The Courtesan's Courtship by Ranstrom Gail

Author:Ranstrom, Gail [Ranstrom, Gail]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Harlequin Enterprises
Published: 2012-02-15T08:00:00+00:00

Though the lighting was dim and subdued, Dianthe felt the weight of eyes upon her as she stood at the rouge-et-noir table in the main salon of the Blue Moon that night. Here, courtesans mixed freely with members of the ton and aristocracy. The lines between the classes were blurred and money was the only measuring rod.

She turned slightly and caught Geoffrey Morgan’s gaze. He was standing alone near a door to a private room, leaning against the jamb in a pose of relaxed boredom, and jingling his counters in one expressive hand. He raised his glass to her and drank. Was he inviting her to join him? Or had he simply tired of the tables? She smiled. He was so disturbingly handsome that she could not resist.

“Ah, so it is mutual?” the woman beside her at the table asked in an undertone.

She returned her attention to her wager. She’d lost, and the croupier was sweeping the house winnings away. The little hoard of cash Lord Geoffrey had given her to gamble was dwindling quickly. Rather than place another bet, she linked arms with her new acquaintance, who introduced herself, and strolled toward a punch bowl. Miss Emma Tucker was a lovely dark-haired courtesan dressed dramatically in a red satin gown.

“It is mutual, is it not?” she asked again.

“Mutual? ’Ow do you mean, Miss Tucker?”

The woman shrugged. “It is plain to see that the others are right and Lord Geoffrey is smitten with you, but…well, as you know, women in our position cannot afford to be sentimental. If we allowed our hearts to rule our heads, we would die impoverished castoffs. I conceive your dilemma, however. Lord Geoffrey is so charming that you would have to be made of stone to resist.”

Smitten? Lord Geoffrey was smitten with her? Absurd. Miss Tucker must need spectacles. As for resisting…well, she supposed she hadn’t. Physically, at least. She couldn’t forget that night in his coach when she’d—no, she couldn’t think of that now. She must remember that she and Lord Geoffrey were from different worlds, and any connection between them would be utterly unsuitable. Ironically, he was now more respectable than she.

Miss Tucker gave a throaty chuckle. “Your pretty blush gives you away, Miss Deauville. Heavens! If Geoffrey can make a courtesan blush, he’s lost none of his talent.”

“T-talent?” she asked, though she suspected she’d regret it.

“Why yes. Have you not been universally congratulated on landing him?”

“No one ’as said a word, Miss Tucker. I am new to this town and still making my feet green. Enlighten me?”

“Ah, well. I suppose most of them are jealous, though they have no cause for complaint. Lord Geoffrey never repeats. That is widely known.” Miss Tucker sighed deeply and gave a wistful smile. “He is quite the very best lover I’ve ever had and, my dear, I’ve had a few.” She paused to laugh at her little joke before continuing. “He did not make me his mistress, although he came to me exclusively for a time. That’s his pattern, you see.

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