The Captain's Bluestocking Mistress Read Free

precisely fall on Jane’s head. She pushed the curtain aside and hurried inside as quickly as possible. The box was dim, but sumptuous. She pushed a few more pins into her displaced curls and settled into an empty seat.
    Of course Carlisle wished to sit next to his wife. They were newly wed. And Jane was a never-will. Even if she could somehow command a man’s attention, with what would she keep it? Her brain was a mark against her, and as for her alleged beauty… Her own papa had always said she was quite pretty—for a plump girl.
    Although the current high-waisted fashions did nothing to hide her plumpness, the billowing tubular midsection gave all women a rounder midsection, so at least she wasn’t the only young lady thus afflicted. Just the only undesirable one.
    The audience rumbled excitedly as the thick red curtain began to part onstage.
    Grace leaned into her husband, her brow furrowed. “He’s not coming?”
    Lord Carlisle slipped her hand in his. “He’ll be here. He would never break his word.”
    Jane kept her voice hushed as she turned toward them. “ Who won’t break his word?”
    “An old friend,” Carlisle murmured at the same moment Grace said, “Captain Grey.”

Chapter Two

     
    Heat raced up Jane’s cheeks. Captain Grey? Was joining them here?
    Her entire body was blushing, just at the sound of his name. And the reminder of the rather lurid thoughts she had about him every time she closed her eyes.
    She couldn’t move a muscle. Heaven help her, she could barely even think . This was a disaster.
    The last thing this evening needed was the object of her fantasies to sit right beside her and remain unaware of her existence. She’d rather return home now, before complete and utter humiliation had a chance to rear its ugly head.
    “How do you know he’s coming?” she asked breathlessly.
    “Because he said so.” Lord Carlisle lifted his wife’s fingers to his lips. “I told him it would please Grace if he would join us at least once before removing to Essex.”
    “He’s… leaving?”
    Grace nodded. “Tomorrow. He has a little cottage a couple miles past Chelmsford and he plans to stay there the rest of the Season.”
    “Or perhaps forever.” Carlisle’s jaw tightened. “Xavier thinks he may never be ready for Polite Society. He may be right.”
    Jane swallowed hard. Of course the dark and dangerous man of her dreams planned to disappear from Society forever after tonight. What did she expect?
    The curtain to the private box flung open. There, silhouetted by the chandeliers in the corridor, stood the infamous Captain Grey… and a very imperious usher.
    A wry smile quirked the corner of Captain Grey’s lips. “I’m afraid my good man here couldn’t quite credit that I was welcome in the Duke of Ravenwood’s box. Shall I go?”
    Lord Carlisle sprang to his feet. “Of course you’re welcome! Come, sit. I believe you know everyone present?” He turned toward the usher. “We’re all very pleased our dear friend was able to join us. That will be all.”
    “I’m so sorry, my lord,” the red-faced usher spluttered. “He looked… I thought—”
    “It’s forgotten. Go.” Lord Carlisle dismissed the usher, then turned to Jane. His voice lowered. “Do you mind moving down a seat so Xavier can sit next to me?”
    Captain Grey frowned. “Unnecessary. I’ve already interrupted enough.”
    “No, I don’t mind.” Jane scrambled out of the way and waved a hand toward her vacated seat. “Please. Sit next to your friend.”
    He inclined his head and took his seat.
    The lighting was too dim to make out the crystalline blue of his eyes or the long black lashes that framed them. But Jane didn’t need lighting to recall every angle of his chiseled features or the careless tumble of wavy black hair against the stark white of his cravat. Every inch of him was seared into her memory.
    Well, every properly (but disappointingly) clothed inch, that was. Nothing could hide the strong