Free Falling Into Bed with a Duke (Hellions of Havisham) by Lorraine Heath Page A

to provide a more accurate assessment of one’s figure.”
    “What did the men wear?”
    Minerva scoffed. “That was the irritating part—they wore everything. I shall never understand why men and women must have different rules.” She smiled. “But he removed his boots, so I would be more comfortable. Still, I just couldn’t get comfortable enough to climb into bed with him.”
    “So what did you do?”
    “It’s going to sound silly, but we talked.” She moved closer. “Here’s the thing—he looked into my eyes when we conversed. So intensely as though he was truly interested. I have sat in the front parlor with gentlemen who were mesmerized by the design of their teacups. I ask a question, they answer with a solitary word. I attempt to start a discourse, and they can’t be bothered to keep it going. I’m irrelevant. They seek to impress me by merely making an appearance. My man last night was attentive. He asked me questions. He told me a story from his past.” She sighed. “It was bittersweet, Grace. To experience what it is to have the attention of a man who was intrigued by me. After I arrived home, I rather wished I hadn’t left the Nightingale.”
    “It wasn’t real, Minnie.”
    “Trust you to be so honest and blunt. Still it felt real. I’m rather convinced that not everyone is there for what goes on between the sheets.”
    “Why are they there?”
    “I’m not sure. I expected to see people hungrily kissing or maybe even fornicating on a table or a chair—but there was none of that.” She gave her head a slight shake, lifted a shoulder. “Oh, people sat closely together, and I saw a hand on a thigh here or a hip there, but they weren’t ashamed of what they were doing.”
    “How could you tell? They were wearing masks.”
    “Not the men.”
    “But men are never ashamed.”
    Minerva smiled. “I suppose you have a point. Still, it would be nice if we were a bit more open about things.”
    “So you were open with your parents and told them where you were going?”
    “Absolutely not!” She shoved playfully on Grace’s shoulder. “I didn’t mean we should be that open about things. No, I waited until they’d gone to bed. I slipped out, found a cab. Then my gentleman insisted his driver bring me home—only I had him take me to the Twin Dragons. I couldn’t risk his discovering who my parents are. I don’t think he’s the blackmail sort, but you know my father. He would protect me and my reputation at any cost.”
    “Well, jolly good for your man, not letting you roam the streets searching for a cab at all hours of the night. If you should ever decide to go there again, you’re to let me know, and I’ll have one of our carriages waiting for you at the end of the street. I should have thought of that before. I was just so muddled with the notion of your actually doing it that I wasn’t thinking.”
    “And how will you explain the carriage to my brother?”
    Grace smiled slyly. “Not to worry. I can handle Lovingdon.”
    “You’re the dearest of friends, but I doubt I’ll go back. Although I can’t seem to stop thinking about what might have been.”
    “It can still be, just not there,” Grace assured her. “My mother was on the shelf when she fell in love with my father.”
    “I’m not certain she could be considered on the shelf when she didn’t have a Season. She was a commoner, a bookkeeper. I don’t think commoners worry about getting married as much as we do.”
    “I suppose you have a point, there.”
    “I’ve also been a terrible hostess. Shall I ring for tea?”
    “I can’t stay. I’m meeting my mother in a bit, and we’re going on a round of the orphanages. You should come with us.”
    “You’re kind to invite me, but it was a rather late night, so I shall probably take a nap. By the by, did you receive an invitation to Lady Greyling’s soiree this evening?”
    “The one welcoming the hellions back to London?” She rolled her eyes. “I don’t