Excerpts

Chapter One How astonishing that a gentleman would ask a perfect stranger to become his mistress without so much as an introduction.  --Letter from Miss Roslyn Loring to Fanny Irwin   London, June 1817  "They say he is a marvelous lover." Unable to ignore such a provocative comment, Roslyn Loring reluctantly shifted her gaze across the crowded ballroom to scrutinize the tall, lithe nobleman who had just entered.  She had never met the handsome, rakish Duke of Arden, although she'd heard countless tales about him. He was the picture of a wealthy aristocrat-his fair hair gleaming amber under the chandeliers' light, his commanding, elegant form garbed in a black domino, the cloaklike garment his only concession to costume for the masquerade ball.  He wore no mask, so his striking features were clearly visible. And his attendance was obviously welcome to everyone but her . Immediately he became the intent focus of a bevy of beauties, all eager to attract his notice. "What makes him so marvelous?" Roslyn asked, intrigued despite her regret at the duke's unwanted arrival.  Her friend Fanny Irwin smiled. "His amorous skills, my dear. It is said he has the power to make women weep."  Lifting an eyebrow behind her own mask, Roslyn pursed her lips wryly. "Why in heaven's name would making women weep be a coveted skill?"  "Weep with rapture, my dear. Arden is extraordinary because of the exquisite pleasure he can bring a woman."  "I cannot imagine."  Fanny responded with the musical laugh that had helped make her one of London's most sought-after courtesans. "I should hope not, since you have no experience with carnal matters. But it is a rare man who is concerned with his paramour's satisfaction, or who will see to her pleasure even before his own. That kind of lover is priceless."  Roslyn's gaze narrowed thoughtfully. She was here tonight in order to gain a measure of experience, yet she had no desire to begin with the duke. Arden was a close friend of her new guardian, the Earl of Danvers, who had recently become engaged to marry her elder sister Arabella. Roslyn didn't wish for the duke even to  see her, since she was courting scandal attending a notorious Cyprians' ball. She expected to make his formal acquaintance at her sister's wedding in a fortnight, and it would never do to have him recognize her.  No doubt his grace would disapprove of her brazen excursion into the glittering realm of the demimonde. According to Arabella, Arden had been severely critical of his friend's betrothal, skeptical that Lord Danvers could have fallen in love with the eldest Loring sister so quickly or so wholeheartedly.  Viewing the duke now, Roslyn had little trouble understanding   his cynical response. His lean, chiseled features were remarkably handsome but rather proud; his bearing much as she would have expected from an aristocrat of his consequence-refined, commanding, a bit imperious. But a duke of Arden's extensive wealth and power had the right to arrogance, Roslyn supposed.  That he was reputed to be such an extraordinary lover, however, quite surprised her.  Her musings were interrupted as Fanny continued her frank observations. "Not that I have any personal  knowledge of the duke, I want you to know. He prefers to keep one mistress at a time. Doubtless tha Excerpted from To Bed a Beauty by Nicole Jordan All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.