Eloisa James - Duchess by Night by Duchess By Night Page A

one of the Graces. A friendly Grace, if you take my meaning.
    You dont have to do that, Harriet said hastily. Id be happy to bring the letter. What sort of thing do you plan to write?
    Il tel him to visit my room, Nel said, brightening up. Men like women to be very straightforward about these things.
    Harriet shot a look at Strange. He was dancing with a young woman who was smiling at him lavishly. She was exquisitely dressed in a cream gown embroidered with flowers, worn with an overskirt of puckered gauze in a ruby color. The flowers shimmered under the gauze. Harriet felt a stab of pure feminine longing.
    I can see what youre thinking, Nel said, giggling. You cant possibly afford her. Thats Sophia Grafton. Shes monstrously extravagant. I heard that she sometimes visits the mercer and pays thirty or forty guineas for a coat of winter silk, and then purchases two or three more. And she doesnt even wear the extras, just gives them to her maids. She has four maids, just for herself. Can you imagine?
    But you said there werent ladybirds at Fonthil ? Harriet asked dubiously.
    Wel , if you want to be strict about the label, Nel said. But youd never win Sophia Grafton with a simple offer of money, if thats what youre thinking. At the moment she is accompanied by Lord Childe. See, hes over there on the side of the room, talking to one of the Graces.
    The Grace in question had a blowsy, huge hair style with six or seven jeweled combs stuck in at various angles.
    I expect Sophia Grafton would drop Childe like a scorched potato if Strange showed any interest.
    Wel , thats my point, Harriet said. Im not sure that a simple letter inviting him to your bed wil be sufficient. Surely Miss Grafton has also issued such an invitation, in writing or otherwise.
    Nel looked offended. I hardly compare myself to Sophia Grafton! Why, she has to be twenty-six if shes a day. Im sure she has wrinkles around her eyes. Just look at her. Shes the sort who lies around on a couch al day long and sighs. Not very much fun in the bedchamber, if youl excuse the familiarity, Harry.
    Harriet saw exactly what she meant. But I stil think that Lord Strange has received many an invitation. You need to intrigue him somehow. Make yourself stand out.
    Nel was silent for a moment. I know! I could paint myself al over with gold and stick pearls on my body. Lord Stranges new secretary is a Frenchwoman, and she was tel ing me that Frenchwomen sometimes do that.
    But Harry said dubiously.
    I could have myself brought to his room in the guise of a statue, Nel said. And then the statue could come to life! And do such things as he would never forget! She was grinning. It would be positively Shakespearean. Shakespeare wrote a play where a statue comes to life, you know.
    Harriet was starting to feel very affectionate toward Nel . Shed never met anyone like her. Just what sort of things do you have in mind? she asked curiously.
    But shed forgotten that she was dressed as a man, and Nel burst out laughing. Youl have to discover those from some other woman, Harry my dear.
    I think gold paint sounds sticky and uncomfortable, Harriet said. And while you may be thinking that I have little experience, Nel , that is not the case.
    Nel hooted. Youre a regular rakehel , Harry! I can tel it just by looking at you.
    My point is that it doesnt sound very comfortable to be made love to if you have pearls glued to your body. Nor yet to kiss gold paint.

    No kisses? Nel said, horrified.
    I suppose your lips wont be painted, Harriet said, but I doubt that Strange would kiss you anywhere else.
    Nel pouted. I may be planning to make it a night Strange wont forget, but I certainly didnt plan on skipping my own pleasure.
    Write a letter that wil intrigue him, Harriet suggested. Keep him guessing about who you are. Perhaps with a riddle, or something of that nature.
    A riddle? Nel asked. The only riddle I know has to do with a chicken and an egg and I forget what al .
    Then perhaps not a riddle, but