Stone stopped and considered his wife for a moment. “While I know some men treat women as though they have little intelligence and even less intrinsic value, I suggest that not all men treat women in that way. If you could offer a bit more detail as to your particular situation, perhaps I could offer more valuable insight into the male mind.”
Theo nodded and primly took a seat across from where he sat. “Very well. As you must be aware after the marriage contracts, I own a home and small piece of land that houses an orphanage. Next to the home is another plot of land that once was a single parcel. I was able to purchase the house and land at an excellent value; however, the owner of the other half of the land refuses to sell to me.”
“And I assume you are given to understand that the reason this person refuses to sell to you is because of your sex?”
“He has explicitly stated this as well as a family squabble as the reasons he will not sell.” Theo’s anger seemed to be fading with the sharing of her problem. The deep wrinkles in her forehead were smoothing out, and her jaw seemed to be less tense.
“In my experience, everyone has a price. Have you tried offering him an amount well above fair market price?” Stone would have certainly doubled the fair value if he wanted the land badly enough. From across the desk, the sound of a sniffle drew his attention. His wife dabbed at watery eyes that, while not filled outright with tears, proved she was far more emotional about this piece of business than he had initially suspected.
“I cannot afford to offer him such an amount. If I were to do so, there would be nothing left to fund the orphanage for the rest of the year. And, on general principle, I shouldn’t have to pay more merely because I am a woman.”
“I would suggest you have to pay more merely because you do not possess the land in question. Can you not fundraise for the monies needed for the annual budget of the orphanage?”
“I do not wish to have a bunch of pinch-faced Society women making my orphans unhappy. Inevitably, when boards are formed and Society ladies take over, the object of their charity suffers from an overwhelming barrage of rules and expectations. By sponsoring the home myself, I can ensure it is run with love and care and the children are allowed to be what they are: children.”
“I see. Well, it seems you and the land owner are at an impasse. I could certainly offer to help make up the difference in cost if you were willing to accept my assistance.”
She paused for a moment or two, most likely considering his offer, but then shook her head. “I shall find another way to accomplish this. I do appreciate your offer, Stonemere. But this is an endeavor I began on my own, and I shall finish it that way.”
“As you wish, but should you change your mind, the offer stands.” Stone found himself curious to see how she might turn the rather hopeless situation in her favor. He sincerely doubted the man who had refused her offer knew the lengths his wife might go to in order to accomplish a thing.
In fact, he truly didn’t know, and now his curiosity bade him to watch the situation more closely. Perhaps it would be good if he knew exactly what his wife was up against. He assumed she was dealing with an old-timer who did not share his more modern views of the world and women. But just to be safe, he decided to have his man of affairs poke about a bit. Ensure Theodora wasn’t dealing with a more sinister character.
“Thank you, again, for the offer, and for listening. I’m not normally so easily thwarted, but that man seems to be able to twist me up just so.” She glanced at the clock on the shelf nearby. “It is getting late. I should go check on dinner and change. I shall see you then.”
“Indeed.” He rose as his wife departed. Who would have known that the woman who seemed so retiring initially would turn out to be such…a brick? He couldn’t think of another term that fit his wife so aptly. Every day she offered him a new facet to her, a new piece to the puzzle. A strange sense of contentment settled over him.
* * *
Stone arrived at Carlisle House early Friday morning. Morning visits were not due to start for another hour, but he harbored little concern. The question of his wife’s adventures and the possibility she might discover more about his licentious past gnawed at him. He and Carlisle had been acquainted prior to their connection by marriage, and as embarrassing as the whole scenario might be, he needed to lean on his brother-in-law’s ability to compel his wife to reveal what occurred at Lady Heartfield’s home the day before.
He was shown into the library and left to stew for half an hour. His own fault, of course. He could have sent a note over warning of his visit, but something told him his quarry would slip away if he did so. Instead, he waited, until finally, the Marquess of Carlisle appeared. “Good morning, Stonemere. To what do I owe the pleasure of this early-morning visit?” One black brow rose toward his hairline, adding an edge to Carlisle’s already stern features. The man barely topped six feet in height, but his barrel chest and thick arms lent him a menacing quality that Stone was sure his tailors worked very hard to counteract, though with little success.
Stone drew a calming breath. “My apologies for the hour, but I have need of your assistance in eliciting some information from your wife about her whereabouts yesterday while in my wife’s company. I fear without your help, I shall be shut out of some pertinent details.” Stone eyed the decanter of scotch. Just a sip might ease his nerves.
“Well, I am sure Lizzy will be happy to assist if there is something of concern. I’ll have her join us.” He tugged on the bell pull and, once a footman appeared, sent him off to retrieve the lady of the house.
She appeared dressed for an outing, her paletot and bonnet on. He’d been spot-on; she was looking to escape.
“Yes, Carlisle.” She stepped inside the door but did not cross to join them. “I was just on my way out.”
“Lord Stonemere had a question or two for you. Could you stay a moment?” Carlisle gestured at the companion chair to the one Stone occupied.
Theo’s sister stood in the doorway for a moment before resignation wiped the smile from her face. “Of course. How may I be of assistance?” She removed her bonnet while she took the seat and peered at Stone with a daunting innocence considering his intended line of questioning.
“I believe you accompanied my wife to call on Lady Heartfield yesterday. I wanted to know who else attended your visit.” He decided to drill right to the heart of the matter.
Lady Carlisle blushed and stared at her hands. The silence stretched out until Carlisle had enough. “Lizzy, whom did you see yesterday?”
Theo’s sister gasped and glanced up to lock gazes with her husband. Stone recognized the unspoken command he had given his wife. The immediate shift of power was both electrifying and heady to watch. It made him wonder if Lizzy’s sister might be as susceptible. He had seen inklings of such obedience, but he had not dared to believe it a real response. It seemed far more likely he’d imagined that which he wanted to see.
“Carlisle.” She paled. “Please.” Her plea was a mere whisper.
“Dear, it will be best if you answer now.” The unspoken discussion of the punishment to come settled heavy in the silence.
“Yes, my lord.” She turned to face Stonemere. “We met with Madame du Pompadour.”
Carlisle emitted an outraged gasp as Stone’s breath caught in his chest. Good God, he was doomed. “About, what?”
The woman blushed profusely and dropped her gaze. “Th-Theo arranged to have a tutorial i-in all things erotic.”
Carlisle groaned as Stone continued his attempts to breathe.
Carlisle asked the next obvious question. “Lizzy, when and where is this tutorial to occur?”
“Tonight, at The Market.” Her murmur stabbed Stone deep in the heart, deep in that soft core he tried to protect.
“What is this lesson to consist of?” Stone managed to rasp the question out from between clenched teeth.
“Oh, she is only planning to watch, my lord. She specifically insisted she would not want to engage in a
nything…physical.”
“And what is the purpose of all this? Why is she having a tutorial?” Stone wanted the answer, and yet terror of the truth stole his breath and made his heart gallop.
Lady Carlisle stared at him, her brow creased with confusion. “Why else would a married woman wish to learn such things?” She glanced from one man to the other, and Carlisle looked as lost as he felt. “To seduce her husband.”
And with that simple statement, air returned to his lungs, blood returned to his extremities with a tingling rush of sensation, and the wheels of his brain clicked back into working order. To seduce him? Priceless.
He grappled to find a reasonable response. On one hand, the fury that she would go into such an establishment alone scorched the pain of the perceived betrayal. On the other, it was a heady experience to realize she wished to seduce him. That his wife desired him so much, she would put forth such an effort. Should he paddle her or reward her? Perhaps both before the night concluded. “Thank you, Carlisle, Lady Carlisle. I believe I have intruded enough on your morning.”
“I’m sure you can find the way out.” Carlisle rose from his seat behind his desk, circled around to where his wife sat, and placed a hand on her shoulder to keep her from rising or fleeing, Stone surmised.
“Quite. One last thing… Can you please ensure your wife does not inform my own of this meeting?”
“Consider it done.” Carlisle turned to the diminutive woman who sat with strength and pride radiating from her, defiant to the end, much like her sister.
“Good day.” Stone turned to leave.
As he departed, he caught the steely order from man to woman. “Bend over the desk and lift your skirts, Lizzy.”
Stone imagined having an identical conversation with his own wife in the near future. But first, he needed to visit Madame Celeste du Pompadour.
It took a mere twenty minutes to reach The Market due to its convenient location. Settled near Maple Park, slightly north of Oxford Street, it was quite easy for its clientele to reach. Stone had his driver drop him around back and then knocked on the kitchen door.
A maid opened the door and promptly let her jaw flop open upon finding a gentleman and not a delivery boy. “My lord?”
“I need to see Madame du Pompadour immediately.” He stepped inside, pushing past the dumbstruck wench.
“But she’s asleep, my lord.”
“Wake her. This is of the utmost urgency.” Stone started toward the front of the house. “I shall await her in the main salon.”
“Yes, my lord.” The girl scurried off to find her mistress as he went in the direction of said room.
Twenty minutes later, in elegant dishabille, Celeste appeared. “Lord Stonemere. I should have guessed it was you.” She grinned and sat down on the chaise across from him.
“Celeste, I am here about my wife.”
She chuckled. “Quite a little hoyden you married yourself to.”
Stone ground his teeth. “Be that as it may, you must call this evening off.”
“No, I do believe she—and you—will benefit from tonight’s lessons.”
“This is unacceptable. I cannot have my wife parading around an establishment such as this. She would be ruined.” Stone rose from where he sat and paced the length of the room.
“Please, Stone, do give me some credit for protecting the innocent when possible. Your wife will arrive masked, in a hack, and then enter through the back door. She will be escorted through the private hallways and provided a view via the various windows we have for such pleasures.” She paused, drew a breath.
“I was going to give her the option of watching in person in the Bacchanalian room, but I can see from your rather piercing glare that I should rethink such an offer.”
“You’re bloody right you will rethink such an option. I shall not allow her to be here unescorted. I shall act as her guard.”
“Good heavens, do you think she will be ravaged upon entering my establishment? I assure you, I only allow such games with known participants who are willing and eager for aforesaid play. As I recall, you should know this since you have participated in the ravishing of similar participants.” She raised a brow.
“You know too much for my own good.”
“When you join The Market, you are assured confidentiality in your private business. Even had your wife asked me about your past liaisons—and she did not—I would not tell her anything I knew.”
Stone sighed. He’d not meant to question Celeste’s integrity.
“But I would strongly recommend you consider revealing the nature of your past in relation to this establishment. It is not uncommon knowledge, and were she to hear it from someone else or see something that might raise questions, you would not appreciate the outcome, I think.”
“I’ll consider your counsel. Now, about tonight. I shall come dressed for the role, masked and all. What time should I arrive?”
“No later than half past midnight. She will be here a quarter hour after that.”
“I intend to take my wife home to deal with her. However, nothing ever goes as planned where she is concerned. Can you have the blue room with the spanking bench available should I need a private place?”
“Of course, my lord. The Market would be happy to accommodate you and your wife this evening.” Celeste gave a regal tilt of her head, no simpering miss there. No, she had blossomed into a stunning woman, and wore the mantle of madame with panache.
“I shall see you tonight, then.” He nodded and departed The Market. He loathed the deception required, but refused to allow Theo to venture down this path without some protection. Certainly, he could lock her in her room tonight, confront her, and forbid her attendance. But then his lovely wife would not speak to him. And he damned well liked hearing her talk. He liked the things she said, he liked the things she did with her mouth, and he wasn’t ready to give all those up in a single idiotic move.
No, far better to indulge her curiosity while being able to control the situation. Then at home, he could raise the issue of her lack of trust in discussing such things with him. Of course, that would make him a brilliant hypocrite, but there you had it. He should confess his sordid past, yet he wasn’t sure he could. Perhaps after tonight, he might find the stones to do so.
Chapter 13
Friday came much faster than Theo had expected. If her choice of gowns for tea with two madames had been difficult, it was absolutely unnerving to select a gown to wear to a brothel.
After considering her options, she decided to go with a frock of deep red, almost a maroon, trimmed with black edging and bearing a simple pleated hem of organza. The gown offered a delicious dip into a vee above her breasts and pretended at modesty with a matching organza fichu, a bit of fabric she could easily remove with a precise yank before entering The Market.
Satisfied with her choice, she rang for Mary and gave her directions for her evening wear, which included the deep-hooded cloak she usually wore in late fall. Mary simply curtsied and took off to see to her duties.
Theo sipped her tea and worked to quash the flare of guilt that attempted to rear its head. Despite her husband’s enthusiastic activity two nights prior, she remained certain something wasn’t quite right. Why had he disappeared after their intimacy? Why was she always left with the sensation she was on the cusp of discovering something truly wonderful?
There was no room for doubt. Doubt would not ensure her husband’s undying love and fidelity. Doubt was a dream killer, and she refused to let her dream of marital bliss die.
Resolved to follow through on her plan for the evening, she rose and prepared for the evening to come. By the next day, she would be ready to launch her campaign of seduction. Stone remained unaware, but a war would be waged, and she would be the victor.
After a flurry of activity to get ready, she found Stone waiting at the bottom of the stairs. He watched her with an eagle eye as she descended to his side.
“You look particularly enchanting this e
vening.” He bowed over her hand.
“As do you, Stone. Well, I should say—you do look dashing this evening.” Goodness, she needed to pull herself together. She hadn’t fumbled so badly in front of him since they were practically strangers. Why should she now?
“Shall we?” He held out his arm, and they departed for the Rawley ball. It was mid-Season, and the balls came fast and furious. Everyone tried to outdo one another with the biggest crush of the Season. It was all rather silly, and yet here they were dressed to attend yet another such attempt.
At least she only needed to endure until Stone decamped for his club. After his departure, she could slip away to learn all the things she needed to seduce her husband. Or at least some of the things she needed. She couldn’t possibly arrange to disappear like this more than once. Stone was far too observant not to notice such absences.
They rode quietly in the carriage until their turn came to arrive. As each ball became bigger, the lines to arrive grew longer. The long wait made one consider a more pedestrian mode of arrival, if only walking were not so unfashionable and the venues so far. They entered the grand town house and climbed the stairs to the ballroom. After being announced, they entered the ball with enough time to join the first waltz.
Stone took her into his arms and swept her into the dance. She loved to dance with him. He rarely spoke, but led with a firm hand. However, tonight he dispelled the notion that he might not chat.
“And what are your plans for this evening, wife?” A distinct air of speculation tinged his question.
Had he felt her flinch? Damn, could he know of her post-ball plans? “I would imagine they are much as usual.”
He smiled at her. “I shall be departing for my club a little later. Should I send the carriage round to pick you up after?”
“No need to trouble yourself. I am sure I can manage a ride home with Lizzy and Carlisle, or someone else if they are unavailable.”
“Very well. Do be careful as you flit about this evening.” The music ended, and Stone escorted her off the floor and deposited her with her sister.
His Hand-Me-Down Countess: The Lustful Lords, Book 1 Page 11
