Once his body stopped spasming, Lucien gathered Mirabelle to him and stumbled backwards into the chair. He draped her legs over the arm of the chair and rested her head against his chest. He wrapped his arms around her and inhaled her scent as he waited for his heart to stop pounding.
Lucien looked down at Mirabelle. Her hair was a disaster, the front of her gown was ripped to her waist and her skirts were still rucked, revealing the long sweep of her legs. He attempted to run his fingers through her hair but they tangled. She laughed softly and pressed her face into his shirt. Miraculously, aside from his hair and opened trousers, Lucien was still presentable. Mirabelle yawned and rubbed her cheek against his chest.
"I'm so sleepy now. I didn't sleep well last night." She mumbled and he could tell she was starting to drift off. He frowned as he looked at their position. While Lucien would be content to hold her for hours, he doubted she'd be comfortable and might become chilled.
"Let's get you upstairs then." He raised her to her feet and stood behind her, fixing his trousers. She wobbled drunkenly and leaned against him for support. Lucien laughed softly as he shrugged out of his coat. "You can nap all day and I'll torture myself by watching you until it's time to get ready." He whispered as he wrapped her in his coat. Mirabelle blinked drowsily.
"Get ready?" She slurred as Lucien led her towards the study door.
"We're going to the opera with Gilles, Elise and The Mothers, remember? It will be the first evening we've spent with them in weeks." They were almost to the stairs when Joss found them. He cleared his throat and held out a salver with two letters.
"These arrived, Your Grace. I would have delivered them but I did not want to interrupt." Lucien narrowed his eyes at Joss who did his best to maintain a formal expression. The corners of his mouth gave him away. So much for pretending to be deaf. Lucien sighed and turned to Mirabelle.
"Can you make your way upstairs? I'll be up as soon as I can." She nodded dreamily as he kissed her cheek. He watched until she disappeared into the hallway and then turned back to the study. Lucien grimaced as he sat in his seat. The smell of Mirabelle and their lovemaking hung in the air causing his body to tighten. He felt himself becoming aroused and it took a clenched jaw and tremendous effort to stay in his chair and open the letters while everything within him urged him to rush upstairs and find Mirabelle.
Lucien sighed and shook his head as he opened the first letter. It was from Alastair. A body had been found in a burned down warehouse and it appeared to be Whitrose. Numerous documents had been discovered with the body that might be related to Lucien's investigation. The second was from Alastair as well. Foul play was likely and there was a suspect in custody.
Cursing, Lucien rose and called for Joss.
"I'll need my carriage." Joss nodded and took himself off as Lucien climbed the stairs. There were very few things in the world that could have pulled him from a day spent in bed with Mirabelle. A few months ago, he would have welcomed this news, now he wanted to make up for lost time and fulfill the numerous fantasies he'd had featuring his up until now untouchable wife. Unfortunately, Alastair and a resolution to the mystery of Whitrose's disappearance and the dismantling of his numerous evil schemes couldn't wait.
Mirabelle was already sleeping when Lucien carefully slipped into her chamber to retrieve his coat. He had to bite back a groan when he peeked beneath the sheet and saw that she was naked. Not wanting to disturb her, he found paper and a pen and left a note on her pillow.
My Love,
I am heartbroken to have to leave your side but Alastair and an urgent matter require my attention. I will return in time to get ready for this evening. Get plenty of rest and know that I am thinking of you. I can still taste you and I can't get the sight of you out of my mind.
Love,
L.
Lucien kissed Mirabelle's cheek gently and quietly left the room. He felt the pull of her, naked in her bed as he made his way down the stairs and out the front door. Getting into his carriage had been one of the hardest things he'd ever done.
Chapter 21
Hours later, Lucien walked into his front hall, exhausted and irritable. The body and the warehouse Alastair had shown him were so badly burned that there was little insight to be gained. Both were hesitant to assume the body was that of Whitrose, though it seemed likely. The documents were helpful and could potentially restore some investments to a few of Whitrose's unfortunate victims. Lucien considered that the afternoon's only success. Both he and Alastair had questioned a suspected arsonist and associate of Whitrose for hours without any result. Just as he had months ago, Lucien felt as if there were too many questions without answers to feel that the matter was truly resolved.
The last thing he was in the mood for was dressing and going to the opera but Lucien knew that Mirabelle was probably almost ready and looking forward to an evening with the family. He quickly bathed, shaved and had only his stockings, shoes and coat to put on when there was a knock at the dressing room door. Hugo had a brief, hushed exchange and then turned to Lucien.
"Her Grace wishes to speak with you." Hugo relayed. Lucien's brows pulled together as he nodded.
His first thought was that Mirabelle wasn't feeling well because he had been too rough with her earlier and she was sore. Or perhaps she was upset that he'd been away all day. Lucien prayed that neither was the case. After the day he'd had with Alastair, seeing Mirabelle was the only thing he was looking forward to.
He tapped at her door and she called for him to enter. Lucien was confused to see Mirabelle reclining on the chaise in her dressing robe, holding a glass of wine. She smiled warmly and held her hand out to him in invitation.
"You're not ready?" Lucien asked as he approached. Arousal began to curl within him as her scent reached him.
"I decided to cancel. I hope you don't mind." Her voice was low and sultry and as Mirabelle rose and drifted towards Lucien, her robe parted and he saw that she was naked beneath it. His erection was immediately painful as lust swelled within him. His mouth felt dry and he was grateful when she handed him the glass of wine. Lucien took a large swallow. He couldn't take his eyes off of hers as she reached for his cravat and began unknotting it.
"Of course I don't mind." His voice was still gravelly. "Are you feeling well?" She certainly looked well but a trace of worry remained. Mirabelle smiled and licked her lips. Lucien felt hard become harder.
"I feel perfect, Lucien." She said softly. "There are some things I want to show you." Her eyes were full of seduction and a trace of mischief. His heart began to beat with excitement. Mirabelle flicked the cravat free and playfully took it between her teeth. Lucien's eyes widened. Would she know about that? He hoped that she didn't intend for him to tie that around her mouth, he loved how loud she'd been that morning. A moment later she released it and he watched it skim her breasts and stomach as it fell to the floor between them. Mirabelle began unbuttoning his waist jacket and he moved to help.
"I want to undress you." She whispered as she looked into his eyes. Lucien understood that there was a command in her statement. He finished the wine and placed the glass on a nearby table. He tried to relax as Mirabelle peeled the waist coat away and began unbuttoning his shirt. "You're always so well turned out, especially when you're in London. So refined and always at the height of style."
"There are expectations and I admit that I might be a touch vain." Lucien mumbled as she pulled his shirt over his head. Mirabelle dropped the shirt and found the buttons of his trousers.
"I prefer you as you are in the country. Especially when you've been working. I like when you're sweaty and look a little wild." She whispered as she slid her hands down his sides, causing his trousers to slide down his legs. Lucien stepped out of them, relieved to finally be naked. He reached for Mirabelle but she stepped away. She circled around and pressed herself to his back. "Not yet."
Lucien hissed as he felt her tongue lick his shoulder. Her hands began to glide over his skin. He felt his mu
scles twitch in response to her strokes as he tried to remain still, to keep his breathing even so she could explore him. He knew he'd denied her, that he owed her the opportunity. Lucien also knew it was going to cost him. He grit his teeth when he felt her fingernails grazing his flanks. Mirabelle's teeth bit into his flesh and he swallowed a groan. She slowly came around, caressing his ribs and hip and licked his upper arm.
"I think you'll find I can be just as sweaty and wild here." His voice was deep and hungry. Lucien had a feeling he would be both things very soon. "What do you have planned?"
"I'd rather show you than tell you." Mirabelle was distracted by his neck, chest and stomach. Her fingers traced every muscle and bone while her tongue and lips pressed to his skin. Her hands quested lower, her fingers brushed through coarse hair before they wrapped around Lucien's throbbing cock. Mirabelle's tongue licked his nipple just before she took it gently between her teeth. He twitched in her hands and he cursed. Her eyes met his as she began to stroke. "I want you to teach me how to use my mouth on you."
For a moment, Lucien saw stars and heat like he'd never felt washed over him. Mirabelle started to lower to her knees and he reached for her. Her eyes narrowed and she bit her lip. He knew she was about to dig in her heels.
"I promise I will teach you but if you had anything planned beyond that you might want to wait until later." His voice sounded harsh but he felt desperate. Just the thought of Mirabelle's lips around him made him want to throw her on the bed and take her savagely. Lucien knew that any agenda she had for the evening would be in cinders along with his control if she actually did it. She blinked and stared over his shoulder, considering. Her hands were still stroking and Lucien was very close to skipping everything and just taking her savagely. Mirabelle shook her head softly and released him. She pulled the halves of her robe wide and let it fall before she took his hand and turned towards the bed. Lucien regarded the bed and saw that the pillows had been piled in the middle at the head of the bed. Two long strips of silk draped over them, the ends appeared to be tied to the headboard, behind the mattress. His eyebrows rose. "Are you planning to tie me to the bed, madam?" Lucien asked as Mirabelle turned them and set her hands on his shoulders. She pushed and guided him to recline on the pillows in the middle of the bed. She followed on her knees.
"No. I want your hands free, I want you to move." Her voice was husky and soft, almost a whisper as she rested her hands on his chest. Mirabelle lifted a leg and straddled Lucien's stomach. Desire and anticipation streaked through him. She leaned down and licked his lips. He raised his head and opened for her as her tongue slid in. Mirabelle explored his mouth as her hands caressed his neck and chest. Lucien angled his head and took the kiss deeper as his hands stroked her thighs and bottom. He could feel the wet heat of her against his stomach. She lifted her head and her smile was knowing and wicked. Lucien began to feel impatient.
"What's all of this about?" He took the straps in his hands and looked at her expectantly. It was killing him.
"I'm sure you're aware that there is quite a collection of graphic books in the library at Spencer Place." Mirabelle didn't wait for Lucien to reply. She reached between them and took his erection in her hand as she raised herself. His heart stopped for a moment when he sensed her intention. He watched as Mirabelle guided him to her entrance and sank down slowly. Her eyes closed and she moaned softly. Lucien clenched his jaw and forced himself to remain still. He had to know where she was taking them. "I've had years to study them and there are a few that I've always been intrigued by." Mirabelle pressed on Lucien's chest and rose slowly until only the head of his cock was within her before she slid down. She repeated the motion a few times and purred when she finally took him to the hilt and felt his groin against her derrière. Lucien squeezed his eyes shut and thought his jaw would break, he'd clenched so hard to keep from pulling her down and thrusting into her. Mirabelle's words echoed in his brain. "I feel perfect, Lucien." She did feel perfect. So damned perfect. "There was something in particular that I've always wanted to try with you." She bit her lip as a moment of shyness overcame her.
"You've been imagining us, in various positions? For years?" Lucien was certain his jaw would have fallen open if he hadn't been lying down. He couldn't remember the last time a woman had shocked him in the bedroom. But as Mirabelle continued sliding up and down upon him and telling him wicked secrets, Lucien's mind went blank and he could only comprehend raging lust and mild nervousness. She nodded and took the straps from his hands.
"It reminded me of riding a horse and it seemed fitting." Mirabelle pulled and let the straps straighten.
"Fitting?" Still, Lucien's mind refused to function. He knew he was definitely fitting but he couldn't put together her words or how the straps were going to be used. He was always one step ahead in the bedroom, he was rarely surprised.
"Mmm hmm." Mirabelle wrapped the straps around her wrists until they were taut and closed her hands around them. She gave the straps a tug and Lucien felt her pull forwards, causing her to impale herself upon him fully and more forcefully. He gasped in ecstasy as her head fell back.
"Jesus, Mirabelle!" Lucien groaned as she rose slightly, slid down and tugged on what had effectively become reins. She arched her back, taking him deep and hard. Unable to remain still any longer, he sat up and pressed his lips to her throat as he filled his hands with her breasts. Mirabelle moaned his name. "Do you mean to break me, sweetheart?" Lucien murmured against her skin.
"No." She sighed. Her internal muscles began squeezing him in time with the rise and fall of her hips. He felt his eyes roll back in his head and he swore. "I don't want you tamed. You know I prefer a strong, wild stallion. But I want you to know who your mistress is." Mirabelle picked up the pace, riding Lucien faster.
She'd always been a strong rider. He'd never worried despite her preference for mounts that were too large and too powerful for a woman her size. Again, he cursed himself for being a fool. Why didn't he assume that she'd be the same in bed? Mirabelle had never been timid or weak; she never backed away from a challenge. If Lucien had relied on everything he'd known about her, he would have foreseen that she'd be bold, curious and inexhaustible. At the moment, her ability in the saddle and fondness for large, powerful mounts and riding reckless and fast was whipping him to a frenzy. He decided not to disappoint Mirabelle by being a docile ride.
Lucien set his lips, tongue and teeth to her flesh. He bit, sucked and licked her neck, shoulders and breasts. His hands squeezed her breasts, waist and thighs as he urged her on. He pulled her hair and scratched her skin. Mirabelle screamed and sobbed and rode him harder and faster. When their mouths met it was hungry and urgent. Their breathing was fast and labored as if they were thundering across a field and jumping over fences and hedges. Lucien found her rhythm and rocked against her. Mirabelle threw her head back and gasped. He took her nipple into his mouth and sucked greedily. He felt her haul in a ragged breath and hold it as her body seized just as the tension that had been building within his groin coiled tight. Mirabelle yelled as her body shook violently. Lucien felt the muscles gripping him spasm and squeeze almost painfully and gave in, feeling his balls tighten as his cock swelled. He shouted as he was pulled into her release.
Mirabelle went limp and collapsed against him, still held in place by the straps. Lucien unwound the silk from her wrists and pulled her with him as he fell back against the pillows. Her wrists were red from the straps. He massaged them until their normal color returned and revisited the events of the last hour.
Mirabelle had said she had some things to show him. It had been a very instructive experience for Lucien. Aside from encountering a new use for lengths of silk in bed, he'd learned that his wife was curious and had appetites of her own. Thanks to what Lucien knew was a very eclectic collection of erotica at Spencer Place, her carnal knowledge exceeded that of most women of her station and experience. Also, he thought with a wolfish grin, Mirabelle liked it very hard and very rough.
> "I vote that we keep the straps." Lucien announced as he wrapped his arms around Mirabelle. Exhausted, she lifted her hand enough to pat his shoulder in agreement. He chuckled and began playing with her hair. "I'll have to give you a more detailed tour of the library tomorrow. Clerendon House has a collection that surpasses Spencer Place. I can think of a few pieces that might be of particular interest." Mirabelle giggled and raised her head.
"Do you have a copy of The School of Venus?" She let herself roll off of Lucien and groaned as she settled on her stomach and stretched her legs. "There used to be one at Spencer Place but it disappeared years ago. I only had a few, quick opportunities to look through it." Once again, Lucien was surprised.
"Dear, God!" He knew exactly what had happened to that particular book. "I'm surprised you need me to teach you anything." He mumbled as he swung his legs over the bed. Lucien heard Mirabelle laugh as he strode into his room to get his robe. He walked back into her room and tugged on the bell pull.
"I understand how it's done in theory... Though I suppose I understand how many things are done in theory." She sat up as Lucien picked up her robe and handed it to her.
"I need to have a talk with Gilles about that library if he has any daughters." He shook his head as he poured two glasses of wine and handed one to Mirabelle.
"And I assume there's more to it than simply putting it in your mouth." She mused as she sipped from her glass. Lucien's eyes grew round and the most unmanly sound came from his throat. He was rescued by a knock at the door. Mirabelle's maid entered and discreetly looked about the room.
"I think we'll dine in here tonight, Mary." Lucien hoped that he wasn't blushing.
"We did assume that, Your Grace. I should have dinner up shortly. Will you be needing anything else?" The woman didn't even try to hide her smile. Lucien was only mildly surprised that Mirabelle didn't seem bothered by her maid's forwardness.
Wicked And Wild: Spencers in Love Book Two Page 10
