“You’ve read it, then?” Fancy asked.
“No, I’ve not read the book, but I’ve heard it’s not terribly detailed when it comes to describing the more intimate encounters. It’s the journey of a woman falling in love... with a rake. Apparently.”
“Having fallen in love with one myself,” Aslyn said, “I can well imagine such a telling has the potential to provide an absorbing read. I suspect the staider and more boring among us are the ones raising the fuss about it.”
“On the contrary, I suspect, they’re the ones reading it and making it so dashed difficult to find,” Fancy said.
Regina released a small burst of laughter. “Do you truly think so?”
“Absolutely. We all have things for which we secretly yearn. Books open worlds to us, and a person shouldn’t be made to feel ashamed of their reading choices.”
“I quite agree.”
“We have one patron who will only write down the title she wishes us to find for her. She’ll never say it out loud. Embarrassed, I think, for anyone to hear what she wants to read. I find it remarkably sad that she’s not comfortable sharing her joy of the material with others.”
“But at least the material is available to her,” Aslyn said. “The book I want to read is not available to me and that’s upsetting. It has piqued my curiosity even more to discover what is in it that others find offensive.”
“From what I understand,” Fancy said, “some view it as a danger because the heroine is unwed and carrying on as though she were, having relations outside the boundaries of marriage. As you are well aware, among proper society, that sort of behavior is not to be tolerated. Some fear the book might encourage people, in particular single ladies, to engage in illicit liaisons.”
“People aren’t supposed to murder either,” Regina said, “but no one is shouting ‘Oh, the obscenity of it,’ when it comes to detective novels.”
“I’d never thought of it that way,” Fancy said. “Can you imagine how my brother Beast would react to having the detective novels he pens banned? I daresay he’d have a word or two to say about that once he finally takes his seat in the House of Lords.”
“I am more intrigued than ever,” Aslyn said. “Fancy, you absolutely must secure me a copy.”
“I shall speak with the publisher again. Perhaps he has one hidden away somewhere. If not, well, I do know of some shops that sell that which is not to be sold.”
“Are you referring to an underground market?” Regina asked.
“Quite. I don’t dabble in it. My family has worked too hard to earn respectability, and I have no desire to have my shop invaded or torn apart by a well-intentioned constable or whoever is charged with enforcing these laws.”
“Any destruction of your property would be such a shame,” Aslyn said. “It is the loveliest shop and so welcoming. Have you ever visited, Regina?”
“I’ve not but have decided I must in the very near future.”
“I’m hardly ever in the bookshop these days,” Fancy said, “but if you let me know when you’re coming, I’ll make a point to be there.”
Regina smiled. It was so lovely to have friends. She wished she’d known these ladies when she was younger. They were incredibly accepting, but then she’d yet to meet a Trewlove who sat in judgment of anyone. “You’re so very ki—”
A warm sensation settled along the nape of her neck, causing the fine hairs to shimmer pleasantly, and she knew,knew, who had quietly approached even before he spoke. She had always, somehow, instinctually sensed when he was near, drawing her toward him, just as the moon did the tides.
“Ladies. Miss Leyland.”
She understood Knightly intended no insult with his forms of address but was merely exhibiting proper etiquette by giving each the respect due her. The other two were ladies—one by marriage, the other by birth. And Regina was amissby lack of marriageand questionable birth. She didn’t know why their forebears had decided distinctions were necessary. Or how they had determined what was polite behavior. At the moment, she had a desire to be incredibly impolite and simply ignore the scoundrel. However, doing so might give him the impression he was of consequence. Better to face him with disdain so clarity reigned, and he understood he mattered not at all.
“My lord,” her two companions said in unison, while she slowly turned, arching one eyebrow and holding the rest of her features immobile, showing no other reaction to his presence. Although inwardly, she cursed soundly. The man was handsome enough in ordinary clothes, but when wearing his black evening attire, he was gorgeous. And well he knew it.
His cerulean gaze was homed in on her, and she began to grow warm under his intense perusal. It seemed to last a lifetime, but it couldn’t have been more than a few seconds before he spoke, with a slight lowering of his head. “Miss Leyland, would you be kind enough to honor me with a waltz?”
“I would not.”
His eyes flared briefly. Obviously, he’d not been expecting her to rebuff his invitation, especially in view of witnesses. He shifted his attention to the other two. “I don’t suppose you’d give us a moment.”
“No need,” Regina said, “as I can’t tolerate the fetid air that blew in with your arrival.”
She’d barely taken a step before he moved in front of her. “Please. One dance.”
“You are under the misconception that I would bewilling to give you anything at all. Why this sudden urge of yours to continually approach me is beyond my ability to comprehend. I don’t know how to make it any clearer, my lord, but I want nothing at all to do with you.”
