have known better than to be drawn out of his bedchamber at the elegant Ashcott Inn by the feminine whispers and giggles just outside his door. But he was intrigued, his curiosity piqued.
The hour was not very late, only nine o’clock in the evening, and he had just washed up before taking a book to bed. He was bone-weary from his weeks of travel from the Continent to England and meant to retire early. He would have done so already had a noisy wedding celebration not been taking place in the inn’s common room as he’d arrived with a handful of his elite Scots Greys.
Augustus did not think it wise for these innocent misses to be spying on the wedding party. Some of those men were too deep in their cups to be relied upon to behave.
Concerned as to what these young ladies were about, he opened his door a crack to investigate. “Blessed saints,” he muttered, for all three were beautiful, but one, in particular, was spectacular.
They were seated on the carpeted hallway floor, studying a book of some sort. It looked old, with a faded red leather binding.
“June,” one of the young ladies whispered to the spectacular looking one, “I told you it would work. See how that barmaid’s bosoms are pushed up and practically spilling over? And look at those men? They are falling over themselves to gain her attention.”
The guest chambers were one flight up from the main floor where all the activity was taking place. The three of them were peering down at the rowdy revelers through the ornate, spindled railing.
“Willow, it is just a coincidence. They’re simply falling down drunk.”
“Will you look at that man?” the third young lady commented. “Oh, dear. He is not behaving very nicely, is he? His nose is practically buried between her…endowments. It is just as the book said.”
“Oh, Cammy. Don’t tell me you agree with Willow.”
“I do. Look at those dolts. See how eagerly they are handing over their coins to her as a gratuity? And what has she done other than jiggle her bosom in their direction?”
“Good for her is what I say,” the one called Willow declared. “The young woman must be rich as Croesus by now. We must test it out. The Book of Love says this will work, and we’ve just seen proof of it. Show a man a little of your breasts, and he will be in your thrall.”
Cammy agreed. “Yes, and you must be the one to test it out, June.”
The spectacular one gasped. “I will not jiggle anything at those men! Who’s to save me if they make untoward advances? They are lewd and bawdy. We mustn’t go anywhere near them.”
“Oh, you have a point.” Willow pursed her lips in thought. “I know who would be a perfect test frog.”
“Who?” Cammy asked, her eyes brightening.
“That old soldier we noticed walking in earlier. I think he was a captain or something. He seemed to be a gentleman, even if he spoke with the hint of a Scottish accent. His men obeyed him without question, so they obviously respect him.”
Augustus sank back against his door frame, struggling not to laugh.
They were speaking of him.
He ought to have taken offense.
Old?
A captain or something?
Would he be tried for murder if he wrung their pretty necks?
The spectacular one called June spoke up. “He isn’t old. I would describe him as battle-hardened. I thought he was rather handsome. He has a magnificent warrior look about him, don’t you think? He looked like a man, not a pampered little boy. But what would a Scottish captain be doing here?”
Willow shrugged. “Passing through from Plymouth and heading north most likely, which means we never have to see him again. It’s perfect, don’t you see? You’re the one who’s been complaining about being foisted on the marriage mart.”
“Why should I not complain? I’m two and twenty, not some dull-eyed ingenue.”
Cammy nodded. “I understand your point about it being your first year out when most of the debutantes will be several years younger. This is why you must go in prepared with a battle plan. The sooner you gain a proposal of marriage, the sooner you can be done with the season.”
“Test the author’s theory on the Scottish captain,” Willow said. “See what he does when you give him a peek at your bosom.”
Augustus choked on his laughter.
Were these girls demented? Were they seriously going to use him to test out whatever idiotic notions espoused in that book? What did they