Because You're Mine (Capital Theatre #2)(14)

Madeline returned her smile. “Of course, Miss Barry.”

“On whom are you testing your theory?” Charles asked with great interest. “Don't say it's Mr. Scott?” He pretended to be indignant as he saw Maddy's blush deepen. “Why him and not me? Granted, he's rich, handsome, and famous…but what does he have besides that?”

Searching for a way to escape his teasing, Madeline began to employ the broom vigorously, sweeping her way out of the room and along the hall.

“Poor thing,” she heard Stephen say in a low tone. “He'll never take notice of her…far too sweet for him, anyway…”

Troubled, Madeline stopped sweeping and leaned against the doorway of an empty rehearsal room. After listening to the actors talk—and they were far more worldly-wise than she—Madeline was beginning to realize that she had made a mistake. She had approached Mr. Scott the wrong way, boldly announcing her intentions, making herself entirely available, preserving not a shred of mystery to entice him. No wonder he showed so little interest in her. But it was too late to change things.

Sighing deeply, Madeline wished there were someone, some wise and experienced woman, who could give her some badly needed advice. The duchess…but she would never condone Madeline's plans. Suddenly an idea came to her, and her brow cleared. Perhaps there was someone she could ask.

The sky was filled with murky clouds as the hired hack delivered Madeline to the house on Somerset. Mrs. Florence sat by the fire in the parlor grate with a supper tray. “My dear, you've returned later than I expected. Did they keep you terribly busy at the theater? You must be hungry. I'll send for another tray.”

Madeline nodded in thanks and sat by her, shivering as the warmth of the fire sank into her wool gown. At the elderly woman's bidding, Madeline related the events of the day, then stared into the fire. “Mrs. Florence, I would like to ask your advice about something, but I think you'll be shocked.”

“It is impossible to shock me, child. I've lived too long to be surprised at anything.” The elderly woman leaned forward, her eyes bright in her softly lined face. “Well, you've piqued my curiosity—don't keep me waiting.”

“I thought that with your experience…that is, your past knowledge…I wanted to ask you how…” Madeline paused and forced the words out. “I want to seduce a man.”

The elderly woman sat back, her eyes unblinking.

“I have shocked you,” Madeline said.

“‘Surprised’ is a better word, my dear. I wouldn't have expected such a question from you. Are you certain you know what you're doing? I shouldn't want you to make a mistake that you'll be ashamed of later on.”

“Mrs. Florence,” Madeline replied wryly, “in my entire life, I've never managed to do anything that I've truly been ashamed of.”

The elderly woman's eyes suddenly sparkled with amusement. “And you wish to remedy that?”

“Yes! Otherwise I'll have no character or spirit at all.”

“I disagree, my dear. You appear to have a good deal more character and spirit than the average person. However, if you're determined to carry out your intentions, I'll be happy to advise you. I know a great deal about men—or at least, I used to. I daresay they can't have changed very much in the last decade or two. Tell me, is there a particular man you want to seduce?”

“It's Mr. Scott, actually.”

“Ah.” Mrs. Florence stared at her for a long moment, her gaze penetrating and at the same time distant. It was as if some past memory had been recalled to her, one that she savored. “I don't blame you in the least,” she finally said. “I would seduce him if I were a pretty young girl like you.”

“Would you?” Madeline asked, surprised by the statement.

“Oh, indeed. It seems to me that Mr. Scott is one of the few men in England worth seducing. I wouldn't bother with the effeminate, self-absorbed creatures that pass for great lovers nowadays. I've never had the opportunity to meet Mr. Scott, unfortunately, but I have seen him on stage. The first time was five years ago. He played Iago in Othello…the most adept performance I've ever seen. Pure, seductive, silken evil. As an actor, he's worth any amount of admiration. As a man, he strikes me as rather dangerous.”

“Dangerous?” Madeline repeated uneasily.

“Yes, to a woman's heart. Safe men are for marrying. Dangerous men are for pleasure. Just make certain you require nothing more of them than that.”

Madeline leaned forward. “Mrs. Florence, you won't tell anyone about what I'm planning?”

“Of course not. It's a highly private matter. Besides, there is no guarantee that you will succeed. From what I know of Logan Scott—and that is mostly hearsay from Julia—he doesn't prefer your kind. There are men with certain appetites that can be fulfilled only by very skilled women, and you…” She paused and viewed Madeline critically. “Something tells me that your repertoire is extremely limited.”

“I don't even have a repertoire,” Madeline said gloomily.

Mrs. Florence leaned her chin on a wrinkled hand. “That makes things a little more difficult. On the other hand, you have youth and beauty, and those shouldn't be underestimated.”