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The silk between her fingers whispered of midnight seductions.
Of strong hands deftly untying lacings.
She pictured the silk crumpled next to his bed.
Then she pictured herself naked... in his bed. All her many questions about to be answered.
His strong hands on her body.
Shaping her waist. Tangling in her hair. Pulling her close...
She wanted to experience lovemaking with Nick, but would she be able to protect her heart?
Aunt Sarah drew near and the potent scent of jasmine enveloped Alice. “What’s the matter? This is perfect for your purposes.”
“I’m worried,” Alice whispered.
Aunt Sarah made a motion with her hand and the shopgirl busied herself folding fabrics a short distance away.
“What are you worried about?” Aunt Sarah asked.
“I don’t want to fall in love with Lord Hatherly,” Alice admitted. “It’s not part of my plan. My friends told me that he’s a rake, and incapable of love, so I must maintain the upper hand. Is it possible to give one’s body without surrendering one’s heart?”
Aunt Sarah gave a rich, melodious laugh. “I’m living proof, my darling. I may be scandalous and shunned by polite society, but some of the world’s most powerful men have knelt at my French-heeled slippers.”
“And you never fell in love with any of your... protectors?”
“I fell in and out of love, I suppose, but I never lost a moment of sleep over it. I was always in complete control.” Aunt Sarah winked. “It’s been loads of fun being a Lady Rake.”
A Lady Rake.
Alice liked the sound of it. “But I’m not as sophisticated as you are.”
“That’s what the corset is for, darling. And you’re my niece, are you not? I rather think you and I have more in common than you imagine.”
“Do you really think I can manage it?”
“Of course you can.” Aunt Sarah chucked Alice under the chin, her rings cold against Alice’s skin. “Now then, what do you say?” She gestured toward the corset.
The shopgirl returned, looking expectant.
Alice exhaled sharply. “Wrap it up, please.”
“That’s my niece,” Aunt Sarah said approvingly. “We’ll make a seductress of you yet. First the corset... and then the soup.”
Now she’d lost Alice. “The... soup?”
“You must keep him guessing. Always maintain control. Stay one step ahead,” explained Aunt Sarah as the shopgirl wrapped up their purchases. “Think, darling. You’re clearly an intelligent lady. How does he gain control over you?”
“He kisses me and my knees go weak.”
“Precisely. And how do you regain control?”
“Um... find a way to make his knees turn weak?”
“That’s right. Knock him off balance. And I’ve always found a hearty chicken soup does the trick. Men don’t even know they crave it—warm, fragrant, simple, comforting—but a few spoonfuls and voilá! They fall at your feet. Think of this as a game of cards. Hatherly won the first hand by staying out all night. You will win the second hand with my two-part strategy. I promise.”
Alice was still attempting to wrap her mind around the soup strategy. Why was she supposed to cook for him? But Aunt Sarah was undoubtedly an expert.
