Page 9 of The Best Marquess

At the pique on her sister’s face, Pippa smothered a laugh. Somehow, Finn had never succumbed to Georgiana’s charms; usually any resistance crumbled within seconds of those long lashes fluttering and pink lips pouting. “Indeed she does.”

“Argh,” said Georgiana, rising to her feet in such a way that her white velvet gown swirled and flashed a brief glimpse of slender ankle. “I suppose you’re going to talk about books now, which is far too dull for me. Xav, do you want to ride along Rotten Row? It will scrub the cobwebs from your brain, and I’ll forgive your debt if you do.”

Xavier rolled his eyes, but also stood. “I think you mean your ill-gotten gains.”

“That is a tiny insignificant detail.”

“Except to a constable,” said Pippa.

Her sister’s glare could only be described as withering. “On that note, we shall take our leave.”

Xavier shook his finger like a cantankerous governess. “No misbehavior in the drawing room, now. Hate to have to call out the oldest friend of the family.”

Georgiana giggled. “You’d have to get in line; Grandmother would insist on first shot. Have you heard, Finlay? Pippa is to be a duchess. Two in the family! Thank heavens I’ve already found my match. The only way I could best such achievements would be to marry a prince, and that would be far too daunting for my simple country lady’s heart.”

“I’ve heard,” said Finn politely. “Enjoy your ride.”

When they were alone at last, Pippa kicked off her slippers and leaned back in her chair. Usually, an unmarried couple would only be permitted time like this if they were formally betrothed, but she and Finn were such old friends that Father had decreed as long as the door remained open, they might regularly visit together without a chaperone. For once, Grandmother had not overruled him.

Today, though, felt quite different. Almost…intimate.

She smoothed her gown once more then peered at him over the rims of her spectacles. “So. A bit of rain outside.”

Finn sent her a quizzical look. “Are we speaking in code? Am I supposed to reply something about the purple badger only dancing on Wednesdays?”

“No! I don’t know what to talk about,” Pippa blurted.

Unaccountably, his face fell. “Have you…changed your mind?”

“I most certainly have not. About anything.”

He relaxed, crossing one booted foot over his knee. “It was hard to keep my mind on business this morning.”

Pippa sat forward, grasping onto the words like a barnacle to a ship. “You have yet to tell all about that. What are you selling?”

“Well…ah…” Finn began, glancing toward the door. “The reason I couldn’t say at the musicale is because it is rather lewd.”

“Do go on.”

“My business is called Bliss. We make pleasure accessories.”

Her brow furrowed. “Such as?”

Finn smiled, even more wickedly than before. “Think The Highland Marauder.”

Good lord! The Highland Marauder was her favorite romance novel, starring a reclusive Scottish laird who wed a fiery Frenchwoman then introduced her to his castle’s secret dungeon of wicked pleasure toys such as a pearl-studded dildo, riding crop and flogger, and leather cuffs that secured her hands above her head when he took her. On countless occasions, she’d reread those pages by candlelight, one hand holding the book open and one hand between her legs, rubbing her throbbing clitoris until she reached a delicious release. “You sell those?” she squeaked. “When can I see?”

“I can’t take you to Golden Square yet. But once we are officially betrothed…”

“It would be quite acceptable for us to take a turn in your curricle,” she finished, almost quivering with excitement. “Examining real life pleasure toys, this is better than a birthday gift! But talking about the other b-word…what is our plan? I feel like it needs to be a surprise. A public surprise, so there are lots of witnesses and my family are forced to pretend they knew all along.”

Finn drummed his fingers on his knee. “What about the soiree here? Or is that too soon?”

“This very drawing room? In front of society, Grandmother, and Devonshire himself? Truly diabolical.”

“We don’t have to—”

Pippa nearly twirled in pure delight. “Ohhhh, yes, we do. Finn, you are perfection. Here, have some caramels.”