Page 21 of Impassioned
Evie rested her elbow on the arm of her chair. “If this scheme of yours involves bringing them together, I will gladly help. I like Sabrina very much.”
“I do too. I think she and my brother could actually be happy if they can get past themselves.”
“What do you mean? I think I know, but I’d like to hear your opinion on the matter.”
“It sounds as if their marriage is a disaster on all fronts, including in the bedchamber.”
Surprise flickered in Evie’s blue gaze. “Con confided this to you?”
“Reluctantly.” Lucien let out a short laugh. “He is clearly desperate since he came to me for help. I think he would prefer to waltz across hot coals on his way to Almack’s.”
Evie’s shoulders twitched as a smile drifted across her full lips. “Desperate indeed. Sabrina was also rather anxious for help. She’s anxious about everything, really.”
“She seems to be, and it sounds as if neither she nor Con can do what they must to meet each other in the middle. She’s too apprehensive, and her fear has caused him to also be apprehensive. It’s a bloody mess.”
“I’ve been encouraging her to overcome her anxiety, particularly about sex.” She clucked her tongue. “The poor thing has never had an orgasm.”
Lucien shook his head. “Oh, Con.”
“Don’t blame him. As you said, it’s a mess and neither of them is at fault.”
“Or they both are.”
She pursed her lips. “How about we don’t assign blame and just help them? Are you going to share your plan? It seems you have one.”
“I do. Con had planned to finally take a mistress, but, as you know, the attempt was foiled.” Lucien had told her about giving Constantine a key to a room in the Phoenix Club to meet with a courtesan. Because she was the manager of the women’s side of the club, Lucien shared just about everything that involved the club with her. “I think spending time with someone who can help him be more commanding would be beneficial to his marriage. I suggested he see someone who can tutor him in seduction—specifically with his nervous, reticent wife. I don’t suppose you can think of anyone who could help?”
The look she gave him could have frozen his balls off. He was glad it didn’t. “I’ve overstepped,” he said quietly. “I know it’s been two years since you left that profession, but I thought you might be able to recommend someone.”
Her brows, pitched in an angry V, did not relax. “As youshouldknow, I completely cut myself off from that life when I left London to reinvent myself. I have not kept in touch with anyone at all, and I can’t reach out to anyone now, not as Mrs. Renshaw.”
Of course she couldn’t, and he damn well should have known better. “My deepest apologies, Evie.”
She exhaled and waved her hand, her features smoothing. Thankfully, she never stayed perturbed with him for long. “Honestly, it’s too bad we can’t lock Sabrina and Con alone together in a room. Naked. Perhaps with some helpful instruments.”
Lucien grinned. “A dildo?”
“Can you imagine?” Her eyes glowed with mirth. “But no, that would be too much.”
“Actually, I don’t think it’s a bad idea—the alone together in a room part anyway. And hopefully they would remove their clothing at some point.” Lucien leaned his head back and stared up at the ceiling a moment. “This could work.” He lowered his head and leveled a stare at Evie. “Sabrina could be the tutor.”
Evie’s eyes rounded, and she immediately shook her head. “That would never work. Sabrina lacks the confidence, let alone the knowledge.”
“You said you’ve been encouraging her, including about sex. Surely you can tell her what she needs to know. This could really help them lower their inhibitions.” Lucien was warming to this stratagem. But first he had to convince Con to meet with the tutor. And Evie had to persuade Sabrina. “I’m not sure I agree that Sabrina lacks the confidence. She only thinks she does. She’s already come to London with the goal of taking Society by storm.”
“I think you’re exaggerating a bit,” Evie said with a wry chuckle. “But you’re right that she possesses a steel I don’t think she’s fully aware of—or used to. This could give them both the push they need to, as you say, meet in the middle.” She frowned suddenly. “Except this is a major deception. Con would need to betray his wife, and Sabrina would deceive her husband.”
He leaned forward slightly. “I don’t agree. It’s aminordeception for a much greater good—the benefit of their marriage. I fear that without some assistance, they are doomed to fail.”
“Do you really think Con would do it?”
“I do, with a little more persuasion. I mentioned it yesterday, and he said he’d consider it. Do you think you can get Sabrina to agree?”
Evie blew out a breath. “I don’t know herthatwell yet, but she’s committed to making drastic changes to achieve what she wants. And what she wants most is a child.”
“Then they need to get into bed.”
“Perhaps this scenario will allow them to be more comfortable. Sabrina can pretend to be someone else and that could give her the confidence she needs, that she doesn’t realize she already has.”
