Love With the Proper Husband by Victoria Alexander Page A

writes bad poetry and everyone who reads it knows it.”
    “Yes, but I’d wager it’s that bad poetry that won him the hand of his lovely wife.” Reggie grinned.
    “It’s the sentiment, Marcus, not merely the words that touch a lady’s heart.”
    “Nonetheless, I—”
    “You could try someone else’s poetry.”
    “Are you suggesting I borrow something of Helmsley’s?” Marcus raised a brow. “I daresay neither he nor his wife would appreciate my absconding with his words, no matter how bad they may be.”
    “Don’t be absurd.” Reggie grimaced. “I doubt if Helmsley’s poetry would have the same effect on a woman who wasn’t already in love with him. However, I was going to suggest a few of Lord Byron’s words. All that she walks in beauty nonsense.” Reggie raised his glass. “It can be most effective when used correctly. And women do seem to love it.”
    “Women seem to love him ,” Marcus said wryly.
    “He’s always been scandalous. That dashing, even dangerous image, coupled with his poetry, makes him rather irresistible, I suspect. Thank God he’s out of the country.”
    Reggie thought for a moment. “Perhaps that’s been our problem all along. We are simply not rakes or rogues or scoundrels.”

“Yet our reputations are not spotless.”
    Reggie scoffed. “Petty infractions. Youthful high spirits. Nothing of true significance. Nothing to make a woman wonder how exciting dipping her toe into the waters of our dangerous characters would be. We are altogether far too respectable.” He leaned forward in his seat. “Perhaps what we need is to be involved in a scandal of epic proportions.”
    “Given this a great deal of thought, have you?”
    “The circumstances you find yourself in have had the strangest effect of forcing me to reconsider my own life. And I find it rather disappointing.” Reggie fell silent, obviously pondering his now recognized wasted years. At last he heaved a heartfelt sigh. “However, I suppose that discussion will have to wait for another night. Our first order of business is the arrangement of your life. Right now we must determine how to encourage Miss Townsend to consent to marriage.”
    He shook his head. “I confess, I don’t understand her reluctance. You have everything any woman could ask for. In truth, Marcus, you are an excellent catch.”
    “Only for a woman interested in marriage.” Marcus blew a long breath. “And unfortunately, Miss Townsend is apparently the only woman on the face of the earth who is not.”
    “We have to make it look exciting then. We have to make you exciting. Yes, of course, that’s the answer.” Reggie downed his drink and sprang to his feet. “You have to change, Marcus. Become a rogue, a rake, a scoundrel. Seduce virgins. Dally with married women. Flout convention.”
    “I’m not sure I have enough time for that,” Marcus said wryly.
    Reggie ignored him. “Embroil yourself in a good, juicy scandal. Your name on every gossip’s lips and in every woman’s heart. Why, look at what happened to that Effington chit. She ran off and wed a near stranger who then croaked, practically before the ink was dry on the marriage certificate. Everyone is still talking about that, I tell you.”
    “Somehow I don’t think marrying the wrong person, whether they survive or not, is the way to attract Miss Townsend.”
    “Probably not.” Reggie thought for a moment. “Still, there are no end of things you could do. Adopt a wicked grin and a wickeder look in your eye.” Reggie flashed his idea of a wicked grin, and Marcus tried not to laugh. “Sweep her off her feet, Marcus. Be mysterious. Women always want what they can’t have. Be aloof. Dangerous. Be”—Reggie smiled slyly—“forbidden fruit.”
    “Forbidden fruit?” Marcus laughed. “I daresay, as I am pursuing her and it is my fortune at stake, I am scarcely the stuff forbidden fruit is made of. Rather I am all too readily available and ripe for picking.”
    “Ah