“To us, all those impossible things are make-believe, fantasy,” Zoe said. “To those among whom I lived, the stories are true.”
“Very well, then, Scheherazade,” said Marchmont. “Tell your tales. I’m sure everyone here is longing to hear the secrets of the harem.” He emptied another glass and glanced at the nearest footman, who quickly refilled it.
“That isn’t what I meant,” she said.
“Sometimes you speak English and think in Arabic,” he said. “It’s charming but confusing to some of the company.”
“I think we all understand Zoe well enough,” said Lexham.
Marchmont heard the reproof in his voice, but the doting smile Adderwood bestowed upon Zoe—or her breasts—put it straight out of his mind.
“Then I shan’t recommendFrankensteinto you,” Adderwood told her. “You may findPride and Prejudicemore to your liking. The heroine is an independent-minded young lady of wit and charm. You are sure to find more in common with her.”
I’m going to be sick, Marchmont thought. Who’d ever have guessed that Adderwood could be so treacly? The breasts under his nose must have turned his brain to syrup. Marchmont said, “That one I found more harrowing thanFrankenstein.”
“You’re joking,” said Miss Adderwood.
“He usually is,” said Alvanley.
“Not at all,” said Marchmont. “Frankensteinwas too improbable to alarm me.Pride and Prejudice, however, was all too probable. It had me on tenter-hooks: Would this one marry that one? And so many marriages to fret about. So many choices. Would the ladies choose well or ill? Would Fate intervene, and destroy this one’s chance of happiness? Would the aunt get her way? Would the sister—But I don’t want to spoil it for you, Miss Lexham.”
“We may be sure, given your observations, that Miss Lexham has not the smallest inkling what the book is about,” said Adderwood. “Meanwhile I’m all agog to learn that you’ve read a book.”
“You do me a shocking injustice,” said Marchmont. “I most certainly did not read it. I allowed my valet to tell me the story, while I was dressing for dinner at Carlton House. A lengthy and tearful process, I regret to say—tearful on his part, that is.”
“Marchmont’s valet is famous,” said Adderwood. “He’s been known to faint at the sight of an over-starched neckcloth.”
“He cries when Marchmont puts anything into his pockets,” said Alvanley.
“He wept while he related the tale,” Marchmont said. “Whether it was the story or my buttons that made him sob, I cannot say.”
“What a remarkable servant he must be, to entertain you while he dresses you,” said Mr. Rush.
“I should never let him make a habit of it,” said Marchmont. “On this occasion, I invited him to tell me. Miss Austen’s books were favorites of the Prince of Wales, Miss Lexham, and one wishes to appearau courantwhen one attends His Highness.” Again he emptied his glass. Again it was refilled.
“Everyone knows what the Regent’s favorites are,” said Adderwood. His gaze reverted to Zoe’s breasts. “But Miss Lexham isterra incognita.”
And if you think you’re going to explore that territory, Marchmont thought,think again. He said, “Byterra incognita, Adderwood means—”
“I know what he means,” Zoe said. “Do you not remember, Marchmont? How dreadful I was at French, and how Papa said I might study Greek and Latin, as the boys did?”
“Ah, I recollect,” he said. “I recall your French tutor saying that when you spoke his beautiful language, he had only one desire, and that was to have his ears cut off. I used to picture him holding his ears and screaming in pain whenever you attempted toparler.”
“Marchmont will have us believe he knows everything there is to know about you, Miss Lexham,” said Adderwood. “As though he wasn’t conceited enough before. It gives him an unfair advantage.”
“Adding insult to injury,” said Alvanley, “he’s kept you to himself for all this time.”
“An eternity,” said Marchmont. “A whole fortnight.”
And I’m the one who kissed her first. I’m the one…
The thought fell away as he realized the occasion on which he would not be the first.
Other men. She wanted to meet other men. He’d offered to marry her and she’d said no. She wanted to meet other men.
And that was when she said, “But Marchmont is one of the family. He’s like a brother to me.”
He froze.
