against marriage. Yet it was a novel prospect, teaching a proper young lady to be an ideal mistress. Besides, if he had to remain in Chiswick to keep an eye on the Loring sisters because a highwayman was menacing the district, instructing Roslyn would make the time pass faster.
He had no intention of going beyond the bounds of real propriety, of course, for in all honor, he couldn’t compromise the ward of his best friend without unwanted consequences.
To his surprise and amusement Drew found himself nodding. “Very well, I will give it a shot.”
Roslyn offered him a brilliant smile that made him blink with its sheer beauty. “
His gaze settled on her ripe, tempting mouth, and his pulse quickened further as he fought the fierce urge to kiss her. There was a rational explanation for the rapid beating of his heart, for why this woman set his blood racing. It was pure lust of course.
The affliction would pass, he was certain.
Yet his fingers itched to free her golden hair from the confines of its elegant coiffure, to free her body from the confines of her stylish ballgown. He could picture taking her right here on the brocade couch, could imagine her coming alive in his arms, all yearning hunger. The thought of being inside her, that first thrust, made his groin ache. He wanted to bury himself in all that unawakened fire…
The erotic image shattered when Roslyn set her glass down on a side table and rose to her feet. “Good night, your grace. I will see you in the morning when you confer with Winifred’s bailiff.”
Drew rose politely as well and bowed, ignoring the frustrating ache in his loins. “Good night, Miss Loring.”
He watched as she turned away, his gaze drawn to the graceful sway of her hips as she left the parlor.
Blowing out a slow breath then, Drew ran a hand roughly through his hair. He couldn’t believe he had actually agreed to give her lessons in how to arouse a gentleman’s ardor. Especially when she presented such a powerful temptation to
But he could manage it, Drew told himself. He would be charming, distantly polite, even friendly.
Even so, he knew that keeping his hands off Roslyn would prove to be a severe exercise in self-control.
Chapter Six
– Roslyn to Fanny
Roslyn rose early the next morning, eager to set in motion the search for the highwayman. To her surprise she found the duke already up before her, meeting in the study with the Freemantle bailiff.
Mr. Hickling expressed alarm at the danger she and her ladyship had faced during the holdup, but Roslyn assured him they hadn’t suffered any lasting damage. When she described the place where the coach had been waylaid, he recognized it at once, since it was close to the farm belonging to his eldest son. Hickling took his leave shortly, promising to conduct a thorough search of the area.
When he was gone, Roslyn surveyed the duke. He hadn’t yet shaved, so his jaw was shadowed by stubble, making his lean, aristocratic features look a trifle rugged. Yet he still managed to give the appearance of lithe elegance. Except for missing a cravat, he wore the same formal attire as he’d worn to the wedding, probably because the late Sir Rupert Freemantle was smaller of shoulder and much larger of girth.
Roslyn herself had changed into a modest muslin round gown. She felt Arden’s perceptive gaze survey her in turn.
“Did you have trouble sleeping?” he asked, his tone sympathetic.
“A little. I kept seeing that pistol pointed at us every time I closed my eyes.”
“The dark images will pass eventually.”
“You sound as if you speak from experience.”
“I do.” Arden glanced at the ormolu clock on the mantel. “I didn’t expect you to rise so early.”
“Nor I you, your grace.”
Amusement flickered in his eyes. “No doubt you presumed I would laze abed till noon.”
“Many noblemen of your stamp would.”
“You have a rather low opinion of me, don’t you, darling?”
Roslyn laughed. “You are improving upon better acquaintance, I must say.”
Arden grinned. “Considering where I started, I should be gratified.”
Pointon appeared at the study door just then to announce that breakfast awaited them. When they moved to the breakfast parlor, Winifred was already seated at the table, her plate piled high from an array of dishes on the sideboard. Evidently her hearty appetite had remained unaffected by the previous night’s traumatic events, Roslyn noted.
When she inquired how Winifred was faring, her ladyship smiled. “Well enough, my dear. But I am so very grateful to the duke for electing to remain with us for a few days.” She favored Arden with an even brighter smile while Pointon served her guests coffee. “It is comforting to know that you will be here to protect us from a vicious highwayman, your grace. Although we are less than an hour’s drive from London and close enough that you could return home each night, it will be more convenient if you billet here at Freemantle Park. And of course,” Winifred added, “you cannot stay at Danvers Hall while the new earl is gone, since Roslyn and Lily will be unchaperoned. Pointon will send to London for fresh clothing for you.”
“I have already made arrangements, my lady,” Arden replied mildly, apparently prepared to put up with her overbearing supervision.
Winifred proceeded to chatter on about how splendid the wedding had been, as if she was determined to forget the holdup had ever happened. Since Roslyn was of the same mind, the conversation remained light all through breakfast.
When her ladyship had exhausted the topic of nuptials, she proceeded to question the duke about his interest in governing the nation, but Arden replied that most of his work was done for now. Parliament had adjourned for the summer, and many of the noblemen in the House of Lords had left the heat of London for their family estates.
At the conclusion of breakfast, Winifred adopted an innocent look. “Perhaps you would like to see the Park, your grace. Roslyn can show you before she returns home to Danvers Hall this morning. Roslyn, my dear, why don’t you take his grace to the charming little folly by the lake?”
Roslyn shared a brief glance with the duke, who was barely stifling his amusement. But she didn’t protest, since showing him over the estate would allow them to escape Winifred’s watchful eye, and she wanted a measure of privacy so she could continue the discussion they had begun last night.
“The grounds are indeed lovely this time of year,” Roslyn murmured. “Just let me fetch my cloak, your grace.” The sun was out, but the June morning would be a trifle cool.
When she had retrieved the garment from Pointon, she found the duke awaiting her in the entrance hall. She led him through the house to a side door, and once outside, she stayed to the gravel path so the dew wouldn’t stain her slippers.
The park boasted beautifully landscaped lawns and gardens. In the distance atop a rise, she could see the folly that overlooked the ornamental lake, and she headed that way.
“I don’t suppose you have changed your mind about me tutoring you,” Arden began as they walked.
“No, I have not,” Roslyn replied pleasantly. “I would very much like you to advise me on the feminine arts of seduction.”
“I was afraid as much.”
“Have you given any more thought to my questions?”
“Yes, sweetheart.”
She glanced up at him expectantly. “I am all ears, your grace.”
“I expect I should start with the easiest question-you asked me what appeals to me in a mistress. I thought of several more attributes I find favorable.”
