The Courtesan's Wager by Claudia Dain Read Free Book Online Page A

certain that Sophia might derive malicious amusement in revealing her lapse to her future husband, the duke, Sophia answered Hawks.
    “Nothing, Lord Hawksworth, is as bad as all that,” Sophia said, looking kindly at Amelia. “We shall act quickly, one might almost say with martial aggression, and the matter will be settled. Your sister, the lovely Lady Amelia, will find a most suitable match, and her reputation will only be enhanced by the endeavor. I trust that is satisfactory?”
    It was with some horror that Amelia realized that she was being discussed in some mildly disparaging fashion for no cause whatsoever.
    “There is nothing whatsoever wrong with my reputation!” Amelia said, not entirely certain what she was defending herself against, but somehow certain that she did require some sort of defense. Ridiculous, really, as she had lived her life beautifully and indeed, flawlessly. “I am exactly the sort of woman to make any man proud, and indeed I think I would make an ideal duchess. I am quite certain of it. Quite certain,” she finished a bit heatedly.
    Sophia smiled, her dark eyes flashing. “And it is just this level of conviction and fire which you must display before your suitors, Lady Amelia. A proper woman of proper fire is how they must see you. A natural fit for you, certainly. You shall not have a bit of trouble, I am quite certain. Why, I should not be at all surprised if the matter of your marriage is not settled within a week’s time. The men of your list are all in Town at present, which is most convenient. A week’s time, at the very latest,” Sophia said musingly.
    It was not at all reassuring. It should have been, but Sophia had the most unappealing gleam in her black eyes. It was nearly impossible not to shudder in anticipation.
    “I do think that I should be present,” Hawks said, sounding not at all glad about it. “I can’t think that it would look quite the thing if I were not in attendance.”
    “Lord Hawksworth,” Sophia said, leaning forward and giving Hawks a charming view of her décolleté, “surely you must realize that a man of your bearing and prominence in Society would hamper Amelia from making the necessary . . . maneuvers a woman must deploy in snaring a duke of the realm. Surely you have ample experience at avoiding ladies with similar goals. You are, as you must be aware, a most compelling man with absolutely everything to recommend you. A woman would be a fool indeed if she did not do everything in her power to entertain your interest.”
    Hawks, the fool, was hanging on to Sophia’s every word and looked as sophisticated as a four-week-old pup.
    “True, true,” he said in an outrageous display of false humility.
    “Perhaps, to save your reputation and not make you the subject of speculation,” Sophia said soothingly, “you would enjoy an invitation to Marshfield Park, the Dalby estate. My family is there now, doing all those things that men so love to do in the country. I’m certain they would welcome you into their midst with delight. Shall I make the arrangements?”
    It was the most amazing thing, but Amelia could almost see Hawks imagining himself running amid the fields and streams of England in the midst of a pack of Indians, whooping like the worst savage. He was clearly enchanted by the vision. One only hoped he kept his shoes on. And his scalp.
    “If it’s no imposition,” he said blandly, the worst bit of acting Amelia had seen in a year.
    “Nothing of the sort,” Sophia said, casting an amused gaze at Amelia, who found herself smiling in return.
    Sophia Dalby could manage a man better than anyone Amelia had ever seen. It was positively inspiring.
    And so it was that, except for the boring though necessary details, Hawksworth was disposed of.
     
     
     
    AS far as boring details went, Amelia did think that it wouldn’t be the worst idea she ever had to consult with Louisa about her decision to rely upon Sophia Dalby’s plan. Or that