by Maya Banks
So he was awake, she thought with smug satisfaction. As she stepped into the expansive house the only reaction she could summon was a sagging jaw. It was as if she had stepped into another world. Or country, at least. Though she’d only seen pictures, she was sure this was an exact replica of a sultan’s palace. Of course, Mr. Douglas would choose such a theme to accommodate his sizeable harem. A giggle escaped her, and the butler stared inquiringly at her.
Summoning a more stoic expression, she pressed her lips together and continued on behind the man. But her eyes were still drawn to the exotic pieces of art dotting the hallways, the Persian rugs, the dark, rich colors of the walls, and the deeply burnished furniture. It all exuded masculinity, and a tickle of anticipation fluttered deep in her stomach.
She was shown into the sitting room, and the butler took his leave. She walked over to the settee, covered in red and gold brocade, and gingerly sat on the edge. All around her, ornamental pieces were strategically placed in the room, and though this April morning was quite warm, a fire blazed in the hearth. An earthy scent she couldn’t quite identify drifted lazily throughout the room, but it fit well with the atmosphere.
A rug matching the colors of the settee lay sprawled in front of the fire, and Jenna got a mental image of bodies entwined in front of the flames.
A quick shake of her head dispelled the moment of fancy, and she reprimanded herself for her wayward thoughts. Surely everything she’d heard about Mr. Douglas wasn’t true. A tiny smiled curled the corners of her mouth. But she certainly hoped so.
She looked up as the butler returned to the room, and her heart sank when she saw he was alone.
“Mr. Douglas will receive you in the library.”
She sighed in relief and hurried after the butler. Up the winding staircase they climbed until they reached the second-story landing. The butler then ushered her down a long hallway lit by ornate wall sconces. Obviously red was a favorite color of Mr. Douglas as the walls were covered in decorative red and gold paper.
As the butler stopped and tapped at the door to the library, Jenna took in a steadying breath and wiped her hands on her skirts. The door opened and the butler gestured her in. On shaky legs, she stepped into the room and jumped when the door closed behind her.
Looking nervously about the darkened room, she waited with bated breath for some sign she wasn’t alone.
“Lady Jenna, to what do I owe the honor of your most unexpected visit?” His deep voice resonated off the walls and surrounded her. A shiver raced down her spine as she followed his voice to a seat across the room.
She sucked in her breath as she caught full sight of Grayson Douglas and couldn’t have spoken if she wanted to. Sitting casually in an armchair, he personified the image of a predator. Dressed impeccably in breeches and a white ruffled shirt, he stared at her over the rim of his drink. As she moved closer to him, she took in his intense gray eyes and coal black hair. His right leg was crossed over his left knee, and his polished Hessians gleamed in the soft light of a nearby oil lamp.
She watched in fascination as he sipped his drink then ran the tip of his tongue over his top lip to remove the moisture. He set his glass down and flashed perfectly straight teeth in a knowing smile. “Do I pass inspection, Lady Jenna?”
Heat crept up her neck and warmed her cheeks. “Do pardon my rudeness, sir. Having never formally met you, I was not sure what to expect.”
“Ahh, I see. So you expected me to spirit you away to my bedchamber?”
Oh, drat the man, how could someone sound so positively sinful? She gulped back her nervousness and summoned her courage. “Well, you see, Mr. Douglas. That is precisely why I came.”
He arched an eyebrow in surprise. “You came because you wanted me to spirit you away to my bedchamber?”
“Well, not exactly,” she stammered out. “Oh, do pour me a drink.” She needed something to bolster her flagging confidence. This was a bad idea. Perhaps the worst idea she’d ever had.
With a low chuckle, he handed her a glass. She gulped at the liquid, and fire poured down her throat. She coughed desperately. Her eyes watered, and she gasped for air. Offering a lady such a strong spirit at this hour of the morning? But then perhaps he had already discerned the purpose of her visit and dispensed with any pretense of propriety.
“Better?”
She nodded and set aside the glass.
“Do sit down,” he invited, gesturing toward an identical armchair.
She sank into the chair, grateful to relieve her shaking legs.
“Now perhaps we can get to the reason for your visit?”
Avoiding his piercing gaze, she fidgeted nervously in her seat. Finally she looked up, gathered her courage around her and blurted, “I wanted to propose that we become lovers.”
He choked on his drink and rapidly set it down beside his chair. “I beg your pardon? I don’t think I heard you correctly.”
“You heard me,” she said in a voice she was proud to note sounded much calmer than she felt.
He dropped his leg to the floor and leaned forward. “Tell me, Lady Jenna. What is a woman of your station doing here, at the house of an eligible man without proper chaperone? For that matter what are you doing here at all?”
This was not going according to plan. To her dismay, he was laughing at her. Not out loud, but the insufferable beast was laughing just the same. The devilish twinkle in his eye gave him away.
What was she to expect anyway? She was a far cry from the other ladies of the ton. Not stunningly beautiful, though she was passable. Her chestnut hair was neither blond nor brunette, but a shade in between. Her eyes were a mundane shade of brown, and she’d been told on more than one occasion that her mouth was just a little too wide. She wasn’t the sort of woman to inspire a man—not even her fiancé—to spirit her away to his bed.
And that stung.
“Yes, well, I can see my coming was a mistake,” she said, rising from her seat. “I assume I can count on your discretion, sir?”
“Sit down, Lady Jenna. I don’t often find myself surprised by a woman, but in your case, I admit I am quite flummoxed.” His voice carried a hint of authority, though it was soft and reassuring.
She sank back into the armchair and directed her gaze at him.
“I am flattered by your proposal, my lady. But curiosity prompts me to ask why you are making such an outrageous request.”
Jenna looked down at her lap where she twisted her hands in nervous agitation. Her reasoning sounded silly even to her own ears. Ladies weren’t supposed to enjoy or look forward to the mysteries of the bedroom, yet she’d heard the murmurings of those bolder ladies of the ton. The ones who defied the mold society imprisoned them in. Those who took a lover and giggled with delight at the activities they pursued. The blushes, gasps and exclamations.
She wanted that. Wanted to discover the joys of the bedroom, things that no married woman ever whispered about her husband. No, the ladies she’d spent so much time gleaning information from never blushed when speaking of their husbands.
And the truth of the matter was, she wanted to marry Stuart about as much as she wanted to die of some dread disease.
Feeling his stare and knowing he was waiting for an explanation, she finally opted for the truth. “I wanted to experience what I’ve heard so many other women whisper about.”
When she looked back up at him, he was smiling gently at her. “But surely when you marry one day, your husband will be more than happy to show you the delights of the marriage bed.”
Humiliation seized her all over again as she remembered her disastrous encounter with Stuart on the terrace. “That’s just it,” she said mournfully. “The man I am betrothed to doesn’t inspire passion in me. In fact he inspires very little.”
His expression hardened. “I see. So you wanted me to school you in the fine arts of the bedroom so that when you marry your cold fish of a husband, you can look back to what we shared.”<
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She nodded miserably. “He’s a good sort, truly he is. I’ve known him all my life, and our marriage has been arranged since we were children, but when I am around him, I don’t feel...anything. Well, not unless you count complete dismay. And well, he doesn’t feel anything for me either quite obviously. He’s a...” She broke off, not quite sure how to describe Stuart. He defied any reasonable explanation.
Suddenly Mr. Douglas was in front of her, pulling her to her feet. One arm wrapped solidly around her waist, trapping her against him. “So he doesn’t make you feel this...” He trailed a finger down her cheek. “Or this.” His finger continued down her neck and came to rest just above where her bare skin disappeared into her bodice.
Goose bumps dotted areas of her body she didn’t even know existed. The earthy scent that had permeated her senses when she’d stepped into his house was him. His presence was everywhere. She drew in a deep breath, briefly closing her eyes. Any previous reaction to him from across the yawning space of a ballroom paled in comparison to being just a breath away.
Her knees buckled and her mouth went completely dry. Saints preserve, this man was lethal. She had to strain her neck to look up at him, and his strong arm around her felt like a band of steel.
“Er...precisely,” she mumbled.
“So you want to indulge in an affair. Why me?” he whispered just beside her ear, and his warm breath slid over her neck like the finest silk.
“You have a reputation for being competent in such matters,” she said primly.
He threw back his head and laughed, and she watched in fascination. His gray eyes twinkled, and a broad smile curved his handsome features. Where before he’d appeared mysterious, fearsome even, he now looked almost boyish. But his lips. They still looked like they were made for sin.
He released her and stepped back, studying her with those dark eyes. “So, tell me, what happens when on your wedding night, your new husband discovers you are no longer a virgin?”
She averted her eyes, feeling embarrassment at how much thought she’d given the matter. “I planned to tell him I had a childhood riding accident. I rather think he might be relieved for all the interest he shows in such matters.”
“It would appear you’ve thought of everything,” he said dryly. “So how are we to conduct this affair, Lady Jenna? I assume you don’t want such a matter to be public knowledge.”
“Of course not,” she gasped in horror. “Mamma and Papa would die. Just die! I could never show my face in society again if such a thing got out. I couldn’t bear their disappointment.”
“Then why are you willing to take such a risk?” he asked softly.
She briefly closed her eyes and twisted her fingers in the folds of her skirts. She didn’t know how to answer without sounding spoiled, willful. How could anyone understand the shameful longings that curled within her? She opened her eyes again and decided to go with some semblance of the truth. “Because I want to experience passion. I want to know what it’s like to throw caution to the wind and take on utter bliss. For a few stolen moments, I want to forget about my future.”
She finished her declaration in a ragged whisper as the agony of her reality crashed in on her once more. “I know I cannot escape the reality of my life, my duty. I only want a brief respite.”
“You have much confidence in my abilities. Are you so sure I can give you what you so desire?”
“I think you can do much more than that, sir,” she whispered.
His gray eyes darkened to the color of a stormy sky. “And what do I gain from this experience, my lady?”
She chewed her lip in consternation. “I know I am not at all like the women you are used to. I am not beautiful or seductive. You obviously have no need for money, so I will not offer you compensation.”
“Not beautiful? I beg to differ, Lady Jenna. Indeed you are enchanting. What sort of man is your intended husband? Not only does he not inspire passion within you, but he doesn’t think you beautiful?” He fingered an errant curl that fell down her neck. “He doesn’t deserve such a woman. You were right to come to me.”
She sucked in her breath. Suddenly Stuart’s rejection didn’t sting quite so badly. “Does this mean you agree to my proposal?”
“Yes, my lady. I think it does.”
She opened her mouth, but the only sound that came forth was a squeak.
He eyed her with a grin. “Have I struck you speechless?”
“We must—we must agree on the terms,” she stammered.
“What terms? We are to become lovers.”
“Surely you understand the necessity for me to be discreet, so we must agree to times when I can come and go undetected.”
He nodded. “Go on.”
“My parents are away on a trip to Italy, otherwise I would not have attempted this. I am staying in town with my brothers, but I have never done an outrageous thing in my life, so I know they would never suspect I would act this rashly. They let me come and go as I please as long as I take my maid with me.”
“And where is your maid today?” he asked with a smile.
“I left before she awoke. I am usually a late sleeper, and I intend to return before my absence is noticed.”
“So you wish to have our meetings early in the mornings?”
She blushed furiously, sure that her entire face was on fire. “I had hoped, uh, that I could come late in the evening...after it is assumed I am asleep and then return to my house in the morning.”
“Then you wish for us to have an entire night.”
“Exactly.”
“And how do you plan to get here so late at night?”
She pursed her lips and her brow wrinkled. “I suppose I will walk. It isn’t that far.”
“I won’t allow you to go about London unescorted and without proper protection.” His face darkened and she got the first hint of just how dangerous he could be. “I will send my carriage for you on the nights we are to meet. My driver can park down the street.”
“Very well, I suppose that is acceptable.” She shifted nervously and fixed him with a stare. “How many nights are you available from now to the end of the month?”
“For you I can clear any engagements I had. I will expect you each night and if you are unable to come, all I ask is that you send me word.”
She nodded. “Very well then, sir. We have an agreement?”
“We do and if we are to have such an agreement, I insist you call me Grayson, or Gray if you prefer.”
“Very well...Gray. And you may call me Jenna.” She held out her hand to shake his. “Shall we meet tonight then?”
He ignored her outstretched hand. “Leaving so soon?”
“Well...um, I shall see you tonight.”
His dark eyes gleamed. “There is no reason we can’t begin right now,” he purred.
Chapter Two
She looked at him in shock. “Right now?”
He took her hand, which was still outstretched, and pulled her against him. “We have but a short time. Why waste a perfectly good opportunity?”
For the second time she found herself speechless.
Gray cupped her face in his hands and lowered his head to hers. “I’ve wanted to taste your lips since you walked through the door. Would you deny me what we both want?”
Mutely she shook her head, and he pressed his lips to hers. Sensation flooded her entire body, and she began a slow downward spiral. His affect on her was dizzying. Never before had she experienced such a mind-shattering event.
She sighed against the gentle pressure of his lips and felt his tongue begin to explore the corners of her mouth. Soon her lips opened under his persistence, and his tongue began to duel with hers. If he wasn’t holding her so tightly against him, she would have collapsed to the floor.
“I think our agreement will be mutually beneficial,” he murmured against her lips.
She pulled away and looked into the stormy depths
of his eyes. “I think, sir, that I greatly underestimated your skills.”
“Or perhaps you overestimated them, my lady.”
Her brow furrowed, and she studied his expression. Not knowing how to respond to his odd statement, she remained silent.
“Tell me, Jenna. Do you think you are a woman of passion?”
Again she felt her cheeks grow warm. “I have always felt guilt over my desires,” she admitted. “I’ve always longed for passion and excitement, but have never had the courage to reach out and take it.”
“Until now,” he said, idly caressing her cheek.
“Until now.”
“I think it’s time you returned to your home. But I look forward to our first night together.”
He bent and kissed her lingeringly once more, and she moaned softly, her aching renewed with a vengeance. Tonight couldn’t come too soon for her liking.
“Do I need to arrange your transport home?”
“No,” she said quickly. “It is but a short distance. I cannot risk being seen in your carriage in the light of day. I often go out on walks, albeit with my maid, but I will come to no harm.
He cast her a doubtful look. “I don’t like the idea of your walking home, no matter the hour of the day. I hardly think it is your usual custom to go about unescorted.”
“Indeed not,” she replied. “But then it isn’t my usual custom to go to the home of an eligible man...any man...and make such an outrageous suggestion.”
“Touché. Until tonight then, my lady.”
“Good day, sir,” she said as though she hadn’t just asked a complete stranger to become her lover. She turned and exited the library.
Once outside, she hurried to the street. Snapping up her parasol and yanking her gloves back on, she did her best to look like she was doing nothing more than taking a morning stroll. But underneath, she was a raging sea.
She’d actually gone through with it. Never would she have imagined that she would carry out what she’d only fantasized about in her wildest dreams. But she had.
She’d have to be the soul of discretion if she wanted to remain undetected. To say that it would be disastrous were she discovered was a vast understatement.
