He nodded, hoping she would continue.
“And he affected me the same way you did.”
His heart soared. He’d never have dreamed he could be so lucky. She did have feelings for him. That meant she could have even deeper feelings for him. “I was so torn. Because when you held me when we danced, I felt like everything was right with the world. And I felt right with him, too.”
“Then there’s his bloody fortune,” Ellis joked. “I couldn’t compete with that.”
***
Avery stood outside the parlor and listened. He shouldn’t. But he did. He told himself he was giving them time to talk and making sure the servants didn’t hear them by standing watch but, in truth, he just wanted to hear what they had to say.
“His bloody fortune made a difference to my parents,” Olivia admitted. “But not to me.”
Ellis nodded. He was a wealthy man in his own right. His investments were sound and his portfolio continued to grow. But it couldn’t compare to Avery’s earnings. It had always been a source of contention for Ellis, Avery feared.
“I thought it had to be wrong to want to be with you both. It was, wasn’t it?” She shushed him when he would have answered. “When my parents chose Avery, I let them.”
“I understand.” Ellis tried to soothe her. Avery leaned in the doorway and listened.
“I wouldn’t undo their choice,” Olivia said. “And I love Avery with…” She stopped talking.
“You love him with all your heart.” Ellis finished her thought.
She looked up at Ellis quickly, emotion shining in her eyes. “No, I love him with half my heart, because the rest belongs to you.”
Avery wanted to punch the air and kick up his heels, and he watched as Ellis drew her into his arms, and she went willingly. Thank God. He’d never hoped this would be so seamless. There were still some issues to work out, but they weren’t insurmountable.
Avery left them and returned to the archery competition, already plotting ways to make this work.
***
Olivia toed her slippers from her feet and tucked them beneath her skirts. Her settee in her own sitting room was one of the only places in the entire house she could relax and take a deep breath. There were no men lurking in the shadows with the intent to overwhelm her senses. No one making her heart pound. No one making her desire things she couldn’t have.
A scratch sounded at the door. Olivia groaned beneath her breath and hung her head back in defeat. “Enter,” she called weakly.
The scratch sounded at the door again. Certainly, the interloper could open the door without assistance. With a grunt of disgust, she crossed to the door. The scurry of little feet as they ran down the hallway caught Olivia’s notice. She placed a hand over her heart and breathed deeply. Olivia followed the child around the corner and ran headlong into what must be the child’s mother, Lady Southerby. Her given name was Morgana if Olivia remembered correctly. Of course, with all she had on her mind, that could be completely wrong.
“My apologies, Lady Laugherty,” the woman sang out over a giggle. She bent down to the little girl and whispered to her vehemently, and then thrust her into the care of her nurse who pointed and squealed with excitement, then darted down the corridor herself. The little girl followed. “I’m so sorry if she bothered you,” Lady Southerby apologized.
“She’s no bother,” Olivia admitted. A conundrum, but not a bother. “Where are they going, if I may ask?”
The lady pressed her lips together as though suppressing a giggle, but it eventually burst forth. “You’ll be scandalized by the very thought of it. But she has lost her pet.” She pointed a thumb down the corridor where the nurse and child had disappeared. “They saw it go that way, though, so I imagine they’ll have it corralled in no time.”
“The child or the pet?” Olivia couldn’t help but ask.
“Both,” her mother admitted with a grin.
“I’m afraid to ask what kind of pet it is. Perhaps you can tell me over some tea?” She led the way back to her sitting room. It wasn’t until she returned to the room that she realized she was still out of her slippers. “My sincere apologies,” she said as he moved to slide them back on.
“Oh, thank heavens,” Lady Southerby said as she toed her own slippers off and let them thud against the floor. “I feel like I have been on my feet all day.” She shot Olivia a sly glance. “You certainly know how to keep your guests occupied.”
“Feel free to forego any of the games you like. I certainly am not one to judge,” Olivia said as she gestured to the room they were in. She, of all people, should be the last one to hide in her sitting room. “I’m a terrible hostess,” she groaned.
“Oh, posh. You’re no such thing. We all need a break every now and then. Particularly someone in your situation.” She lifted her teacup to her lips and regarded Olivia over the rim.
“My situation?” Olivia queried. “I’m not certain what you’re referring to.”
Lady Southerby sat forward. “May I be frank, Lady Laugherty?”
“Olivia,” she corrected. “And I’d expect no less.”
“They’re waging a war against your sensibilities. The two of them.” She sat back against the high backed chair and regarded Olivia stoically.
Heat crept up Olivia’s neck. “I beg your pardon?” she croaked out. Someone had noticed? Someone was aware of her situation? Of her husband’s odd desire to share her with his best friend? Of her very real feelings for said best friend?
“There is no pleasure quite as great as what they propose to offer you. But only if you wish it. And you must wish it for yourself. You cannot want it for them, because they want it. You have to want it in your heart and in your soul or you will regret it. And regret makes for a nasty bedfellow.” She winked at Olivia. “I’m certain you’d prefer your bedfellows to be a little more pleasurable.”
Olivia’s voice only cracked a little when she replied, “Does everyone know?” She’d have to send them all home. Every last one of them. Even Ellis. If anyone found out about it, they’d all be ruined. They would become unrespectable.
“I know because I know them,” Lady Southerby admitted.
Olivia choked on her tea.
Lady Southerby just looked at her quietly as she found her breath. “You know them?” Olivia finally found enough wits to ask.
“Not them specifically, Olivia. But I know men like them.” She didn’t flush or blush or stammer at all as she continued. “My own husband is like them. As is his best friend.”
“And you…?” Olivia couldn’t even voice it.
Lady Southerby shrugged. “I love them both. I admit it freely. In closed circles, of course, in places where I feel safe. I’m safe with you, aren’t I, Olivia?”
“Absolutely,” Olivia blurted out. She’d never breathe a word of it.
“I remember when my husband brought up the idea. My upbringing made me fight it with all that I am and all that I have. But, in the end, I couldn’t keep rejecting the love they both offered so freely.” She shrugged, a smile upon her face. “I am proud to have two men in my life who love me and will take care of me, no matter what. I will always be safe, as will our children.”
Olivia thought back to the little girl who’d streaked down the hallway. “Who is her father?”
“They both are.”
Olivia must have looked as dumbfounded as she felt. “I have overstepped my bounds,” Lady Southerby said as she leaned forward and placed a hand on Olivia’s knee. “And you have much to think about, so I’ll leave you to it.”
A scream sounded from the corridor. “It appears as though they’ve found my daughter’s ferret,” she said with a laugh. Then she slid her feet back into her slippers and ducked out the door as quickly as she’d arrived.
Olivia raised her hand to her mouth and nibbled her fingernails. Lady Southerby had two lovers. And wasn’t ashamed to discuss it. A most delicious shiver crept up Olivia’s spine.
Four
Olivia reclined in Avery’s arms, his rock hard shaft against her naked back. He’d been hard most of the evening, even before they’d left the revelers downstairs. Even before he’d started to whisper in her ear about the gothic novel he’d picked out for her pleasure. He fluffed the bedclothes around them and reached to the bedside table to retrieve the book. “Read to me,” he said as he poured her another glass of wine. She was a bit foxed. But not completely.
“Now?” She couldn’t keep the pout from her voice if she tried. She’d been on the edge of her seat the entire day, her undergarments soaked with desire more often than not. She simply could not get enough of him, not since he and Ellis had began their sensual assault.
“Don’t be so impatient,” he teased as he tweaked her nose. “Read,” he prompted, with a nudge of his knees.
Olivia grunted with displeasure but she opened the book and began to read. The gothic tales that Avery bought for her were romantic and touching and usually had a sensual feel to them. They were perfectly sinful, a delightful pleasure that she shared with Avery. Or read on her own. He didn’t seem to mind if she read about lusty women and gentleman rakes, even when she wasn’t sharing the experience with him. In fact, he encouraged it.
Within moments, she was so swept into the pages that she nearly jumped when a knock sounded at the door that attached her suite of rooms to Avery’s. Avery called out, “Come.”
Olivia squealed and dove quickly beneath the covers as the door opened. “Avery!” she hissed at him. “I’m naked.”
Avery popped his head beneath the covers quickly and grinned unrepentantly at her. “I am well aware of that, Olivia,” he said, his voice heavy with desire all of a sudden as he appraised her body slowly with the small bit of light that filtered around the edge of the blanket. Then he pulled his head back and addressed Ellis. “Did you need something?”
Olivia could very nearly hear the teasing sound of his voice. He was enjoying this. She’d give him something to enjoy. Olivia wrapped her hand slowly, finger by finger, around his still-raging cock, knowing full well that it would get his attention as her offended shriek had failed to do. He sucked in a breath and she gloated from her position of power.
“If I came at a bad time,” Ellis hedged. Something changed in his voice, but it wasn’t laughter as she’d expected. It was heat. His voice was very-nearly gravely as he continued. “If you’re indisposed, I can come back later. But I stole down to the kitchen to see if there was anything to pilfer, and I found some of that wonderful raspberry cream that was left from dinner.” She heard the clank of a tray as he sat it down. “I thought I’d see if you wanted some. But I can see that you’re busy.”
“I’m not busy,” Avery said quickly. “Bring that over here.”
How dare he? She was naked in his arms, had been reading an erotic novel to him aloud, and he’d been hard for hours. Yet he wanted to eat? To continue as though nothing was happening while she was, in fact, mortified about the entire situation. His best friend was in the room and she was completely unclothed, for God’s sake. Oh, he would pay.
Olivia bent closer to his cock and placed a small kiss against the head, still holding him tightly within her grasp. His hips shifted and rose to bring him closer to her mouth. He groaned. “That is the best I’ve ever had.” Was he talking about her actions, or the raspberry cream? Blast and damn him. Olivia closed her eyes and took the head of him into her mouth and sucked lightly as she flicked her tongue against the slit. The salty taste of him reached her tongue. The clank of silverware reached her ears. He was still eating? And Ellis was still in the room?
“You had better save that one for Olivia,” Ellis warned. “You know how she loves her sweets.”
***
It was all Avery could do to maintain his nonchalant air as Olivia ran her tongue across the head of his cock. She stayed absolutely still as she did it, so as not to draw attention to her actions, but if the look on Ellis’ face was any indication, he knew full well what she was up to, the naughty little tease.
Avery patted her shoulder from outside the blankets. “Olivia, did you want to come out of there and have some dessert? Or do you plan to stay down there all night? It’s fine with me if you decide to do that all the night through. I’ll just enjoy your treat.” He grinned evilly at Ellis who shook his head and grinned. He knew his wife so well.
Her tongue stopped its slow stroke across his cock. “What kind is it?” she asked, still gripping him hard within her fist. He nearly winced at the pleasure of it.
“Berry,” Ellis supplied quickly. “I believe it’s your favorite.”
“It is,” a small voice chirped. She was obviously warring with herself about whether or not she should vacate the bedclothes and pop her head out long enough to eat. “I’m not coming out until Ellis is gone.”
“Oh, come now, love,” Ellis said smoothly. “You’re all covered by the blanket. And I’m well aware of what you’re doing down there. So, you popping your head out long enough to smile at me and thank me for the sweet will not be nearly as shocking as you down there tormenting Avery. The poor man is about to lose his mind, by the way.”
Avery was. He most certainly was.
Olivia flipped the edge of the blanket down quickly and blew a lock of hair from her eyes with a sigh. She narrowed her eyes at Avery to let him know he would pay for this scenario later. She held out one hand. “May I have it, please?” she asked nicely.
But Avery could tell she was discomfited by the situation. And he loved it. “No,” he said quickly. “Sit up like a good girl and he’ll give you the treat.” He patted her bottom from outside the coverlet.
“You act like I’m a hound you’re training, Avery,” she grunted. But he could tell she wasn’t angry. She sat up and tucked the coverlet beneath her arms, so that her bare shoulders showed and nothing else. That was a step. A small one. But still a step. She’d never been one to back down from a challenge. And she was taking this one up with poise. Aside from the fact that she was naked, of course.
Ellis passed the dish to her and leaned down at the last moment to kiss her cheek. Instead of flinching as she could have done, she sat back against Avery’s chest with the bowl in her hands and lifted a healthy spoonful to her lips. She closed her eyes and moaned as she swallowed. Avery hadn’t thought it possible, but he grew even harder.
As she raised the next spoonful to her lips, he purposefully jostled her arm and a dollop of it fell on her chest, just above where the blanket was tucked so demurely. She grunted out what could have been a curse and motioned for Ellis to get a cloth napkin from the tray and pass it to her. Instead, Ellis caught her outstretched hand and held it to the side, staring down at the pudding that lay against her fair skin and said, “No worries. I’ll take care of it.” Then he bent his head and very slowly lapped at the gooey blob with the tip of his tongue.
Avery had never seen anything more stunning. Olivia had stopped breathing, though, as he licked across her skin, perhaps lingering a little too long once the treat was gone. “Oh, my,” Olivia finally exhaled.
“Oh, my, indeed,” Ellis said slowly as he raised his head, his lips a mere inches from Olivia’s. “You are delicious, sweetheart.” He leaned closer, his mouth a mere breath from hers and lingered. He wouldn’t go the last inch. Avery was certain of it. Ellis would wait for her to come to him.
Then she did, and every bone in Avery’s body wanted to sing with happiness. His lovely wife opened her mouth at Ellis’ gentle coaxing. Avery’s cock strained against Olivia’s bottom as her tongue tentatively touched his best friend’s. He could see the touch and retreat through the corner of their mouths, and he had to bite his tongue to keep from making noise. But noise right now simply would not do.
Avery tugged Olivia’s hips so that she fit snugly in the vee between his thighs and could lean forward of her own volition. He took the pudding cup from her just before she dropped it. Then she raised that dainty little hand to stroke the side of Ellis’ face.
Avery would come beneath the coverlet any moment, he was that aroused. He forced himself to calm, taking deep breaths.
Ellis sucked at Olivia’s lower lip until she whimpered. Then he finally sat down in front of them and put a hand at the back of her neck, looking into her eyes. “You are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen,” he admitted.
Olivia struggled to open her eyes. When she did, she immediately called out for her husband. “Avery?” she asked quietly.
“Yes, love?” he replied.
“I think I just kissed your best friend.”
Avery forced himself not to chuckle. “Yes, I believe you did.”
“And you’re not angry at me?” She turned her head to look at him, her dark eyes shimmering with lust.
“That was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen,” Avery told her. “How could I be angry?” He put his hands at her waist and caressed her lightly beneath the blanket. Then he cupped her breasts within his hands and kicked the coverlet away.
Both Olivia and Ellis looked down at the same time to see the Avery’s sun-kissed fingers holding those fleshy orbs, so at odds with her fair coloring.
“That is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen,” Ellis breathed as he bent his head toward her breast.
***
Avery did exactly what he’d expected. He lifted her breast to him, and Ellis took a moment to appraise the hard, pink nipple. It was as big as his thumb, just as he’d thought, and was framed by a lovely rosy-pink circle. He took it gently into his mouth and tugged lightly at it with his lips. She arched her back to bring it closer to him. Yes, Olivia, show me you want it.
Ellis replaced both of Avery’s hands with his own as he drew lightly on her nipple. Her hands sunk into his hair, delicately abrading his scalp with her fingernails. He looked up into her eyes, which smoldered with heat. “If you tell me you don’t want this, I’ll leave,” he said softly, and then he dipped his head again and drew on the other peak. Her mouth fell open as a gasp left her lips. “Tell me, Olivia,” he urged.
Lady Laugherty's Loves Page 3
