A Carnal Agreement (Regency Intrigue Book 1)

by Silvia Violet

  “Please.” She tugged on his arm, trying to halt his progress. He ignored her until he had drawn her inside one of the alcoves.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “I can’t do this here,” she protested.

  Despite the semi-privacy of the alcove, others could hear them if they spoke above a whisper. Even if Mark made Cassandra forget her embarrassment, they could not afford to lose control when her attacker could return any time.

  Mark closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “You’re wickedly beautiful when you are aroused. I have trouble controlling myself.”

  Cassandra turned to leave the alcove, but Mark pulled her back. “We need to talk.”

  He gestured toward the chaise that took up most of the space in the tiny makeshift room. Mark brought his lips close to her ear. “We should stay here long enough that people think we’ve made proper use of the room. In a few minutes, we will go back to the drawing room. I spoke to Stanton after I’d given up on finding the Frenchman. He will meet us there.

  His voice was calm and steady, but she saw the thick bulge pressing against his pants. When she brushed a lock of hair from his face, his skin was so warm she might have thought him fevered. For a moment she considered changing her mind. No one would see them, and everyone else was occupied.

  No! What was she thinking? She was here to investigate, not to become involved in this lifestyle. Was she as depraved as Katherine?

  Mark spoke as if to answer her silent question. “Do not be ashamed of your desire. You would have to be made of stone to feel no reaction to what you saw.”

  “But the man whipped that woman.”

  “Only lightly. And her enjoyment was quite evident.”

  “You said these parties disgusted you.”

  “The way the guests treat each other disgust me. Most of the men view the women like inanimate playthings. The women who are too strong to accept such treatment are typically cold and heartless like Katherine. Most of the guests are here for power games, not pleasure. The scene we saw aroused me as much as it did you. At some of Reddington’s parties, I can assure you, the man in black would have drawn blood, and the woman wouldn’t have been willing.”

  Cassandra shut her eyes to block out the image of the frightened young woman Reddington had auctioned off.

  “Still, it must be wrong of me to long for—” She brought her hand to her mouth, horrified at what she’d almost revealed.

  Mark guessed her words anyway. “Do you long for me to do that to you?”

  “No! I didn’t mean that. I—”

  He placed his finger on her lips. “I saw how it aroused you, and I want to fulfill all your fantasies. We can consider it later.”

  Cassandra’s cheeks burned with embarrassment. “I think we’d better leave now. If we don’t, I will not be able to wait.”

  His low laugh echoed against her throat where he traced circles with his tongue. “You were wise to make us stop. If I took you here, it would be hard and fast. I don’t want to rush tonight. I have many things planned for you.”

  She tried to get away, unable to bear the feel of his mouth on her any longer. But he held her against his chest and rolled her nipples between his thumb and forefinger. She moaned and writhed against him.

  “Should I bring you to release or leave you in need?”

  Her only reply was a whimper. She didn’t know what she wanted more: for him to stop so others would not hear her cries or for him to lift her skirts and thrust into her as he had in her bedroom.

  He nipped the back of her neck and then lifted her upright with his hands on her waist. When her knees gave as if made of jelly, he laughed and steadied her.

  She wanted to be angry, but the world seemed unreal, as if she were in dream.

  Mark stood and wrapped her hand around his arm. “Come. Let’s look for Stanton.”

  She pushed back an errant strand of hair and looked at him. “Everyone will know how aroused I am, won’t they?”

  “Of course they will, but that is the point. We’re all here to be aroused and to be pleasured. They will assume you need far more fucking before you are satisfied. And they will be right.”

  Before she could protest, he opened the curtain and led her out. They exited the ballroom quickly. But before they did, she saw bodies in positions she had not known the human form could take.

  Once they were back in the drawing room, the atmosphere was like that of any London ball with the exception of the scant attire of the women and the fact that many of the men had discarded their jackets and waistcoats. Mark and Cassandra located Mr. Stanton near the refreshment table. From a distance, his green and blue waistcoat made him look the part of a peacock, but when they got closer, Cassandra realized he had far more strength of presence than the lazy, useless young men she had met in droves prior to her marriage.

  He did a good job of hiding his physical strength with the cut of his clothing, but he’d rolled back his sleeves, and she saw the well-defined muscles in his arms. He was not what he appeared to be. She should have known better anyway. Mark was not likely to befriend someone who spent his entire morning devising new ways to tie his neck cloth.

  Mark tapped his friend on the shoulder, and Mr. Stanton turned to face them, smiling when he looked at Cassandra.

  “Do forgive me for not having made your acquaintance.” He bowed low. “I should have taken notice of a woman of your superior beauty long before now.”

  Mark frowned. “Cut the act. We need to talk.”

  Mr. Stanton sighed. “You could at least introduce me.”

  Mark exhaled sharply, his annoyance evident. “Not here. We need to find a private room.

  They entered the breakfast room again. Mark closed the door and braced it with a chair. Then he insisted they all remove their masks, saying he wanted Cassandra to be certain she could recognize Stanton later.

  Looking at Cassandra, Mark said, “Lady Reddington, may I present Mr. Rhys Stanton.”

  When she smiled at his friend, Mark scowled. He obviously did not want her to appreciate Stanton’s charms. Cassandra was unable to suppress a wicked desire to taunt Mark, especially after he had deliberately aroused her to the point of madness and given her no relief. “Do forgive Mark. He is a trifle overprotective. I am delighted to meet you.”

  Stanton laughed. “I will be happy to rescue you if his attentions become too odious.” He touched his lips lightly to the back of her hand like the most studied gentleman.

  Mark cleared his throat, and Cassandra turned to face him. “Are you two quite finished?”

  Cassandra smiled. “We are for now.”

  Mark made a sound that was close to a growl. “Stanton, I have to confess that I was not completely honest this afternoon. I will call on you in the morning and explain all you need to know. For now, please indulge me. Have you seen or talked to a short man with light blond hair and a very long nose tonight? You might have noted his French accent.”

  Stanton’s brow creased. “I believe I saw such a man when I first arrived. I didn’t speak with him though, and I haven’t seen him in quite some time.”

  “I do believe he left.” Mark clenched his fists. “Do you have any idea who he is?”

  “I don’t know his name, but I have seen him before in the company of,” he paused and looked at Cassandra, “Lord Reddington.”

  Cassandra felt the color drain from her face. The heat Mark had stirred in her turned to cold fear. Once again, she had come very close to death.

  Stanton looked back and forth between her and Mark. “What is going on?”

  Mark shook his head. “I will tell you tomorrow. You said you weren’t sure if Reddington owned Miss Caroline’s? Do you know the name of any similar establishments he does have an interest in?”

  Stanton looked uneasy. His gaze darted toward Cassandra. She quickly spoke up. “Mr. Stanton, let me put you at ease. When one is married to a man like Reddington, one quickly becomes accustomed to discussing topics not normally
mentioned in front of a lady.”

  He smiled. “Thank you. I suppose it sounds ridiculous considering where we are, but I would not normally admit the existence of such an establishment to a lady of your caliber.”

  “I could hardly be considered a true lady after appearing here.”

  He smiled. “I do not think you came here for the same reasons I did.”

  “No, Mr. Stanton, I am quite sure I did not.” Overcome with the desire to tease him, she added, “I must say you would not find yourself in this dilemma if you did not frequent places that cannot be mentioned in front of a lady.”

  Mark laughed. “Unfortunately were he that wise, he would be of no help to us. Answer the question, Stanton.”

  Mr. Stanton looked from Mark to Cassandra and smiled. “There are several men who have an interest in Miss Caroline’s. It is likely Reddington is one of them, but their leader is referred to as The Cat.” Cassandra gasped and Stanton turned toward her. “I take it you have heard of him?”

  “My husband mentioned him in connection to… well, Mark will explain more tomorrow. Do you have any idea who he is?”

  “No. Despite what Mark may have told you, I do not go to Miss Caroline’s frequently.” Cassandra smiled as color infused his cheeks. “I’ve never seen this man or heard him called by any other name. Langley might be able to help though.”

  Mark nodded. “Please see to Lady Reddington’s comfort while I search for our host.”

  “My pleasure.” Stanton offered Cassandra his arm.

  Mark scowled and gave his friend a quelling look. “I hope to hear that you have behaved in a manner above reproach.”

  “I will do only what Lady Reddington requests of me.”

  His friend’s words echoed in Mark’s head as he walked off in search of Langley. He trusted Stanton to keep Cassandra safe. Knowing she was under Mark’s protection, Stanton would do no more than flirt with her in his outrageous but harmless manner.

  The thing that made him uneasy was Cassandra’s obvious acceptance of his friend. Stanton was criminally handsome. He’d probably turned down four or five offers in favor of meeting with them. Would Cassandra fall prey to his spell?

  Why did it matter so much? He had no real claim over Cassandra, and their relationship had an established end. If she wanted to take Stanton as a lover after that, she was certainly free to. He would do nothing to stop her. In fact, he would be glad to see her continuing to embrace her passionate side.

  Perhaps if he repeated these sentiments enough, he would actually believe them.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  A short while later, Mark located Stanton and Cassandra on the balcony, standing far too close for his comfort. He began walking faster when Cassandra laughed at something Stanton said and gave a stunning smile, one Mark rarely saw unless they were in bed.

  Cassandra turned to Mark before he had a chance to speak. She reached for his arm and pulled him to her. “You were gone so long I was beginning to worry. Did you learn anything?” Her obvious concern did much to alleviate his fears.

  “I did. Reddington and the Lintons are part owners in both Miss Caroline’s and Lucifer’s, a notorious gaming hell. Langley doesn’t know The Cat’s identity, but Langley is known at both establishments. He told me to use his name as entrée since they only admit a select clientele.”

  As he spoke, Mark couldn’t help but stumble over a few of his words. Cassandra’s cheeks were flushed, and she was fanning herself despite the cool breeze rustling the trees. She twirled her hair and shifted from one foot to another, obviously restless. Apparently, the desire Langley’s entertainment had inspired still rode her hard.

  Stanton spoke first. “I have an engagement tomorrow evening which I cannot break, but the following night, I will visit Simone. Perhaps I can discover something useful from her.”

  Mark forced himself to be polite, despite his eagerness to get Cassandra home. “Thank you for your assistance.”

  “Call on me tomorrow,” Stanton said.

  “I will.” Mark offered his arm to Cassandra, and they headed for the entrance.

  As soon as the carriage door closed, Mark knelt in front of Cassandra, needing to touch her, to establish the bond their passion had formed between them.

  Cassandra pushed at his shoulders. “What are you doing? The driver will hear us.”

  Mark ignored her concerns. His servants knew the importance of discretion. “I have many plans for us tonight, but you will not enjoy them in your current state.”

  “What do you m-mean?” Her voice caught as he slid his hands along her thighs.

  “You have been ready to spend since I touched you in the alcove. You can’t wait much longer.

  He slid his hands down her calves, lifted her skirt. “I intend to keep you going for hours tonight. This will take the edge off.”

  “But—”

  “Hush.”

  When he had bared her completely, he bent and flicked his tongue across her clitoris. She cried out as he had hoped. His hands gripped her thighs, pulling them further apart and anchoring them against the velvety seat.

  He tasted her again and again. Her hands gripped his head, trying to push him back. He ignored the pressure on his scalp, nothing she could do would deter him from wresting more delightful cries from her. He continued to work her, sucking, licking, nibbling, drinking her in.

  He knew that once her breathing grew labored and her hips jerked up and down rapidly mere seconds separated her from gaining her release. He stopped his ministrations abruptly and shifted so he could nip the soft skin of her inner thighs.

  “No. Please.”

  Mark smiled as he ran his tongue down her leg. He had no desire to be merciful.

  When she calmed enough to stop tugging at his hair, he returned his attention to her sex. He slipped two fingers into her as he drew her clitoris into his mouth.

  She gasped and bucked under him, trying to squirm away.

  Mark vibrated his fingers against the front of her channel, and she dropped over the edge. Her spasms squeezed his fingers, and her hands pressed his head tight against her until her hips ceased their gyrations and her arms went limp.

  He sat back on his heels. Cassandra’s eyes fluttered open, staring drunkenly up at him. Mark lifted his fingers to his mouth and licked them clean. Her eyes widened as she watched him, and he noted her breathing accelerating once again.

  He had intended to save his own release until much later, but he was reaching for the buttons of his pants when the carriage came to a halt.

  “Damn!” He would have to wait after all. He righted Cassandra’s skirts and helped her descend from the carriage. But as soon as he closed the door of her townhouse behind them, he unfastened her cloak and let it fall to the floor. His fingers skimmed the naked skin of her back. “Are you still thinking of them?”

  She stiffened. “Who?”

  “The man and woman who performed for us.” He brought her against him and held his lips inches from hers.

  “I don’t…”

  “Your reaction surprised you, didn’t it?”

  She nodded mutely. He scooped her into his arms, carrying her upstairs. When he set her down on the thick rug by her bed, he undid the buttons along the back of her dress.

  She hadn’t spoken either to protest or to share her fantasies. When he succeeded in removing her dress, he lifted the hem of her chemise and pulled it over her head.

  He held it in his hands and let his gaze roam over her naked form. The soft fabric caressed his flesh. Suddenly, he had an idea.

  “Remind me tomorrow to buy you another one of these,” he said as he tore a strip off her chemise.

  Her eyes widened. “Mark, stop! What are you doing?”

  She tried to grab the garment from his hands, but he kept it out of reach. “This will work perfectly to restrain you.”

  She gasped.

  “You want it, Cassandra. Play along with me.”

  “But I—”

 
“I saw your face at the party. You could hardly breathe as you watched that woman struggle for her freedom.”

  “I don’t think I can give up control like that.”

  “Your surrender is a gift, and you can take it back anytime.” Mark stepped forward and caressed her face. “Trust me.”

  He wrapped the soft fabric around his hand and caressed her neck and collarbone. She gasped when he touched her tight nipples. “Your body knows what you want.”

  “What if I don’t like it?”

  “Then we will stop.”

  “But—”

  “Say the word ‘Northamberly’, and our game will end. That way you can struggle and protest all you want just like the woman at the party.”

  She drew in a sharp breath and covered his hands with her own, encouraging him to rub the soft cotton against her breasts. “All right. I’ll try it.”

  Mark gave her a wicked smile. “Lie down on the bed.”

  When she complied, Mark pulled one of her arms above her head, securing it to the bedpost. She tugged against it and was unable to free herself. He wrapped the fabric strip around her other wrist and secured that arm. Her breathing accelerated. The flush that had suffused her cheeks now stretched across her chest. Her nipples were taut buds, and Mark could not suppress the desire to play with her before she was fully restrained. One hand captured a nipple while the other slid between her thighs.

  Cassandra watched Mark with wide eyes. When his fingers slipped inside her, she twisted frantically, wanting to get free. “Mark, please!”

  He smiled. “I love that I’ve already got you.”

  He brought his wet fingers to his mouth and slowly licked them clean, remembering how that had aroused her in the carriage. “You taste delicious.”

  “Then taste me more.” Her seductive purr nearly did him in, but he managed to ignore her suggestion as he tied her ankles. When she was completely restrained, he paused to take in the sight.

  Her dark curls lay spread out across the pillow. Her hips gyrated in small circles, and she tugged on her bonds, pulling the ropes tight as she arched upward, thrusting her breasts toward him. The angle of her bound feet forced her smooth, creamy thighs open so he could see her swollen lips.