“As I recall, you were considering spinsterhood, not about to allow a man into your bed, which is an admirable trait for a virtuous young lady.”
Dahlia’s face colored as she swallowed. “I think it was more about not wanting to be bent over a library table,” she said. “I’m not about to suffer the indignity.”
David settled against the wall, his arms crossing as he gave her comment some thought. “You could begin with that as a negotiation tactic,” he murmured, ignoring her wince at the word ‘negotiation.’ “Are there other situations you think you would not like?”
Her eyes darting sideways, Dahlia seemed reluctant to answer. “This is rather difficult to discuss with one’s father,” she complained.
He pulled his chin into his neck, which had it disappearing behind the folds of his cravat. “Pretend I’m not.”
She scoffed. “It’s rather difficult to discuss it with a man.”
“Pretend I’m your mother.”
A quelling glance followed, which had David allowing a long sigh. “Your sister then. Surely the two of you have discussed the issue.”
Dahlia crossed her own arms. “We have. After I discovered the book—”
“This book?” he interrupted, referring to an open tome that seemed to appear from nowhere and rested over one of his arms. The color plates in the middle were on full display. He flipped through the pages even though his attention was on Dahlia.
“How...?”
“I am a ghost,” he said with a shrug. “Now, I can understand how some of these positions might seem rather improbable,” he added as he held onto one end of the book and studied one of the color plates sideways. He turned the book upside down and then angled it in another direction. His brows arched up nearly into his hairline. “Or impossible.”
“That’s whatIthought,” she said, her eyes widening as she stepped over to stand next to him. Her gaze settled on the page he’d been studying. She shivered in disgust.
He turned the page. “What about this one? It’s your mother’s favorite. At least, it was until she did this to me,” he said as he turned the page. His brows waggled. He showed her a page depicting a woman straddled over her lover.
Dahlia winced. “Did she emit a lot of ‘ohs’ whilst doing that to you?” she asked.
David chuckled. “As a matter of fact, she did,” he claimed. “I adored the sounds she made,” he whispered, his words barely audible. “After bedding a number of courtesans, your mother was a refreshing change. I didn’t even mind that I pledged never to bed another but her.”
Studying his face for signs of artifice, Dahlia asked, “Did you live up to your pledge?”
He gave her a wan grin. “I did. I showed her what I liked, and she accommodated me. I returned the favor to ensure she wouldn’t end up in some young buck’s bed—or your uncle’s,” he confided, as if he was speaking with his best friend at his club.
Intrigued by his words, Dahlia indicated the color plates. “What do you suppose you were doing to her when Danny and I were conceived?”
His face lit up with a huge grin. “Now that’s easy,” he said as he flipped to the first page. “The most basic way of making love,” he claimed, referring to the missionary position. “Hard on my knees given my age at the time, but...” He shrugged. “I didn’t really feel anything past my...” He suddenly glanced down at her and cleared his throat, as if he realized their discussion was entirely inappropriate. “Well, never mind about that.”
“Father!” she complained. “How am I supposed to learn about making love to a man if I don’t know anything?”
“Your husband will tell you,” he countered. “Or he should.” He paused a moment. “Or he’ll show you.”
Danielle gave him a curious glance. “What if I don’t like it? Any of it?”
David looked as if he’d been slapped across the face, which, given his purpling cheek from Anthony’s punch, was to be expected. “You will,” he replied. “At least, you should. Any man worth his salt will know exactly what to do. He has to if he wishes to father an heir,” he explained.
“You didn’t,” she said quietly.
David regarded her with a furrowed brow. “I would have, given another chance,” he claimed. “I wanted girls first, though.”
Her eyes rounding in surprise, Dahlia said, “You did?”
He nodded. “Of course. Older sisters are necessary for their brothers, I think.”
“Youdidn’t have any sisters,” she reminded him.
“Exactly my point. Which is why I was the proprietor ofThe Elegant Courtesan,” he replied. “Where else was I going to learn about what women truly want?”
