Page 12 of Seducing the Marquess (Lords and Ladies in Love 1)

“An excellent suggestion. I shall send around word on my availability. It would do you well to concentrate on entertaining.”

Eugenia nodded at this sage advice and studied the landscape through the carriage window. They remained silent until the vehicle rolled to a stop in front of her family’s townhouse. Clarendon House now belonged to her brother, Nash, who was quite munificent in his treatment of his female relatives. Mother had retained her suite of rooms both in Town and the country estate.

She gathered her reticule and gave Eugenia a slight hug and kissed the air near her cheek. “Get some rest, my dear, you seem overwrought.”

“Will you and Nash be attending the theater this evening?”

“No. We have accepted Lord and Lady Darwood’s dinner invitation. I believe your brother is finally ready to select a bride. There will be several candidates at the dinner tonight.”

Most likely her beleaguered brother had finally succumbed to Mother’s not-so-subtle nudging in that direction. “Have a nice time.”

“Thank you.” Lady Clarendon patted Eugenia’s cheek and accepted the footman’s hand to alight from the carriage.

Thinking of her book, Eugenia’s stomach tingled with excitement as she entered the front door of her townhouse. It would be several hours before she and Devon would leave for the Gardens. She had no more scandalous gowns to wear, but perhaps she could read more to gain some ideas to capture his attention.

She’d loved his reaction to her gown, along with the little bit of jealousy she’d seen in his expression when they’d arrived at the ball the other evening. But she needed to do something more provocative to get his attention.

Quickly, she went through the gowns in her closet. Tomorrow she would visit her modiste again and commission more gowns like the one she wore the other night. Richer tones, lower necklines, silky smooth fabrics. She whipped out a gown that wasn’t quite as daring as the other night, but did show a bit more décolletage.

Satisfied with her choice, Eugenia climbed onto her bed and opened the book, flipping through the pages, her face growing warm. What would it feel like to be completely nude with Devon running his rough hands over her skin? She shivered and felt a dampness between her legs. She’d already learned from her reading that moisture in her lady parts was normal when one felt desire.

She lay back on her bed with the book opened on her chest, visualizing Devon and her experimenting with some of the more adventurous positions. She closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep with the indecent images from the book in her mind.

“Milady, ’tis time for your bath and to dress.” Sally’s voice broke through her dreams, jarring her awake, when she realized her book sat on top of her. She jumped up and snapped it closed and shoved it under the mattress. If Sally noticed her peculiar behavior, she didn’t comment.

Two footmen hauled in her bathtub, followed by several maids carrying buckets of water. “Is this the gown you wish to wear this evening, my lady?” Sally held up the gown she’d chosen earlier.

“Yes. I think that will do nicely. The air might be a bit cool tonight for a stroll, so I will need my matching wrap.” She turned to allow Sally to unfasten her gown. “I would like you to do my hair differently again. Softer, similar to how you did it for the Beresford’s ball.”

She had some ideas that might help her plans along.

…

Devon couldn’t put his finger on it, but something was different about Eugenia again. They sat across from each other in his carriage, headed to Vauxhall Gardens where they would meet friends for the evening’s entertainment. She stared out the window at the soft light from the Mayfair houses they passed.

He studied her.

At least her gown, from what he’d seen of it before she’d added her wrap, was not as daring as the one she’d worn to the Beresford ball. It was still a bit different from what he was used to seeing her in. A stronger color, and a bit lower in the bosom. Her hair was arranged differently, too. She looked younger, softer.

More so, her demeanor held his attention. Her face glowed, and her eyes sparkled.

He’d witnessed a great deal of warmth in Eugenia. He’d been pleased many times with how patient she could be when dealing with the more elderly and tedious members of the ton. People who were studiously avoided by most, if at all possible.

The way she’d handled poor Jennie’s situation said a lot about her compassion. It turned out that although Mick was not too happy to be urged into marriage, with a little bit of persuasion and a raise in pay, the young couple had married and both had kept their jobs, at least until the babe came.

Eugenia would make a wonderful mother. A sense of warmth and happiness flooded him at the thought of Eugenia’s body swollen with his child.

“Once again, you look lovely, my dear.”

He almost lost his breath when she turned her face toward him and offered him a siren’s smile. Where the devil had she learned that? He had the most incredible desire to grab her from across the open space, plop her onto his lap, and ravish her mouth. He gritted his teeth and reminded himself that she was his wife. Not some doxy.

“Are you looking forward to this evening?” She tilted her head in a most fascinating manner.

Good God, when had her voice become so sultry? The loss of his mistress was playing havoc with his sexual urges. Even though it was only Friday, he considered making a visit to her bed once they returned from the Gardens. Would she object?

Being the perfect, proper lady that she was, he doubted if she would mention it, but he didn’t want to upset her, either. Yet the thought of any other woman no longer appealed.

What a conundrum.