This Duchess of Mine Read Free Page B

character, the presence of such a woman in his life must have been shaming after a time.”
    Jemma raised an eyebrow.
    â€œThey’re paid ,” Corbin said. “Paid to play out the fantasies every man has in the back of his mind.”
    â€œFantasies!” Jemma cried, revolted. “He had a regular appointment with her, in his chambers at the Inns of Court, at lunchtime yet. How could that possibly stem from fantasy?”
    â€œThat’s just business,” Corbin said. “He likely made the arrangement before marriage, and simply forgot to change it. How old was the duke when he inherited the title?”
    â€œOh, quite young,” Jemma said. “Haven’t you ever heard of the late duke’s death? I’m afraid it was quite a scandal at the time.”
    â€œOf course! He died in flagrante delicto with—was it four women?”
    â€œTwo,” Jemma said. “Only two. But I gather that The Palace of Salomé catered to rather specialized tastes, and it was the duke’s favorite establishment.”
    â€œNo wonder your husband made his mistress part of his public life,” Corbin said. “Where better to prove that his tastes were not deviant than in his own office?”
    Jemma’s mouth fell open. “Elijah said he loved her,” she added in a smallish voice.
    â€œIf you challenged him on the subject, he may have said that from rage. But it is very difficult to love someone whom one pays for the most intimate of pleasures. The money kills joy.”
    â€œYou are rather terrifying,” Jemma said, eyeing him.
    â€œI try,” Corbin said smugly. “Do you see what I am suggesting?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œIf you wish to rouse passion in a husband of so many years, I think you will have to show him the side of yourself that you have flaunted only in Paris.”
    â€œThe chemise dress?” Jemma said, pleating her brow.
    â€œNo. That’s boldly sexual. For Beaumont, you will have to be imaginative. Playful. Joyful. All the thingsthat never, ever happen in the halls of the House of Lords, and certainly have never happened with his mistress. You need to be spontaneous, naughty, and fun.”
    â€œI can’t imagine Elijah—”
    â€œHaving fun?” Corbin folded his hands. “Neither can I, Duchess. Neither can I. Therein lies your challenge. Oh, and I think he needs to choose you.”
    â€œDo you mean that I should encourage Villiers?” She wrinkled her nose.
    â€œPerhaps. But I also mean that someone should flirt with the duke, someone as powerful and beautiful as you.”
    â€œYou cannot be suggesting that I encourage another woman to court my husband!”
    He shrugged. “No woman in London would dare do so unless you make it clear that you are uninterested, and frankly, indifference will only serve your cause. No man wants the woman who lies prostrate at his feet.” Corbin’s eyes drifted down to his feet, as if seeing feminine hands curled pleadingly around his ankles.
    â€œI would never plead,” Jemma stated.
    â€œI am merely suggesting that you do not inform the world of your newfound passion. Let the duke come to you. Win your attentions from another man, if possible. Beaumont married at a young age, and for obvious reasons he never indulged in any sort of exuberant naughtiness.”
    â€œHe did have a young woman pursuing him last year,” Jemma pointed out. “Don’t you remember Miss Tatlock?”
    â€œThe one you called Miss Fetlock? She of the long nose and abrasive intelligence? Please, Jemma. A truerival would have to be someone of your stature in beauty, wit, and status.”
    â€œHis mistress’s name was Sarah Cobbett,” Jemma said.
    â€œThat speaks for itself, doesn’t it? The poor man has experienced nothing but well-meaning intimacies with a woman graced by the name Cobbett . I am moved near to tears at the thought of