Page 104 of The Duke of a Thousand Desires

“It’s that incendiary nickname you gave him,” Jane said. “’The Duke of a Thousand Desires.’ It has caused the duchess some personal grief.”

Audrey stared at Jane in incredulous silence before she broke into laughter. “You beautiful feather-brain. That isn’t what I dubbed him. It’s close but inaccurate, at least as far as I know. We refer to him at the house as ‘The Duke Whom a Thousand Desire.’ He’s highly popular with the ladies, all the more so because he appears uncaring of the fact. And he is unattainable. My girls would adore the duke as a protector, but he’s never shown the tiniest interest in any of them. He is indifferent to our charms, not a gentleman disposed to temptation or dissipation that I have witnessed. I drew him into a heated conversation, but not into a bedchamber.” She sighed. “Such a desirable man. How happy he must make your grace.”

“Silly me,” Jane said with an embarrassed smile. “I was a little confused. Titles do that. Ravenna, does that reassure you?”

She concealed a smile. “I did not doubt him. But -- ‘his desires are indecent’?”

Jane shrugged. “I assumed if he had a thousand of them, some were bound to be indecent.”

Ravenna glanced away.

Jane tilted her head closer to Audrey’s. “I was just telling her grace how you once helped me bring Grayson to heel.”

“Oh, yes. Do I recall showing you a sketch of a Congreve rocket and a discussion on how one must take care the male missile does not prematurely discharge?”

“Your memory is splendid,” Jane said. “As was your advice. I follow it to this day. Perhaps you could give my cousin a suggestion?”

“I am always willing to help your family,” Audrey said. “Which aspect of the art of love interests your grace?”

Ravenna could have clouted Jane with her sword. “I wouldn’t know where to start.” Nor was she inclined to discuss the details of lovemaking at a party.

“I suggest starting in the Garden of Eden,” Audrey said. “By which I mean a man and a woman in their natural state. You have studied your husband’s naked body?”

Dear heaven. Their hostess had just poked her head around the door. Had she caught wind of this risqué conversation? Ravenna averted her face, certain she was blushing to her ears. When she looked up again, the Duchess of Wenderfield had vanished. Who knew what the lady had overheard? She looked pointedly at Audrey.

“I -- what did you ask me?”

Audrey smiled with infinite understanding. “Another time, a more private place. But let me leave you with one hint. Think of the duke’s body as a map to a realm of unbound intimacies. You wouldn’t consider traveling to Cornwall without foreknowledge of the pleasures and pitfalls of that destination?”

“I wouldn’t dream of traveling to my desk without wearing any clothes,” Ravenna said. She hiked up her breeches. “However, and I appreciate your vast experience in all matters sensual, it is safe to say that since my wedding night I have gathered enough knowledge to wander around the garden of earthly delights without needing explicit guideposts.”

Audrey’s smile widened. “Good for you. But you must keep an eye on him, nevertheless. Not because I believe for a moment that he would be unfaithful. However, there are women who will chase him, courtesans and viscountesses, married or not. You are the envy and admiration of not only Society but of the demimonde.”

“Perhaps I ought to join him at the party,” Ravenna murmured. “So that Society is reminded he has a wife. He hasn’t even seen my costume.”

Audrey examined her approvingly. “That’s not a bad idea. You make a handsome young man, although at first glance or even third I doubt anyone will mistake you for a duchess.” She curtsied deeply. “I do hope we meet again, your grace. I should have known that you would not be a beautiful nincompoop.”