To Charm a Bluestocking

by Renée Dahlia

  ‘He’s a right nuisance, that’s what he is. Not at all what I was expecting Father to send when I asked him for a fiancé,’ said Josephine. She slowed her pace considerably as they got closer to the café. She flicked her gaze between her friends and Nicholas. Marie and Claire had wide-eyed expressions with little grins; and Nicholas. Hmm. Nicholas sat outside in a rare moment of sunshine. It was still cold, and she could see his breath misting out as he sat there watching the canal. The sun hung low in the sky, even at lunchtime. It created a halo of light around his sandy brown hair. Josephine closed her eyes to avoid being drawn to the general picture of handsomeness he created. As if he needed any assistance, she thought, a vague bitter taste in her mouth. Even without the sun illuminating him, he was sensuality incarnate. Tall, broad-shouldered, with that light-hearted charm that put her off balance.

  As they walked towards him, Claire whistled under her breath. Josephine dug her elbow into Claire’s ribs and cleared her throat. He must have heard their footsteps on the pavement, as he stood and turned towards the group. He bowed low as they approached, his smile wide and full of welcome. The back of Josephine’s neck had goosebumps as she felt his gaze burn into her skin. She glanced quickly at her friends. Traitors. They smiled at Nicholas in a way that Josephine could only describe as eager. She squared her shoulders in readiness.

  ‘Lord St. George. I’d like to introduce my good friends, Miss Carlingford and Miss de Groot. They study medicine alongside me and will be joining us for lunch,’ she said.

  ‘Excellent,’ he replied. ‘Now I will be surrounded by beautiful, subversive women.’ His voice was smooth. Josephine raised her right eyebrow as the sound rested on her skin. She couldn’t look away. She wriggled her fingers to prevent herself rubbing away the burst of heat around her neck. Marie giggled. Even Claire appeared to be charmed by his easy acceptance of their unique status.

  ‘Times are changing, my lord. Men should be scared. In a hundred years we will be running the world. And doing a damned sight better job than the current leadership,’ Claire said. Josephine waited for Nicholas—St. George—to take Claire’s bait, but again the ground shifted under her feet as he blindsided her.

  ‘Quite likely. Of course, that is why I chose an educated woman for my fiancée. It will give our children a natural advantage in a changing future.’

  Josephine blushed. Children with Nicholas. Oh my gosh! Children were not something she had ever considered, or was even sure she wanted. She looked away from the group and licked her lips.

  ‘Nic …’ She cleared her throat. He stood in the mild sunlight, his hands loosely clasped behind his back, a slight grin on his face, as if he heard the admonishment she didn’t say. As if he found her amusing. She narrowed her eyes at him in an effort to sharpen her glare.

  ‘It is a waste of half the population not to allow women an education. The recent explosion of knowledge in the sciences and invention shows that scholars of both genders are having successes in all manner of fields,’ he said. Her friends smiled and nodded their agreement. Josephine wanted to stomp her feet—the traitors!

  ‘St. George,’ she said, her voice sharp. ‘My friends know this is fake. We don’t need to pretend that there is any future here. Father sent you to solve a problem. I want to know how you are going to achieve that.’

  His smile broke into a deep chuckle that sent beams of scorching heat down her body. The sound blew all thoughts from her head, and her dress tightened. The fabric prickled at her sensitised skin. She fiddled with her gloves to undo the buttons, needing to expose her hands to the cool air.

  ‘Your father warned me about your diplomatic skills. By all means, let’s get directly to the point. But first, shall we retire to a table inside where it is warmer and thus more comfortable?’ he asked.

  Josephine’s feet were heavy as she watched him move towards the main door and hold it open. Her friends bustled through and she made herself follow. Inside, Claire laid claim to an empty table. The café was decorated in light, bright colours with a large fireplace heating the room. The room was designed to invoke memories of sunshine for all the customers inside. Several groups of people were at various tables, eating, drinking coffee and enjoying respite from the cold outside. As the group sat, Nicholas waved to the waitress who came directly over. Josephine watched while her friends spent some time ordering luncheon; roast meats with potatoes with a variety of sides containing different vegetables and cheeses. Nicholas ordered the new pilsner style of beer, rather than the popular local wheat beer, to which Claire raised her eyebrows.

  ‘Do you prefer the pilsner style?’ she queried.

  ‘Yes, I’ve spent a lot of time in the Germanic Empire and it is popular there. The local wheat beer that they sell in most places here is too heavy for my tastes. Are you a connoisseur of beer on top of your other achievements?’

  Claire laughed.

  ‘My father has a large brewing operation in England, among his many investments, and has been discussing importing the recipes of several of the newer styles from Europe to brew there. So he wanted me to report on what the locals drink.’

  ‘Your father asked you to do market research for him?’ asked Nicholas and Josephine smiled smugly as she heard the amazement in his voice. Moments like this made up for Claire’s exuberance. She watched as Claire took a big breath.

  ‘Yes. I realise it’s unconventional, but you’ll have to get used to the idea of women who have unconventional goals if you are going to pose as Josephine’s fiancé.’

  Josephine grinned at her friend’s forthrightness. She did help move the conversation to just where it needed to go. She took a sip of her coffee and the silky liquid slid down her throat. She was truly grateful for Claire as the conversation meandered away from her and her troubles.

  ‘There is no greater challenge than partnering an unusual woman. I believe myself to be eminently qualified for the role. Does your father often require you to work for the business? Is that how you have ended up here?’ Nicholas responded. Josephine’s smile broadened as he went toe to toe with Claire. She flicked her eyes over to Marie whose face was crinkled with delight.

  ***

  Nicholas stared at Josephine, his mouth open. That grin transformed Josephine’s face illuminating her into a true beauty. The sight sent a shot of desire to his loins. He barely heard Claire’s response as his attention held firm towards Josephine.

  ‘My father is both demanding and supportive, but even he understands that most men don’t want to be told what to do by a mere female. If I am to run one of his businesses, then I need to have experience under my belt to give me the gravitas required. Becoming a doctor, a difficult enough task even for a man, will provide the necessary show of character that will be required,’ she said. There was a short silence when Claire finished. Josephine and Marie shared a look that told Nicholas they’d heard this speech before. A slightly sly glance, yet full of admiration for their friend. He sipped his beer and decided that there was no ethical dilemma in using Josephine’s friend to find the answer to a puzzle he’d mused over since being given this assignment.

  ‘Makes sense, but you are obviously English to your toes. Why Amsterdam?’ he asked. Claire shrugged.

  ‘As much as I hate to give a man credit for it, it’s Marie’s father’s fault,’ said Claire. Josephine nodded. Marie laughed, a cute giggle that went well with her petite frame and blonde hair.

  ‘His ambition’s fault you mean!’ She rolled her eyes and nudged Claire on the arm. ‘It’s not enough for my father to be the Vice Chancellor and run the university. He has to get his name into the history books as a world changing Vice Chancellor.’

  ‘Allowing women to be enrolled will certainly achieve that,’ interjected Josephine quietly. Her voice was soft and slightly breathy and made Nicholas wonder how it would feel against his skin. He shuffled slightly in his seat to spread his legs under the table.

  ‘I thank him for making the process so easy. Every English univ
ersity sneered at the idea of accepting my enrolment. They didn’t want the bad publicity, especially after the Hope Scholarship debacle. It’s nice to have a place to study where there is no fight,’ said Josephine.

  ‘Less of a fight, you mean,’ said Claire.

  ‘And speaking of a fight, how are we going to rid Josephine of her dreadful admirer?’ Marie spoke quickly. Josephine shot her friend a look that made Nicholas curious about the dynamics between the friends.

  ‘It’ll be no use having a fiancé if Van Percy doesn’t see him out and about with you. You’ll have to be seen together to make it seem real,’ said Claire.

  ‘My thoughts completely,’ said Marie, and they clinked their coffee mugs together.

  ‘Obviously, Lord St. George must come to the university celebration dinner tomorrow night,’ said Claire. Because he was so attuned to Josephine, he saw in an instant that this suggestion made Josephine uncomfortable. She had lowered her chin, and had a deep frown. She dropped her hands under the table, but not before Nicholas saw the slight tremble.

  ‘It’s perfect,’ declared Marie. ‘Although it will take some effort to arrange it smoothly. The table settings are all done, Father has signed them off. Ideally we’d need them to sit together for it to be believable.’

  ‘If it’s too hard …’ said Josephine. He heard the quiver in her voice and he wanted to soothe away her worries.

  ‘Nothing is too hard. Leave it with me, I will arrange everything,’ said Nicholas.

  ‘But how?’ she asked. He noticed her shoulders relax then tense again. Her lips parted and she leant towards him. The neckline of her dress gaped slightly at the front. It gave him a distracting glimpse of her flushed décolletage. He ran his hand through his hair and looked deep into her hazel green eyes. The flush rose across her face, and his hips strained towards her under the table. He took a sip of his beer to give his hands an occupation.

  ‘There is a reason that Walstone chose me for this assignment. I have years of experience in gaining invitations to society dinners and ensuring I am seated by the person who holds the information we require.’

  ‘Nicholas,’ Josephine admonished. Her whole body resonated with instant tension. She sat tall in her seat and glared at him. ‘You can’t mention Father’s name in public. You of all people should know that.’

  ‘Why not?’ queried Claire. Nicholas heard the rampant curiosity in her voice and saw Josephine twist in her chair to stare at Claire.

  ‘You never talk about your family, yet you are here, and presumably with money and parental support behind you. It’s still only 1887!’ Claire said as she waved her hands about. Nicholas pulled his mug of beer out of her way.

  ‘Regardless of where I think society ought to stand on this subject, we are all only here because we have the right connections. But you never mention yours,’ said Claire.

  ‘Yes, well, of course I have support from my family,’ said Josephine. How she managed to shrug her shoulders while she held herself so rigid, he didn’t know. She pointed her finger at him, and her eyes narrowed furiously.

  ‘Mentioning Father’s name is not about me. It’s better for him if my connections are kept quiet. Secret, even. St. George should know better. Even among trusted friends we are still in public where anyone could hear,’ Josephine said. Nicholas leant back in his seat and raised his hands behind his head.

  ‘Come now, your friends know this arrangement. I assumed they would have all the background. Perhaps they should know.’

  ‘That’s not my decision. It’s up to Father. And he wouldn’t want it said here—where anyone could hear. I’ve enrolled without mention of my connections for his protection, by his orders.’ Josephine’s voice rose with each word. She stood up and again thrust her pointed finger at him. He forced himself to stay still, to maintain his relaxed posture. There was a pause and he rubbed the back of his neck. So, she’d never mentioned Walstone in four years. That took some control. His admiration for her mind grew. His erection also grew as he looked up at her. Her chest heaved as she focused her anger on him.

  ‘Stop bickering, you two. If you are going to pull off this engagement at the dinner, you will need to have a viable story about each other,’ said Marie. Josephine sat down and he heard her let out a big whoosh of breath. She rested her elbow on the table and rubbed her forehead. After a long pause, she lifted her head and stared wide-eyed at Marie.

  ‘True. We have only just met. We don’t know each other. Did Father give any indication about how he expects you to proceed on this matter?’ said Josephine as she turned her head towards him. Her gaze flittered around the room.

  ‘I believe he expects that we will learn about each other the old-fashioned way,’ Nicholas said, stretching backwards. He couldn’t help bait her, especially when it produced such glorious results. His words had the desired effect. She pinched her lips as she looked at him with daggers drawn. ‘I already know that you are determined in your studies. I know that you have two lovely friends who you can depend upon in times of strife. I know that you like to be left in peace to study, you’ve already told me that several times. The rest will come with time,’ he said in as light a tone as he could manage. He deliberately brought his hands down to the table and leant towards her. He was rewarded as her angry flush dissolved into a pleasant blush. A hint of a grin flashed on her mouth before she schooled her face back towards neutral. He watched intently as her eyes slowly lost their anger. Her eyes changed and widened. He could see her thoughts racing towards panic, and he wanted to hold her hands. He fought his own hands for control bunching them into fists on his thighs.

  ‘We don’t have time,’ she blurted. She rubbed her throat and swallowed.

  ‘At least, not if you are coming to the dinner tomorrow,’ she said. She heard Marie clear her throat at the awkward tension that swirled around the table.

  ‘Perhaps Josephine is right. You aren’t the person for this job,’ said Marie. She reached out to rub Josephine’s arm in a comforting gesture.

  ‘You seem to upset her with almost every statement. It won’t be believable if you fight all evening. Somehow the two of you are going to have to work out a way to pretend a relationship without bickering.’

  ‘It’s like we are married already,’ said Nicholas. Claire snorted out a giggle. Josephine growled under her breath. Her head flew up and she stared intensely at him.

  ‘This isn’t going to work. I asked Father for a solution, not another problem.’

  ‘Excuse us,’ Nicholas said to the other two and reached out for Josephine’s hand. Thanks to the lovely warm room, everyone had taken their gloves off when they had sat down. His bare hand covered her bare skin, and sensation burnt into him. She tugged at him, trying to snatch her hand back. He held firm, his hand wrapped around her soft skin. He ran his thumb over her palm and was rewarded as her skin flushed a deeper shade of pink.

  ***

  Josephine swore under her breath as Nicholas pulled her to her feet. He pressed one hand to the middle of her back, and awareness shot up her spine. Surrounded by him, her whole body came alive with feeling. Even her toes tingled in her shoes as he gently herded her out the door into the weak sunshine. Why wasn’t she threatened by him? He was bigger and stronger than her. Effectively muscling her out of the room, away from the safety of her friends. Yet, somewhere in this electrical storm of sensation, she knew she could trust him. Strange.

  Her lips parted as the cold hit her face like a wet rock and yet the shock did nothing to dim her overdriven senses. His large hand enveloped hers and radiated heat up her arm. She shivered as sensual allure flooded her body. All that heat merged in her core. She licked her lips and brushed her free hand down the front of her dress, as this new sense of pleasure overtook her body. She had spent most of her life feeling too large, and yet, just by holding her hand, he made her feel slight and fragile. She liked it, too much.

  ‘Stop,’ she said. She tried to pull her hand free as they stood together outside
in the rear garden of the pub. ‘What the hell do you think you are about?’ She pushed his chest with her free hand. St. George used the hand on her back to pull her close to him and Josephine found herself being kissed thoroughly. Outraged, she struggled against him but the sensations of being held firmly, but not roughly, by St. George started to filter through and she melted into him.

  Her eyes were still open from the initial shock, and his gaze connected directly into hers. The bright blue of his eyes, lined with a ring of golden fire, sparkled with humour as he held her in his kiss. He kept one hand on her back, and the other had dropped her hand and crept up until he cradled her head. She quit the fight—why fight such a glorious sensation—and sighed into the kiss. She pulled her hand free from between them and pressed herself into him. She closed her eyes to hide from his gaze. It was a mistake, because now she was free to feel. His tongue ran across her lips and the skin at the edge of his lips was slightly rough against hers. The contrast added to the rampant sensation. He used his tongue to increase the pressure against her lips. She opened for him. Quivers of intensity rippled down her body. Her knees weakened. Her arms hung beside her and as the kiss deepened she reached out instinctively to slide her hands up to his shoulders. This action brought them even closer together, her breasts flattening against his hard chest. Her toes curled in her shoes as the sensations grew. His tongue tangled with hers and she deliberately copied him. He growled into her mouth and a shard of desire speared down her spine.

  ‘If you’d wanted a moment with Josephine, you should have just asked. You didn’t need to go to such dramatic lengths to kiss her,’ Claire exclaimed. Josephine leapt backwards as if stung and stood there panting. Her gaze flicked between Claire and St. George. There was a roaring sound in her ears, and her heart banged hard as it tried to escape through her ribs.

  ‘That was unwise,’ Josephine said to no-one and everyone. She hauled in a big breath and tried to find her mental balance. She glanced at Nicholas and he grinned, predator-like with slightly narrowed eyes. She forced her body to turn away from him and walk towards Claire with a miniscule shake of her head. Her face was hot, even on this frigid day. Claire seemed to understand. She reached out for her hand and tucked it on her arm. Together they walked back into the café.