To Bed a Beauty (Courtship Wars 2) - Page 37
Your list is highly enlightening, dear Fanny, even if I have some doubts about my ability to follow your counsel.
– Roslyn to Fanny
For her lesson the next morning, Roslyn awaited the duke in the library, since she felt most at ease there and thus should be better able to hold her own with him there. Reading had always been her favorite pastime, the library her refuge and her haven whenever the tribulations of life became too difficult.
She was curled up on a cushioned window seat-her preferred spot because it offered both comfort and ample light-when Arden was shown into the room. He was dressed much less formally today, his buff riding breeches and burgundy coat more appropriate to the attire of a country gentleman, but the superb London tailoring only emphasized his devilish virility.
Setting aside her history tome, Roslyn rose to greet him, then watched as Arden glanced appreciatively around the library. Every wall was filled floor to ceiling with gleaming walnut shelves of leather-bound books.
“Impressive,” Arden murmured, inspecting the titles on the nearest wall.
“What is impressive?” she asked curiously.
“That you would have tackled a collection of this size. Eleanor said you had read most of the volumes here.”
“Except the ones in Greek, since I never learned. Regrettably I was never able to attend university because I wasn’t born male.”
Arden gave her an amused look. “You actually wanted to learn Greek?”
She felt her cheeks warm but lifted her chin. “It would have been helpful to know the original language of the classics. As it was, I had to rely on translations.”
Not replying, he moved on to the next section. “Judging from the titles here, I would say that significant thought went into compiling this collection.”
Roslyn smiled at his surprised tone. “It did. My step-uncle was a skinflint except when it came to his books. His scholarly bent was the chief thing I admired about him.”
“From what I hear, there was little else to admire about the late Lord Danvers,” the duke said dryly.
“Yes, well… It isn’t polite to speak ill of the dead, but he was very…disagreeable.”
Roslyn crossed the room to a chair and invited Arden to have a seat on the sofa opposite her. “I am happy to report that a letter from Fanny arrived this morning. She made out a list of suggestions for me to consider.”
“Regarding tricks of the mistress trade?” he asked as he settled on the sofa.
“Yes, or rather, her advice on how to captivate a gentleman.”
“What does she have to say?”
Drawing out three close-written sheets from the pocket of her skirt, Roslyn decided to read parts of Fanny’s letter aloud so she could question the duke about the effectiveness of some of the techniques.
“Her first recommendations have to do with physical appearance…grooming, clothing, hairstyles…which we needn’t go into. Then-”
“Why not? You could use some improvement in that area.”
“Perhaps,” Roslyn retorted, “but I believe Fanny’s counsel will be sufficient on such intimate subjects as my personal grooming. Now where was I? Oh, yes. After that she discusses how to attract a man’s attention in other ways. She begins by saying ‘It is imperative to be a good listener.’”
Arden smiled. “I already told you as much.”
“I remember.” Roslyn let her gaze sweep further down Fanny’s list. “She also says a woman must learn to exchange witty banter, but not so witty as to intimidate her potential patron. To quote: ‘Her purpose should be to make him feel clever, never dull and insipid.’”
“Quite wise,” Arden agreed. “He will preen his feathers if he feels clever.”
Roslyn shot the duke an amused glance. She wouldn’t have to work to make him feel clever, since he had a sharp mind and was rarely without a quick comeback.
Returning to her list, she read the next recommendation. “‘Make him feel strong and powerful, as if he is the most important person you have ever known. In short, make him feel like the most fascinating man alive.’”
“Your friend Fanny is highly perceptive. Does she suggest how to make him feel fascinating?”
“Not really, only that she should make him the sole focus of her attention, which is precisely what you advised.”
Source: readsnovelonline.net