Laurie Brown by Hundreds of Years to Reform a Rake Read Free Book Online Page A

compote, tureen, salver, server, tray, or dish of some sort.
    Amelia laughed. “Tonight they’re empty, placed on the table only for effect. At a gala party there would be so many dishes
     and huge elaborate centerpieces that you could hardly see the people seated across the table. Of course that wouldn’t have
     been a problem then because it was considered rude to speak across the board.”
    Deverell appeared, but Josie had no chance to comment on his sudden materialization because Amelia immediately welcomed him.
    “Please accept my apologies. I was unforgivably remiss earlier in not mentioning how ravishing you both look,” he said with
     a graceful bow.“A stunning tribute to womanhood.”
    Amelia thanked him for the lavish compliment. Josie tipped her head graciously, unable to trust her voice. She gripped her
     hands tightly together in her lap and fought the glow his words ignited within her.“So, tell me, Lord Waite, exactly when,
     and how, did you realize you were dead?”
    Amelia gasped.“Really, dear. Deverell’s demise is hardly an appropriate topic. In the Regency, conversation was considered
     an art form, and masters of witty repartee were desirable guests.”
    “And double entrendres , the more risqué the better, were also appreciated,” Deverell added with a chuckle.
    Amelia appeared to ignore him.“Guests came to the table prepared to discuss several matters of general interest to those present.
     Topics might range from the weather...”
    “Unimaginative,” Deverell interjected with a dismissive gesture.
    “To the latest acceptable literature....”
    He stifled a fake yawn.
    “To the progress of the war with Napoleon,” Amelia finished.
    “I didn’t mean to offend,” Josie said,“but ghosts are one of the few subjects we have in common.”
    “We have your lessons.There is much for you to learn.” Amelia demonstrated how a woman exposed her hands for eating without
     removing her long gloves. She undid the tiny pearl buttons, slid her hand free, and tucked the fingers of the glove under
     the material at the back of her wrist.
    Josie mimicked her mentor’s actions with considerably less dexterity and grace. She frowned at the misshapen lumps and pushed
     and poked at the excess material,but it would not lie flat and smooth the way Amelia’s did. Practice was obviously necessary.
    “I am not offended by Miss Drummond’s curiosity,” Deverell said, stopping by the sideboard to pour himself a drink before
     finding his chair at the head of the table on Amelia’s left. “I have, after all, pledged to answer her questions to the best
     of my knowledge.”
    Josie could only wonder why he found his own comment amusing.“I see you drink.Do you eat solid food?” she asked, indicating
     the plate set at his place.
    “I can, if I am fully materialized and wish to do so. There are only a few dishes worth the effort. I do enjoy my tea and
     my brandy,” he said, raising the snifter in salute.
    “What about...” Josie stopped herself. She didn’t want to cause Amelia to faint by asking him about going to the bathroom.
    “Not necessary.”
    Deverell answered her unasked question as if he had read it in the tell-the-whole-world-what-I’m-thinking blush she’d always
     hated.
    “When I return to my normal dematerialized state, anything I have ingested dissipates.”
    Josie could tell from the twinkle in his eye that he enjoyed putting her on the spot. Yet she couldn’t think of a witty comeback
     when he smiled that devastating grin. Her insides performed gymnastic flips that would have earned tens from an Olympic judge.
    “As to my demise...”
    “Deverell! This is not...”
    “It’s quite all right,Amelia.You wouldn’t have me go back on my word as a gentleman, would you?”
    She shook her head.
    “Perhaps later,” Josie suggested in deference to Amelia’s pained expression.
    “No sense putting it off. My memory of the incident is a bit fuzzy, but to the best of my