“Yes, and you are a complete cynic,” Roslyn said sweetly. “I can comprehend why, since so many women have hounded you, trying to ensnare you in matrimony. But I trust you will acquit me of having designs on you.” The teasing light in her eyes brightened. “You needn’t worry, your grace. I have no intention of joining the leagues of love-smitten females in a contest for your hand.”

Drew gave a rough chuckle. “They are hardly love-smitten. Obsessed with rank and fortune is a more apt description. They all see wealthy members of the peerage as potential marks.”

“I assure you, I do not. I have absolutely no desire to marry you-or to become your mistress,” she added, amusement dancing in her eyes.

He couldn’t help but grin. “Your adamant rejection that night was rather insulting to my vanity.”

Her laugh was soft and light. “I doubt your vanity suffered too greatly. You expected me to leap at your offer, I know, but my refusal was no reflection on your qualifications as a potential patron.”

Bemused, Drew watched as she raised her glass to her lips to drink. He wasn’t sure at what point he had let himself be charmed by Roslyn Loring, but he was-intensely. Despite his determination, he found himself enchanted by her warm character and lively wit.

Her eyes were still warm, he noted, but her gaze turned thoughtful as she contemplated him over the rim of her glass. “Perhaps we could simply be friends. My sister is married to Marcus now, so we may be seeing more of each other in the future. And I don’t wish there to be any awkwardness between us.” An elegant dimple flashed in her cheek. “You can treat me as you do Eleanor, as a younger sister.”

He couldn’t possibly think of this woman as his sister, Drew reflected. Not after kissing her the way he had, after tasting her delectable body the way he had. Not with the powerful lust he still felt for her.

And yet he was surprised to find that he could relax in her company. Perhaps it was because she didn’t toady to him as most everyone else did. Or perhaps he was just no longer concerned that she might try to trap him in marriage.

“Friends it is,” he said, raising his glass in salute.

They both drank to the agreement, before Drew settled in a wing chair across from her. “So tell me about your husband-hunting plans. You mean to assist Haviland with his ball next week?”

“Yes,” Roslyn answered. “Before my mother left us, she taught me a good deal about running a genteel household and hosting social entertainments. I believe I can help his lordship make his ball a success.”

“And after that?”

“I’m not certain, but I will need to decide soon, since Haviland plans to remain here at his country villa for only a week or so after the ball to hold a houseparty for his relatives. Fanny promised to advise me, but I’ve had no time to give it much consideration with all the preparations for the wedding.” Roslyn cocked her head, her eyes still glimmering with laughter. “To be truthful, Fanny suggested that I ask you to instruct me. I think she was jesting, but the idea has merit.”

“Instruct you on what?” Drew asked warily.

“On the tricks a mistress uses to make her protector enamored of her.”

He nearly choked on his wine. “That is hardly a topic for a proper young lady to be discussing with a gentleman,” Drew rasped.

Roslyn laughed again. “Now who is being missish, your grace? I think we have already gone well beyond the bounds of propriety, don’t you? A little further won’t hurt.”

“You are actually serious.”

“Yes, of course. It is brazen of me, I know, but I have a great deal at stake, so it would behoove me to use any resources I can find. You are an acknowledged expert in mistresses, so I should like to hear your views on the subject.”

Drew frowned. “I doubt my views could help you.”

“Will you allow me to be the judge of that?”

He stared at her a long moment before giving in. “What do you want to know?”

“To begin with, why do you even employ a mistress?”

“For the usual reasons. Entertainment, companionship, pleasure.”

“So what makes you choose one over the other? What qualities do you look for? I suppose beauty is a chief requirement?”

Drew gave the question some thought, trying to remember his criteria for his last inamorata. “Beauty is desirable, but I mainly want one who is undemanding.”

“Who isn’t possessive? Fanny said that was what made you give up your last mistress.” When his eyebrow shot up, Roslyn smiled. “I am not asking to know the intimate details of your affairs. My question is purely academic-so I won’t make the same mistake with Lord Haviland. What else appeals to you in a mistress?”

She wasn’t going to relent, Drew realized. With mingled feelings of admiration and resignation, he settled back and stretched his long legs out in front of him. “I want one with enough wit to carry on an intelligent conversation. And, of course, she must be skilled at lovemaking.”

That last qualification made Roslyn blush, but she pressed on. “Yet there must be more to making a man become enamored. According to Fanny, a good mistress knows how to drive her protector a little wild and even enslave him.”

Tags: Nicole Jordan Courtship Wars Historical
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