Page 8 of Five Ways to Bed a Duke

“That is quite a surprise. Most people born into a love match usually fantasize about the possibility of finding a love match themselves. Why are you running in the opposite direction?”

“Let us just say that I have seen the destruction that can be wrought by excessive passion, and I do not want that for myself and any children the good Lord blesses me with,” she replied.

“While I understand your resolve to never make a love match, unfortunately, you still have to attract and keep a suitor in order to get married. While you are quite an attractive lady, you, my darling, need to do something about your flirting skills.”

“But,” she answered, furrowing her brow in confusion, “I have never had problems attracting suitors. I think my flirting skills are all right, thank you very much.”

“Darling,” he drawled, his mocking smirk widening. “I hate to disappoint you. You do have many talents, I am sure, but flirting is definitely not one of them. Society teaches women to be prim and proper, but haven’t you noticed that the ladies who snag husbands very early in every Season have mastered one art?” He paused dramatically for effect.

“Well, go on,” she urged, exasperated when the silence stretched on.

“They had mastered the art of flirtation while maintaining the guise of innocence. What do you think they are doing when they simper and blush and flutter their fans like an extension of their fingers while casting innocent looks from beneath their lashes?”

As he spoke, some things became clearer to her. Catherine had seen all of that during the previous Seasons, but she had never aspired to pretentious behavior, so she never saw the need to emulate those ladies or pay attention to their shenanigans.

“You see,” Richard continued, “men, in general, are hunters at the elemental level, and theycravethe exhilaration and thrill of a chase despite their claims of respectability and decorum. You, unfortunately, possess the beauty that would attract any red-blooded man within a mile, but you lack the ability to keep them in thrall and stroke their egos.”

Well, now that she thought about it, he might be right—no matter how much she wished he was not. It probably explained why she attracted a large number of suitors but finished the Season the way she began it—unmarried.

She was always polite to them, but when they showed amorous interest, she withdrew subconsciously, unsure how to respond in some cases. In other cases, she could not muster an iota of interest. It seemed it was time she unlocked the bold feminine side of her because it seemed time was not on her side, and she hoped to win back the Viscount and hopefully walk down the aisle towards him before the Season ended.

“I cannot believe I am saying this,” Richard suddenly spoke up.

Catherine looked up at him quizzically.

“I can help you,” he said.

Catherine was so astonished that she was speechless for a moment.

“Why would you do that, Your Grace?” she asked when she gathered herself.

“Well, it would be like a payment of sorts for you doing me a favor,” he explained quietly.

“What favor?” she asked, folding her arms beneath her bosom.

That action pushed up her breasts, and she could have sworn that his eyes flicked to her bosom for a second. She would have missed it if she had not been watching him so intently.

He looked away, squaring his shoulders like he was preparing for some battle. Then he turned to her, his smirk replaced with a sober look.

“I love my younger sister to bits. But while she is a remarkable young lady, her grasp on etiquette and decorum is as feeble as a breeze—I am sure that you have noticed that. Part of that is my fault, and no matter what, I would not have her suffer censure because of my failings.”

It was quite interesting that the Duke thought himself a bad father figure for his younger sister. Despite his numerous flaws, he had done more than enough for his sister than a lot of men had done for their children. It was time someone told him so.

“Emmy is my best friend, so I know enough to know that you have been a fine brother to her, more than many people could ever wish for,” Catherine declared staunchly.

Richard coughed, obviously uncomfortable with the praise.

That was just the thing with him. He gave off the appearance of an arrogant man who was quite aware of his place in the world and made sure everyone knew it, but sometimes he showed a more vulnerable side of him that was uncomfortable with praise.

Which was the real man? Catherine wondered. It was obvious that some part of his character was a mask he wore for Society, but which member of the ton didn’t? She had no business being curious about the possibility of unraveling his layers.

“As to the favor,” he continued, unaware of the direction her thoughts were taking, “I want you to tutor my sister on the ways of the ton—fashion, etiquette and whatnot.”

It was the second time she was surprised that night.

“Why do you think I am the best candidate for that? My consistent failure in the marriage mart should be ample reason to disqualify me from that role.”

“You are the best teacher for her, I am afraid. For one, you are her best friend, so you are the best person to tutor her while taking into consideration her sensitive nature.”

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