How to Live Indecently Read Online Free PDF Page B

lobster patties any night.” Jamie flashed a wink. “Let’s find a table.”
    Daphne surveyed the great, crowded room. She knew exactly where she wanted to sit; as close to the singing as possible. “There’s a table down front.” She didn’t wait for Jamie’s answer before she began wending her way forward toward the table. She wanted to be as close to the activity as possible. A violinist had begun to play a quick tune and people had gotten up to dance in a cleared space. These were not the sedate tunes haunting Mayfair musicales. Her hands longed to join in. She could almost feel the instrument in her hand, the bow in her fingers.
    “Are you sure you want to be this close?” Jamie asked, joining her at the table, but she could see he was thrilled over her choice, his own energy bristling and potent in this vibrant place. He shrugged out of his coat before sitting and she wished she could do the same, but there was no way to disguise her blue ball gown for anything other than what it was.
    “A pretty woman is never overdressed.” Jamie whispered, putting her worries at ease. “You look fine. Now, try an oyster.” He pushed one forward on her plate, laughing in good humor when she reached for a fork. He trapped her hand with his. “Watch and learn, Daphne. Tonight, no forks, just slurping.” He took one from his own plate to demonstrate, swallowing it down with enviable élan.
    “There’s nothing better than oysters in season.” He grinned, picking up another oyster, mischief on the make in his eyes. Your turn.” Jamie held the shell for her, making it sensually clear he meant to feed her, his eyes dark, his voice low and seductive as he brought the wide end of the shell to her lips and tipped it. “Take one bite on the way down and let it fill your mouth with its flavor.”
    She held his eyes over the plate, taking the oyster full into her mouth, and chewed once while Jamie whispered hotly, “Tell me what you taste.” This was a dangerous, decadent game they played, hands brushing lips, mouths speaking words that seemed to take on entirely different meanings, the oysters a metaphor for something far more sexual. Desire for kisses, for touches like the ones he’d lavished on her in Piccadilly fired her blood.
    “Salty. Like the sea,” she managed to answer. Jamie’s darkening eyes were nearly as distracting as the fingers he’d left at her lips. Without thinking, she flicked her tongue across her lips and licked the tips of those lingering fingers.
    “Temptress.” Jamie grinned wickedly and her breath caught, her desire intensifying at the thought she could tempt a man such as he. She wanted to tempt him, wanted to seduce him. The notion was entirely wanton and once it took root in her mind, it was impossible to dislodge.
    Jamie stood up to get them another round of drinks during a break in the singing and the music. “I’ll be back in a moment. Will you be all right?”
    From the corner of her eye she spied a spare violin lying propped against the head table. The question came again: Did she dare? Daphne smiled up at Jamie. “I’ll be fine.” She’d be more than fine. She had a plan. When he came back she was going to seduce him.She had her answer. She would dare it and more.

Chapter Six
    The Coal Hole was doing a brisk business and the place was crowded as Jamie made his way to the bar. Brown ale at the Coal Hole beat any champagne at his mother’s ball. He could hear snatches of John Rhodes cajoling the crowd in his deep baritone to provide some entertainment from the masses amid the general laughter.
    “What’ll it be, mister?” the barkeep called over the general din.
    “Brown ale and cool cider,” Jamie yelled. Around him the volume of the room seemed to swell and then the cry went through the crowd. “Lady up!”
    Jamie turned in mild amusement to see who John Rhodes had coaxed to the front, and stalled. Lucifer’s balls, it was Daphne. Mild amusement turned to outright