But Vijaya was continuing. “We have many goddesses, including Shakti, the earth itself.”
“Isn’t Shakti the name of Rob’s first wife?” A little pang of jealousy stabbed Iantha.
“Yes, she was named to honor the goddess.” He looked at her kindly and, she thought, a bit sadly.
“Did you know her?”
“Of course. She was my sister—my favorite sister.”
“Oh! I didn’t know that. Then I am sorry for your loss.”
He nodded. “Thank you.”
And she was named for a goddess. The pang intruded again. Iantha turned away, surveying a row of figurines on the low marble table. “Do those represent deities?”
“Yes.” He pointed to a crude figure with huge, staring black eyes. “This represents Lord Jagannath, Lord of the Universe. His eyes are watching over all of us.”
“How interesting. That sounds very similar to what we are taught of God.” She studied the figure pensively.
“Many similarities exist. And one must remember that India is a very large country and a very old civilization. It has seen many migrations of different populations. Every age and area had its deities. That is why the Hindu pantheon is so large. In my home area, which still has many primitive tribes, we have maintained Lord Jagannath—an ancient tribal god—as supreme overlord. He has a consort, of course.”
“Does he indeed?” Iantha found herself fascinated by the idea of female deities—voluptuous female deities that smiled as they made love. “And is she also respected, as he is? Or does—”
Vijaya nodded emphatically. “She is revered, as are all our goddesses. They represent wisdom and nurturing, love and beauty—and sometimes destruction.”
“Oh, my. They have the power to destroy?”
He nodded solemnly.
That would require some additional consideration. After a moment’s more thought, Iantha realized that she had been quite a while in a gentleman’s private quarters. She really must leave. “Thank you, your highness, for showing me your treasures. I would like to discuss your religion further with you sometime.”
“I would be honored.” He bowed and closed the door behind her.
Iantha returned the way she had come, with much to consider.
Powerful female deities.
Who smiled as they made love.
That evening Iantha wore another new gown. Rose silk and silver ribbons fell in diaphanous folds from her shoulders to her feet. As she floated into the sitting room, Rob looked up from his reading and grinned. He set aside his scroll and held out his arms. She let him pull her between his knees and press a kiss between her breasts. His big hands slid down her sides, molding the gown to her body.
They might have done a great deal more, but Iantha wanted to discuss with her husband the new ideas she had garnered from her discussion with Vijaya earlier in the day. She kissed Rob’s lips and pulled back.
Still grinning, he released her, and she sat beside him. “In the writings you study with Vijaya, do you read about the goddesses of India?”
Rob held up the parchment he had been studying. “Aye. Most of these are religious texts. We study the development of the theological concepts as well as the old languages.”
“Then you know their female deities are very powerful.” Iantha pulled her brows together in thought.
“They are that. In fact, Durga is the goddess of power.” He set the parchment on the end table. “They are very interesting because the same goddess who represents motherly love may also serve as the destroyer. Of course, there are a great many versions of that.” He gave her a teasing smile. “Which most men already know, of course.”
“I don’t see how you can say that.” Iantha grimaced. “Here females have no power at all.”
“I would not agree.” Rob set her across his lap. “Even in England a woman can make a man as happy as a god or utterly destroy him.”
“Only if he loves her very much.”
“True. It is therefore prudent to love wisely.” He nibbled at her ear.
Iantha pondered that for a moment. “Yes, I can see that from the letters I receive. Men can also destroy a woman—in so many ways.”
“Also true. Human females in India fare no better—and often not as well. What has brought on this subject of conversation?” He untied the silver ribbon and combed his fingers through her shining hair, spreading it over the arm supporting her head.
“I stumbled into Vijaya’s suite today. He invited me to look at the lovely things he has brought from India. I would like to paint them someday.” She snuggled her head against his shoulder.
“Did you like his bed?”
“His bed!” Iantha struggled to sit up. “I did not see his bed!”
Laughing, Rob held her fast. “A pity. It is quite magnificent. I thought if you liked it, I would have a similar one that I have in storage brought up.”
“You wretch! You are teasing me.” She settled back against his shoulder.
“But I do have such a bed.” He blew gently against the skin behind her ear.
Iantha shivered, and that certain warmth began to bloom throughout her body. “You know that is not what I meant. But I would like to see Vijaya’s bed, if it is as magnificent as all that.”
“Perhaps we can borrow it some evening.” He untied the ribbon holding the gown together between her breasts.
Iantha drew in a hasty little breath, trying and failing to look severe. “Hardly. He would know what we were doing.”
“I’m sure he would be happy for us.” Rob dropped a kiss in the valley he had just revealed.
“I suppose so.” She moved to look up into his face. “Do you know that they have carvings of…well, people making love…on their temples?”
Rob made an assenting sound as he kissed her throat.
“And they are all smiling!”
“As they should be.” Her husband grinned down at her.
“And these powerful goddesses make love, also, with the gods.”
“I have been trying to explain to you the power that females have over we poor males—mortal or immortal.” His mouth started down in the direction of her nipples.
“But when we make love, I completely surrender to you.”
At the seriousness of her tone, Rob raised his gaze to her face. “Shall I instead surrender to you this evening?”
Several heartbeats of silence ensued while Iantha considered the offer. At last she said, “I would not know what to do.”
He leaned back against the sofa, his eyes twinkling. “Just tell me what you want me to do. I am yours to command.”
There was another period of quiet.
Iantha sat up in his lap. “I have never seen you without your clothing. I don’t know what… Well, I saw the carvings this afternoon, but…” Deciding to wield the power he offered her, she stopped stammering and took a deep breath. “I want to see you unclothed.”
He cocked his head to one side, looking pleased. “I will be happy to oblige you. But I suspect this is going to call for a glass of brandy.”
Iantha considered that. She was very close to losing her nerve. But when she drank brandy… “Yes, I think that would be a good idea. And I think we should go into my bedchamber.”
He murmured agreement, and she stood. Rob poured the brandy and gave the glass to her. He gestured toward her chamber.
“After you, my powerful goddess.”
Iantha nodded and swept regally through the door.
Chapter Fifteen
Believing that her husband followed close behind her, Iantha was startled when she turned to find he was not there. “Rob?”
Setting her brandy on the bed table, she walked back toward the sitting room, only to collide with him in the doorway. He steadied her with one hand. “Speaking of Vijaya reminded me—he gave me this as a wedding gift. It may ameliorate certain difficulties.”
“What is it?” Iantha examined the small marble bowl holding a lump of some brown mater
ial.
Rob set the bowl on the bed table. “Incense. One burns it to make the room fragrant.” He dipped his head and sniffed. “Unless I am mistaken, this is patchouli.” He grinned. “Very suitable for a wedding gift.”
As Rob lit the incense from the fire with a twisted paper spill, Iantha eyed it curiously. “Why do you say that?”
He turned to her and wrapped his arms around her, nuzzling her hair. “Because it is said to kindle desire. But I am usurping your role.” He released her and guided her to the edge of the bed. “You are to direct matters tonight.”
He stepped back, and Iantha sat. Suddenly she flushed. “I…I am not sure—”
“Nay. That will not do.” Rob folded his arms across his chest. “I await your commands.”
Power.
Female power.
Iantha took a sip of brandy and lifted her chin. “Very well. Please remove your waistcoat and shirt.”
Rob did as she asked, making a great show of slowly undoing the buttons before casting the waistcoat aside. At last he pulled the shirt over his head, and his own smoky scent mingled with the patchouli, waking a heat in Iantha’s lower body.
Suddenly she realized her eyes were closed.
Resolutely she opened them and beheld her husband’s broad chest with his bulky arms folded across it. Iantha drew in a long breath.
Beautiful.
Frightening.
Powerful.
So much strength. She would never manage to defend herself if he chose to use it against her—him or any other man. That she already knew.
To her sorrow.
But this was Rob. He had never used his strength that way. She could not even envision his doing so.
She took a larger swallow of the liquor and looked again. Dark hair covered the upper part of his chest and ran in a narrower strip across ridges of muscle into his britches. The heat in her made itself known again. She sighed.
He stood there silently, waiting.
Iantha reached for the brandy.
This time she took two swallows and gave him her most imperious gaze. “Will you now please remove your britches?”
Rob grinned. “I can’t do that with my boots on.”
“Oh, bother!” How dare he be impertinent when she was giving him orders. In spite of herself, she smiled. “Then remove them.”
He retreated to a chair and pulled off both boots and stockings.
“I said nothing about your stockings.” She looked down her nose at him, doing her best to appear haughty.
“My humble apologies, my lady.” His grin remained undaunted. “But any man looks perfectly ridiculous in stockings and no britches.” He came back to stand in front of her. “Now—where were we?”
“I had ordered you to remove your nether garments.” Even through the buckskin he wore, she could see a sizable bulge. Courage almost failed her, and she resorted to the brandy again.
Rob unbuttoned the flap and in one motion pushed britches and underwear to the floor. He then stood tall, watching her closely. Iantha covered her mouth with both hands at the sight of the erection springing from the thick hair that spread across his groin. Good heavens! He was so…so large. She drew in a deep breath, the incense filling her senses.
“Are you all right?” He looked concerned. “Shall I dress?”
“No… No. But please come and sit beside me.”
“You are sure?” He did as she bade, and put an arm around her shoulders. “You look a bit shocked.”
“I didn’t quite know what to expect. It was dark before and…they all came out of the darkness…. In any case, I didn’t look.” She rested her head on his shoulder. “I don’t feel very powerful presently.”
He gave her a moment before saying, “Then we must remedy that. Tell me what you want now.”
“I want you to kiss me. Just kiss me.” He bent to her lips, and Iantha lifted her face. After an instant she realized that she could not feel his tongue. She opened her mouth, but he did not respond. Very well then. She ran her own tongue over his lips. And he ran his over hers, copying her.
Iantha opened wider, and he followed her lead, so she thrust her tongue into his mouth. At that point she suspected his restraint was failing, because he pulled her closer and met her thrust for thrust. For several minutes that seemed to suffice. And then Iantha begun to realize that there was a great deal more to kissing than she had suspected.
“You may touch my breast.” The warmth of his hand closed around it, and she gasped. More. She needed more. Much more. “Please kiss it, also.”
Without instruction Rob toppled her backward onto the bed, and his lips closed around her nipple. She arched against him, sighing. “The other one.”
The heat of his mouth moved to the other nipple, and his hand came up to tease the one he had just left. Iantha moaned. He pressed his hard body against her hip. Her head began to spin as feeling pooled between her legs. She arched again, and his knee came across hers.
“I—I need more,” she gasped.
“Tell me,” he replied, implacable. He continued to devour her breasts.
“Touch me…there.”
One hand cupped her between her legs, slowly moving. His mouth stayed at her breast. Iantha was moaning aloud now. She could hardly speak. “I…I want you…inside.”
He slid one finger into her passage, taking her by surprise.
“Ah!” She pressed against his hand. It was not enough. “Not like that! I want you inside me.”
Rob immediately rolled to his back and lifted her, setting her astride him. When she would have leaned forward over him, he held her upright. “Use your power, goddess.”
At first Iantha could not fathom what he meant. Then his hands came up to her nipples, and he began to pulse under her. “Oh, dear heaven!” She tightened her legs against his torso. He groaned. She tightened again, and he bucked under her. She lifted herself slightly and slid back down. His breathing sounded hoarse, and he made a sound deep in his throat.
Suddenly she felt strong and abandoned.
Powerful.
She locked her fingers behind her neck and thrust her breasts forward. She lifted again. And again. He met her with stronger and stronger thrusts.
And her body began to convulse, writhing against him, out of her control. She could barely hear his voice over her own cries. Could not think. Could only feel.
She fell limply across him as his body stilled. His arms tightened around her. His breath sounded as if he had been running, and she felt as if she had been.
At length he whispered in her ear.
“How can you doubt your power, my silver goddess?”
“It appears that we are in for another storm.” Rob ladled eggs onto his plate while Iantha poured coffee for both of them. As he came back to the table, he paused to drop a kiss on the top of her head.
Iantha smiled up at him. She really was very fortunate in her husband. Last night’s lovemaking had left her feeling more at ease with him than she had since they had met.
Comfortable.
She buttered a scone. “Yes, I heard the wind rising this morning while I dressed.”
“This is certainly becoming a severe winter.” Rob set his plate on the table and changed the subject. “Vijaya and I are planning to work in the library today. He said he would be honored if you wish to paint some of his furnishings and art.” He winked at her. “I promise to keep him occupied if you want to look at his bed.”
Iantha flushed. “I would not wish to intrude on his privacy,” she said primly.
Her husband laughed aloud. “Then you have far less curiosity than any other woman I have ever known. He will not mind if you have a peek. He insists that he would like to see the results of your artistry.”
Iantha grimaced, but then smiled. “I confess, I would like to see it.”
“Then look. By the way, I believe I will send Feller to invite Sebergham to dinner.” Rob glanced at her questioningly. “If you think you can tolerate h
is company. I want to be sure he has truly left Cumberland.”
“Oh. I see.” Iantha wrinkled her nose. “That is a good idea, although I had rather not. Perhaps he has already gone and will not be available.”
Rob nodded. “Let us heartily hope so.”
Breakfast eaten, Rob retired to the library, and Iantha went in search of her paints. She rummaged in a storage chest for her brighter colors. Her favorite pastels would not do for this project. Then she searched until she found the prince’s suite, and knocked. Receiving no answer, she opened the door and peeped in. As Rob had said, no one was there.
Iantha set her paints down and gazed around the room. Where should she start? It was all so exotic. She strolled through the parlor, examining each beautiful ornament, until she came to a silver screen. Peering behind it, she found the door to Vijaya’s bedchamber. One glance through the opening settled the matter.
She stepped through the door.
The bed met and surpassed Rob’s description. Tall and wide, the headboard boasted both carving and silver plate. Rich curtains in deep colors hung from the ceiling. Iantha approached the bed and ran her hand over the silk coverlet. Umm! So soft and smooth. Casting decorum to the winds, she climbed up and sat in the middle of it. She crossed her arms and legs and raised her chin. Proud. Dignified. Like an Indian goddess.
Powerful.
And she knew what she would paint.
Several hours later she was startled by a tap on the door of the suite. Glancing up from her work, she saw Thursby holding out a slip of paper.
“I found this in the hall by your bedroom door, my lady. I thought perhaps you would want it immediately.”
“Oh. Thank you, Thursby, I appreciate your looking for me.” She smiled as she took the paper.
“Of course, my lady.” The footman bowed and departed.
Iantha smiled again. Thursby seemed much more dignified in his livery than he had doing the sword dance. He might make a good butler one day. She unfolded the note.
Patricia Frances Rowell Page 19
