Her laugh in response made me smile. “I do truly admire you, Miss Cozette. You are charming. No, since you are the muse that inspired the events of this evening, I would not think of it, but I hesitate to think of you standing over the banister as a young child.”
“If I may, I noticed a small room built out over the third floor of the ballroom. Is that a guest room?”
“No, indeed it was designed originally by the builders, I’m told for security purposes. Guards of the lord who built this house would station themselves above so they could observe the entire room and its goings on all at once.”
“May I impose to sit in there this evening?” I sipped my water, with its slice of lemon bobbing in it and could not believe my ears that I, a servant, was making such a request. Nevertheless, I did not at the moment feel my class in Lady Graham’s presence. Indeed, when I put away my own prejudices, I could see only three women of leisure having lunch.
“Of course, and I will have your dinner served there as well, if that is agreeable with you?”
I had not considered the thought of eating at all! I glanced at my mistress who smiled, giving me a subtle nod. “Thank you kindly, mum, that would be most generous of you.”
Lady Graham went on to tell us of the multitude of guests she expected. A “magnificent success for the cause” she called it. Members of the Brotherhood were to be attending, as were several notable businessmen and philanthropists supporting social reform in England.
After a nap, my mistress bathed and I attended to her dress for the evening.
“Not quite so tight, Miss Cozette.”
My mistress stood in front of a mirror in her elaborate guest room. It had a bed chamber, dressing area, private bath and a small sitting room.
I loosened the sash and glanced at her reflection in the mirror. I am concerned with her inability to keep anything down. I do not wish to think what may be her situation, for that would involve consideration of a subject that I am not sure I am prepared to face. Therefore, I will focus on the symptoms and not yet the cause.
“Stay away from foods with too much cream or butter, they make you turn green, a particular chartreuse color if memory serves.” I smiled at her in the mirror as I adjusted the bow around her bodice.
“Chartreuse?” she asked with a curious smile.
“A color most putrid yellow-green, mum, according to Mr. Rodin’s palette. And remember shrimp gives you a terrible rash.”
She chuckled quietly.
“Watch your consumption of champagne as well, mum, without food you know how you get light-headed.” I knelt to straighten the hem of her frock.
“Miss Cozette? Is there anything I can do that meets with your precautions?”
She smiled at me as I clasped the ornate pearl and sapphire necklace at her throat. I handed her the matching earrings. “Indeed, mum, you can enjoy your evening and dance once with the kind Mr. Rodin for me.”
Her gaze softened. “Are you quite sure you won’t change your mind and come with me? I know I have something you could wear. Lady Graham stated plainly to me that Mr. Rodin would be delighted to escort the both of us.”
I shook my head and offered her my brightest smile. “I am humbled by your kindness, mum, but I would prefer to stay anonymous. Mr. Rodin’s collections of my portraits are quite enough exposure for me this evening.”
“I understand.” She spoke quietly and unexpectedly drew me into her embrace. “Thank you for all you do.”
Her gesture was quick and she did not tarry. I stepped away as soon as I felt her grip loosen. “Indeed, mum,” I whispered, startled by her open affection.
There was a tap on the door and when I opened it, my heart squeezed tight. Mr. Rodin stood in the hall, dashingly handsome in his black tailcoat and trousers, with a snowy white shirt, complete at the neck with a white tie suited for the ballroom. His hair brushed over his high collar and thoughts of my fingers entwined in it filtered through my mind.
“Mr. Rodin.” I curtsied, blushing from my thoughts, and opened wide the door.
“Miss Cozette, my muse, you are as lovely as ever. Tell me it is not true that I do not have the extraordinary pleasure of escorting both of you lovely ladies this evening?”
I curtsied once again at his kind words. “No, Mr. Rodin, I am unable this time.”
His smile was that of an old friend, those amber eyes sparkling true as ever.
“You must permit me then to steal a moment of your company later this evening perhaps? To discuss the success of the collection and share with you how well the Brotherhood has received it.”
He took my hand and bowed graciously, his kiss lingering on the back of my hand. I leaned forward, my cheeks warm with anticipation of his attention. “I am dining in the room above the ballroom.”
His brow rose. “I know it well. I used to hide in there as a child when I didn’t want to be found.” He bowed again. “Until later?”
My mistress appeared from the dressing room and he straightened abruptly.
“My good Lady Archibald, what secret recipe for beauty have you been hiding from the rest of the world? You are stunning tonight.”
My mistress smiled and her face was radiant. I, too, smiled, knowing all too well of dear Mr. Rodin’s penchant for charming women.
She took his arm and I held out her fan as she walked past me.
“I have been instructed, Mr. Rodin, by your most avid pupil and the true belle of this ball to honor her by saving one dance for you.”
His gaze caught mine.
“You know well we do not stand on the stuffy protocol of the higher-class English. My aunt finds them to be not unlike drones. Say you will change your mind?”
“Thank you, Mr. Rodin. I have received nothing but a warm welcome since my arrival, but I have quite made up my mind on the matter…sir,” I added in afterthought.
“Strong-minded, isn’t she?” He addressed the comment to my mistress.
“Indeed, she is a woman, Mr. Rodin, it is inherent to the breed.”
My mistress glanced at me with a smile equal to one she might give Lady Graham. Tears pricked at the back of my eyes.
“Truly put, Lady Archibald, and I am most honored to be in the company of two such fine women. Shall we?” He held his arm to her and I watched from above as they descended the main double-wide staircase, looking every bit as royal as the house surrounding them.
As much as my curiosity was piqued to explore the long stretches of halls that spread to either wing on the third floor, I instead chose to make haste to my secret room for the evening and find a comfortable place in which to watch the festivities.
“Will there be anything else, Miss Cozette? Lady Graham has appointed me to serve you only this evening.”
“Me?” I smiled at the dear girl who had just brought me the most sumptuous tray of exotic delights. “I cannot express enough my gratitude to your mistress, she is a most generous and kind woman.”
She curtsied. “Indeed, mum. May I get you anything else at this time?”
“Oh, no, I am more than adequately seen to, thank you.”
She curtsied. “Would you like me to wait for you to finish, mum?”
“Oh, no, you must go find yourself something to eat, I’m sure the staff has not yet had anything.”
She glanced at me with a nervous smile as her stomach grumbled plaintively. “No, mum.”
“Go on ahead and I’ll bring down my own tray. I will tell Lady Graham it was at my insistence.”
She hesitated for a moment and with a curtsy, left by way of the winding path of furniture to the door. True, whatever its purpose once, the room was now filled with additional furniture, most covered with white sheets to protect from dust.
A small side table and a long settee with a high curved back had been uncovered, and placed ahead of time near the portal overlooking the entrance. It was my private box seat to this grand affair.
The chamber music downstairs had already begun playing and the
sound wafted through the din of conversations below. I tucked my legs beneath me as I leaned over the back of the chair and observed the pageantry below.
I heard the door open and thought the servant had for gotten something, but when two strong hands touched my shoulders, I knew immediately it was not her.
“Do not turn around,” a low-timbered voice whispered.
Though yet a stranger, this man’s breath near my ear caused shivers to skate delightfully over my skin. Instinct made me start to turn, and I was halted by his insistent fingers on my cheek. My focus was on the sea of guests below. It could only be Mr. Rodin.
“You are by far the most beautiful woman here tonight.”
I shivered with delight at Mr. Rodin’s enchanting game and so chose to join him in his fantasy.
“You will not let me see your face, kind sir, and yet you flatter me. To what do I owe the honor of your praise?”
“Your beauty only, my sweet Cozette.”
“I see, my ardent suitor, that you speak my name. It would seem that I am at a disadvantage.”
He nuzzled the warmth of my neck as his hands held tight around my waist. I accommodated his actions, offering him greater access to the side of my neck.
“I seek no advantage over milady, but only to satisfy you most completely.”
His hands moved over my rib cage, upwards, gentle in cup ping my breasts, with unhurried caresses that made me faint with desire.
“Wear this for me,” he whispered, lifting a white silk tie to my view.
“Do you mean it for my hands?” I inquired, stretching forth my wrists.
He lifted the fabric to my eyes.
“I want to bring every part of you alive, Cozette. I want only your pleasure this night.”
He began to tie the scarf around my eyes and I smiled at Mr. Rodin’s scandalous manner. “Very well, I will play along with this ruse, my mystery lover.”
He kissed my neck, lingering there, tracing his tongue over the sensitive spot near my ear. I was most curious to confirm my suitor’s identity, but greater still was my desire to partake in this delicious charade.
The scarf held a scent of the musky scent of a man, but beyond that gave me no clue to his identity. Still, the design was indeed of Mr. Rodin’s signature quirks.
I placed my hands over the cool silky fabric covering my eyes. Breathless, I waited for what was to come next.
“You have not touched your food,” he whispered as though trying to disguise his voice. He turned me to face him or so I assumed.
I frowned, realizing how heightened were my other senses when I could not see. “There is a delightful plenty, sir, if you care to help yourself.”
“To have my fill of the sumptuous delights before me?”
His finger touched my cheek, and trailed, slow and with purpose of tantalizing me, down my throat, between the valley of my breasts and hesitated just above my lap.
“Here, take a bite of this.”
His fingers held my chin, as he offered me a bite. I opened my mouth and sank my teeth into a chocolate concoction, finding to my utter delight, a fresh strawberry beneath. The juices ran from my mouth, streaming too quick down my throat to capture it with my hand. He pushed my hand aside and with slow ease, licked the juice from my throat upwards, nearing my mouth. I could sense his warm breath hovering over my lips and I waited in painful anticipation for the kiss I knew would take me to heated pleasure.
“Now this.”
He lifted a glass to my lips and I sipped deeply of the contents recognizing the sparking froth of bubbles in the champagne. Whatever this ploy to tease me mercilessly, I prayed it was no dream.
“This is a lovely gown, but I find that it is in the way of what I wish to do next, do you mind?”
I swallowed at the dryness in my throat. “I trust, sir, you have taken precautions to secure the door?”
“Indeed, milady, all that remains for you to do is lie back and enjoy that I am about to make you forget every lover you’ve known.”
“Oh, my, and such confidence as well.” I smiled, as his fingers made quick haste to unfasten the buttons at my back. The chill of the room, lent itself over my shoulders as he drew my gown down, lifting me from my seat briefly to accompany its complete removal.
I wore a linen chemise and stockings and in truth little else, save the smile of anticipation. He lifted the thin chemise over my arms, his lips touching my taut breasts.
“Shall I not have the pleasure of touching you as well, my secret lover?”
“In due time, but for now, lie back and relax.”
My lip curled to a pout as I did his bidding.
“There now, milady, don’t be glum, I promise you won’t be disappointed.”
A soft brush of something touched my naked flesh, delightful in its musing over my breast and lighting over my belly to my curls. “Is that a feather?”
“See how well you play this game?” he chuckled quietly.
The sensual brush of the feather teased each of my sensitive rose tips, before trailing down my inner thigh and coming back up, in a motion meant to create agony, I am quite sure, as it neared my opening.
“There, my sweet, that is what I want to see, your juices glistening even as did the berry.”
A cool trickle of something wet drizzled between my breasts, followed by his expert tongue, again to my belly and he followed through. A second ticked by, seeming as though time itself stood still, and then the sensation of cool juice dripped between my thighs, tickling my rose.
My heart pounded fiercely, in anticipation and I nearly came undone when his tongue slid slow along my inner thigh and lapped gently at my waiting garden.
“Come for me, sweet woman,” his breath whispered over my flesh, just before his tongue dipped inside my juicy peach, coaxing until at last I was freed from my torment.
His chuckle was sensual, teasing and he pulled me to him, and kissed me hard, my juices mingled with berries on his tongue.
He took my hands, pulling me into his embrace and my body brushed against his bare chest. Resplendent in the sensation I moved against the solid plane, not aware of any familiar aspects to any other lovers I’d known. Nevertheless, it did not matter. He was true to his word. I’d quite forgotten anyone else.
“Taste this.” He placed a small pastry in my hand and I took a bite, savoring the sweet cream inside.
“Delightful,” I spoke my thoughts aloud.
“That is as sweet as you, Cozette. Sweet and creamy,” he whispered. “Are you ready for me?”
I smiled. “Sir, are you quite ready for me?” I countered.
“As always, Cozette.”
He took my hands and drew me with him. I sensed when he sat down and followed his guidance as he lifted my leg over his. My knees pressed into the soft cushions. From below, a waltz wafted upward, adding to the swirl of euphoric pleasure.
His lips teased my breasts as his thumbs brushed over my petal, spreading my soft lips. I placed my hands on his shoulders, but he kissed my forearm as he removed them.
“Position your hands above your head, milady. Allow me to do the rest.”
Hesitant at first, the dire need of my peach pushed me to comply. His hand cupped my bottom, the other spread me as he guided me onto his staff. My mind clouded in a sensual haze as I moved to take him in fully. I knew by his touch that it was not my master artist. But who then had such command of my senses?
“You should see how you look, milady, surrendering to your passion. It is unspeakable how beautiful you are,” he whispered over my flesh, his breath catching as our union was complete.
His hands were gentle, resting on my lower back. “See how well we fit, milady.”
“Indeed, sir, you are most worthy of this mysterious game,” I sighed, rocking my hips slowly against him.
He suckled my breast, kneading my hips and I turned my head into my arm, succumbing to the smoky darkness, thick and heavy coiled deep inside me. His mouth’s ministrations abette
d the rise of need in my body, creating a frantic need.
We spoke no more, his sighs mingled with mine as I rode his member in glorious rhythm. Aided by the gentle brush of his thumb to where our bodies met, mine was released in a shattering climax. My mystery lover followed in his release, with muttering through clenched teeth, “I love you.”
My hands flew to the scarf, ready to snatch it from my eyes to see the man who would say such a thing. His hands held my wrists tight as his hips thrust thrice upward emptying his seed inside me.
“We had an agreement.”
“One not as cruel as this, you gave me no reason to believe that matters of the heart would be involved.”
“Do you believe then that lust can only be served à la carte and not within the confines of love?”
I stood and he held my hands following me.
“Do not fear that our passion tonight or my regard for you requires a similar response. Yet…”
He placed his mouth on mine, and offered me a slow, searing kiss, turning my bones to ash.
“Do not believe that you cannot have this for a lifetime with a man most worthy and capable of it.”
“You speak then of yourself?”
“My actions speak for me, milady. Now, I must excuse myself, I’m afraid. But realize there is nothing more that I would rather do than take you into one of these fine rooms and satisfy your every need until dawn.”
“Why can you not reveal yourself to me?”
He slipped my chemise over my head and I realized my hands were free to do as I pleased. Nevertheless, something prevented me even as his hands had. His request I would honor, though it tormented me to do so.
I heard the rustle of him dressing and without another word, I heard the door open and shut.
I flung the silk scarf from my eyes and blinked adjusting once again to the dim light. I dressed in haste and, clutching the scarf, made for the hall, hoping to catch up to him.
I spied a man entering one of the bedrooms and hurried to the room, finding the door ajar. I slipped inside to see a man and woman involved in a passionate embrace. With the hope they hadn’t seen me, I eased shut the door and turned headlong into Mr. Rodin.
The Diary of Cozette Page 31
