Fascinated

same? It was just a matter of learning how.

Oh, it was making so much sense, so much sense. But she had to ensure he would not go back on his promise to teach her.

Blast him. 'We will continue with our lessons,' she said, keeping her tone expressionless.

'If you will,' he answered in kind. God, it was getting complicated. If only Raulton were not in the picture.

'Excellent. Do remember, Jeremy, it is not you in my lowered sights: it is for Mr. Raulton that I must be on the mark.'

His body tightened, just thinking of it. 'As you say.'

'And today, I performed well, did I not, for a foolish virgin?'

'No man could complain.' And no sane man would walk out on her either without taking advantage of what she so obviously wanted to give. How did that first lesson take so well?

'Then we are all right and tight, and we will go on.'

'I said we would.'

'When?'

'When your delicate sensibilities dictate, my lady.'

Oh, but her sensibilities were delicate no longer. She knew what she wanted now and exactly what she had to do.

'Do you go to your mistress now?' She had to know, and she would know, if not today, then tomorrow or next month, but she would know.

He grit his teeth. 'I fail to see how it is your business.'

But it will be, dear Jeremy. It will be.

'Friday will do,' she said insolently, dismissively, ignoring his sharp tone.

He cringed. Lady of the manor now. She knew how to play that role very well. What had Reginald gotten him into? What had he gotten himself into?

'Friday, then,' he agreed curtly, and she turned away from him to hide her triumphant smile.

She followed his progress out of the room by his footsteps, through the hall, a pause for his hat, the slam of the front door, and she watched him covertly from behind the library curtains as he took the front steps and signaled for his horse.

Dear, dear Jeremy… you've taught me so much already. You have no idea. In one afternoon, you have turned everything I thought I wanted inside out. And now, I will keep up the pretense of chasing Raulton for one purpose and one purpose only, as the means to get what I want.

And what I now know I want is to be your mistress.

Chapter Three

So this is the secret to enslaving a man: think like a mistress, act like a mistress. Know what a mistress knows.

All the carnal secrets. All the feminine tricks. All the male vices.

She mentally ticked off the points one by one as she stared at herself in the bedroom mirror.

Be welcoming. Be willing. Every part of you must be willing with all that means. Offer yourself freely for his pleasure. Never ever shrink from anything he wants of you. Act as if you crave it, too. Be determined you will do whatever he asks of you.

An excellent bargain for the reward of a man's loyalty and carnal fidelity, and wealth and freedom besides.

Who was Jeremy's mistress? Who among all the beauties had attracted him and even now was giving herself to him willingly? The thought was not to be borne. Not after that kiss.

She would find out. Tonight, at Almack's, among all those women there would be seductive mistresses, known only to the lovers who kept them. She would try to discern who they were and how they behaved to better understand what she must do to take Jeremy away from his mistress.

And she would further the pretense that Raulton was her mark.

There was a full plate for one evening, she thought, and she must dress the part besides.

Nothing pleased her. Every dress she took out of her closet seemed insipid and virginal, and for this evening, this moment, she wanted something much more daring.

She might be turned away because of it-it didn't do to cross the patronesses at Almack's-but tonight was one night she would take the chance.

She pulled out a dress of blue satin with an extremely high waist and low-cut neck and blond lace trim at the hem and sleeves. Here was some sophistication. And she liked the way the knots of cream-colored flowers on a rouleau of blue ribbon fitted tightly to her midriff, shaping and emphasizing her breasts. There were matching faux flowers to entwine in her hair, which was styled a la Grecque, and matching shoes, gloves and shawl. To finish, she chose to wear a pair of pearl earrings and a long pearl necklace.

She motioned her maid to one side, and stood away from the mirror.

Ah, this was more like it. This was not the reflection of a green girl. This was a woman, whose body tantalized from beneath the sensual drape of her dress, who was covertly, seductively on the hunt.

Was she really this daring, this foolhardy? Or was it just the game?

'Time to go, Regina.' Her father knocked at the door. 'You look lovely. New dress? Very becoming. I'm so glad you changed your mind.'

'No one should miss a moment at Almack's if they have the entree,' Regina murmured. 'I was remiss not to have considered my good fortune this afternoon.' The irony was lost on her father, who believed every social event was a command to attend.

He was just as happy to have her company, particularly during the long wait to debark from their carriage at the door, and then again inside during that first awkward moment of greeting friends and acquaintances.

Everyone was there. The crowd was six deep by the velvet cordon. Regina could barely pass, and she felt a distinct irritation that she wouldn't be able to see, or to carry forward her plan. And she was hoping Ancilla had chosen not to attend be-cause she did not need a Greek chorus naysaying her every move.

But that was a faint hope, blast it. There Ancilla came, in her usual turnout of white muslin, long white gloves, and, a new fashion trick, a matching demiturban in her hair confining her pale curls.

'Always a crush,' Ancilla murmured. 'How are you?'

'I'm well to do given we saw each other only yesterday,' Regina answered in kind. 'And you?'

'As ever. Marking time. Observing the absurd behavior of those around me. No, no, not you. But take note that your Mr. Raulton is here already and in fine fettle. I daresay he has his dance card down and is busily deciding which of the Untouched he will touch tonight. I do wish you would give over your fascination with him. He is not worthy of your consideration.'

'He is still the most interesting man here.'

'And what about Jeremy Gavage? There he is, scowling as ever.'

'Does he look our way?' She hoped.

'He scowls our way.'

'I ought to greet him, even if he had the bad manners not to come to me last night. Do you wish to come with me?'

'No. There is nothing for me there. But do you go acknowledge him.'

Perfect. Now it remained only to find Mr. Raulton. Tonight she did not want to dance with him. She wanted, rather, to be seen talking with him, or perhaps pretending to follow him to the garden for a private moment.

Which meant he must always be in her sights, and she must try to be sure that Jeremy was watching. Although how she would manage that, she did not know.

Blast it. Why couldn't a woman control these things?

'Well, don't you look-different tonight?' Jeremy was behind her, where she least expected him to be.

She curtsied. 'Do you like it?'