The Marriage Lesson Read Online Free Page B

was . . . ”
    He stepped back and cleared his throat. “Yes, well, I do hope that was satisfactory.”
    “Quite.” A lovely warm glow washed through her. More than satisfactory. “Although—just to be certain, you understand—I think you should try again.”
    He stared at her for a long moment, his expression puzzled, as if he were trying to determine precisely what she meant.
    “I think you should kiss me again,” she said, with deliberate emphasis on each and every word. Perhaps the man was mad after all. Or simpleminded. Or maybe he just didn’t want to kiss her again.
    He shook his head slowly. “I think not.”
    “Why not?”
    “Because you’ve had too much to drink, I’ve had too much to drink. You’re Richard’s sister. You’re under my protection.” He ran his hand through his hair and glowered. “How many more reasons do you need?”
“Those will serve.” She grinned. “For the moment.”
    “Forever.”
    “We shall see, my lord,” she said primly and headed toward the door, resisting the urge to glance at him over her shoulder. “We shall see.”

Chapter 2
    “T he neckline should be lowered a bit.” Jocelyn frowned down at the décolletage of her new ball gown. “Don’t you agree?”
    She stood on a hassock, elevated barely a few feet above the floor, yet high enough to allow her to gaze over the small assembly with the attitude of a queen surveying the peasants. A seamstress’s assistant blessed with the patient soul of a saint was busy trying to pin Jocelyn’s hem in place. Becky and Marianne together had taken less than half the time with their gowns as Jocelyn was taking with hers.
    Marianne perched on the edge of a chair and paged through a book in an effort to force her attention on something other than the letter hidden among its pages and the need to speak to her sisters in private. Without their support, she couldn’t possibly succeed in her plan.
    Becky lounged on a nearby chaise and tried to stifle a yawn. “I think if it was any lower your bosoms would spring free of their own accord.”
    “Rebecca,” Aunt Louella snapped.
    “At least I have bosoms worthy of springing free,” Jocelyn said loftily.
Aunt Louella narrowed her eyes. “Jocelyn.”
    “My bosoms are worthy of springing free.” Becky frowned, staring down at her own bust. She drew a deep breath and slowly released it, then nodded as if satisfied. “More than worthy.”
    “That’s quite enough from both of you. I’ve never heard such nonsense. You are well-bred young ladies and I expect you to behave as such.” Aunt Louella’s glare pinned first Jocelyn then Becky. “And well-bred young ladies do not discuss the worthiness of their bosoms.”
    “Of course, Aunt Louella. And I do apologize,” Jocelyn said sweetly, “to you.”
    Becky opened her mouth to respond and Marianne shot her a quelling glance. Indecision washed over the younger girl’s face, then she clamped her mouth shut, but rebellion still glittered in her eyes. Marianne groaned to herself; this was a truce at best, uneasy and more than likely brief.
    She should have said something when the squabbling began. Since their older sister Emma had married last year, Marianne had been thrust into the role of peacemaker between the younger girls, a position she did not relish. Still, she should be grateful, since on those rare occasions when Jocelyn and Becky cooperated with each other they were a force to be reckoned with.
    The dressmaker rocked back on her heels, studied Jocelyn’s hem, then raised a questioning brow. Aunt Louella first frowned in consideration, then nodded her approval. “That will do. Now, then, I wish to speak with you about some of the patterns—”
“Why don’t you take her in the other room?” Marianne said brightly and got to her feet. “That way you can discuss whatever you’d like without us hanging about and adding our opinions every two seconds.”
    “I quite like adding my opinion,” Jocelyn said