by Damon Stafford, Viscount Wrexham
Let’s be honest. We men can be rogues at times. Unfortunately, yours truly is no exception.
Two years ago, I let my lovely betrothed, Lady Eleanor Pierce, believe I had betrayed her with my former mistress. As you can well imagine, Eleanor abruptly ended our engagement—which was precisely the intention of my pretended betrayal. Why, you might ask, would I do such a thing to a woman of Eleanor’s beauty, social station, and intelligence (not to mention her appeal on a level not appropriate for a gentleman to discuss in public)?
Well, it seemed to be a good idea at the time. My history with love did not exactly guarantee that either of us would be happy in our union. Unfortunately, I underestimated the lingering power of Eleanor in my memory. Thoughts of her kept me practically celibate these past two years while I was in Italy, a country where amore is as vital as the superb wines.
And so I have returned to England…and to Eleanor, for a second chance.
Only it appears that in my absence my bold beauty has taken up with—of all people—anItalian prince. Fate does have an ironic sense of humor!
Now I have my work cut out for me as I try to stop an Italian Romeo from wooing and winning the woman I want… and attempt to convince Eleanor to give me a second chance. Wish me well, won’t you, because she seems very determined to avoid me and to land that prince. (Rumor has it, she is even consulting this ridiculous book on how to capture a husband!)
Should you find yourself in a similar dilemma, here are some tips to further your cause:
- Protect and defend her—and to be honest, I’ve had to do a good bit of that lately. Eleanor’s prince might have a pretty face, but he is rather clueless when it comes to a team of runaway horses.
- Make yourself helpful. Accompany her to the Pantheon Bazaar to shop, join her on a morning horseback ride in Hyde Park, entertain her would-be suitors (even the spendthrifts, hedonists, and pretty faces). She will come to know you better, and you may be able to help yourself to a caress or two.
- Advance her causes, even if her latest cause du jour is trying to win a husband who isn’t you. You will at least reap the pleasure of the stray kisses that come with playing the part of the competition and not tattling.
- Enjoy what she enjoys, from melancholy operas (have a handkerchief handy) to scientific contrarians (my Eleanor has a soft spot for anyone who succeeds in going against the grain of society).
- Go the extra mile, even if that involves shimmying up a tree two stories to her bedchamber to finish a conversation. She may just give you credit for taking drastic measures to secure a moment of privacy with her.
- Make her laugh. At the least it will keep her off guard; at best, it will remind her how rare it is to share a good laugh with the same man whose kisses can curl her toes.
- Remind her how physically compatible you are, that what you’ve shared thus far is only a taste of what can be expected from your lovemaking once you’re wed. (But also assure her that marriage should be based on more than carnal pleasure, so that this suspicious seductress doesn’t dismiss this whole train of thought as simply a manifestation of the vexing question of lust).
- Take a vow of celibacy. You know you haven’t been attracted to another woman since you met her anyway. Then proceed to make your case with her, one kiss at a time.
- Remember that it really shouldn’t be that difficult to turn the tables to your advantage. In Eleanor’s case, the Italian prince of hers is just a mess. (For saint’s sakes, the man has almost gotten himself killed three times since hitting the English shore.)
- Have the audacity to ask her to marry you—more than once! The question will slip into her subconscious, mingle with the memory of your very best scalding kisses, and (one hopes) erase the memory of anyone else, such as an inept Italian prince!