A Gentleman Never Tells(88)

She looked down and continued reading.

The first thing a mistress must do is to make herself pleasing to the eye of the gentleman. At all times she must be enticing. A gentleman always desires a woman of beauty. She should keep her hair styled, her lips and cheeks rosy, her skin sprinkled with perfume, and dress in the latest fashionable clothing.

Gabrielle’s gaze was riveted to the pages as she continued to read. Suddenly it dawned on her. This book wasn’t about being the mistress of the house. This book was about being a kept mistress!

A courtesan!

She glanced guiltily around the room to make sure no one witnessed what she was reading.

“Oh, my,” she whispered and slammed the book shut. Dust flew into her face, and she sneezed.

Her mind whirled. Her breaths came short and quick.

“I can’t read this,” she said to herself.

What was this book doing on her father’s bookshelf? What was it doing in his house? Did he even know it was there? Perhaps it belonged to her grandfather or someone else. Who could have hidden it there? Clearly the book hadn’t been touched in many years.

Gabrielle worried her lower lip. What she had read sparked her curiosity. She had no idea what mistresses could do that was too difficult and too delicate for wives. And should a properly brought-up young lady like herself even know?

Without further thought, she bent down to the bottom shelf and stuffed the book back in its slot. She leaned her weight against the chest and quickly shoved it back in place. She hurried from behind the desk to the center of the room and stood there, looking from the chest to the door.

Would anyone ever know she’d found the book? Would anyone ever know if she had read it?

Of course not! How could they?

Her aunt and sister were out for the afternoon. The servants knew not to bother her when she was painting.

So…

She could read the book and no one would ever know. But did she want to?

“Heavens yes!” she exclaimed.

Gabrielle ran over to the chest again, pushed it out of the way, and grabbed the book. She walked over to the broad-striped settee that stood in front of the lit fireplace and settled down onto the cushion. She opened the book and continued to read about the things a mistress should do for a man but a wife was not supposed to do or even know about.

As she read, a thought niggled at her mind, but each time she shook it away. She wouldn’t even think of that possibility.

Soon everything was forgotten except the hypnotic words written on the pages. She kept reading page after page, sometimes scanning the details because she was simply too embarrassed to let her eyes read the words.

“Lady Gabrielle.”

Gabrielle slammed the book together so hard and fast as she jolted up from the settee that dust rose in a puff.

“Yes, Mrs. Lathbury?” she said breathlessly, her heart beating so fast she thought she might faint.

“Lord Brentwood is here to see you and insisted I tell you he is here.”

The idea she had tried to keep at bay sprang back to mind with the speed of lightning and the fury of a fierce wind. And just when she thought her heartbeat might settle down, it started thudding crazily again.

“Lord Brentwood? Here?” she asked, trying to calm the storm that had so suddenly erupted inside her. “Are you sure?”

“Yes, my lady.”

Scandal was the only thing she had thought might finally make Brent see she wasn’t an acceptable wife for him. What if she did something to him only a mistress would know how to do? Surely that would give him reason enough to say it didn’t matter about his honor, his brothers, or anything else. How could he marry a lady who knew the ways of a gentleman’s mistress?

But could she play the part?

She had to. There were no other options.

“Give me a couple of minutes, and then send him in.”

“Yes, my lady. Will you be wanting me to serve tea?”

“No, thank you, Mrs. Lathbury, we won’t need refreshment, and I’ll see Lord Brentwood out when he is ready to leave. That will be all.”

The housekeeper nodded and walked away. Gabrielle’s mind suddenly went blank. She opened the book again and read:

The first thing a mistress must do is to make herself pleasing to the eye of the gentleman. At all times she must be enticing. A gentleman always desires a woman of beauty. She should keep her hair styled, her lips and cheeks rosy, her skin sprinkled with perfume, and dress in fashionable clothing.