“Damn you.” Carin pushed away from him.
“Did I say something wrong?”
She walked to the window and pushed back the curtains. It was not quite dark, but the cloudy skies made it seem later than it really was.
Carin stared at the yard, which was something she’d always wanted in her life. Flowers, stone statues and benches where you could sit outside and enjoy the evening air, on nights when it was warm and not raining.
“Is there ever a night like that in England,” Tristan said with a laugh.
“Did I say all that out loud?” she asked, horrified that she had.
“Every word.” He crossed the room and stroked her arm. “I meant what I said. In the meantime why don’t we just enjoy ourselves for a while.”
Carin knew she should say no, but she found herself nodding.
“Last night was the first time in a long time,” she said. “It felt wonderful.”
She didn’t want to add that it was something she could get used to and that would cause a problem for her down the road.
“Yes, it did.” He ran one finger down her arm. “Come on, let’s go eat.”
Carin pointed at the bed. “But I thought…” she let her words trail off.
“Tomorrow after the party,” he said. “First things first, though. I’m starved.”
He took her hand and started for the door. “If we’re going to eat I should dress.”
“Didn’t I tell you I like you just as you are?”
There was no one in the hallway as they made their way to the room one down from his bedroom. He closed the door behind them and Carin took a look around. A blazing fire made her glad she was wearing little clothing.
“Have a seat at the table,” he said.
She did as he asked, and then she watched as he stripped down to his trousers. Her mouth watered at the sight of him. The chairs were on opposite sides of the table and Carin lowered her eyes as he moved his until it was right next to hers.
He dipped his finger into his wine glass and then moved it to her lips. She didn’t stop him as he traced her lower lip from one end to the other.
Carin licked her lips when he moved his fingers away.
“What are you thinking?” he asked.
“That I’m not used to this,” she said. “My husband, he, um.” She stopped speaking.
“He what?” Tristan asked.
“I wasn’t sure if I was making a mistake by bringing him up,” she said. “He was a wonderful man, but we only came together at night, after the lights were out. He would have screamed at me for being half naked at the dining table.”
Tristan gently put his fingers on her chin and turned her face toward him. “I’m not the sort to take my lady under the covers and do the deed with the lights out.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “The only person screaming when we make love will be you, when I take you to the moon and back.”
Carin licked her lips again. “I’m ready to scream when you’re ready to make me.”
He picked up a grape and held it in front of her lips. “First things first, food and then play. Are you ready?”
“Most definitely,” she said. “Take me to the moon.”
“Sit on your hands, and don’t move them,”
“Yes, Tristan.
He fed her grapes, one by one, and as he moved on to the cheese and bread her body started to tremble, because with one hand he gave her food, and with the other he caressed her, moving his hands over her breasts and arms, up and down her thighs.
When he gave her a piece of roast beef and gently patted her thighs she knew what he wanted without him saying it. She spread her legs. He dipped his fingers back into the wine and traced her lips as his other hand parted her quim lips and teased her clit.
As his fingers worked her top and bottom, Carin closed her eyes. When she started to spend she knew he’d been right. Little gasps of air escaped her lips, and when he pinched her clit she screamed.
“Just the beginning, little cat,” he said as she collapsed against his chest. “Just the beginning.”
Chapter 9
I can’t breathe,” Carin said, trying to adjust the corset as the carriage bounced along the street.
Ellington laughed. “But you look beautiful, little one, just beautiful.”
The dress was stunning, yards and yards of green satin, cut just low enough to show a hint of pushed up breasts. The bustle felt strange against her bum, but she didn’t care. Tristan had promised her a surprise if she behaved during the evening and she was excited to see what it was.
The carriage pulled into the line at Lord Buxton’s house and Carin’s excitement turned to nerves.
“I’m having a fit of nerves,” she said. “What if I mess up? What if someone recognizes me?”
Tristan laughed. “I don’t mean to disparage your work, my dear but Mrs. Thompson is not exactly the dressmaker to society women. She caters more to the middle class. The only ladies who might possibly recognize you would be Charlotte, Lady Thomas and Shelia McCoy and that’s because I sent Charlotte to give you a message. So, I assure you none of them will recognize you. The three ladies who know will not tell.”
He ended the sentence with a grin and Carin felt her nerves lessen somewhat. They had worked on her manners, speech and posture that morning until Carin thought she would scream. The only times they’d stopped was when Ellington had worked on messages, giving and receiving, in the morning and the afternoon.
During those times, Carin had sat in a chair and stared out, once again, at the garden. She felt like a lady of leisure, something she’d never thought she’d feel. It was an amazing feeling, but it had also frightened her. She’d had to remind herself it was just for this little bit, until they solved the mystery. Then she would have to, once again, earn her own way in London.
The carriage pulled to a stop and the door opened. A footman offered Carin his hand. She placed hers gingerly in his and lifted her skirts as she alighted from the vehicle. When Tristan was standing next to her he winked. She had done well.
Carin took his arm and they walked into the crush. Many people turned to look at them, some of the women giving Carin a look of pure hatred.
Tristan handed her wrap to a waiting servant and bent down to whisper. “Even at my advanced age I’m a very eligible bachelor. I expected some hostility from a few of the females. You’ll do fine.”
Their host, Lord Buxton came up to greet them, giving Carin an approving look.
“You seem to have endured your journey well, Miss Piper,” he said loudly. “Do accept my condolences on the death of your father. He was a good man.”
Carin lowered her eyes and whispered her thanks. She’d been warned that Buxton was in on the scheme, but she hadn’t expected him to be so public about it. But she supposed she should have. It definitely secured their story as Ellington moved her around the ballroom, introducing her to Lord this and Lady that. She knew the names, of course, but wondered if she would ever remember all the faces that went with them.
When they came upon Lord and Lady Essex standing with the men she’d met yesterday, Carin finally let go of her pent-up breath. Finally, someone she knew.
“Carin, my dear, this is Lord and Lady Essex. And this is Lord Cannonberry and Lord Barton,” Ellington said.
Carin frowned that he was introducing her to people she already knew, but then she remembered she needed to play her part. She bowed her head ever so slightly and said hello.
“I’m going to take Carin for a turn in the gardens, if you would like to join us,” Ellington said.
They all made their way toward the open doors and Carin shivered, feeling eyes on her as she walked. She looked around the room, her gaze coming to rest on those of the blonde woman who’d been with Lady Essex at the dressmakers. What had Tristan said the woman’s name was? Shelia McCoy.
The look she was getting from the blonde was a little more than the hostility she’d received from the others ladies. It was pure
hatred.
The group found a quiet spot in the garden, the ladies sitting on the stone benches.
“Well?” Ellington’s one word question brought smiles to the other men’s faces.
“All the warden had for me was the name of a man of affairs,” Cannonberry said. “And that man of affairs was not willing to give out the names of his clients. But when he went out for the afternoon Barton and I helped ourselves to his files. He has three clients who could fit our bill. Lord Simon, Lord Wicker, and the Duke of Rafferty.”
Essex sat on a bench next to his wife. He gave her an enquiring look and she smiled. Then he turned back to his friends. “I know all three, but only two of them have high gambling debts. Lord Simon and the Duke of Rafferty. Lord Wicker leads a frightfully dull life, never visiting the gambling hells.”
“So, either Lord Simon or the Duke of Rafferty is responsible for my father’s death,” Carin said softly. “Let me go into their homes and I can find the evidence we need.”
Ellington laughed. “You tried that before, remember my little cat burglar? Not that I’m complaining about the results, because it brought you to me, but we need to try a different tact. Besides, we can’t be certain one of the two are involved. Plus, we need to remember the keys. Someone involved with the four keys might also be responsible.”
Carin blushed as the others smiled at her. He was making it seem as if they were a couple. Even though she knew it was just an act; it felt good.
“The Duke of Rafferty is throwing a crush in two days to celebrate his daughter’s engagement,” Cannonberry said. “We will use that time to search for what we need. Finding our way into Simon’s house will be somewhat more difficult.”
Barton nodded. “He is a bachelor who does not give parties.”
“Then I will have to break into his house,” Carin said. “There is no other choice.”
The look Ellington gave her showed that he was not pleased with her words. “I will decide what we do. For now, we need to go in and enjoy the party while I think.”
When they reached the end of the garden the others made their way inside and Ellington took hold of Carin’s hand and pulled her back. “I don’t want you to take matters into your own hands, Carin. Promise me.”
“And if I don’t?” She threw him a look over her shoulder, her eyes gleaming with mischief. “What are you going to do? Spank me in front of all these people?”
Ellington laughed. “Don’t tempt me.”
He guided her into the building, neither of them noticing a small blonde woman who stepped out of the shadows, a frown etched onto her face.
Carin twirled around the dance floor with yet another man whose name she couldn’t remember. She’d shared dances with several handsome, young gentlemen. But none of them stirred her blood when they took her hand or placed their hand on her hip. What stirred her was the way Ellington watched, making sure that none of them put a toe out of line.
When Ellington pulled her onto the dance floor toward the end of the evening she sighed with exhaustion.
“Have I played the part right?” she whispered as he held her close.
“Indeed you have,” he replied. “And you have earned your surprise.”
“Are we going to have sex in Lord Buxton’s house?”
“No,” he said. “But we are going to watch while Buxton gives Lady Turnstall a birthday spanking.”
“What?” Carin missed a step as she looked into Ellington’s eyes. “I don’t think I understand.”
“There is something I need to tell you about,” he said. “A club, made up of several friends: men, widows and wives. A club devoted to people who enjoy being a little out of the ordinary when it comes to sexual pleasures.”
She leaned in closer, afraid that someone would hear their conversation.
“So, we’re going to watch Lord Buxton spank Lady Turnstall?” She was shocked by the very idea of it.
Ellington nodded. “The party is about at a close. The event is scheduled for two a.m.”
The music ended and Lord Barton came up to claim her for a dance.
Ellington handed her over with grace, and she watched as he made his way to the refreshment table. What exactly had he been talking about? Was the man she was dancing with a member of this so called organization that enjoyed sexual pleasures that might shock other people. She wanted to discuss it further, and it didn’t escape her notice that he waited until they were in public to bring this up.
She hoped she had a chance to talk to him about it in private before the “event” as he called it. She looked over to the table where she saw him pick up a glass of wine. Then she saw the woman who was obviously Shelia McCoy press against him and a jolt of jealousy rocked her to her very core.
Ellington had been feeling great, until the petite blonde pressed her breasts against his arm.
“Milord, I have missed the pleasure of your company tonight,” Shelia said. Ellington studied her face and watched as her gaze ran down to his crotch and back to his eyes, the invitation clear. “And, of course, I missed you at the Duke of Roths’ party. I must say I’m surprised at the news of your ward. Charlotte didn’t tell me about her.”
“I just heard of my old friend’s death when Carin arrived,” Ellington said, stepping backward. “Of course, I plan on doing everything in my power to see that she is well cared for.”
“She’s a little old for such services, isn’t she?” Shelia asked.
“Her father was one of my best friends, and I promised him I would take care of her,” Ellington said.
“Does that include bringing her to a party when she should be in mourning?”
Ellington bit back a frown. Why hadn’t he considered that someone would say something like that? He needed to think fast. “Her father has been dead for some time, and I didn’t want to leave her alone, in a strange city, while I came out.”
Shelia smiled at him, batting her eyes. “Does this mean that I will miss that ride you promised me?”
Ellington felt his anger rising. “I never promised you a ride, Mrs. McCoy, either on horseback or in any other fashion.”
Shelia’s smile slipped, but he noticed it came back into place almost immediately. “But I can assure you, Lord Ellington, that I am the finest horsewoman around. Much better than your ward is, I’m sure.”
Ellington didn’t answer. Instead he bowed low and decided to change the subject. “Have you enjoyed yourself this evening?”
“No,” she said. “But I will feel better if you take me for a turn on the dance floor.”
Ellington put down his wine. “As you wish.”
She kept herself at a proper distance, for which Ellington was happy. She didn’t bring up the ride again, but when he looked down at her, Ellington could see her gaze was focused on Carin, and there was definite anger in her eyes.
“Do you mean to tell me that we’re to watch Lady Turnstall receive a spanking at the hands of Lord Buxton?” Carin pulled away from Ellington’s touch. “This is insane. It’s horrible. How can you even suggest such a thing?”
“Darling, all members of The Club know the truth about our relationship, which means they know we’ve been intimate.”
Carin stared at the door that Ellington held open. What lay on the other side was not something she wanted to see, of that she was sure.
“If they know there is no reason to protect our story,” she said. “Let me wait downstairs while the—what did you call them, The Rakes of Mayfair—slake their appetites while a woman is beaten.”
“Spankings are not beatings,” he said. “Come now, Carin, behave and I’ll give you a good, sound fucking tonight.”
The offer made Carin’s nipples harden, but she still didn’t like the idea of seeing a woman spanked. She certainly hadn’t enjoyed it the other evening when Ellington took her over his lap.
“What if I don’t like watching?”
“Then bury your head in my chest and think of me burying my cock in your pussy tonight,
” he said. “Think of the pleasure we’ll both get from it. That will help you get through the evening’s entertainment.”
Entertainment? Carin didn’t argue with him anymore. Instead, she went through the door Ellington held open. Inside were several people, including Lord Cannonberry and Lord Beaton. Tristan selected a chair, sat down and pulled her onto his lap, gently caressing her back.
He turned her head and kissed her gently. One thing she could say for him was that his touch made her body heat, and her mind whirl. It was a feeling that made her want to snuggle further into his arms and purr like a contented cat.
“One of Lady Turnstall’s little proclivities is that she enjoys being spanked in front of people,” Ellington said as he ran his fingers up and down her back. “Buxton is her sponsor in The Club, so he provides her with what she likes on her birthday. The only other time she receives a public spanking is at Club meetings.”
Carin felt herself blush. The idea of their sexual club was off the mark, but they seemed to enjoy it. She wondered if she would enjoy having things done to her in public. Somehow, she doubted it.
Then she stopped to think about herself and Ellington, and about the first time he’d spanked her, and how much she’d hated it. But then he’d fucked her, and she’d loved it. Would doing it in front of people increase her pleasure? She hated to admit it was an intriguing idea, and she pushed it away from her mind as fast as she could.
The door opened and Lord Buxton entered, Lady Turnstall following behind him. Buxton was a handsome man, tall and dark. Lady Turnstall, the widow of Lord Turnstall, was small and fair. She was blindfolded and had a big smile on her face.
Buxton led Lady Turnstall to a divan set in the center of the room. He sat down and immediately turned her across his lap, raising her skirts to reveal her underclothes.
Carin watched with wonder as he picked up a small wooden cane and began smacking her bottom through the material. The lady in question moaned with approval, counting each stroke and asking for more.
His Disobedient Thief (Rakes of Mayfair Book 2) Page 11
