Free The Husband List by Janet Evanovich, Dorien Kelly

you’ll enjoy it,” Caroline replied. Just as she would enjoy the freedom of the other woman’s clothing. While she didn’t want to stare more than she had already, the outfit seemed to involve no corset at all.
    “Do you play?”
    “Yes, but not this morning,” Caroline said and then laughed. “Which I’m sure you deduced from my morning dress. My sisters and I are going to watch, though.”
    “I’ll give you plenty to watch.” Flora paused an instant. “Perhaps you’d like to join me and give me a few words of advice before my lesson?”
    She knew she shouldn’t, but she so wanted to.
    Jack gave a subtle negative shake of his head, which only cemented her resolve.
    “I’d love to,” Caroline said, relishing the look of shock on Jack’s face.
    “Lovely,” Flora replied. “Jack, would you help Miss Maxwell in?”
    His “of course” clashed with his grim expression.
    Caroline turned her attention to her sisters as she took Markham’s assistance and exited her carriage.
    “I’ll rejoin you at the Casino,” she said to them.
    “Caroline, you cannot do this,” Helen cried as Amelia stammered, “But … But…”
    “You’ll be fine,” Caroline said briskly. “Markham knows the way.”
    That, of course, had not been the genesis of the twins’ objections, though the reassurance did neatly silence them. By the time she had reached Mrs. Willoughby’s carriage, Jack had exited.
    He offered her his hand. She took it and entered the fairytale carriage. Jack held on an instant longer than necessary, giving her fingers a squeeze in what could have been either a greeting or warning.
    Caroline would wager it was a warning.
    She seated herself opposite Flora. Up close, the woman remained ageless in appearance. Jack sat next to Caroline, near enough that his leg nudged hers. She gave him a slight frown and moved over. The carriage pulled away, and Caroline took an instant to watch her sisters return to theirs.
    “I wasn’t quite sure you’d join me,” Flora said as they rolled on.
    “She shouldn’t have,” Jack said.
    Flora’s perfect eyebrows rose. “When did you become a slave to social dictates?”
    “About two minutes ago,” Jack replied.
    The older woman laughed.
    “You seem to have an odd effect on our Jack,” she said to Caroline.
    He was no more Flora’s Jack than Bremerton was her almost duke, but Caroline let this reference slip by.
    “Do you reside here in Newport, Mrs. Willoughby?” she asked.
    “For a month or so, I am going to. I rented The Reefs from the Miss French. I was in need of a sea change from San Francisco, which was where my late husband and I spent much of our time.”
    “Jack told me of your husband’s death. I’m sorry for your loss,” Caroline said.
    “And no doubt a little intrigued … or perhaps shocked … that I’m about to play tennis.”
    “Not at all,” Caroline fibbed.
    “You must learn to meet your opposition’s eyes when dissembling,” Flora said. “Looking down will give you away every time.”
    “Don’t give her any help,” Jack said. “She’s dangerous enough already.”
    “Really? Dangerous?” Flora asked.
    Caroline liked the idea of being seen as a woman with whom to be reckoned.
    “Dangerous to herself,” Jack replied.
    If she’d had a parasol, Caroline would have stabbed his white leather shoe with its point. As it was, an ostrich plumed hat was of little help.
    “So long as he believes that, you retain the upper hand,” Flora said to Caroline. She regarded Jack a little more closely. “Though I think he has his doubts already.”
    “Jack is a stubborn man,” Caroline said. “He’s going to believe what he believes, evidence regarding my capabilities to the contrary.”
    “I can see why you like her,” Flora said to Jack.
    “She’s my best friend’s sister, nothing more,” Jack replied.
    “Of course, dear,” Flora said, her blue eyes alight with laughter.
    Caroline had to smile, too.
    Flora returned her