“Traveling aggravates his joints.”
“I do like Herbert. And his clarets even more.”
Alastair could not bear the company of Katherine’s brother any more than he cared for the company of his sisters, whom he would now have to suffer for at least a full day.
He cursed himself. Selecting Millie to fulfill Katherine’s birthday request had become a much greater task than he had ever envisioned. He could have waited till Millie returned to London to speak to her, but he worried what Katherine might say or do. He would never have guessed that his aunt would take Millie to the Château Follet, though she had orchestrated the coincidence well. Who knew what other absurdity the two women might attempt?
Having discovered that Millie harbored such wanton and dark desires, he understood why Katherine, who had introduced him to Follet, had brought Millie there. Nevertheless, it was a risky proposition and remained so. He doubted Millie could handle herself with the likes of Devon. He could not chance Millie returning to Château Follet, and he would not now be surprised if Katherine would encourage just such a thing.
“Well! This is a most welcome surprise!” his aunt exclaimed when they had arrived at Edenmoor.
“I pray you had received the notice of our coming?” Alastair asked.
“I did, and have prepared rooms for you, though your notice only said that you might come. Where are your valets and baggage?”
“Not far behind. You remember Kittredge.”
His friend doffed his hat and bowed.
“I do,” Katherine responded. She put aside her reservations. “Welcome, good sir.”
“Are my sisters arrived?”
“They come tomorrow, but Edward is here with his family. And the Abbotts.” To Kittredge, she explained, “They are relations of my late husband, Richard.”
“I look forward to making their acquaintance,” Kittredge said.
Alastair looked about, expecting to see the Cheswith boys tearing through the halls. “Where is everyone?”
“Millie is out back playing with the boys.”
He found it interesting that she had responded with regards to the one person he had come to see. His gaze came to rest upon a large painting of Richard and Katherine from some years ago. The two had met at Château Follet and fallen in love there. Alastair hoped that was not what Katherine expected for Millie.
Feeling the study of his aunt, he turned to her. “Kittredge and I will greet the others after we have changed out of our riding clothes.”
“Let me show you to your rooms then.”
She could have had a servant see them to their rooms, but Alastair suspected she offered so that she could speak with him. And he was correct. After seeing Kittredge settled, she walked Alastair down the corridor.
“What prompted your decision to join us for Michaelmas?” she asked.
He had anticipated this question and had no reservations about being candid with her. “Millie.”
Katherine’s countenance brightened.
“I came across a rogue, one she became acquainted with while at Follet, and I mean to warn the both of you that he may seek her out.”
She frowned. “That is against the etiquette of Château Follet.”
“He is quite taken with Millie.”
“That is hardly a surprise.”
“For reasons you should find troubling. He thinks her a virgin.” He turned to face her. “I hope you do not entertain any notions of returning Millie to Château Follet.”
“I had not considered it.”
“I pray you do not.”
“Why not?”
“I cannot always be there to protect her against unsavory characters.”
Katherine beamed. “How grand that you take such an interest in her welfare.”
“Madam, I bid you consider the matter with seriousness. Do not take Millie back to Château Follet.”
“Andre, if she desires to return, why should I not facilitate her happiness?”
“Has she expressed a desire to return?”
“Not explicitly. We have not been in each other’s company of late, and I hope she and I will have more occasion to speak now.”
“You ought to discourage any thoughts of returning.”
Katherine sighed.
“You are partial to Millie,” he continued, “and if you care for her, you will want to see her unharmed. You cannot let your affections for Château Follet cloud your judgment. I bid you be the responsible party.”
“Of course I would not wish to place her in harm’s way, and because I esteem your display of consideration for another human being, I will honor your request.”
He turned to enter his room, but he was only partially satisfied. He would not wager all that he had that Katherine would do exactly as he wanted. And there was also the matter of Millie. He would not be wholly surprised if she dared return to Château Follet without Katherine’s participation.
MILLIE WAS WRONG. THOUGH she had protested that the nature of their relationship would not change, it had.
Dressed in fresh clothing, Alastair found her outside playing Blind Man’s Bluff with the Cheswith boys and a few servants’ children. Millie had the blindfold, and the children scurried around, laughing and calling out to her. Alastair watched for several minutes, but when he saw her headed toward a pit in the ground, he strode over. He was too far to reach her in time, and she seemed not to hear him call out her name. She stumbled to her knees, but he caught her before she tripped on her own skirts in her attempt to rise.
It felt pleasing to hold her.
When he had righted her, she lifted the blindfold, saying, “Goodness, I had not—”
Upon seeing him, her face reddened. She had rarely blushed with him before. He released her with some reluctance.
“M-My lord,” she greeted, “you—you’re here.”
He saw that she had on a much nicer bonnet than he had seen her in last. It suited her.
“Lady Katherine had not said...”
“I had not confirmed my coming with her,” he explained.
She seemed to collect herself. “Your presence must please your family greatly.”
He wanted to ask it if pleased her, but he could ascertain this soon enough. The children complained about the stall. She glanced at her dirt-covered skirts, brushing them off.
He addressed the eldest Cheswith boy. “Thomas, take Miss Abbott’s place so that she can tend to her gown.”
“That won’t be necessary,” Millie said. “I can continue. ’Tis but a little dust.”
He took the blindfold from her and gave it to Thomas. To Millie, he said, “I will walk you to the house.”
“Truly, I am not injured.”
He raised a brow. She gave a sigh as if relenting to a persistent child and walked with him. They were silent at first, before he asked, “You do not intend to ask why I am here?”
“Are you inviting me to pry?” she returned with a grin.
“No, but most would be curious to understand my motives.”
“You do as you please. It is not my place to question or judge your motives.”
He wondered if her reasons were because she knew that he preferred not to be questioned or because she was indifferent to what his answer might be.
“And most would inquire as to how you found the roads, or how your hunting fared,” she observed, “but you would disdain these sorts of tête-à-têtes.”
“You know me well, Millie.”
She smiled. “You are not complicated, my lord.”
“Nevertheless, I find most people unable to refrain from their own inclinations, regardless of my preferences.”
“Does it trouble you that others do not always grant you what you want?”
“As the only son of a marquess, I have been quite spoilt and accustomed to receiving what I want.”
She chuckled. “Yes, you are.”
He stopped. “I did not seek your agreement of my statement.”
“N
o, but you have it. As I do not think we often agree on anything, I thought it a special occasion to take note of.”
He shook his head. His cousin could easily earn both his approbation and his vexation. He wanted to forbid her return to Château Follet, but she would balk at such an arrogant attempt to control her. They resumed walking.
“Whilst in town, I came across your friend, the Viscount Devon,” he said.
“Indeed?”
He frowned at her apparent interest. “He is not a man worth your attention, Millie.”
“So you have said before.”
“I would stay your distance from him.”
“I doubt my path will cross with his.”
“But if it should, you will heed my cautions?”
She studied him before replying, “You need not worry that I shall lift my skirts upon meeting him.”
“And what if he should attempt to seduce you?”
She seemed amused by the idea. “I am certain there are far better conquests for him.”
“You need not demean yourself so. You have many qualities to recommend you.”
This time, she stopped and looked at him. There was a brightness to her eyes he found quite fetching.
“You are kind, my lord,” she said.
He was about to decry being fixed with the trait when Kittredge appeared.
“There you are, Alastair. I have reviewed your aunt’s cellar—”
Upon seeing Millie, he bowed. Alastair made the necessary introductions. After a brief dialogue of politeness between Millie and Kittredge, Millie said that she would head to her room.
Alastair had little opportunity to speak alone with Millie, for Edward engaged him next with details of a hunt for the following morning. He could not speak to her during dinner, and she made no effort to seek his company afterward. Quite the contrary, she seemed to stay her distance from him, choosing to speak with Anne mostly. He did see her glance his way, however, when she thought he wasn’t looking.
When Anne and the Abbotts chose to retire for the evening, Millie said she would do the same. Alastair stayed with Edward and Kittredge till the two men had had their fill of sherry and port. In his chambers, Alastair remained awake, considering how he could speak with Millie in private before or after the hunt.
But he need not have waited till the morrow. An hour after everyone had gone to bed, he heard footsteps pass his chambers. Even before he opened his door, he suspected it was Millie.
Chapter 10
MILDRED WANTED ANOTHER look at the room of debauchery. She had not seen Lady Katherine lock the room after showing it to her upon the first day, and when she tried the doors, she found they indeed opened.
She closed the door behind her and, using her own candle, lit a candelabra. She took in a long breath as she gazed about the room a second time. Sauntering to the wall of paintings, she eyed each one again, feeling her body warm with the naughty images. Beneath the one of a woman taking the member of her lover into her mouth was a sideboard. The end of a ribbon poked out from one of the drawers. Opening it, she beheld several satin masks, the sort used to block out light during sleep. Curious as to what the other drawers held, she opened another. The second drawer held jewelry. Many appeared to be earrings, but the tops of them differed. Some had merely string. Others possessed clasps that she recognized but appeared to be fixed at the wrong angles, making the face of the jewelry sit away from the viewer at some 90 degrees. One set of earrings were simply tassels.
The third and final drawer made her gasp.
Nestled atop silk lining were several phalluses of varying size. She picked up one made of glass and admired its smooth finish. The craftsmanship was rather impressive, for the crafter had shaped the top to resemble the flare at the tip of a man’s member. Laying down the glass phallus, she picked up a smaller wooden one with ridges. She wondered that such a hard object could render pleasure. The third and final one was made of a material resembling India rubber. It was quite large both in length and girth. She shuddered to think of taking such a large object. Nevertheless, she picked it up to marvel at its size and instinctively licked her lips. She remembered how delicious Alastair had once tasted.
Looking at the painting above and noticing that the man’s shaft was quite wide, she wondered if she could wrap her mouth about this monstrosity she held. Feeling mischievous, she put it to her mouth. She licked its tip, then pushed it between her lips. She took in two inches and felt her lips stretch over the circumference. Desire swirled in her groin.
“Now that is a sight worth four thousand pounds.”
In her haste to pull the phallus out, she bobbled it several times before dropping it altogether. She felt herself flushing to the roots of her hair. But was somewhat relieved to see it was Alastair at the threshold. How long had he been standing there? Despite the late hour, he still wore his clothes but had his banyan instead of his coat.
“I wondered if Katherine had told you of this room,” he said.
She bent down to pick up the dildo. After brushing it off with her robe, she intended to return it to the drawer.
“Not yet,” he bid as he walked into the room. “I interrupted your feasting.”
Her blushed deepened. “I was merely...it is of such a ridiculous width, I merely wondered...”
“How much of it you could swallow?” He stood in front of her and cupped the hand that held the dildo. “Let us find out.”
Her heart drummed in her ears as she allowed his hands to guide the dildo back to her mouth. She parted her lips and relaxed her tongue to permit the behemoth entry. She could take no more than three inches before gagging.
“A little more,” he encouraged.
Wanting to please him of a sudden, she did her best to take in more. Her mouth was stretched to capacity, and though she took in air through her nose, breathing felt awkward whilst her mouth was stuffed by the false member. She gazed up at him and the molten lust in his eyes made her throb between the legs. She would stand with her mouth stuffed for hours, mesmerized by the expression of desire in his countenance. It satisfied her to know that he was not immune to her.
“You may release it,” he said, drawing the hand with the dildo back down.
She licked her lips and waited to see what he would do next. Did she dare hope he would stay? Releasing her hands, he took a step back. He would now advise her to return to her chambers, she predicted with disappointment. It would be of no use. She could not sleep, not after seeing all that she had, not after he had witnessed her partaking of a phallus into her mouth. Her hands still felt warm from his touch.
“It is hard to imagine her ladyship making use of such implements,” she said when she could no longer bear the silence. “Or do you think they are merely for show?”
“My aunt and I do not discuss the particulars of what she and Richard did behind closed doors.”
Mildred nodded. Perhaps it was best not to imagine her ladyship engaged in wicked wantonness. She put the large phallus back in its place. Realizing that Alastair would be familiar with the possessions in the room, she steadied the flutters inside of her and asked, “Would you indulge my curiosity?”
He crossed his arms. “No.”
“Why not?”
“Because I am not inclined.”
“Really, Alastair! You can be quite selfish.”
“Only ‘quite’ selfish? I must be softening in my old age.”
Her lower lip dropped for a moment, but then she saw a small glimmer in his eyes and resolved that she would not permit him to rile her.
“At the gaming hall, you had threatened to shower me with praises for my generosity,” he reminded her.
“Yes, and I did write you several letters to that effect. You responded to none of them.”
“I grew weary of receiving them.”
“You could have put an end to them if you but acquiesced to my request.”
By saying nothing, he seemed to acknowledge her point.
“I
merely wondered as to the purpose of a few items,” she explained, opening the second drawer once more. She picked up a set of silver earrings with teardrop sapphires dangling from the bottoms. “These earrings, for instance. They are peculiar.”
“Katherine encourages your pursuit in such matters. Why do you not ask her?”
“Because she is asleep. And you are...here.”
In the dim and flickering light, she thought she saw a corner of his lips turn upward. “I will answer one question.”
“You refused a far more significant request of mine.”
“And because of that I am to grant all other requests of yours?”
“Why do you persist in being difficult? Does it amuse you to trifle with me?”
“The answer to your latter question is yes. As to the former, I will not encourage your prurience.”
“Encourage my—” she gasped. “You had me take that—that ridiculously large shaft into my mouth!”
His smile reached both corners of his lips this time.
“How is that not encouraging my prurience?” she threw at him.
“I am at ease with my hypocrisy. If it unsettles you—”
She scowled. “You deserve to be turned over the knee and walloped.”
“Undoubtedly.”
“Very well,” she said with a sigh, putting the earrings back, “but I shall divine the uses of these curious objects, if not from Katherine, then...”
He drew a step closer, and all humor had left his tone. “Then what?”
“Perhaps another visit to the Château Follet will—”
He grasped her arm and turned her to him. “You are not returning to the château.”
His pronouncement nettled her. “Why not?”
“You have been there already.”
“That is no answer at all. There is no reason I should not return there if I wish. And I would favor another visit.”
“No reason? You would risk your honor, your family?”
“We have had this discussion before, Alastair.”
She attempted to withdraw her arm, but he did not let her go.
Tempting A Marquess for Christmas: A Steamy Regency Romance Book 5 Page 6
