Read Online Pleasure For Pleasure by Eloisa James - Free Book Online Page B

currently playing the role of a sentimentalist, and doing it with a great deal of relish, I must say.”
    â€œHe told me last night that he was ravished with love for you,” Griselda said.
    â€œCharming,” Sylvie said, with a markedly unsentimental cheerfulness. “As I said, a temporary wash of sentimentalism. Which will lapse with time, as it always does. And since he is half French, I expect it will transform itself nicely into cynicism. I think cynical men are so interesting, don’t you?”
    â€œ You should be starting a flirtation with Darlington,” Griselda pointed out. And then added hastily, “If you weren’t affianced to my brother, of course.”
    â€œAlas, I cannot come to Josephine’s rescue for that very reason. How long do you think it will take you, dearest Griselda? I shouldn’t think more than a week or so, do you?”
    Griselda had a light in her eye that suggested just a hint of rivalry with her beautiful sister-in-law, or so Josie thought.
    â€œI expect I can make significant inroads on his affections this very night,” she said. Then she stood up and surveyed her gown in the mirror. It had a classical drape, winding around her breasts and making the most of her curves. With a few deft pulls and twitches, suddenly a great deal more bosom was showing.
    â€œAn excellent thought,” Sylvie said.
    â€œI can manage this endeavor without instruction,” Griselda said, with the faintest edge in her voice.
    Sylvie instantly looked utterly cast down. “I didn’t mean in the faintest, smallest way to imply that you were anything other than utterly ravissante !” she cried, her accent suddenly far more French. “Don’t be angry with me, dearest Griselda. I’m so happy to be your sister that I rushed in where I should not have walked!”
    Griselda smiled at that and turned around to give her a kiss. “You are your own fascinating self,” she said. “And besides, I do need advice. How shall I make an approach to him? Under the circumstances, he is unlikely to draw near me.”
    Tess’s eyes lit up. “My husband can introduce you!”
    â€œToo obvious,” Griselda objected.
    â€œI have read a number of novels in which young women drop various items of clothing, thereby attracting attention of a nearby gentleman,” Josie said. “A fan would be easiest.”
    â€œI don’t want to drop my fan,” Griselda said, looking alarmed. “This is my favorite and I should hate to have the sticks bent or broken.”
    â€œSacrifices must be made,” Sylvie observed. “In a good cause.”
    â€œIn that case,” Griselda retorted, “I’ll drop your fan. You can give me mine back at the end of the evening.”
    Sylvie showed no sign of offering up her fan. It was the same delicate pink as her costume, and sewn over with matching seed pearls. “Are you certain that you wouldn’t wish todrop a shoe?” she inquired. “You are wearing ravishing slippers, if you don’t mind my saying so, Griselda. And you could perhaps manage to show some ankle at the same time. Men are so foolish when it comes to ankles.”
    â€œWhy is that?” Josie asked. Sylvie seemed to be the sort of person who actually answered questions, and since her ankles were one of Josie’s best features, she had often wondered whether she should accidentally expose them more often.
    â€œA woman’s ankle, slender and perfectly turned, is a thing of beauty,” Sylvie said. “I myself wear all my skirts a trifle short, as should you, Josie darling.”
    â€œI need the longer skirts to balance my hips,” Josie said.
    Tess groaned. “Madame Badeau told you that, didn’t she?”
    â€œShe is correct,” Josie stated.
    â€œMadame Badeau makes excellent designs,” Sylvie said peaceably. “I myself have a ravishing pelisse that she made