His Reluctant Lady by Ruth Ann Nordin Page A

wondering what had gotten into his
friend.
    Once he stopped coughing, he stared at
Christopher, eyes wide. “Why do so many gentlemen ask me about my
love life? Do I go around asking any of you what you do in the
privacy of your bedchamber?”
    “ Well, no.”
    “ There’s a good reason for
that.”
    “ You’re right. There is. I
haven’t been with a lady. All I do is sleep alone and no one finds
that particularly interesting.”
    Ethan rolled his eyes and took another
drink from his glass. “All of you are going to drive me out to the
country. I just know it.”
    “ I don’t see what the harm
is in asking you. You were more than willing to share your wild
tales before you married Catherine. What happened? Did her father
put the fear of the devil in you?”
    “ I just happen to think that
what happens between a husband and wife when they’re alone should
stay between the two of them. What I do or don’t do with my wife is
none of your concern.”
    Christopher studied his friend’s face
to gauge if he was serious or joking. After a long moment, he
realized his friend was deadly serious. “I can’t believe
it.”
    “ Can’t believe
what?”
    “ You’re a prude.”
    “ I am not!”
    Christopher shot him a pointed look.
“Well, you’ve turned into one after you got married.”
    With a groan, Ethan pulled out a sheet
of paper from his desk drawer. “You want a book, right? The same
book I gave Lord Roderick?”
    “ Yes. His wife looks very
happy despite his grumpy demeanor. I can only assume it’s because
he’s good in bed, so whatever your book does, it works
wonders.”
    “ All right.”
    When he noticed Ethan was writing a
request to a bookseller, he asked, “Don’t you have a copy lying
around here somewhere?” He scanned the bookshelves lining the
wall.
    “ Everyone else took them,”
Ethan blandly replied as he finished writing his letter.
    “ Really? How many gentleman
do you help out?”
    “ More than I care to
admit.”
    Christopher wasn’t too surprised. It
was no secret that Ethan had been an expert in all things
pertaining to the bedchamber ever since he was eighteen. Pleased
he’d soon learn the secrets Ethan knew, Christopher rose to his
feet. “It’s always a pleasure doing business with you.”
    “ One can hardly call this
business.”
    “ It’s the business of the
heart.”
    “ If you say so,” Ethan
muttered.
    “ Have it delivered directly
to me. I don’t think Perry would be able to handle a book of this
kind. He probably thinks babies are magically created.”
    “ At least he hasn’t bothered
me for a blasted book.”
    Christopher finished the brandy in his
glass and set it down. “You should take the fact that so many
gentlemen come to you for advice as a compliment. It means you’re
an expert. If there’s anyone who knows anything about being with a
lady, it’s you.”
    He rolled his eyes. “Hooray for
me.”
    Chuckling, Christopher bid his friend
good-bye and left the townhouse.
     

 
     
     
    Chapter Eleven
     
    Agatha dipped her quill in
the ink then wrote, Now. This was his
chance. He would approach her and ask her to meet him in the
gardens. There was the risk of scandal should they be caught, but
he didn’t dare risk her seeing the scars on his face. Perhaps if
she got to know him, got to see the gentleman beneath the exterior
of the monster he appeared to be, he’d take the chance and let her
see him. But that moment was not now. Now, he would insist on
talking to her while hidden in the shadows.
    A familiar round of tapping interrupted
her. She bolted to her feet and hurried to the door of her drawing
room before anyone saw her friend. She motioned for the hooded
figure to enter the room and quickly checked the hallway to make
sure no one was there before she shut the door. Leaning against it,
she released her breath.
    “ I really wish you’d give me
a warning if you intend to stop by,” she told Ethan as he removed
his cloak. “Though I’m