She shook her head. “No I can’t because it’s not one of Father’s nor is it one of mine.”
“I don’t understand.” Amelia had already begun to pout.
“First, you must promise me that you won’t tell anyone about this book.”
Her sister gave her a sly smile. “Is this one of those books you borrow from friends without them knowing?”
“What? How did you know?” Her stomach clenched. “Does everyone know?”
“No, of course not.” Amelia waved off her worry. “I saw you take one at the Dulacs’ soiree two months ago and asked Mariel about it. She didn’t want to say anything, but I threatened to tell Lady Dulac.”
Hurt, she scowled. “You would have revealed my borrow just to find out the truth?”
“Of course not. How could you think that I would do that as your sister. I’m hurt that both you and Mariel thought that.” She grinned. “But it did get me what I wanted.”
She wasn’t sure how she felt about that. “You are devious.”
Amelia shrugged. “I call it creative.”
Hmm, devious or creative, it was not necessarily a positive trait. “But how do I know I can trust you with this book, which is also borrowed and must be returned three days hence.”
She could almost see Amelia’s mind working as she thought. “Three days, you say? So you borrowed it from the Duke of Northwick. Is it a book of nude sketches from an artist’s view or is it one of those tiring anatomy books you like to read? I don’t care which, as long as it has at least one very detailed sketch of an unclothed male.”
“It’s neither. I thought it was a book on feminine education.”
Amelia nodded. “Of course. So the author thinks a woman should know what the male body looks like? That’s rather forward thinking.”
She cleared her throat, not sure how to explain, but she did indeed have to explain if she was to share it and help Amelia. “The cover was misleading. The inside title was different and the illustrations inside are not fit for women like ourselves.”
Amelia dropped her feet to the floor and sat up straight, her voice but a whisper. “Is it an illustrated version of one of those racy novels I’ve heard exist?”
There were illustrated versions of racy novels? Why had she not known this? Did Northwick know of them? “No, it’s even more revealing.”
“More revealing?” Amelia’s lips puckered as she pondered. Then her eyes grew wide. “Oh dear.” She leaned forward. “Is it a how-to book on what husbands and wives do to beget heirs?”
She nodded, her body heating at discussing the topic even tangentially with her younger sister.
“Excellent.” Amelia jumped up and gave her a hug. “That’s just what I need. Where is it?” She scanned the room as if expecting it to be within sight.
She frowned at her sister’s excitement. “It’s in my locked cabinet. Amelia, you need to understand two things about this book.
“I’m listening.” Her sister had indeed stopped her search and waited patiently.
“First, I must have this back in three days. Second, this book, from what I’ve seen, contains very explicit illustrations and cannot be allowed to fall into anyone else’s hands.”
“I see. Would you feel better if I simply borrowed it for a couple days and returned it to you then? I can make sketches of the sketches and keep them hidden. I do have a locked chest in my art studio upstairs.”
Though not entirely relieved that Amelia understood the significance of the book she was about to use, Joanna did feel better. However, she’d learned many more facts about her sister in their conversation than she had in the last year. Maybe she needed to spend more time with her. “I would be amenable to that arrangement.”
“Good.” Amelia wandered back to the settee and reclined on it once again. “I’ll wait here.”
Oh, so she was to get it posthaste? Very well. She climbed off her bed and went to her dressing table, taking the key out of the small drawer. She’d have to change the key’s hiding place now. No reason to have a locked cabinet if others knew where the key was. “I will return.”
She slipped out her door and headed below to the library. If her father were present then Amelia would just have to wait. Though she still retained misgivings about lending the book, she couldn’t see what else she could do to help Amelia beyond finding her a male willing to pose nude and that was too far beyond propriety, even for her.
Luckily, her father was not present, and she quickly retrieved the book and returned to her room. Amelia was still where she had left her, so she walked to the settee and handed her the volume.
Amelia didn’t wait. She immediately unlatched the catch, opened it about midway through, and stared. “Oh, these sketches are very good.”
