herself chattering to Nel about her shepherdess costume, which was for a play she was rehearsing.

It was surprisingly fun. Nel had a wonderful gift: Harriet found herself convulsed with laughter by the way she imitated a stuffy matrons distress when her dog peed on the Lord Chancel ors robes. They both accepted glasses of wine, and before long were seated cozily in a couch at the side of the room.

Harriet was so entertained that she almost forgot she was dressed as a man, except when she crossed her legs. That was so much fun she kept crossing and uncrossing until Nel asked her if she had a strained ankle.

No, Harriet said, remembering again to deepen her voice.

I expect youre nervous, it being your first night here, Nel said encouragingly. Dont worry. Its not nearly as bad as I thought before I came. I thought there would be an orgy before my very eyes.

Hum, Harriet said. So did I, of course.

Wel , being a man, youre probably looking forward to that, Nel said, dimpling in the most delightful manner.

Not real y, Harriet ventured.

I believe we must be the same age, Nel said. Or perhaps Im a bit older. I shal be your tutor, for I can see that you arent quite ready for this life.

Are you? Harriet asked.

If youre asking whether Im a courtesan, Im not, Nel said readily. Im an actress. Lord Strange owns the Hyde Park Theater, and he likes to have final rehearsals at Fonthil . And just so you know, Lord Strange doesnt al ow true ladybirds in his house. People do get up to al sorts of naughtiness she lowered her voice but theres no exchange of money, if you see the difference.

Harriet did. What does your family think of your visit here?

I dont have much of a family, Nel said, dimpling. You dont think that Im a good girl, do you, Harry? For she had promptly discarded Mr. Cope.

Harriet couldnt help smiling. Shed never met anyone like Nel before, anyone so cheerful y sinful.

Ive no need to be a courtesan, Nel said. Im a very good actress. Id never want a man to support me; theyre an erratic bunch. I dont mind tel ing you, since I can see that youve yet to come to London, that I mean to be a lead actress some day. But even now I earn a pretty penny.

I can imagine, Harriet said.

Theres only one man here whom I truly have a fancy for, she said, leaning confidential y close.

Harriet breathed a little sigh of relief. She wasnt sure that she was ready to fend off Nel . She had the distinct impression that if Nel decided to join someone in bed, that man would have little choice in the matter.

Its Strange. But hes impossible to approach. Im sure I could make him love me. You saw how he looked at me, and how he brought you over to me directly. I think he has a secret affection for me, but he doesnt know how to express it.

You think he cant express himself? Harriet asked dubiously. Strange struck her as the kind of man who would know exactly how to express any emotion he wished. In fact, the very idea of Strange expressing desire made her feel a little weak behind the knees. He would look at a woman and she wouldshe would

I think he desires me, if that doesnt shock you too much, young Harry, Nel was chattering. But Im young and beautiful, and hes old, you know.

How old is he?

Thirty-two, Nel said. I looked him up in this book ful of birthdays and hes thirty-two. Real y old. He has a daughter, you know, though Ive never seen her. Ive heard shes absolutely bril iant and speaks in mathematical equations.

Strange was five years older than Harriet. Which did not feel old . Quite the contrary.

The problem is that he doesnt have much to do with women, Nel was saying. Ive been watching him for the last week, ever since we came here.

He never has anything to do with women? Harriet said. I thought he was notorious for his liaisons.

He is, but I cant understand why. Wel , you only have to look at him to know that hes had lovers, Nel said. She had an utterly blunt way of talking that Harriet found enchanting. No woman in the ton ever spoke like this.

Perhaps he does have a lover, Harriet suggested. Look at him now. Strange was dancing with an older woman. She was beautiful in a terrifying sort of way.

Mrs. Cummingworth, Nel said, with a curled lip. Shes ancient. Shed fal into a dead faint if hed even give her an interested look, but he wont. Look at his face. Hes listening, but he doesnt give a damn. He looks like that quite a lot of the time.

It was true. How peculiar, Harriet said. How long has his wife been dead?

Eight years. She died in childbirth. He can hardly be mourning her. Besides, everyone knows that he had an affaire with Corisande de Grammont.

Now Lady Feddrington?

Yes. She never comes here any more, but apparently before she got married she was so desperately in love with Strange that she threatened to throw herself off a bridge if he didnt sleep with her.

And?

He slept with her. But he said afterwards that if anyone forced him to spend a second night with her, he would be the one to jump off a bridge. Nel gave a little shiver. Its a chal enge. I knowI just know that if I could have him in my bed for one night, I could make him love me.

Harriet thought Nel was an adorable, funny actress. And she thought that if Strange ever found himself in Nel s bed, he would be bored.

How she knew that, she couldnt quite say.

I wonder who that is, Nel said sharply.

Harriet looked up, to find that Isidore was in Stranges arms. Compared to Nel , Isidore was like a vivid flame. Nel was pretty; Isidore was beautiful. And more: Isidore had a wild intel igence about her that made watchers think she was about to throw off her clothing, do something daring, kiss the man before her.

Harriet felt a pang of envy. She herself wouldnt have a chance interesting a man like Strange, and yet how could he resist Isidore? He couldnt. He wouldnt.

Just look at the way shes smiling at him! Nel said. Shel discover soon enough that Strange isnt taken in by such obvious maneuvers. Hes not

She stopped.

Isidores hair was piled in towering curls above her head, and if Harriets face looked overpowered by that kind of hair, Isidores just looked more beautiful. It was as if a queen had entered the room and chosen her consort.

Everyone was watching them. Al eyes saw how Strange smiled back, the way she had him laughing by a moment later.

Harriet sighed inside. Of course, Isidore said that she meant to flirt with Strange. And Isidore had yet to meet the man whom she couldnt entice.

It seemed Strange was just as much a man as the rest of them.

She glanced sideways at Nel . Poor Nel her mouth had turned into a hard, glum little line.

Shes going to take him before I even get a chance, Nel said. Its not fair. I know I could make him laugh. I was planning on sending him a letter. But I couldnt figure out how to get the letter to him. You only have to look at Mr. Povy to know that he doesnt deliver a ladys letters. But mine would be different! I could truly make him fal in love with me, not like those others, who just want him because hes so rich.

She sniffed. I dont even care that hes rich.

Harriet patted her arm.

Its the way he moves, Nel said. I dont know why but I just cant stop watching him. And the way he looks amused, mocking, as if the world were happening only for his entertainment. Hes inaccessible, you know? I want to make him come to fire, wake up, look at me. I want

Hes teaching me how to fence tomorrow, Harriet said.

Lucky you, Nel said longingly. Id love to see him with a sword in his hand.

Harriet thought that was a double entendre, but she wasnt sure.

On the dance floor, Strange was bowing before Isidore. She turned away from him as if he didnt exist, straight into the arms of another man. That was pure Isidore. She never, ever let the man in her sights know that she was interested in him.

Strange actual y stood stil for a moment. His face was unreadable.

Look at that, Nel said, her fingers gripping Harriets arm painful y. She left. Maybe shes not interested after al .

Perhaps, Harriet said.

Shes dancing with Lord Winnamore now, Nel said. Hes a roué, if you know what that means. Why, I heard that he took three of the Graces to bed at the same time.

The Graces?

A musical troupe, Nel said, wrinkling her nose. There are eight of them. I have to admit that they sing very wel . But they spend most of their time on their backs. Youre fencing with Strange tomorrow?

Yes, Harriet said.

Then you could give him a letter from me.

I

The fingers on her arm tightened. You wil , wont you? Il stay up al night and write it, and put it under your door tomorrow morning. Wont you? Please? As a friend?

Were they friends?

Il do something for you in return, Nel said. She dropped Harriets arm and pul ed back. Are you interested in women?

Harriet was so startled that her mouth fel open.

Youre such an innocent, Nel said, shaking her head. Its a fair question, Harry. You have a look about you that is very attractive to certain men.

Harriet gulped. I do?

I suppose that means you do like women?

Oh, definitely! Harriet babbled. Definitely. Of course. Al the time.

Nel laughed, but it was a nice laugh. Il do something for you too, Harry. You get my letter to Strangeand make sure he reads itand Il introduce you to one of the Graces. A friendly Grace, if you take my meaning.

You dont have to do that, Harriet said hastily. Id be happy to bring the letter. What sort of thing do you plan to write?

Il tel him to visit my room, Nel said, brightening up. Men like women to be very straightforward about these things.

Harriet shot a look at Strange. He was dancing with a young woman who was smiling at him lavishly. She was exquisitely dressed in a cream gown embroidered with flowers, worn with an overskirt of puckered gauze in a ruby color. The flowers shimmered under the gauze. Harriet felt a stab of pure feminine longing.

I can see what youre thinking, Nel said, giggling. You cant possibly afford her. Thats Sophia Grafton. Shes monstrously extravagant. I heard that she sometimes visits the mercer and pays thirty or forty guineas for a coat of winter silk, and then purchases two or three more. And she doesnt even wear the extras, just gives them to her maids. She has four maids, just for herself. Can you imagine?

But you said there werent ladybirds at Fonthil ? Harriet asked dubiously.

Wel , if you want to be strict about the label, Nel said. But youd never win Sophia Grafton with a simple offer of money, if thats what youre thinking. At the moment she is accompanied by Lord Childe. See, hes over there on the side of the room, talking to one of the Graces.

The Grace in question had a blowsy, huge hair style with six or seven jeweled combs stuck in at various angles.

I expect Sophia Grafton would drop Childe like a scorched potato if Strange showed any interest.

Wel , thats my point, Harriet said. Im not sure that a simple letter inviting him to your bed wil be sufficient. Surely Miss Grafton has also issued such an invitation, in writing or otherwise.

Nel looked offended. I hardly compare myself to Sophia Grafton! Why, she has to be twenty-six if shes a day. Im sure she has wrinkles around her eyes. Just look at her. Shes the sort who lies around on a couch al day long and sighs. Not very much fun in the bedchamber, if youl excuse the familiarity, Harry.

Harriet saw exactly what she meant. But I stil think that Lord Strange has received many an invitation. You need to intrigue him somehow. Make yourself stand out.

Nel was silent for a moment. I know! I could paint myself al over with gold and stick pearls on my body. Lord Stranges new secretary is a Frenchwoman, and she was tel ing me that Frenchwomen sometimes do that.

But Harry said dubiously.

I could have myself brought to his room in the guise of a statue, Nel said. And then the statue could come to life! And do such things as he would never forget! She was grinning. It would be positively Shakespearean. Shakespeare wrote a play where a statue comes to life, you know.

Harriet was starting to feel very affectionate toward Nel . Shed never met anyone like her. Just what sort of things do you have in mind? she asked curiously.

But shed forgotten that she was dressed as a man, and Nel burst out laughing. Youl have to discover those from some other woman, Harry my dear.

I think gold paint sounds sticky and uncomfortable, Harriet said. And while you may be thinking that I have little experience, Nel , that is not the case.

Nel hooted. Youre a regular rakehel , Harry! I can tel it just by looking at you.

My point is that it doesnt sound very comfortable to be made love to if you have pearls glued to your body. Nor yet to kiss gold paint.

No kisses? Nel said, horrified.

I suppose your lips wont be painted, Harriet said, but I doubt that Strange would kiss you anywhere else.

Nel pouted. I may be planning to make it a night Strange wont forget, but I certainly didnt plan on skipping my own pleasure.

Write a letter that wil intrigue him, Harriet suggested. Keep him guessing about who you are. Perhaps with a riddle, or something of that nature.

A riddle? Nel asked. The only riddle I know has to do with a chicken and an egg and I forget what al .

Then perhaps not a riddle, but how about a poem, some sort of verse that he cant understand immediately?

Im not very good at poetry, Nel said dubiously. I can read and write, you know. But poetry might be a little She looked at Harriet.

You could write a poem.

This is your seduction, Nel .

He would never know. And I think youre right. Look at him now.