Read Online Don't Tempt Me by Loretta Chase - Free Book Online Page A

go, you’ll go with me. When I marry, you’ll come with me to my husband’s house. You must speak your heart, always.”
    The maid looked wildly about the room.
    â€œAlways,” Zoe said firmly. One of the many things she’d learned in the harem was the voice of command. “I have opened my heart to you, Jarvis. It’s your turn. Speak to me as my Minhat.”
    Jarvis shut her eyes, then opened them. She took a deep breath and said, “Very well, miss. Here’s what I say. The Duke of Marchmont is top of the trees. Everyone wants him. All the unmarried ladies want to marry him. They say there’s plenty of married ladieswho’d disgrace themselves if he crooked his finger. Every hostess in Town wants him at her party. All the royal family think well of him. It don’t matter how conceited he is or if he’s drunk half the time or doesn’t have a heart. There’s only two things you really need to know about His Grace the Duke of Marchmont: One, he always keeps his word. Ask anybody. Two, everybody knows he don’t care about much, but what he said to you means he cares about your father. Why else do you think he came to the house today? If I was you, and he was promising to bring me into fashion, I’d muster up all the patience of all the saints and martyrs, because I know he’ll do it, no matter what, or die trying.”
    Then she squeezed her eyes shut, as though she expected a blow.
    â€œYes, this is correct and wise,” Zoe said.
    The maid’s eyes opened, one at a time. “It is?”
    â€œMy pride is hurt and my feelings are hurt only because he doesn’t remember that we were friends—of a sort—once.”
    She had missed him and thought of him. He’d forgotten her. To him, she was only another female. “But that was a long time ago. He’s changed and I’ve changed. We aren’t children anymore.”
    â€œYes, miss, that’s correct and wise,” said Jarvis.
    Zoe smiled at her. She’d definitely chosen the right maid. “I must be an adult,” she said. “I must be logical and look at the important points, in the way you did. I must have the Duke of Marchmont’s help to banish the shame I’ve brought on my family. I must have his help to be welcomed in Society and live thelife I should have had, the life for which I risked everything. If he accomplishes these things, I can find a good husband, and then my father can stop worrying about me. Can you think of anything else?”
    â€œNo, miss. I think that covers it well. And if I was you, I’d go to bed now.”
    To Zoe’s amusement, Jarvis started gently shooing her toward the bed, as one does a small child. “You’ve had a very long and trying day, I know,” the maid said. “Too much feeling this and feeling that, I daresay. Too much excitement. After a good night’s sleep, you’ll be able to look at everything more calm-like.”
    Zoe let herself be guided to the bed. She climbed into it dutifully and lay down. Jarvis drew up the bedclothes.
    â€œIf I do not feel calmer tomorrow,” Zoe said as her head sank into the pillow, “there’s always Venice or Paris.”
    â€œMiss, you haven’t even seen London yet, or you wouldn’t say such things.”
    Zoe yawned. “No, I feel no great desire to go to those places—but it was amusing to hear my sisters scream when I suggested it. And there must be an escape route. I must have somewhere to go to, if Marchmont fails me.”
    â€œMiss, I’m sure lots of women think of running away when men disappoint us. But if all of us was to actually do that, there wouldn’t be a woman left in London.”
    Zoe laughed. “I like you, Jarvis.”
    â€œThank you, miss. I like you, too. Please go to sleep.”
    Almack’s, later that evening
    What Marchmont found especially entertaining was the way