How to Marry a Marquis (40 page)

"Is that so?"

She nodded. "Most definitely so."

He ran one finger down the side of her neck, his blood running hot when he saw the way his

touch made her shiver. "And what changed your mind?" he murmured.

"One might think"-she gasped as his finger moved lower-"that it had something to do with being compromised, but if you really want the truth ..."

He leaned over her, smiling wolfishly. "Oh, I definitely want the truth."

Elizabeth allowed him to close the distance between them to a mere inch before she said, "It's the book."

He froze. "The book?"

"HOW TO MARRY A MARQUIS." She cocked one of her brows. "I'm thinking of writing a revised edition."

He went white. "You're joking."

She smiled and wiggled beneath him. "Am I?"

"Please say you're joking."

She slipped down farther in the bed.

"I'll make you say you're joking," James growled.

Elizabeth reached up and wrapped her arms around him, not even noticing the loud clap of

thunder that shook the walls. "Please do."

And he did.

Epilogue

Author's Note: It is universally agreed upon by scholars of nineteenth-century etiquette that the copious scribblings found in the margins of this unique volume are the work of the Marquis of Riverdale.

Excerpts from

HOW TO MARRY A MARQUIS

SECOND EDITION BY THE MARCHIONESS OF RIVERDALE

Published 1818 Copies Printed: One

Edict Number One

NEVER SET YOUR CAP FOR A GENTLEMAN UNTIL YOU ARE COMPLETELY

CERTAIN OF HIS IDENTITY. AS ANY SENSIBLE YOUNG LADY MUST KNOW, MEN

ARE EVER DECEPTIVE.

Good God, Lizzie, haven't you forgiven me for that yet?

Edict Number Five

POPULAR CONVENTION DEEMS THAT YOU SPEND NO MORE THAN TEN MINUTES

IN CONVERSATION WITH A PARTICULAR GENTLEMAN. THIS AUTHOR

DISAGREES. IF YOU FEEL THIS MAN MIGHT BE A CANDIDATE FOR MARRIAGE, IT

BEHOOVES YOU TO KNOW HIS MIND BEFORE YOU COMMIT YOURSELF TO SUCH

A SACROSANCT VOW. IN OTHER WORDS, HALF AN HOUR OF CONVERSATION

MAY SAVE YOU FROM THE MISTAKE OF A LIFETIME.

No arguments from this quarter.

Edict Number Eight

NO MATTER HOW WELL YOU LOVE YOUR RELATIONS, COURTSHIPS ARE BEST

CONDUCTED WITHOUT THE PARTICIPATION OF YOUR FAMILY.

Ah, but don't forget the hunting lodge ...

Edict Number Thirteen

EVERY WOMAN MUST KNOW HOW TO DEFEND HERSELF FROM UNWANTED

ATTENTIONS. THIS AUTHOR RECOMMENDS BOXING. SOME MIGHT CONSIDER

SUCH ATHLETIC CONDUCT UNBECOMING TO A GENTLE YOUNG LADY, BUT YOU

MUST BE PREPARED TO DEFEND YOUR OWN REPUTATION.

YOUR MARQUIS WILL NOT ALWAYS BE CLOSE AT HAND. THERE MAY BE TIMES

WHEN YOU HAVE TO PROTECT YOURSELF.

I will ALWAYS protect you.

Edict Number Fourteen

SHOULD THE AFOREMENTIONED ATTENTIONS NOT BE UNWANTED, THIS

AUTHOR CAN OFFER NO ADVICE THAT MAY BE LEGALLY PRINTED IN THIS

BOOK.

Meet me in the master suite and I shall advise YOU.

Edict Number Twenty

(The Only One You Truly Need To Remember)

ABOVE ALL ELSE, BE TRUE TO YOUR HEART. WHEN YOU MARRY, WHETHER IT

BE A MARQUIS OR AN ESTATE MANAGER (or both!), IT WILL BE FOR LIFE. YOU

MUST GO WHERE YOUR HEART LEADS AND NEVER FORGET THAT LOVE IS THE

MOST PRECIOUS GIFT OF ALL. MONEY AND SOCIAL STATUS ARE POOR

SUBSTITUTES FOR A WARM, TENDER EMBRACE, AND THERE IS LITTLE IN LIFE

MORE FULFILLING THAN THE JOY OF LOVING AND KNOWLEDGE THAT YOU ARE

LOVED IN RETURN.

And you ARE loved, Elizabeth. Until the last breath leaves my body, and for eternity after that.

. . .

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August 2003

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