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

how about a poem, some sort of verse that he cant understand immediately?
    Im not very good at poetry, Nel said dubiously. I can read and write, you know. But poetry might be a little She looked at Harriet.
    You could write a poem.
    This is your seduction, Nel .
    He would never know. And I think youre right. Look at him now.
    Strange was stil dancing with Sophia Grafton.
    He looks bored, Nel said. Even if Sophia pasted herself al over with pearls, hed stil be bored.
    Harriet had to agree. Strange looked like a man who had bedded many a woman and lost interest in it, pearls or no. She had thought she had no interest in bed too, ever since Benjamin died. But now she couldnt help looking at Stranges muscles and wondering
    I hope youre looking at Sophia with that look in your eyes, Nel said. Because otherwise you are truly unlucky. I never heard a peep about Strange being a mol y, if you dont mind my bluntness.
    So you real y dont think I can afford her? Harriet asked, making herself sound wistful.
    Never, Nel said. Not unless your father owns forty flour mil s, or something of that nature.
    Harriet shook her head.
    Then dont even look at her again, Nel advised. Think about her wrinkles. Meanwhile you can plan the letter were writing Strange.
    We ? Harriet asked.
    We, or rather you, Nel said. The more I think about it, the better your suggestion is, Harry. Of course you should write the letter, because you can make it intriguing and intel igent and mysterious. Whereas I would just ask him to pay me a visit. Which, she added, works for most men, I assure you.
    Im sure it does, Harriet said. But I cant write your letter, Nel .
    Yes, you can. If you do, Il introduce you to my favorite Grace. Her name is Kitty and shes lovely. If she were an actress I would be hideously jealous of her.
    So the Graces are not actresses?
    Oh, no. I dont enquire too much about what they do in their performances. Nel grinned. They pose for gentlemens paintings. If you have enough money, you can have al of them pose for you at once.
    Naked? Harriet squeaked.
    Nel giggled. How else?
    How else indeed? It was fascinating to see how much more open relations between men and women seemed to be in Lord Stranges world.
    I believe they employ some gauze scarves here and there. But I am going to get you Nel paused impressively a private showing with Kitty. She general y plays Eratodo you know what she inspires?
    Harriet shook her head.
    Erotic poetry, Nel said cheerful y. Apparently she knows realms of it and can recite in three different languages.
    Thats it! Harriet said.
    What?
    Erotic poetry. You need to send him snippets of verse. Hel be intrigued by it.

    Not if he thinks Im Kitty, he wont. Kitty would be lovely for you, but shes a bit of a giggler. I dont think Strange We can make that clear, Harriet said. But dont you see how wel this wil work? You can send him a verse or two a day for a time, and then fix a place to meet. Then you can do al those things you wont tel me about, and you wont need letters any more.
    You are wonderful, Harry! Nel said. Wonderful! And its so useful that you know about that kind of poetry. I suppose its because youre a man. No one ever writes me poetry. She looked rather wistful.
    Ive never read any, Harriet said bluntly.
    Oh. Never mind, Nel said, patting Harriets hand. Il ask Kitty to share some of her books with you. I think she travels with them al the time. You can pick something out.
    Shouldnt you pick the poem? Harriet asked.
    Too busy, Nel said quickly. We have to rehearse first thing in the morning, you know. In fact, Id better go to bed. Il ask Kitty to bring you a book of verse this very evening. In your bedchamber. So think about that, Harry. And you wil deliver my letter in the morning, wont you?
    And with that she pressed a kiss on Harriets cheek and left.

Chapter Eleven
    Yet Still She Lies, and to Him Cries, Once More!
    K itty turned out to be a lovely little person with pale gold hair with a faintly brassy tone