Because Eleanor penned a quick note to Fanny before luncheon and received an immediate reply, she was able to visit the courtesan's private home at Crawford Place later that very afternoon.
Fanny seemed delighted to see her and listened thoughtfully as Eleanor explained how the balloon ascension had unexpectedly led to her being compromised, which would result in her marrying Lord Wrexham on the morrow.
“I hoped,” Eleanor concluded, “that you might advise me how to proceed now. Your book on capturing a husband mainly addresses the circumstances before wedlock, not afterward.”
“I would be happy to offer you suggestions,” Fanny replied before giving a wry grimace. “Sadly, you will be at a disadvantage once you are wed. Marriage changes a couple's balance of power significantly. A husband has the upper hand over a wife both legally and financially.”
“I know.” Eleanor hesitated. “But what concerns me more is winning my husband's affection. The thing is… I love Wrexham.”
“Ah, I see,” the courtesan said slowly. “You know, of course, that loving him puts you at an even-greater disadvantage?”
“Yes,” she responded, glad that Fanny understood her dilemma so quickly. “I need to know what to do, Fanny. How can I make him love me in return?”
Fanny's brow furrowed. “From what I know about Lord Wrexham, he will prove a significant challenge.”
Her observation gave Eleanor pause. “Oh?” she asked with studied casualness. “Are you acquainted with him?”
“Somewhat.” Fanny smiled, then sobered suddenly as if recalling her audience. “But not in the way you imagine, Lady Eleanor,” she added quickly. “Lord Wrexham has never been a client of mine.”
Eleanor knew her relief was showing.
“What I meant,” Fanny continued, “is that he has proven highly elusive in the past, and he is likely to remain so. You will need all the ammunition you can muster in order to win your battle for his heart.”
Unable to dispute that point, Eleanor sighed and responded with a question. “So what can I do?”
“The secret, I think, will be for you to increase his physical desire for you as much as possible.”
“And how will I accomplish that?”
Fanny answered earnestly. “Most importantly, you should remember that even though you are wedded, you are still engaged in a mating dance with your husband. You cannot appear too eager for his attentions. You cannot surrender to his charms too readily, either. Instead you must resist his advances and give the impression of nonchalance. At the same time you will want to tease and titillate and arouse him subtly, just as I advised in my book. And once the consummation has taken place, you will be more knowledgeable about lovemaking and how to stimulate the male body.”
Eleanor found herself flushing. “What if… the consummation has already taken place?”
Fanny did not seem surprised; on the contrary, she looked pleased. “Excellent. That will make my task of instructing you much easier. There are many techniques I never mentioned in my book so as to spare the innocent sensibilities of my readers, who are mainly ladies of the Quality. Fortunately, as a married woman, you can utilize your marital bed to your advantage without fear of scandal. You are at greater liberty to employ the arts of seduction. You can heighten your husband's anticipation and make him crave you all the more.”
“So I should continue to follow the recommendations in your book but intensify my physical allurements?”
“Precisely,” Fanny agreed. “The basic premise is still much the same for a married woman as for a single one, however. You must make him work to win you, not the other way around. In short, make him pursue you. Men like to be the hunters, not the quarry.”
Fanny's counsel was welcome advice to Eleanor. She had treated her pursuit of the prince much like a game, but this was no game. The stakes were far, far higher now.
“It might help,” Fanny interrupted her thoughts, “if I knew your immediate plans. I presume you will continue to live in London? Will you take a wedding trip?”
“I am not certain,” Eleanor answered. “We have had no time to discuss any of the details, although the next fortnight is set. My aunt, Lady Beldon, is holding her annual house party at her country home near Brighton, beginning this weekend. She thinks it best to contain the gossip by absenting ourselves from London, so we are leaving early-tomorrow afternoon, in fact.”
Fanny pursed her lips. “Repairing to the country with Wrexham could provide you some promising opportunities to win his affections. At least you may better control events to your own liking. Tell me, what occurs at these house parties of your aunt's?”
“Well, during the day, many of the guests enjoy riding and walking over the Downs. We also take driving excursions to various historical sites and at least one outing to the beach for sea bathing. In the evening there will be plays and poetry readings, and of course, cards and dinners and dancing, with a formal ball the last evening. Actually, Wrexham and I met there two years ago and became affianced the first time.”
Fanny nodded happily. “Even better. You may be able to rekindle the intimacy you once knew there before your betrothal ended.”
Recalling what had caused her falling out with Damon, Eleanor twisted her fingers in her lap. “The thing is, Fanny… I want very much for him to find me desirable as well as to love me, so he will not be interested in keeping a mistress as he did before.”
The courtesan's gaze grew sympathetic. “I had heard that his mistress was the reason you broke off with him.”
Despite the pain the memory caused her, Eleanor couldn't contain her interest. “I have wondered about her sometimes. Mrs. Lydia Newling was her name. Do you happen to know her?”
Fanny hesitated. “I am acquainted with her, yes.”
“Does she still reside in London?”
“Yes, but she has a new patron, the last I heard. I doubt you have any cause for concern.”
Eleanor's lips curved in a humorless smile. “To be truthful, I worry that Damon will not consider me as beautiful or desirable as he found Mrs. Newling.”
Fanny shook her head firmly. “You know my opinion on that subject, Lady Eleanor. Beauty is not necessary to attract most gentlemen. But I cannot credit that Wrexham would think any such thing about you. You are far more beautiful than Lydia Newling.”
“But she is highly skilled in her profession.”
“So am I,” Fanny replied. “All you need is a little private tutoring to add a few tricks of seduction to your arsenal, and you will be more than a rival for the Lydia Newlings of the world.”
Eleanor felt a huge measure of relief at her offer. “I don't wish to impose any more than I already have, but if you have the time, I would be grateful for whatever you could teach me.”
Her eyes sparkling, Fanny flashed a provocative smile that showed why she had become one of the most renowned Cyprians in England. “It would be my pleasure. And I have ample time at the moment since I finished the draft of my Gothic novel. In fact, I intended to write to you tomorrow to ask if you would read it and offer me your criticisms.”
“Certainly, I would be delighted. If I may, I will take the manuscript with me to Brighton-” Eleanor paused before continuing dryly. “On second thought, I will begin reading it tonight. A good story will provide a welcome distraction to the terrifying realization that I am to be married tomorrow.”
Her humor was met with soft laughter from Fanny. “I do hope you will find the story good, Lady Eleanor. Now then, if we may be perfectly frank… how much do you know about the male anatomy?”
Eleanor left an hour later, armed with a courtesan's perspective about techniques of seduction. She did not, however, feel overly embarrassed, since Fanny had been so practical and down-to-earth about carnal matters. Instead, her instructions and encouragement had left Eleanor feeling cautiously optimistic.
She could scarcely wait to put Fanny's advice into practice. Damon could make any woman yearn for his caresses, but she was
determined to turn the tables on him now and make him yearn for her. It heartened her to remember how he'd responded to her sensual advances in the library the night of the Haviland ball.
Still, his seduction was not her chief aim. Her goal was to achieve a truly loving marriage with Damon. And if she followed Fanny's advice, Eleanor greatly hoped, she would eventually succeed.
And if not?
She wouldn't let herself think about the loneliness and heartache she would face if she couldn't make Damon love her in return.
Eleanor had another reason to be grateful that evening, since Fanny's novel turned out to be highly engrossing and thus, for the most part, took her mind off her forthcoming marriage. Even more remarkably, she slept soundly that night, despite all that had happened in the past day to change her life, and all that would happen the next.
Her nerves were on edge the entire morning, however, as Jenny helped her bathe and dress in a long sleeved gown of rose-colored silk. Eleanor's agitation only grew as the moment neared-at least until Damon entered the drawing room at eleven o'clock, accompanied by his physician friend, Mr. Geary, and followed by a clergyman.
A sense of calm filled Eleanor then, even though the ceremony that ensued was nothing like what she had dreamed of. The bridegroom, who was dressed in a blue coat and pale gray pantaloons, was the same, stunningly handsome nobleman as in her dreams, yet she had planned to be married in a large church (St. George's, Hanover Square, to be precise) with her family and friends (Marcus and Heath and Drew, in particular) and half the ton in attendance (instead of a hurried wedding by special license with only a few guests present).
But her Aunt Beatrix had approached the challenge of lessening the social blemish to her reputation with Machiavellian efficiency. The elderly Countess of Hav-i land was there to lend her countenance to the proceedings and to proclaim her support for the niece of her bosom friend, Lady Beldon. Prince Lazzara and Signor Vecchi also attended for appearance's sake- to show society that his highness bore no ill feelings toward Eleanor now that his courtship of her had abruptly ended.
Damon raised an eyebrow at seeing the Italian gentlemen, as if wondering what the devil they were doing there, but he was given no opportunity to question Eleanor since her aunt conspired to keep them apart during the short interval before their vows were spoken.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, when Damon kissed her lightly on the lips to seal their union, Eleanor's heart quickened, and continued thudding in that same rapid rhythm as they signed the marriage lines.
They were irrevocably married now.
Then Beatrix stepped between them to discuss plans for the journey to Brighton.
“Of course you must ride with us in my carriage, Lord Wrexham,” the viscountess said brusquely. “It would look odd for a newly wedded couple to be separated so shortly after the nuptials. But I warn you, sir, I mean to keep a close eye on you. I will not leave Eleanor at your mercy. Now, if you will excuse me a moment, I wish to say farewell to our guests and thank them for canceling their engagements so precipitously. They will join us at Rosemont tomorrow, a day earlier than planned.”
Left alone with Eleanor for the first time since entering the drawing room, Damon regarded her with a frown. “The prince still means to attend the house party?”
“Yes, he was invited long ago, you will remember. He and Signor Vecchi will drive down in their own equipage tomorrow.”
Eleanor saw Damon's jaw flex in disapproval. “The circumstances have not changed since yesterday,” he pointed out. “If Lazzara is in danger, then your safety could be at risk whenever you are in his company.”
“Perhaps,” Eleanor replied, keeping her tone even. “But we cannot simply abandon him. If someone truly is trying to harm Prince Lazzara, he will be safer in the country at my aunt's estate. It will be harder for his unknown assailant to strike at him there, and you will be better able to protect him, as I am certain you are kind enough to do.”
She smiled inwardly when Damon bit back a remark. He clearly was not happy to have the prince in such close proximity to her, or to be required to see to his protection.
Soothingly, she placed her hand on Damon's sleeve. “But in truth, I am not only thinking of the prince. I wish my aunt to be happy, Damon. She has become exceedingly fond of Signor Vecchi, but he is unlikely to attend the house party if the prince does not. And you must admit that their illustrious presence will help quiet the gossipmongers. Aunt Beatrix hopes to mend my reputation, and she believes that they, along with her high-stickler friends, will advance my cause better than anything else.”
“I still don't like it,” Damon said tersely.
Eleanor glanced up at him from beneath her lashes. “You are not jealous, by any chance?” she teased.
“Are you perhaps worried that his highness might tempt me to break our marital vows?”
“No,” Damon retorted with surprising conviction in his voice. “Given your beliefs about fidelity, I doubt I must worry about being cuckolded.”
Yet he had not answered her question about jealousy, she noted. Before she could prod him on the subject, Prince Lazzara came up to them.
A doleful expression darkened his royal features as he bowed deeply over her hand and then kissed her fingertips. “I am quite grieved that matters have come to such a pass, Donna Eleanora. And I fear I bear much of the blame. Had I not escorted you to the ascension, you would not have been compelled to wed so suddenly.”
Eleanor smiled. “You are not at fault, your highness. You could not know that the launching would be sabotaged.”
The prince pressed his lips together, looking scornful. “Pucinelli has returned to Italy-I suspect because he feared being blamed for risking the deaths of an English peer and a highborn young lady.” Lazzara turned to Damon. “You were generous to trouble yourself, milord, by having the balloon conveyed to my home. Pucinelli will be pleased to recover it, no doubt, although I am not certain he deserves your consideration.”
“It was little trouble,” Damon responded in a cool tone before changing the subject. “I understand you will be visiting Rosemont for the next fortnight, Don Antonio.”
“Indeed. I am quite looking forward to the pleasure.”
“I trust you will remember what we discussed earlier? That you will keep your distance from Lady Eleanor as much as possible, for the sake of her safety?”
“But of course,” Lazzara said at once.
Eleanor doubted Damon was wholly satisfied with that answer, but he nodded in acknowledgment, then added some advice. “You would be wise to have the Runners accompany you. You might also consider leaving your entourage of servants here in London and relying on Lady Beldon's staff during your stay. Bow Street will find it easier to guard you if they can control anyone who has access to you.”
The prince looked taken aback by the suggestion. “But I cannot manage without my servants. I will, however, make certain the Runners you hired continue in my service.”
Just then Beatrix returned to Eleanor's side and proposed that they be on their way if they wished to make Rosemont in time to dine there this evening. After saying her own farewells to their guests and Mr. Geary, Eleanor followed her aunt out to the entrance hall, where she accepted her pelisse and bonnet from Peters.
A short while later, as she settled in the Beldon traveling chaise next to her aunt and across from her new husband, Eleanor decided she was pleased with how events were unfolding thus far.
Having the prince at Rosemont for a fortnight could prove advantageous, since it might serve to make Damon a little jealous. And she was comforted to know that she would be surrounded by allies. Being alone with Damon presented the greatest danger to implementing the stratagems she'd learned from Fanny, Eleanor knew.
She needed to maintain control of their relationship if her plan to win his love was to succeed. According to the courtesan, she had to remain elusive, all the while tempting and teasing Damon in hopes of driving him mad with desire. Yet he was
so alluring and enticing-and her willpower so weak-that she was likely to surrender to her own desires before she could rouse his to the point that he would relinquish his heart.
And it was crucial that she follow Fanny's advice to the letter, since it was her only hope for happiness.
Damon was not happy when Lady Beldon contrived to keep him apart from his new bride, especially since he suspected she would likely continue her machinations during the entire house party. But he decided to endure her interference with good grace, at least until they arrived at Rosemont and he could be alone with Eleanor. It would be easier to elude her ladyship then.
In fact, Damon had asked Otto to accompany them, wanting a confederate to foil whatever designs Lady Beldon had planned, but the physician had pleaded duty, claiming he couldn't be absent from his hospital for so long.
“And you know,” Otto added with a pretended shudder, “how much I loathe that sort of worthless social gathering. Besides, you are a noted expert with the ladies. Surely you can manage Lady Eleanor's dragon of an aunt for a fortnight.”
“One would think so,” Damon said dryly.
“It may turn out better than you think,” Otto offered. “I am rather stunned that you actually wed Lady Eleanor after all this time, but I think she might make a good match for you. Then again, I am certainly no authority on matrimony, so I could be mistaken. In any event, I wish you the best of luck, old fellow.”
Since Otto professed to be a confirmed bachelor, Damon had accepted his friend's prognostications with a grain of salt. But he still would have preferred to have the physician's company at Rosemont.
As was her ladyship's wont, her traveling chaise set a leisurely pace for the nearly fifty miles of good road leading south from London. They were followed by Damon's coach and a second, slower Beldon carriage filled with servants and luggage. Their cavalcade stopped at posting inns every hour to change horses, and once for a longer sojourn while they partook of a hearty luncheon.
Eleanor sat across from Damon, her expression serene but her eyes lively as she kept up a congenial conversation with her aunt. Damon could not decipher her mood, but occasionally she met his gaze with a faint smile on her lips, as if she held a secret she didn't wish to share. He couldn't shake the suspicion that she was up to something.
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