Page 78 of Rakes & Reticules
He placed a hand over hers. “We shall keep it tame and proper, all in good fun. If any improper activities take place, they shall occur discreetly after midnight when we are all tucked in our beds.”
By improper, she knew he meant bed hopping.
Of course, he would have his choice of young ladies. She had noticed at least four of them make suggestive passes at him yesterday.
Perhaps he would choose a different lady for every night.
This weekend party stretched from Thursday to Sunday, so he must have dallied with one willing lady last night. This left three more nights with similar opportunity, and she knew he had only to crook his finger to find another willing taker.
He must have understood where her thoughts were leading. “Amelia, I do not intend to frequent anyone’s bed but my own. Alone. Not that it is any of your business. But I do not want you to think this is how I would behave.”
“I expect you are discreet aboutthatsort of thing.”
“Everyone has their eyes on me day and night. Most of these young ladies would love nothing better than to have me compromise them. I have been avoiding their wiles for years and do not intend to make a mistake now. They may indulge in such activities with my other guests. Indeed, they may compromise themselves to their heart’s delight. But not with me.”
He led her to a table in the corner and ordered lemonade for her and ale for himself. He also asked the proprietor for their scavenged prize. “Right away, Your Grace. Would you and the lovely lady care for something to eat?”
“Just the lemonade is perfect for me,” Amelia said.
The duke nodded. “Just drinks for us, Martin.”
The man bustled off.
Amelia sighed. “I did not mean to speak out of turn.”
The duke arched an eyebrow. “You didn’t speak at all, but your thoughts were transparent. I apologize if I sounded harsh. Having to constantly keep my guard up gets to me sometimes. I am not a person to them but a golden chalice. I do not mean to sound full of myself, but this is what I am to them. Once they have me, what are they to do with me? They want the wealthy duke...that golden chalice, but they do not wantme.”
“It must be so frustrating for you.”
“At times, it is. I cannot dance with a young lady without speculation abounding. If ever I dared request the supper dance, the gossip rags would go wild proclaiming I have fallen in love. This is why Rosie is often my supper companion. Nobody cares about my dining with a woman old enough to be my mother. They are only interested in the young ones, for they know I must sire heirs. I would not have a moment’s peace if I dared escort anyone under the age of forty.”
“Are there any young ladies here this weekend you find interesting?”
“Other than you?”
“I mean romantically interesting. I know my intellectual capability meets with your approval.”
She never received her answer, for the proprietor returned with their drinks in that moment along with their prize which turned out to be another note from his uncle which said:Have you set the wedding date yet?
Amelia laughed. “You look ill.”
“My uncle does not know the meaning of subtlety.”
He had just tucked the note in their basket when James and Dorothea joined them at their table. “We’ve got eight so far,” James said, tossing her wink. “How are you faring, Amelia?”
She laughed. “Oh, dear. Quite poorly in comparison. We are only starting on number six next. How are you tearing through these clues so quickly?”
“Are you accusing us of cheating?” Dorothea snapped.
Amelia’s eyes rounded in surprise. “Not at all. Why would you think such a thing?”
Dorothea tipped her head up and cast her that peering-down-one’s-nose look of disdain. “Well, we didn’t cheat.”
“Lady Dorothea,” the duke intoned. “No one is suggesting you did. My brother is quite clever and more than capable of figuring out clues, although one would never guess it by looking at him.”
James burst out laughing. “You rotter. That’s the most backhanded compliment I’ve ever received. You are peeved because I am kicking your arse in this game.”
“Nonsense. Amelia and I are merely pacing ourselves.”
