JORDAN Nicole (14 page)

At the conclusion of breakfast, Winifred adopted an innocent look. “Perhaps you would like to see the Park, your grace. Roslyn can show you before she returns home to Danvers Hall this morning. Roslyn, my dear, why don’t you take his grace to the charming little folly by the lake?”

Roslyn shared a brief glance with the duke, who was barely stifling his amusement. But she didn’t protest, since showing him over the estate would allow them to escape Winifred’s watchful eye, and she wanted a measure of privacy so she could continue the discussion they had begun last night.

“The grounds are indeed lovely this time of year,” Roslyn murmured. “Just let me fetch my cloak, your grace.” The sun was out, but the June morning would be a trifle cool.

When she had retrieved the garment from Pointon, she found the duke awaiting her in the entrance hall. She led him through the house to a side door, and once outside, she stayed to the gravel path so the dew wouldn’t stain her slippers.

The park boasted beautifully landscaped lawns and gardens. In the distance atop a rise, she could see the folly that overlooked the ornamental lake, and she headed that way.

“I don’t suppose you have changed your mind about me tutoring you,” Arden began as they walked.

“No, I have not,” Roslyn replied pleasantly. “I would very much like you to advise me on the feminine arts of seduction.”

“I was afraid as much.”

“Have you given any more thought to my questions?”

“Yes, sweetheart.”

She glanced up at him expectantly. “I am all ears, your grace.”

“I expect I should start with the easiest question—you asked me what appeals to me in a mistress. I thought of several more attributes I find favorable.”

“And those are?”

“For one thing, a good mistress doesn’t complain about neglect from her patron if he visits her infrequently.”

“Her time is at his disposal, you mean?”

“Yes. And she doesn’t overspend her allowance, running up huge bills at the modiste and milliner, or press him for more jewels.”

Roslyn nodded thoughtfully. “It seems entirely reasonable that a patron wouldn’t appreciate extravagance.”

“Yes, and if he chooses to give her gifts, they should be at his discretion.”

“In other words, if she wants him to lavish gifts on her, she should make his generosity seem like his own idea.”

Arden’s mouth curved at her teasing remark. “Just so. And she should want him for himself, not his wealth—or at least give the appearance of it.”

Not replying, Roslyn cast a sideways glance at the duke. He seemed to have a great deal of experience being pursued for his wealth. It was obviously a sore point with him, much the way her appearance was with her. She had no doubt he was seen as a great prize, yet she knew very well his attractions were due to more than his fortune or his exalted title. In looks alone, he was far superior to other noblemen.

Against her will, she found her gaze lingering on him. His fair hair glimmered amber in the sunlight, while his features held an austere masculine beauty.

Admittedly, she herself felt a fierce attraction toward him, despite her determination never to be swayed by appearance. Yet she had discovered there was much more to Arden than met the eye. Despite his aristocratic elegance, he had a commanding look, a virile vital energy that suggested he was a man of substance. And his exhilarating charm and stimulating wit kept her on her toes—

Roslyn shook herself as they reached the folly, a small, circular edifice built of gleaming white marble resembling a Grecian temple. The folly had no walls, merely a roof supported by thick columns, while the open interior was adorned by marble statues and supplied with benches. She mounted the three steps and settled on one of the benches. Arden followed her inside but remained standing.

“What else does a successful mistress do?” she asked, determined to ignore his appeal.

“From what I’ve witnessed, she makes her patron the sole focus of her attention. She should occasionally flatter him and express admiration—but again, she must seem to be sincere. And she should at least appear to listen to what he says.”

Roslyn lifted an eyebrow in amusement. “So she should compliment and admire him and hang on his every word, even if she finds little admirable about him and nothing interesting in his conversation?”

“Even so,” Arden replied, his own tone edged with humor. “And as I said last night, she should see to his physical comfort and pleasure.”

Roslyn couldn’t help blushing a little. “We needn’t go into detail about the carnal side of an affair, your grace. I will take your word for it.”

Arden’s eyes gleamed. “Your modesty is showing, love.”

“I expect it is. It is a curse to have a complexion that displays embarrassment so easily.”

“Then suffice it to say, she must leave him physically satisfied. But she should also keep the relationship purely on a physical level. A good mistress doesn’t become overamorous or let her affections become engaged. She never lets emotion get in the way of a business transaction, and she certainly never expects love to be the outcome.”

Roslyn couldn’t help but smile as she contemplated the duke. “I can clearly see thatyou would not want something so bothersome as love to interfere with your pleasure. Fortunately my situation with Haviland is not a business arrangement, so it won’t matter if my affections are engaged by him, as long as it is not one-sided.”

“True, but a mistress is making a contract for services rendered.”

“I understand. As you said last night, you want your lover to be undemanding.”

“But the reverse is also true. Fidelity is crucial. The worst offense she could make is to let her attention stray to another man while under his protection. She must have eyes only for him…which leads me to my first lesson. In order to begin a dalliance with Haviland, you need to learn how to conduct a subtle flirtation.”

“So how do I manage that?”

“I intend to teach you. The surest way to kindle his interest is to speak to him with your eyes.”

“My eyes?” She shook her head in amusement.

“You can communicate a great deal with just a glance.”

“Such as?”

“Such as the fact that you are interested in him, that you find him appealing. Gaze at him a long moment. Flutter your eyelashes at him a little.”

“How fascinating.”

The duke ignored her impudence. “And then there is your mouth.”

“I cannot wait to hear this one,” she remarked dryly.

“This is gravely important, darling,” Arden chided, his tone laced with mocking amusement. “If you mean to ridicule every suggestion I make—”

“No, please…my apologies. Do proceed.” Roslyn disciplined her expression to soberness, even though it was hard.

“As I was saying, you need to draw his attention to your mouth. Purse your lips into a pout…. Subtly touch your fan to your lips, that sort of thing. Just make it provocative.”

Roslyn laughed out loud at that. “I am sorry, but I find it hard to credit that a man with any claim to intelligence would fall for batting eyelashes and pouting lips.”

Arden gave her a stern look. “Do you want me to continue or not?”

“Yes, of course.”

“Then behave yourself, Beauty. Now show me a pout.”

Roslyn tried to comply. She pursed her lips into a moue while glancing up at him through her lowered eyelashes. Arden responded by dropping his gaze to her mouth…which was precisely what was supposed to happen. But then she spoiled the effect when she couldn’t hold the pose; unable to keep a straight face, she broke into laughter again. It was all too absurd.

“This may be impossible,” she finally said when her laughter subsided.

Arden didn’t scold her as she expected. Instead he regarded her with a tolerant look, clearly amused to watch her efforts. “Hopefully you will get better with practice.”

“Perhaps I should forget all about this.”

“Are you giving up so easily, sweetheart? I never would have supposed you to be a quitter.”

Roslyn lifted her chin at his challenge, no doubt as he intended. “Of course I am not a quitter. But I just find it hard to believe this will work.”

“You don’t have to take my word for it. You can apply to Eleanor for confirmation. She is two years younger than you but has far more experience with the courting game. You are a mere babe compared to her.”

She didn’t know Marcus’s sister well enough to quiz her on such a delicate topic. “I think perhaps I had best rely on Fanny.”

“But I am available now.” Leaning back against a column, Arden crossed his arms. “You need to try again with me before you have to face Haviland this afternoon. I will be your test subject.”

“Really, this isn’t necessary, your grace. I have already put you to enough trouble.”

“You wanted to learn how to seduce a man, didn’t you?”

“Yes, but—”

“Then do it. Stand up, angel. Pretend I have walked into a room and spied you. What is the first thing you do?”

Roslyn brought her hands up to her suddenly flushed cheeks. “I haven’t the faintest idea.”

“Have you observed your pupil, Miss Newstead? Mimic her actions.”

She could do that much, Roslyn thought, recalling how Sybil Newstead had tried to catch the duke’s attention last night at the wedding ball.

Obediently she rose to her feet. Then taking a deep breath, she pasted a teasing smile on her lips and slowly crossed the folly in front of him, swaying her hips in a brazen display of coquetry. When she reached one side, she paused to flash him a flirtatious glance over her shoulder before sauntering back across the marble floor.

It encouraged her to see the duke watching her avidly. Throwing her heart into the role, Roslyn tossed her head and made a moue, then primped her hair and smoothed her skirts just as she had seen Sybil do a hundred times.

Arden threw back his head and laughed. “I daresay that’s a fair imitation of the little minx.”

“I am gratified you appreciate my efforts,” Roslyn murmured.

“Now make it much more subtle.”

She made another effort, this time toning down her performance, her movements more hesitant and sensual.

Arden nodded in approval. “Not bad for a novice. Now, come here.”

“Why?” Roslyn said pertly.

He grinned. “Because you need more practice.”

She did as he bid, moving to stand before him. “What next?”

“Look into my eyes. Pretend that I am the only man you could ever be interested in.”

Roslyn locked eyes with him…and promptly felt her breath falter. The deep vibrant green held her spellbound. It was a mere glance, yet time seemed to stop. And just like before, a sizzling spark of awareness arced between them.

Fighting the power of it, Roslyn struggled to catch her breath. The sparks didn’t mean a thing, she told herself. The duke was merely giving her a lesson in dalliance. To construe anything intimate or sexual in it was ridiculous.

Then her gaze dropped to his mouth, that firm, sensual mouth that had shown her such pleasure a fortnight ago. She felt the strongest longing to kiss him—and an even more powerful craving to have him kiss her the way he had that night. The temptation of that warm, sensual mouth was nearly impossible to resist.

Jerking her scandalous thoughts to order, Roslyn tore her gaze away and stepped back. Chastising herself for her inexplicable reaction, she cleared her throat that had suddenly grown dry and made a supreme effort to pretend indifference. “Thank you, your grace. I believe that is enough instruction for one day. You have given me ample ideas to practice on the earl this afternoon.”

Arden’s gaze had turned enigmatic, she saw, but then his mouth slanted sardonically. “I expect a report on your success, sweeting. It should prove highly interesting.”

“Very well. I owe you that much.”

Relieved that he didn’t press her further, Roslyn turned away. She had imposed on the Duke of Arden far enough. It was high time she went home and set in motion her campaign to win Lord Haviland.

Thankfully there were no more chances for intimacy with the duke before Roslyn took her leave of Freemantle Park. By the time she reached home, Arabella and Marcus were gone, having set out an hour before on their wedding trip.

The butler and housekeeper were supervising the servant staff in cleaning up after the ball. After conferring with the Simpkins, Roslyn settled in the morning room to begin cataloging the vast array of wedding gifts the guests had sent to the Earl of Danvers and his new countess.

She had made good progress when a short while later her younger sister entered. A frown drew down Lily’s mouth while her cheeks were unusually flushed.

“Whatever is wrong?” Roslyn asked in concern.

“Nothing that I care to discuss,” Lily replied cryptically. She surveyed Roslyn intently. “What about you, Rose? Tess and I were appalled to get your note this morning explaining why you stayed with Winifred last night. We called at the Park, but you had just left, so Winifred told us all about the highway robbery. It sounds as if you were very brave.”

“I was frightened out of my mind,” Roslyn replied dryly. “But at least no one was harmed.”

“Except for the brigand. I understand Hickling has initiated a search for a wounded man.”

Roslyn nodded. “Yes, although we don’t hold out much hope of finding him.” She eyed her sister again, noting that Lily’s normal high spirits were nowhere in evidence. “Are you certain you are all right? You look as if something has upset you.”

“I am not upset. I merely have a touch of the headache, and having Tess drive me home in her gig didn’t help.”

“Why don’t you sit down and have some tea? Mrs. Simpkin just brought in a fresh pot.”

“You always think tea is such a great restorative,” Lily complained, although she sank down beside Roslyn on the settee. “A dose of Marcus’s brandy would be more helpful.”

“It is far too early for brandy—not that a lady should even be drinking anything so potent.”

“You sound just like Arabella.”

Roslyn fixed a stare on her younger sister. “Arabella is concerned—and rightly so—that you’ve turned into a little hellion.”

Shaking off her dark mood, Lily managed to grin. “I know. But I have no desire to pretend to be a lady.”