Duchess in Love by Eloisa James

Author:Eloisa James [James, Eloisa]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Fiction, Romance, General, Large Type Books, Historical, Regency, Nobility, London (England), Married Women, Runaway Husbands
ISBN: 9780786253319
Publisher: Thorndike Press
Published: 2003-05-03T16:00:00+00:00

19

A Piscatory Discussion on the Riverbank

N eville was so critical that Carola wished she had chosen Esme’s Bernie to flirt with instead. They hadn’t yet made it down to the river, because he kept adjusting this or that about her apparel, and giving her more and more instructions about how to be flirtatious.

“Neville!” she finally cried in exasperation. “I assure you that Tuppy won’t notice anything about my garments, not even if I appeared in sackcloth!”“Don’t underestimate yourself,” he said, giving her a last critical glance. “No. That cloth must go.” And with one swift lunge he plucked away the kerchief that had taken her maid at least a half hour to arrange.

Carola futilely grabbed at it. “This gown is far too low without that handkerchief! I can’t be seen like this!”

“Of course you can. Now you look much more the thing,” he said with satisfaction.

She looked down at her plump breasts with horror. “He already thinks I’m fat, Neville! Can’t you understand that I have to cover up all this flesh? At this rate, he’ll think that I’ve grown at least two sizes!”

“When did you marry the poor man?”

“Four years ago. Why do you ask?”

“I believe that your chest has grown in the interim. It certainly has since I first met you, darling green girl that you were.”

Carola narrowed her eyes. “My clothing size is private information.”

“Even if I promise not to hanker after your large and luscious bosom? I never allow myself to desire impossibilities. But I think it’s quite likely that your poor besotted husband is.”

“Besotted? Not likely!”

“Besotted,” he returned. “I saw him looking at you, after you walloped him in the drawing room. He looked blue as one of those fish he loves so much. If I had any hope of catching you for myself, I gave it up that moment.”

Carola slipped her arm through his and smiled. “Oh, Neville, you are the best friend a woman could have!”

“Don’t smile at me that way or I’ll change my mind about letting Tuppy have you,” he said.

She squeezed his arm.

They were almost down to the river when he paused. She dragged him forward. “There he is. I recognize his back!”

“Just a moment, Carola.”

She looked up at him.

“You need to think about me.”

She nodded. “I am.”

“No, really think about me.” He tipped up her chin with a strong hand. She stood, brown eyes blinking innocently at him. “Damned if I don’t envy Tuppy, fishmonger that he is,” Neville muttered.

Then he lunged at her rosy mouth, ignoring the ineffectual way she batted at his chest.

“There!” he said a moment later. Her cheeks were pink and she looked thoroughly aroused. Which she was—by anger if not by lust.

“You! You!” she spluttered. “You must not behave in that outrageous fashion, Neville Charlton!”

“Next time someone grabs you, kick him in the ankle,” he advised, turning her back to the river. “Now remember to look at me, Carola. Not the fishmonger.”

“He’s not a fishmonger!” Carola said, turning even pinker.

“Good afternoon!” Neville called. Two elderly gentlemen were sitting beside Tuppy and taking bait from a bored footman.

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