Page 15 of A Rake's Redemption
Inis pointed to the fan. “Are ye here to make me use that bloody thing?”
Caroline blinked. “Eventually, yes, but perhaps we should begin this project with language. Ladies do not curse.”
Of course they didn’t. Her uncle would probably confine her to her chamber if he’d heard her. But Inis found using the word strangely liberating. Alex did think she was uneducated, after all; she might as well have some fun.
“Bloody is a bad word, is it?” Inis asked. “But I did nae add hell, now did I?”
Alex made a choking sound, and Caroline’s grey eyes widened before she assumed an impassive expression. “No, you did not. I suppose that is a start.” She glanced once more at Inis’s breeches. “Might I suggest wearing a dress when we meet for lessons?”
“’Tis a fine idea,” Inis said, “except I doona own any.”
Surprise flashed across Caroline’s face, and she turned to Alex. “Inis does not own a dress?”
He appeared flustered. Inis was both amused and a little deflated that Alex hadn’t even thought about her lack of feminine apparel. Not that he’d had occasion to notice. She ate with the servants, and he only saw her when she was in the stables.
“I will send for Madame Dubois tomorrow. She owns the best modiste shop on Regent Street.”
Caroline wagged a finger at him. “Do you want the poor woman to fall into a swoon when you ask for something besides lace negligees?”
“Lace negligees?” Inis clapped a hand over mouth when both of them looked at her. She hadn’t meant to say the words aloud. But what…
Caroline gave Alex a mischievous look. “Do you want to explain?”
“No.”
To her surprise, Inis saw the tips of Alex’s ears grow pink. “I dinna mean…forget I said a word. ’Tis nae my business.”
“Au contraire,” Caroline replied. “If you have agreed to go along with Alexander’s scheme, you should know what you are getting yourself into.”
“I think we can discuss that later,” Alex said.
Caroline ignored him and looked at Inis. “Men always want to put off anything that might be unpleasant. At least when it comes to women. And this is about women.”
Alex glared at her. “You are not going to stop, are you?”
“No. Inis deserves to know.” Caroline turned to her before Alex could answer. “The negligees are a parting gift.”
Inis felt thoroughly confused. Alex made a sound that sounded like a growl. “Parting gift?”
“To his lovers,” Caroline replied. “He always sends one afterward as a thank-you…so to speak.”
The growl came again. Inis was too enthralled by what Caroline was saying to look at Alex. “Afterward?”
“Alexander has one-time trysts with…er, certain ladies of theton.” Caroline waved her hand vaguely. “Since he sees them only once, he sends them a gift. I must say, some months he keeps Madame Dubois quite busy.”
Inis felt her eyes round. She knew both men and women of Society took lovers, but so many? That gave new meaning to the word scoundrel.
“Are you quite through?” Alex asked, still rooted to the spot by the window. “I am sure Inis has heard much more than she cared to hear.”
Caroline went on before Inis could think of anything to say. “She needs to know these women you will be presenting her to will wonder if she is in the club.”
Inis found her voice. “Club?”
“The Ravaged Revelers or, to simplify, The R Club,” Caroline replied. “The ladies only earn bragging rights about their own decadence when they receive their negligees. They consider it rather a badge of merit.”
“My God,” Alex said, his voice sounding like low, rolling thunder. “Will you cease with this nonsense?” He turned to Inis. “It is not like that. I can explain.”
Somehow, Inis managed to find her wits and shook her head. “’Tis nae need to explain, my lord.” She avoided looking directly at Alex. “But please excuse me. I am in desperate need of a bath.”
