A Lover of Men Read Online Free Page B

his lover contacting her. Not at all.
    In fact, Rafe rather thought she was jealous.
     
    ****
     
    “Honestly, Amelie. It’s not as though I’m jealous.” Lelia paced, her skirts tripping her up every time she turned around. Blast the gauzy fabric that was all the rage, clinging to her, making her fear she might fall.
    Her cousin’s wife sat in the men’s parlor, bare feet tucked under her, her bonnet and wrap flung willy nilly on the library table. Amelie had come immediately when Lelia sent her message, driving her own dogcart and scandalizing the neighborhood.
    Amelie sipped her tea, appearing thoughtful more than sympathetic. “No, of course not. You chose him for just that reason.”
    “Exactly. Still, how dare he accost me in public and flaunt his liaison with my fiancé?” She waved her hands. “So rude.”
    “Terribly,” Amelie murmured into her cup. Was that a smile playing about her lips?
    “This is not amusing, Amelie!”
    She had not told Eustace’s wife about her intentions ere now for fear she would tell Eustace and he would foul her plan. Now Lelia wondered if she had made a mistake asking her over.
    “No, no. Naturally not. He’s a scoundrel. Is he handsome?”
    “Phineas?” Her belly ached when she thought how stunning he was. “He’s quite pleasing.”
    “No, no. The Spaniard.” Amelie’s gray eyes twinkled. “How exciting! A triangle.”
    “You are not helping,” Lelia said repressively, but her lips twitched.
    “Am I not? I cannot help it. I adore Eustace, as you know, but I occasionally long for a dash of bounder to keep things interesting.”
    “You’re awful.” Lelia moved to the other end of the divan and sat, her hands in her lap. “I should have a brandy to calm my nerves.”
    “I’ll join you.” Setting aside her tea, Amelie leaped to her feet so she could find the decanter. “How big a glass?”
    “Lush,” Lelia accused.
    “Any chance I get. I love to drink spirits, but Eustace doesn’t like me to indulge.”
    “Well, I suppose it’s not considered ladylike.” Lelia shared a smile with Amelie.
    “Not a bit.” Amelie sipped her brandy after pouring a generous glass.
    “As to your question, yes, the Spaniard is quite handsome. I can see why Phineas chose him.” A pang of envy stabbed her, and Lelia reminded herself that she did not want the pressure of the marriage bed. That she had chosen Phineas precisely because he had a fondness for the male of the species.
    “And you’re quite sure that Phineas is not, er, affected by your charms as well? Perhaps he chose to take a lover after all this time because of your plot. To lend your tale verisimilitude.”
    “Oh.” Lelia blinked. “Do you think so?”
    “Anything is possible, love. Honestly, I can tell you the marriage bed is not at all a chore with the right man.” Amelie’s cheeks heated, and Lelia thought it had little to do with the brandy.
    “Perhaps I should ask Phineas for a meeting. Tell him what his new association did today.”
    “I think that’s a fine idea. Can I stay and meet him?”
    “Certainly not.” Lelia laughed, though. “I assure you, we’ll go on an outing soon, all four of us.”
    “Oh, well. At least let me finish my drink while you dash off your summons.”
    “Absolutely.” Lelia hugged her cousin’s wife impulsively. “Thank you for coming, Amelie. I think we could be friends.”
    Amelie blinked at her for a moment before throwing both arms around her and hugging her back. “Yes. Yes, I think we can.”
     
    ****
     
    Phineas received Lelia’s summons just after he finished dressing for his evening out with Rafe. His footman handed him the folded, sealed quarto sheet, and he knew right away whose seal pressed down the wax.
    He waved off his footman and opened the missive, smiling at the handwriting he found. Well-formed, but rather straight and lacking the flourishes so many letter writers employed to make their point. Practical, like the lady