Eloisa James - Duchess by Night by Duchess By Night Read Free Book Online Page A

only one word for Mr. Cope: adorable. He had curly brown hair, pul ed into a simple pigtail at his neck, with just a dusting of powder. He wore a beautiful coat; he could hardly be Vil ierss relative without exhibiting a fine sense of style. But his eyes gave him away. They were exquisite, and not just because of their color and a fringe of lash that could have graced a princess. They werefresh.
    Jem shot Vil iers a look through narrowed eyes. There was something peculiar about this. For one thing, Vil iers wasnt sleeping with the woman hed dragged along with him, the supposed Duchess of Cosway, the duchess who didnt exist. She was a pretty piece, al right, as glittering and sultry as a peacock, but Vil iers was talking to her without the faintest desire in his eye.
    On the other hand, Jem wasnt sure that Vil iers could feel desire for anyone, not if he were as il as he looked. The man had to have lost three stone.
    Mr. Cope was standing close to Vil iers, with his eyes as round as saucers, staring at a statue Jem had shipped from Crete on an impulse. That kiss between Mars and Venus was on the risqué side. Of course, they were married (mythological y speaking). But the whole question of marital virtue was somewhat offset by the fact that Mars was wearing a helmetbut nothing else.
    Vil iers, Jem said, walking forward.
    The duke turned around and swept him a bow. Even gaunt as Vil iers was, he looked every inch of duke.
    Wed better get you in bed, Jem said by way of greeting. Hed heard Vil iers was il , but hadnt realized how close he came to death. It gave him a queer feeling, so Jem said roughly, You look like hel .
    Im better than I was. But Im not supposed to play chess, so Im relying on you and your dubious charms to entertain me, Strange.
    Youl have to entertain yourself, Jem said, turning to the so-cal ed duchess and bowing. Good morning, Your Grace.
    Instantly he saw that she was a duchess. A rather gaudy one, in an Italian style, but he knew instantly that he was looking at the Duchess of Cosway. Or perhaps the future Duchess of Cosway was the proper terminology.
    It was a miracle that she managed to curtsy, given that her traveling dress appeared to have been sewed onto her body.
    You do me too much honor, Jem said with patent insincerity. This was not the sort of guest he enjoyed. He disliked the way that titles, especial y the higher-up ones, seemed to give their holders the right to behave like despicable fools. She would be fussy, and shocked, and likely stamp out in high dudgeon in a day or so.
    But then she smiled at him, a lush armful of warm Italian skin and sweet ruby mouth, and he changed his mind. There was something wicked about that mouth, a hint of a kiss or a kiss-to-be-taken hanging in the corner.
    She may be a virgin, but she didnt look shockable.
    Mr. Cope, on the other hand, was so new-fledged that he bobbed his bow like a schoolboy.
    Jem was rarely shocked by life, but he was conscious of a little surprise now. In the course of throwing his house open to anyone he (and Povy) deemed interesting, he had seen al sorts of desire. Very little of it interested himand none of it surprised him.

    But he was surprised now. Surprised by a little surge of interest in himselfshameful yfor Mr. Cope. For a stripling with big eyes and not even a sign of a beard. For a male. For Gods sake, Jem thought with disgust. If this is getting old, I want nothing to do with it.
    And he made a mental note to stay far away from Cope.
    Just how old is that youth youve brought along? he managed to ask Vil iers sotto voce , a few moments later.
    Twenty-two, Vil iers said. I know he looks like a cherub, but dont be fooled, Strange.
    What do you mean?
    Hes a hardened reprobate. Plays the innocent because it pul s the ladies. Wait til you see him with them. They fal over him screaming. Fal backwards, real y. Hes a nice lad, though, and doesnt take advantage.
    Try another one, Jem said, his voice hardening. This house may be a