“What’s the matter, love?” said Terry, as she tried to take off Mel’s clothes. “There’s nothin’ to be embarrassed about. Let me take yer clothes off. I promise you’ll like it.”
Hal was momentarily distracted by Sherry, who had deftly undone his breeches to cup his very hard cock. He ached like the devil, but it wasn’t her he longed for. He gently removed her hand, ignoring her protests.
He looked over to see that Terry had changed tactics. She’d removed her robe, baring herself completely save for garters and stockings. It was likely Mel had never seen another woman naked before, for she looked at Terry, shocked, with her mouth open.
And Terry took full advantage. She pressed one of her breasts into Mel’s mouth, then held her head to her with a grip Hal personally knew to be a strong one. From several feet away, he could see over Terry’s breast just enough to see that Mel’s eyes were wide. Mel looked at him, saw his jutting erection, then she began to suckle.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Mel couldn’t explain. She wasn’t attracted to Terry sexually and, in fact, found the woman’s personality rather off-putting. Mel had been overwhelmed by the situation, by having a breast thrust into her mouth, the very taut nipple on her tongue.
Then she’d looked over at Hal, who was standing and staring at her with his cock jutting outward. Suddenly she’d had the inexplicable urge to take him into her mouth. To kneel before him and suckle him. Then she found herself sucking on the one thing pressed onto her tongue.
The look on his face mesmerized her. He was all heat and passion. He looked as if he wanted to pound into her the way the men had done to that girl in the show. Sherry was dancing in front of him as she undressed, but he paid her no heed. Instead, he took himself in hand and began stroking hard. Almost violently. Every muscle in his body was tense as he jerked his hand up and down on his cock. He kept his eyes on hers and she almost couldn’t bear the intensity.
Almost.
Up until that moment, she hadn’t a clue as to her ability to arouse him. She’d been the neophyte and he the experienced teacher. But he was clearly out of control and it was all because of her. She wondered if she could stoke the flames even higher. She reached up and put her hand on Terry’s breast, gently squeezing as she continued to suckle. Terry let out a moan that didn’t seem nearly as fake as the woman in the show earlier that evening.
Hal let out a groan that was without a doubt genuine. He grasped himself tighter and tugged harder to the point where she was sure he would hurt himself. Then with a hoarse shout he spilled his seed.
Mel watched as the milky liquid spurt once, twice, three times. Suddenly, she wished it had landed on her, like on the girl earlier. It was, she supposed, a dirty, disgusting thought that she should be thoroughly ashamed of.
But it only made her feel hotter.
As Hal finally opened his eyes and his breathing returned to normal, he looked at her once again. Mel gently pulled away from Terry’s breast.
The silence was broken by Sherry. “Lord Hal, you didn’t have to do that yerself! I would’ve gladly got you off.”
Hal cleared his throat, his voice but a rasp. “Thank you, Sherry and Terry. But I have a few things I would like to discuss with my cousin, if you wouldn’t mind leaving us.” He pulled out his purse and gave both girls easily three times what they normally earned.
He was barely able to restrain himself until he heard the door snick shut after they left.
He and Mel raced toward each other, meeting in the middle. He kissed her ravenously, even as his hands fumbled to get her out of the clothes Rigg had so carefully dressed her in. She put one hand around his cock, which was already hard again. He gasped, then moved her hands up to remove his shirt. “Slowly, sweetheart. Or I’ll disgrace myself again.”
She pulled off his jacket and waistcoat, and was about to take off his shirt, when he pushed her hands aside so he could finish taking off her clothes. They were soon both naked and pressed against each other. Ignoring her protest, he pulled away from her enough to spread their clothes out on the rug. Even in the heat of the most ferocious lust he’d ever experienced, he knew he could not take her on a whore’s bed.
He laid her out on the floor, lowered himself down on top of her, then moved a finger into her cunny. Thankfully, she was hot and wet. It was a relief because he knew he couldn’t last through preliminaries. He pressed one finger into her and she greedily sucked him in and rose up to meet him. He pressed another into her. She was tight, but anxious. And he could wait no longer.
He gently pressed into her. She was so tight it was hard to keep from coming, despite having just spent himself moments earlier. He slowly inched into her, afraid of hurting her, but knowing there was no way to avoid it. When he came to the barrier he kissed her, mating his tongue with hers, then plunged into the very heart of her.
She tensed for a moment and they both stopped breathing. But he looked into her eyes and whispered, “I’m sorry, love. But I’ll cause you no more pain.”
He began to move slowly in and out and she quickly matched his rhythm. He felt himself being drawn into her more and more. He felt the two of them becoming ever more connected. He knew he should feel alarmed by that. But he didn’t. It felt too right to be with her.
They moved in unison, not knowing where the one left off and the other began. They climbed the spiral higher and higher until they both exploded in passion. First her, then he quickly followed. And this orgasm was even more intense than the last.
He collapsed on top of her and she held him to her. They lay like that for several minutes, until he realized his weight was likely a burden. But he couldn’t bring himself to pull out of her. Not yet. He kissed her. “How do you feel?”
“Like a buffalo has taken up residence on me,” she said with a smile. He quickly tried to divest himself from her, but she grasped him with arms and legs. “I happen to like buffalo.”
“That is not the most romantical thing a woman has ever said to me in bed, and I thank you for it,” said Hal with a grin as he kissed her, then lifted himself off her. He lay on the pile of clothes and pulled her onto his chest. They lay there for a moment, at peace. Savoring the moment.
He’d taken her maidenhead and he knew there would be repercussions to that. But at the moment, all that mattered was the two of them in that gaudy gold room. He lifted his head to kiss her shoulder. It was a romantic gesture he was sure she’d enjoy. And it afforded him a glimpse of her beautiful rounded arse. He moved his hand down her back to one globe. “Is that a birthmark?” he asked. He stroked the dark red splotch, which was slightly smaller than a chicken egg.
“That ugly thing,” she said, as she tried to swat away his hand. “I’ve had it since birth. Thank goodness it’s in a spot where no one can see it.”
“Almost no one,” said Hal, as he stroked the spot, which was fast becoming one of his favorite parts of her.
She lay in his arms for a moment, but he could feel her becoming more and more tense. He had a feeling a serious discussion would ensue.
He was correct.
She lifted up enough so she could see his face. “I feel horrible,” she said. She was frowning, biting her bottom lip in consternation.
Truth be told, Hal felt bad about something himself. He hadn’t pulled out before he’d spilled his seed. She could very well be with child. He always took care to wear French letters to avoid pregnancy and disease. But he knew that even if he’d had a dozen of them by his side, he would’ve wanted their first time to be like this, instead.
If there was a child he knew they would marry. He was actually fairly at peace with the idea. He hadn’t been in the market for a wife, but he couldn’t imagine finding a better one. He genuinely liked her. And while he certainly wouldn’t ever take her to another whorehouse again, he wouldn’t forget the sight of her suckling another woman’s breast any time soon. Just the memory of it was making him hard.
“Hal!” said Mel, knowing his attention wasn’t on her. At least
it wasn’t on her in the present moment. “You’re not listening.”
“Of course I am,” he said, then was thankful that years of only partway listening had left him with the skill of recall. “You feel horrible. I’m sorry to hear that. But what we did tonight – while far from the setting I would have liked – has been a long time coming. I am truly sorry for any physical discomfort I caused you, but can assure you it gets better. And there’s nothing to be ashamed about. What we did is perfectly natural for two people who are as close as we have grown. Especially in light of our future together. Why are you looking at me like that?”
She looked as puzzled as Arthur used to when their tutor had given him maths.
“I feel horrible,” she said slowly, as if digesting what he’d just said and finding it not to her taste, “because tonight we took advantage of two poor women in the shackles of prostitution. It was unconscionable of us, especially of me.”
That was most decidedly not what he thought she’d say. “Why especially you?”
“Because you are a man and cannot help yourself in such circumstances.”
“First of all, those two poor women were compensated more in the quarter of an hour they spent with us, than most clerks earn in a month. And they performed none of the services they usually do. Indeed, one of them was the very fortunate recipient of your attentions to her breasts. She should have paid us.”
At the reminder of what she’d done, Mel blushed a bright red.
Hal continued. “As much as I would love to revisit your earlier actions, I fear Sherry and Terry have no doubt voiced their suspicions about what I’m doing in here with my cousin. It might be best if we leave now.”
They quickly dressed and while Mel didn’t look nearly as convincing without Rigg’s expert touch, she was able to pass well enough. They slipped into the hall and started walking through the dimly lit corridors. It was everything Hal could do to resist taking her hand to protect her. It was all he could do to prevent himself from pulling her onto the nearest bed and repeating what they’d done earlier. But she’d be sore and he certainly didn’t want to hurt her more than he already had.
“Where are we going?” asked Mel, as they turned a corner once again.
“I want to find Sherry. If anyone knows what happened to Miss LaRue and the others, it will be she.”
They found Sherry sneaking some of the brandy reserved for clients. Foxed clients were more likely to order costly services, even if they were often in no shape to do anything to enjoy them. The girls at Madame Thurmond’s were allowed to be slightly inebriated, but never to the point of being bosky. And they were generally supposed to use the cheap ale freely distributed in the kitchen.
Sherry jumped when they found her behind a curtained alcove. “Lord Hal,” she said as she dipped a curtsy. “Are you ready for us again? I can have someone fetch Terry for you.”
“Thank you, but that won’t be necessary. And don’t let us interrupt your break.” He gestured toward the purloined brandy, hoping it would loosen her tongue. “My cousin and I had a few questions.”
Sherry looked warily at the two of them, then took a drink as if she needed to fortify herself.
“What can you tell me of Miss LaRue?” asked Hal.
“Miss LaRue, as in the whore with the bright red hair who used to work here?” At Hal’s nod, she thought for a moment. “She was a bit full of herself she was. Puttin’ on airs as if she weren’t earnin’ on her back like the rest of us. Had a taste for molasses. Bit too much of a taste, if you ask me. She was getting plumper than a laying hen. And she snored somethin’ awful.”
“Do you know where she went when she left here?” asked Hal.
“Can’t say I thought about it one way or another. One day she up and left and didn’t say nothin’ about it to no one beforehand. We expected Madame Thurmond to have a fit since it was right before rent was due. But she surprised us all by taking the news right calmly. Said Miss LaRue wasn’t a good earner and it was good riddance. We did think it was odd, since she usually don’t take it too well when someone leaves.” The slightly wobbly Sherry narrowed her eyes at Hal. “Why are you askin’ so many questions about Miss LaRue?”
Hal contemplated just how much to tell Sherry. Given her inebriated state, she was unlikely to remember much the next day. “She was supposed to leave for America, but she never showed up for the voyage.”
“America!” said Sherry. “Who would want to go to bloody America? I always knew that girl was daft. Always going on and on about how some bloke was going to take her away from this life. None of us girls thought he existed. But now if you say he was going to take her to America, maybe he did. Don’t really matter now, do it? She ain’t here.”
“Did she ever describe the bloke?” asked Hal.
“Like how big his cock was?” asked Sherry.
“Well, that would be a starting point, I suppose. But I was hoping to have a more general description, how one could recognize him on the street. Fully clothed.”
“Oh.” She took another drink. “She said he used to be a fighter. His nose had been broke a time or two and he had a scar down his cheek. She claimed he was a rich bloke who owned a gaming hell. Like as not, the only true part of that was he had an ugly scar. Miss LaRue always was one to exaggerate something awful.”
Mel gasped, but then tried to conceal it by coughing. Sherry’s description perfectly matched the owner of Dill’s.
“Is there anything else you can tell us, Sherry?”
The girl thought about it as she downed the rest of her glass. “I think that about does it. Don’t know how it will help you now. And if yer lookin’ for another redhead, I have plenty of wigs if you want to go back to my rooms. Maybe you, me and yer cousin can spend the rest of the night playin’.”
“Thank you, Sherry, but no,” said Hal, as he gave the girl a few more coins. “But you have been most helpful.”
“I always like being helpful to you, Lord Hal. You should know that by now. If you don’t want to employ me, I’d better get back downstairs. The evening rush is about to start and it wouldn’t do to miss it.”
“Sherry,” said Mel to the girl. “There is a whole world beyond these walls, beyond London. I think you would do very well in America. Will you consider going?”
Sherry looked quizzically at Mel. “What the devil would you know about America? Ain’t you from Northumberland?”
“My cousin has dreams of going abroad,” said Hal quickly. “But I must say, Sherry, that if you ever wanted to get away from this life, there are people who could help you.”
“Are you asking me to be your mistress, Hal?” asked Sherry.
“I am afraid I’m not in the market for one,” he answered smoothly. “I meant to suggest that if you wanted to stop being a prostitute, there are people who could arrange for passage to America.”
“Huh,” said Sherry as she took one last drink before stoppering the bottle. “Can’t say as how I ever gave the future much thought. Truth be told, I don’t care much for being a whore, what with the smelly bodies and the terrible hours and having to act like I’m enjoying it like I’m a Covent Garden actress.” After a moment she added, “Not that I ever had to act when I was with you, of course.”
“Of course,” said Hal. “Keep the offer in mind. Should you decide you’d like to go to America, you need only send a message to Mitchell House. Can you remember that?”
Sherry nodded. “Thanks, milord. I always did say you was a good one. Now I have to go before the rich gents go with other girls.”
With that, Sherry departed, wobbling slightly along the way.
“I’m sorry I almost gave myself away,” said Mel.
“It’s been a momentous night,” said Hal. “You had a lot on your mind.”
“I did,” she said as she leaned in toward him. “I do.”
Hal caught himself just in time before he gave in and took her against the wall. “Did you know Miss LaRue was involved with Conrad Patton?
”
“No. She said she had no connections she could not leave. Do you think he could have been involved in her disappearance?”
“I don’t know. He has a history of violence toward cheaters and those who won’t pay their debts. But I know nothing of his relations with women. I will check it out.”
“Will we be going there tonight, Hal?”
“We will not be going anywhere. Your disguise might fool a bunch of half-bosky women in a dimly lit cathouse. You would not pass at Dill’s, where the floor managers are paid to pay close attention to everyone who enters the premises.”
Mel looked like she wanted to argue with him, but gave in for the moment. “Do you promise to keep me informed of your progress?”
Hal considered the request. “Yes. But only if you promise me you’ll do no further investigating on your own.”
Mel hesitated and Hal could almost see her mind scheming to come up with a way to get around his edict. “All right,” she said. “As long as you keep me informed.”
“Very well,” said Hal. “Now it’s past time to get you out of here and deliver you to your uncle’s house.”
Hal had a feeling he would soon make his own trip to her uncle’s house, with an important mission of his own to complete.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Anne Cartwright was almost finished with the darning. It was after midnight and she was getting a headache from doing the close work by candlelight. She usually finished the darning and mending during the day, but lately there had been a great deal more work around the house than usual. Lydia and Angela used to do chores in exchange for a reduction in rent. But both had seen an increase in income over the past few weeks and neither was especially inclined to help out for free.
Anne felt bad for the women because she had a very good idea where they were getting their money. And sooner or later she would have to have a talk with them. The point of the boardinghouse was to help girls move away from prostitution. The reduced rents were supposed to enable them to get honest work. But Anne was afraid both women were falling prey to the material trappings of their trade.
Never Run From Love (Kellington Book Four) Page 18
