Cover

Critical raves for Eloisa James and
Potent Pleasures

“An intriguing Regency romance by a vibrant new voice.”

—Romantic Times

“[KEEPS] THE READER INTRIGUED RIGHT UP TO THE VERY LAST PAGE … James makes a fine debut with this Regency romance that brings to mind the best of Amanda Quick and Judith McNaught.”

—Booklist

“Humorous dialogue … love scenes that are warm and tasteful … Eloisa James has made a brilliant debut.”

—Romance Communications

“SENSUAL … HUMOROUS … Ms. James is a new author and definitely one to watch.”

—Rendezvous

“MARVELOUS … I COULDN’T PUT IT DOWN … a very satisfying love story that makes you wish for more.”

—Belles and Beaux

“BRIGHT AND FUNNY.”

—Kirkus Reviews

“The depth of characterizations, the steady progression of the plot and the tongue-in-cheek title will attract readers who may just greet James as the next Amanda Quick.”

—Publishers Weekly

Title Page

Dedication

For Sharon Kosick,
of the wonderful bookstore
The Book Rack, Too,
who guided my reading and
encouraged my writing.
Thank you.

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Kent, England
March 1798

Charlotte was one week short of seventeen when her life changed, falling into two halves like a shiny child’s ball: before and after. In the time before, Charlotte was staying with Julia Brentorton, her dearest friend from school. Julia and she survived boarding school together: the dreary grind of everyday Latin instruction, music instruction, dance instruction, art class, etiquette with the school mistress, Lady Sipperstein. Etiquette was really the only unpleasant class.

“Julia!” Lady Sipperstein would suddenly appear behind her left shoulder. “Cross your legs at the ankle when you sit in a low sofa.

“Walk up the stairs again, Charlotte, and do not sway your hips this time! You are wiggling in an inappropriate fashion.”

Lady Sipperstein was a terrifying woman with a bosom that extended forward like the prow of a ship. She knew to a hair how low one must bow to a duchess as opposed to a king, and she drilled her students as if they would do so every day.

She was full of maxims: “One dismisses a servant as if he were a young child: with firmness, brevity, and uninterest…. The appropriate gifts for the sick depend on where they live: If they live on your estate, instruct the cook to make bone-marrow jelly and bring it yourself, with fruit; if they live in the village, instruct the servants to deliver an uncooked chicken instead. And of course be sure to ascertain that any illness is not contagious before you enter a house: While it is important to show feeling, one must not be foolish.”

Etiquette was an hour of unnerving questions. “Julia! If a footman enters the breakfast room with an obviously swollen jaw, what is the appropriate response?”

“Send him home?” Julia would suggest tentatively.

“No! Information first. Is the swelling the result of a distressed tooth or an improper brawl the night before? If he has been brawling, dismiss him. If not? Julia?”

“Ah, send him to a doctor?” Julia stammered.