by Maya Banks
“How are you feeling?”
She couldn’t help but smile at the warm concern on his face. “I am very well.”
“No regrets?”
She shook her head. And she didn’t have any. If she never again experienced such exquisite pleasure, she’d have last night to look back on and hold close to her.
He leaned up on one elbow. “I’ve planned a hot bath for us this morning before you have to leave. It should be ready now.”
“That sounds heavenly.”
Ever conscious of her nudity, Jenna attempted to wrap herself in the satin coverlet, but Gray put a hand out to stop her. “Don’t. You are far more beautiful to look at than the sheets.”
She flushed, but let it drop to her feet. His eyes darkened as he took in her nudity, and she felt a thrill at his reaction.
He led her across his bedroom and through the doorway into a smaller antechamber. In delight, she took in the large tub filled with steaming water. She didn’t hesitate to climb in, settling down in the soothing water.
Gray climbed in and sat opposite her, his long legs cradling her thighs. “Come here,” he said, motioning for her to turn around.
She turned her back to him and scooted between his legs. Her eyes closed, and she moaned in pleasure as he began washing her back, stroking over her shoulder blades and massaging her neck. She threw her head back when his fingers delved into her hair, and the fragrant scent of honeysuckle wafted through her nose as he worked the soap into her hair.
“You indulge me way too much,” she murmured.
“You want me to stop then?”
She laughed. “No!”
He chuckled and resumed washing her hair. He massaged her scalp, digging his fingers into her thick mane of hair. “Why didn’t you tell me of your mishap at the opera?” he murmured.
Her eyes came open. His hands slowed in her hair. “I didn’t want it to spoil our evening.”
“You could have been hurt or worse.”
“Yes, but there was little to be done after the fact,” she said with forced lightness.
She gulped at the memory, and a flash of guilt assailed her. For the underlying thought she had as the gun was trained on her head was that she might never experience another night with Gray. Not that she would never see her family again.
“Let’s not dwell on it,” he whispered against her ear. “I am sorry to have made you remember.”
He finished soaping her hair then reached for a pail laying beside the tub. Once he’d rinsed the strands thoroughly, he put his arms around her and began washing her breasts with the soap-covered cloth. Her nipples hardened under his attentions, and she leaned back against his chest to give him better access.
As one hand continued its gentle ministrations, his other hand slipped down and began massaging the sensitive nub between her legs. His lips lowered to the curve of her neck and nipped delicately at the skin.
Her breathing accelerated and her hips undulated in time with the motion of his hands. Just as she neared the peak of her release, his fingers pinched a nipple, and she catapulted over the cliff.
She lay limply against his chest as he gently finished washing her. Then he stood behind her, the water cascading from his body in rivulets. He helped her from the tub and wrapped her in a large towel. Sweeping her up in his arms, he carried her back over to the bed and deposited her on the sheets.
She couldn’t have moved if she wanted as he dried her limbs. He moved behind her and began toweling her hair. When he’d finished she turned around to face him. “I wanted to ask...”
“Yes?”
“That is I wondered why you didn’t...why you spent your seed on the sheets.” Heat suffused her cheeks as she finally managed to get out her question.
He looked at her oddly for a moment. “I don’t foresee you becoming pregnant as a part of our agreement, nor do I have any wish to sire bastards.”
All the blood drained from her face in one swift intake of breath. Fool! And she’d always considered herself such a practical minded girl. She hadn’t given any thought to the possibility of her getting pregnant. None.
Humiliation and shame rushed over her with speed to rival a runaway carriage. He must think her the biggest of dolts.
“Don’t feel badly,” he said in a quiet voice. “I’ve made certain neither of us will be in a situation we don’t desire.”
“You must think me so foolish,” she said in a shaky voice. “I of course know how women become with child, but I never thought about our...our activities making me so. And of course, you are right. That would never do.”
She paused and looked down at her hands. “Are you certain you can prevent such a thing?”
He pulled her chin back up and smiled at her. “I won’t allow it to happen, Jenna. You can trust me.”
She leaned forward into his chest wrapping her arms around him and laying her cheek against his skin. “I...”
“What is it?” he asked against her hair.
“I don’t want to leave,” she admitted.
“I don’t want you to leave either, but you must. It is nearly time and you’ve yet to dress. Not that I am complaining, mind you,” he said in a teasing tone. “But you must hurry, I’m afraid.”
Reluctantly she pulled away from his embrace and sat up straight on the bed. A sudden realization hit her, and she looked at him in alarm. “I don’t have any clothing!” She looked down at the tattered remnants of her gown lying on the floor.
“Not to worry, sweetheart. I’ll get something straight away.” He turned and exited the room.
A ridiculous smile attacked her face. Sweetheart. From him it sounded truly spectacular. Though she couldn’t be certain, it didn’t seem likely that he went about calling all his women sweetheart.
Her smile disappeared. Lady Lockhart. She’d gotten too caught up to ask Gray about her, and now that she’d remembered, the question wouldn’t die. She had to know.
Gray returned a few moments later with a gown that looked like it had been popular in years past. Only slightly faded, the material was of good quality and looked like it would fit her. She took it from him and hurriedly pulled it on.
Without all the inner trappings, it looked, well...scandalous. Her nipples were visible beneath the white material, and if she had the nerve to look down, she was sure she would see the outline of other unmentionable areas. Thank God, her cloak would cover it adequately.
He fastened the back for her then drew her into his arms. When she pulled away, she stared at him for a long moment trying to muster the courage to ask him about Lady Lockhart.
“Is something bothering you? You are staring holes through me.”
She glanced briefly away, biting her lip in consternation. Moving back so she could sit on the bed, she tucked her feet underneath her and settled down. “What is between you and Lady Lockhart?”
Gray sat down beside her. “She is a dear friend of mine. Do you not think any better of me than to believe I would involve myself with another woman while conducting an affair with you?”
“That isn’t fair,” Jenna countered. “I know nothing of your personal life. How am I supposed to know whether or not you are involved with someone else? For all I know you could have already been conducting an affair with her when I approached you.”
“That wouldn’t have been very fair to her, do you not agree?”
“Can you not answer me directly?” She hated the pleading in her voice, but it had suddenly become paramount that she know if she was the only one.
“I believe I already have,” he said. “Lady Lockhart is a friend. A very good friend. If you are asking if I am bedding someone other than you, the answer is no.”
Satisfaction wrapped around her chest and squeezed every single inch of flesh.
“Now if that is all, you really should be going.” A hint of regret tinged his voice, and his gray eyes reflected sadness.
She felt little b
etter herself.
He pulled her up into his arms and gave her a deep kiss. “I’ll see you downstairs.”
They descended the stairs and Gray helped her into her cloak. She pulled her still damp hair into the hood and pulled it tightly over her head.
He pulled her hand to his lips and murmured, “Until midnight.”
She hurried out to the carriage and climbed in. Gray stood on the doorstep watching her, and she craned her neck in her seat to see him until he disappeared from her vision.
###
“Well, well, well,” Viscount Dudley murmured to himself as he watched the carriage pull away from Grayson Douglas’s house. Who knew the chit possessed such daring?
He leaned forward and ordered his driver to return to his house. Leaning back in his seat, he smiled in satisfaction. Jenna Wycliffe had just made his plan a great deal easier. It would seem that she wasn’t always enveloped by her family.
He contemplated the best use of this new information. It wouldn’t do to tell her brothers. No, they’d just lock her in a room somewhere until the earl and countess returned. Then her parents would likely try and cry off her engagement.
But this little rendezvous of hers could afford him the opportunity to retrieve the locket from her. If she’d gone to meet Douglas once, chances were she’d be back again. Such was the way with a bitch in heat.
Now to make sure she was wearing it the next time she snuck out to see her lover. Perhaps a talk with Viscount Hembly was in order. He’d hint that he hadn’t seen Lady Jenna wearing the locket and stress the importance of it. Sebastian was a sensible sort and would see to it that his sister wore the locket. If that didn’t work, he’d have to employ more drastic measures.
Chapter Twelve
What did one wear after a night of hedonistic pleasure? Everything she put on seemed to scream out that she was no longer a virgin, no longer the bright-eyed innocent. It all seemed so revealing. Was it her imagination or were her breasts plumper, fuller?
She felt as though the secrets of the universe had unfolded before her, and she’d aged a few years overnight. Now she could knowledgeably impart advice on bedroom matters in her ladies’ circles, or at least know what in the world they were talking about.
She no longer looked down so snidely on courtesans. These women had the best profession in the world, if you could call it a profession. They married no one, answered to no one, indulged in all the fleshly delights and were rewarded amply for their effort.
Not that she would be informing her mamma that she was becoming a courtesan. The countess would take to her bed for a week, and Papa would get red in the face and shout. Then he’d send her to a convent on the Scottish coast. No chance of seeing Gray then.
With an exasperated sigh, she finally donned a pale pink silk. Surely she could appear fresh and innocent in pink. She brushed aside the strands of hair that escaped the hastily configured knot and checked her appearance in the mirror. A quick pinch of both her cheeks infused more color into them.
Unable to refrain, she smiled at her reflection. “You’ve done it, Jenna. You’ve really done it.” Instead of the regret she was sure she would feel after the finality of last night’s actions, she felt wonderful. Alive.
She traipsed down the stairs determined not to stay at home today. The weather was gorgeous, and it was perfect for an outing to the park. She asked Thomas to summon the landau and have Margaret await her there. Today’s outing could serve two purposes, not the least of which would be issuing an apology to Margaret.
After a stop in the kitchen, she collected a picnic basket the cook had prepared and went in search of her bonnet and parasol. She climbed into the carriage next to her lady’s maid, and the two set off at a brisk pace for Hyde Park.
Margaret remained uncharacteristically silent throughout the trip, and Jenna knew she was still in a huff over yesterday’s quarrel. Not to mention, she was well aware that Jenna had gone out again last night.
When they arrived in the park, Jenna climbed out of the carriage and went in search of the perfect picnic spot. She settled on an area under a sprawling oak tree, and the footman set about laying out the cloth.
As she and Margaret munched quietly on chicken sandwiches, Jenna pondered what she would say to her. Finally, she laid aside her sandwich and daintily wiped her mouth on a lace cloth. “Margaret,” she said softly.
“Yes, m’lady?” She turned to stare inquisitively at Jenna.
“I’m sorry I was so boorish with you, truly I am. I don’t know how you put up with me.”
She smiled and patted Jenna’s hand. “There now, child, don’t give it another thought. I shouldn’t have been prying where I had no business.”
“I’m in a mess,” Jenna murmured, twisting her hands.
“I’d say so, young lady,” Margaret said with a sage nod. “You don’t think I didn’t notice that you came in with someone else’s dress on, do you?”
Jenna flushed and dropped her eyes to her hands. “I suppose you think me a harlot.”
Margaret took Jenna’s hands into her own. “Me and Thomas love you dearly, m’lady. Always have. Why, we’ve watched over you since you were a wee babe. I know what kind of young lady you’ve become, and it’s never crossed my mind to change that opinion.
“I know my loyalty should lie with his lordship, but I could never bring myself to betray you that way. Thomas and me, well, we’ve talked it over and don’t see no reason why we should go running to the earl.” She released Jenna’s hands and set back, a disapproving glint in her eye.
“I think I know why you’ve chosen to do what it is you are doing. I don’t agree with it, m’lady. Let me get that straight right now. But I understand it.”
“Thank you, Margaret,” Jenna said, smiling over at her. She had the urge to reach out and hug her, but knew it would make Margaret uncomfortable.
“Now suppose you tell me just how much of what you are doing you have done?”
Jenna laughed. “Oh Margaret, you are incorrigible.”
“And at least tell me who this gentleman is. I assume he is a gentleman?” Margaret’s voice sounded hopeful. “I don’t want to be even more worried than I already am.”
“He is a perfect gentleman,” Jenna said softly. “I never thought to meet a man such as he.”
Margaret looked at her in surprise. “You’re in love, aren’t you?”
“No! I mean, no,” she said in a calmer voice. “I am not in love with him. I barely even know him.”
“You knew enough to come back with a different dress on.”
Jenna flushed again. “It’s just an affair. There, I said it. Married women have them all the time. I just didn’t want to wait that long.”
“I hope you know what you’re doing,” Margaret said quietly. “Those kind of men are used to flitting from bedroom to bedroom. They don’t get their heart involved like you are doing.”
“My heart is perfectly safe.” But even as she said the words, heavy foreboding settled over her like a rain cloud in the English summertime.
“If you say so, m’lady.” Margaret looked away, but not before Jenna caught the blatant disbelief reflected in the older woman’s face. After a long moment, she turned back and pinned Jenna with a concerned stare. “Many a girl has found herself in the family way despite the best of intentions. I don’t want that to happen to you.”
“Neither do I,” Jenna whispered. Thank God Gray felt the same because she sure hadn’t given it thought before last night.
“If you are discovered, m’lady, it will mean complete ruination. You ought to give consideration to whether or not your trysts are worth it.”
“They are, Margaret. They are.” She turned away, knowing she would never be able to explain to her life-long maid. Never be able to make her understand what drove her to pursue an affair before she was ever married.
###
“Hullo, Hembly,” Viscount Dudley called out as he appr
oached Sebastian’s table.
Sebastian laid aside the newspaper he was reading and gestured for him to sit down. “My lord, it is good to see you this afternoon. Are you faring well?”
Dudley sank down in the chair opposite Sebastian and gestured the footman over. After he’d asked for a drink, he fixed his gaze on Sebastian. “Any word from your parents?”
“No, but then I hadn’t expected any. They aren’t due to return for nearly a fortnight.”
“Yes, yes, well, there is a small matter occupying my mind. I wonder if I may speak freely with you? You being the head of the family in your father’s stead.”
Sebastian cast him a curious look, but straightened in his chair and shoved the paper out of his way. “Of course. What is it?”
“Well, I hadn’t wanted to say anything, not wanting to upset anyone, but Stuart is a little vexed that Lady Jenna hasn’t taken to wearing the locket Viscountess Dudley gifted her with on her sixteenth birthday.” He broke off as the footman returned with his drink.
Sebastian frowned. “I wasn’t aware of the significance of any locket.”
“No, and rightly so. Stuart is...well he’s a bit wedge-headed sometimes, but he was close to his mother. Perhaps too close, but that is neither here nor there.” He leaned forward and whispered conspiratorially, “If you could just speak to your sister. Have her pacify Stuart by wearing the bloody locket. It would mean the world to him.” He stared hard at Sebastian and went for his trump card. “I’d hate to see this put a strain on their engagement. Stuart is contrary about things he sets his mind on. And really, it is a simple enough request.”
“Indeed it is,” Sebastian replied, rubbing his chin in a thoughtful manner. “Consider it done. I’ll be sure to discuss it with Jenna at once.”
A sly grin curled his lips, making him feel ridiculously triumphant. “My thanks, Hembly. You’re a good man.” He made a show of checking his fob. “Now if you will excuse me, I have an appointment in a few minutes.” He stood and inclined his head in Sebastian’s direction before turning and striding out.
