Page 30 of The Scoundrel and the Lady

She stopped midstride and arched a brow at him. “Are you giving up on our wager, my lord?”

He exhaled slowly. “That is not what I said.”

“No, what you boasted was that you could pass off anyone as a gentleman.”

He crossed the room and stood behind her, practically molding his body to hers. He ignored the desire pulsing through his veins. “You must hold your hips in this manner.” He grabbed her hips and gently shifted them. Then he moved his hands up to her shoulders. “Lower your shoulders so they don’t appear so round and delicate.” Then he stepped away from her. “Try again.”

He did his best to ignore the flush that stained her throat and cheeks. She walked again, this time slower, more deliberate.

“Better, but you need to open your legs more. Men have a wider stance than women.”

She frowned, looking up at him. “Why do you know this?”

“I’m an excellent observer of people. You’d be surprised what you can learn about someone merely by watching them.” For instance, he’d already noticed that Iris was loyal to a fault, dedicating her entire life into those she cared most about.

She moved her right foot so that her legs were farther apart. “Better?”

He nodded. Better for so many things. Damnation, this was going to be more difficult than he expected. Again, he moved behind her, so close he could smell the tart sweetness that was only Iris. “Don’t tilt your head.” He pulled her chin down. He straightened her arms. “Hang your arms at your sides and try not to move your hands when you speak. Men are not as animated as the fairer sex.”

It would take no effort to lean forward and press his lips to that tender spot at the base of her neck. If he did so, she’d tilt her head back into him, giving him better access to her neck and he’d be unable to resist slipping a hand into the top of her shirt. It took enormous effort for him to step away from her.

“Very well, I believe that should give you enough information. You should return home and practice.”

“Yes, of course. Are you going out?” She bit down on her lip.

“No, but I have business to attend to.” And he needed distance from her before he did something foolish, like kiss her again. He knew that the one thing that would solve his temporary distraction was to unearth a good story, something scandalous that would set London on its ear. Finding the next great story would remind him who he was—the editor of the Daily Scandal, not some dapper gentleman set on wooing a pretty lady with bright red curls.

…

If she’d had to stand there any longer with his hard muscles pressed against her and his warm breath fluttering over her skin, Iris would have gone mad. She’d instructed her driver to take her to the side of the house, so she could enter unseen. There was no explaining her coming home clothed in men’s attire with her gown draped over her arm.

She knew she need not worry about Jasper seeing her; he was never home this time of the night. His evening was likely only just beginning, whereas she was quite ready to fall into her bed. But luck had never been her forte, and tonight seemed no different because as she entered her home, she was met by Agnes with a most disapproving expression

Iris frowned. “How did you know I was coming in this way?”

“I heard the carriage.” Agnes nodded toward her. “What are you wearing?”

“Can we get out of the doorway? And then I shall explain.” She loved her friends dearly, and they were always there for her, even when she did not wish them to be. She led Agnes upstairs to her bedchamber.

“Do you want me to help you get out of that?” Agnes asked.

“No, it is rather comfortable. More so than any of my clothes,” Iris said. She leaned against one of the bedposts.

“Do you not think you are taking this charade a little too far?”

“This is all part of my plan.”

“You realize these are not the disguises Lady Somersby encourages?”

“Of course.”

Agnes frowned. “Who helped you get into those clothes?”

Why? Why did Agnes have to be here right now? “If you must know, Lord Ashby unfastened my gown, and then I did the rest.”

“Oh my goodness, what did I miss?” Harriet asked from the bedchamber door.

Splendid.

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