Sin With a Scoundrel (The Husband Hunters Club 4)

She gave him an odd look but answered politely enough. “Lord Horace is having a small soiree at his residence and then taking a few friends to the theater afterward. My brother and I have been invited to both events.”

“How exciting for you.” He stifled a yawn.

Her eyes flashed.

“Oh yes, I like that. You must do that more often, Miss Smythe.”

“Do what?”

“The way you looked at me then. Eyes glittering, the flush on your cheeks. Most attractive, and captivating, too.”

“I-I don’t know if I can do it again. You made me cross when you yawned.”

“You could always remember this moment. There! That’s the look I want.”

Tina sighed. “This is getting rather complicated. You want me to glare at Horace for no reason? Are you sure that will appeal to him? In my experience Horace has never been one for bad-tempered females.”

“Oh no, you won’t be trying to appeal to Lord Horace. Not at this stage. I want you to concentrate on every other man there, with the exception of your brother, of course.”

“But I have no desire to attract any other man!”

“My dear Miss Smythe, obviously you are very ignorant of the male mind.”

Her green eyes gave him that attractive flash again, but this time he managed to ignore it and the effect it had on his senses, and carry on instructing her.

“We men are creatures who invariably want what attracts other men. If you flutter your eyelashes at some chap and laugh at the bad jokes of another, you’ll soon have them all eating out of your hand. When Gilfoyle sees every other man lusting after you, you can be quite sure he will suddenly see you, not as a little sister, but as the object of his own desire.”

Richard wondered whether he’d spoken too freely. Was she shocked, or did she realize he was talking nonsense? In actual fact he was expecting Gilfoyle to be livid when she played off the other men in his party against him.

But although Tina seemed slightly bemused, she didn’t argue. For a moment, she gazed questioningly into his eyes and then lowered her lashes in that charming manner she had and composed herself once more. He felt almost ashamed of himself then for using her for his own ends—she really was the most valiant girl.

“So you think I should act like a courtesan at Horace’s soiree, Mr. Eversham?” she said primly, as if she were discussing the weather.

“Do you know many courtesans, Miss Smythe?” he answered in amusement. “Stand up. Let’s pretend we’re at this little soiree.”

Clearly unwilling, still she obeyed him and stood up. He could see she was wondering what he would do next, eyeing him sideways as if he were a dangerous animal at the z

oo. Her head only came to his shoulder, and he resisted the temptation to kiss the top of it and tell her that everything would be all right and did she really want to marry a chap like Horace Gilfoyle?

Instead he took her hand and rested it on his arm. “When you’re standing beside a gentleman, chatting about whatever it is you would like to chat about—the theater, perhaps—touch his arm, just gently. And smile. Look into his eyes. Widen your own, just a little.”

Tina’s fingers tightened, and she felt his hard muscles through his clothing and suddenly wondered how he would look without it. Her thoughts made her cheeks feel hot, and she knew she was blushing. She really needed to stop blushing. That was hardly the behavior required of a woman trying to attract a man like Horace. It would only prove to him what he already thought of her: She was too innocent to be of any interest.

Did courtesans blush?

Stop it. Concentrate. Tina took a deep breath and looked up into his gray eyes and smiled.

“Oh yes,” he breathed. “That’s very good, Miss Smythe. Try again.”

She didn’t really need to do it again, but he was enjoying it so very much he couldn’t resist. His praise drew a smile that dazzled him.

“Very good indeed. You’re a fast learner.”

“Perhaps you’re a good teacher, Mr. Eversham.”

“Well, we’ll be able to see whether that’s true or not from the results, won’t we? Do you think we can dispense with the formalities now? I prefer to be on first-name terms with my clients. There are no lords or ladies here; we are simply client and teacher.” He held out his hand. “Richard, at your service.”

“Clementina. That is . . . my friends call me Tina.”