Sari Robins by When Seducing a Spy Page B

Gammon is my new companion. I wish for her to be a member of the society as well.”
    “The more the merrier as far as I’m concerned,” Bills mimicked with a smile.
    Miss Gammon nodded. “Male or female. Why should the society exclude anyone based upon unreasonable grounds? Isn’t that a founding principle of the place? These men could hardly help the sex to which they were born.”
    “And who wouldn’t wish to be the fairer and sweeter.” Tess raised a brow; her eyes fixed on Heath were filled with that irresistible challenge.
    Heath smiled, ready to give it right back to her. “You’re about as sweet as sour lemon drops.”
    Shaking her head, Tess set a hand to her shapely hip. “You really know how to charm the chairwoman of the membership committee.”
    He stepped forward. “I’d sooner charm the scales off a dragon.”
    Beaming falsely, she moved closer, and he got a whiff of lavender bouquet. “Are you sure you don’t wish to give me my two hundred pounds right now and save us some wasted time?”
    He beamed just as falsely back. “And miss your jovial company? Never.”
    Tess sighed deeply as if greatly put out, her lush breasts rising and falling. Heath’s gaze strayed to those milky white mounds, and he had to wonder what it would be like to see more than just the hint of her wiles that her gown permitted. He imagined that her nipples were peach-colored to match her lips, and that the lush flesh of her breasts would mold perfectly into his hands.
    “Very well, then. I suppose we must allow you to complete the process.” Tess turned to Lady Blankett. “Janelle, if you would?”
    Heath blinked, brought back to the conversation by Tess’s self-satisfied tone. He coughed into his hand, forcibly leashing his wayward thoughts.
    Lady Blankett nodded, a mischievous gleam in her catlike eyes. “It would be my pleasure.”
    Heath exchanged a glance with Bills, who was quick to inquire, “And what is it that would be your pleasure, Lady Blankett?”
    “I’m going to show you firsthand the reform program the society manages.” The matron beamed proudly. “Marks-Cross Street Prison.”
    Heath glared at Tess, knowing that she was behind this little stunt. “You’re sending us to prison?” He would do what he needed to, but couldn’t help but needle Tess. To not do so would be as unnatural as not petting a cute pup when it jumped at your leg.
    Tess smiled. “Don’t worry, it’s only for the afternoon…this time.”
    “Criminal defense is not my specialty.” Bills clasped his hands over his protruding belly. “And my friend Heath here cannot defend anyone as he is an adviser only to the Crown.”
    “This is not in your capacities as members of the bar, but as potential members of the Society for the Enrichment and Learning of”—Tess’s smile broadened.—“Females. And given that this is a prison for females, and where we perform some of our good works, acquainting yourselves with it is an important component of the application process.”
    Though he knew he was going, Heath had to ask, “What, pray tell, could we possibly hope to accomplish visiting Marks-Cross Street Prison?”
    Lady Blankett adjusted the lacy shawl on her shoulders. “You will witness firsthand how we select the women who truly wish to improve their lot, and then we will watch my maid Margo teach some of the women how to darn clothing. This shawl was knitted by one of our reformed women, a Mrs. Kent whose husband had gambled the family into debt and then quite considerately up and died. Now she makes garments for the extraordinary modiste Madame Clavelle.”
    Heath’s eyes narrowed, fixing on Tess. “And where will you be while we’re getting educated?”
    “I am taking Countess di Notari and Miss Gammon to my home where they can meet some of the women who have successfully completed the program and reentered society as productive workers.”
    “That sounds very interesting.” Heath scratched his chin, curious