A Little Bit Sinful(43)

When they’d dance, he’d told her on more than one occasion that she was the most beautiful woman in the room. But perhaps he was merely being polite, charming. Yet Justin was always able to elicit a passionate response from her. His kisses didn’t make her feel nervous in the least. Perhaps he was right and it all simmered just beneath the surface and she merely needed a reason to let it out. She seemed to have little trouble with that in Justin’s company. She knew George would never sneak into her house and find her bedchamber in the middle of the night. Perhaps there was a reason for that. If he didn’t think his advances were welcomed, if he didn’t think he’d find a passionate and willing lover on the other side of her door, there would be no reason for him to visit her.

But what if she kissed George again and allowed him whatever liberty he chose to take? What would he do? Perhaps it would change the course of everything. If she could share a kiss with George, as sensual a kiss as the ones she’d shared with Justin that might change George’s mind. There was no reason to believe a kiss with one man over the other couldn’t be just as passionate. Even more so because of her feelings for George. Then perhaps it would persuade George that she was a desirable woman. Then he wouldn’t need to go and find and pay another woman for things that Clarissa could certainly learn to do.

She felt a momentary pang at the thought of Justin and the intimacy they’d shared in the carriage. There had been that instant when she had thought he might offer some sign of affection himself, but he hadn’t. No, Justin was not for her. George was still the man for her.

She needed lessons in seduction and knew precisely who to ask to teach them to her.





Chapter Nine


Justin and his brother met for luncheon fairly regularly, and he was not certain today he’d be much company. His mind was otherwise engaged. Thinking about George Wilbanks, Rafferty’s, and Clarissa.

All of Justin’s other inquiries about the man had come up empty. Whatever else George did with his time, besides patronize Rafferty’s, he was discreet about it. That was one thing in his favor. Justin had to wonder what the hell the man was doing courting her if he had no intention of marrying her. Perhaps their visit to Rafferty’s last night had changed her mind about George.

Justin had hurt her, he knew that and he hated it. But he didn’t regret taking her, revealing the truth to her. Were she to marry George she should at least go into such a union not being completely ignorant of her husband’s behavior.

Roe was late, as was his custom. “People expect me to be late,” he’d say. “I’m a duke.” There wasn’t much, other than cards, that Roe took seriously and he seemed to enjoy watering-down the title their father had so desperately loved. Roe knew he wasn’t any different than any other man, any better than them. But he did enjoy toying with people.

Finally he arrived looking better than he had the other day, but still somewhat disheveled.

“You know, Rodale,” he said as he removed his hat and sat at the table. “If someone coming into this club didn’t know either one of us and was told that one of us was the Duke of Chanceworth, they would probably assume it was you. Why must you insist on showing me up?”

Justin glanced at his brother over his newspaper, then folded it and set it on the table. “I bathe regularly and have my clothes pressed. I hardly see how that is my showing you up. In any case, you’re late.”

It was understood that Roe would always be late and that Justin would always comment on it.

“Yes, shoot me. There was wretched traffic. Poor Lady Gramble lost a wheel on her new curricle and tied up all of Bond Street.” Roe sighed dramatically.

The footman came and brought them today’s fare, an earthy and aromatic lamb stew with hot buttered bread on the side.

“I’m not certain when I ate last, but this smells delicious,” Roe said. He took a bite then swore loudly. “That’s bloody hot.”

Justin chuckled. “You should wait and let it cool.”

Roe swore, but pushed the bowl aside for a moment. He crossed his legs and leaned back in his chair. “So tell me, what news do you have to tell me today?”

Justin stirred his stew, trying to cool the hot soup. “Nothing. I am courting that girl and I suspect my attention is working to some degree. I’m told she danced with two other gentlemen the other night. And that a third asked if she would be attending the theatre later this week.”