The Devil's Match (The Devil DeVere #4)(30)

When Diana repeated her attempt, she choked less violently. Within minutes, a peculiar languor settled over her.

“Much better,” Salime remarked, settling herself back on the silk cushions. “Now we talk.”

“Several weeks ago, you made me an offer—”

“One you snubbed with your English arrogance.”

“It was with no disrespect to you, madam.”

“No?” Salime looked dubious.

“You don’t understand how it is between he and I. We have a history, one that ended badly.”

“For both of you, I think. Yet he still desires you, Khunam.”

“Yes,” Diana replied. “He has made it clear, but it’s only a matter of vanity, because I snub him.”

“I think not,” Salime said. “For Efendi is a man of great pride, but this reaches deeper. But now you change your mind?”

“Perhaps,” Diana answered. “You said you could teach me things. You said ‘it is he who would soon be enslaved, heart and soul—prostrate at your feet!’ I wish to learn what you meant by this.”

Salime gifted her with a secretive smile. “You wish to make him wet clay in your hands?”

“Yes. I agreed to a wager and lost. I now must go to him, but I want it to be on my terms. Do you understand that?”

“I understand very well, Khunam. But did you not agree to give yourself to him completely?”

“Without condition or constraint,” Diana confessed.

“Do you not understand what this means? He desires much more from you than just to be a bedmate. You must seek his pleasure in all things.”

Diana bridled. “I may agree to go to his bed, but I shall not become his slave!”

“But what woman would have agreed to such a wager unless she secretly desired to lose it?”

“I assure you I intended no such thing!” Even as she spoke it, Diana wondered at the truth of her own protest.

“It is a dangerous game you wish to play, Khunam, for Efendi is not without secrets of his own.”

“But you will help me?”

Salime nodded.

Diana didn’t fully understand why Salime wished to teach her, but she was avowed not to refuse knowledge she could come by in no other way. While she had foolishly wagered and lost, she now had a plan to ensure she would not be the true loser in the end. Four years ago, she had been innocent in the ways of passion. DeVere had beguiled and seduced her with his dark charm and erotic arts, but now Diana sought the secrets to seduce him in kind.

“I suggest we begin at once,” Salime said. “My mornings are my own. Thus you must return tomorrow at nine o’clock. I will speak to Madam Hayes. When she understands for whom this service, your tutelage, is performed, she shall not oppose it, but my services for your tuition in these ways of love shall be procured at no small expense.”

The footman rapped upon the door to indicate her time was finished.

“How much?” Diana asked, taking stock of her empty purse.

“I do not speak of gold, Khanum, but of something far more valuable that you are sure to lose in this bargain”

“And what, pray, is that?” Diana demanded.

Salime gave her a knowing smile. “Your heart, Khanum.”





Chapter Thirteen





Diana had left Salime the day before feeling empowered by her plan, but in returning to the brothel, she approached a crisis of confidence. Should she really go through with this? Did she truly have the fortitude for it? The questions filled her with a mixture of trepidation and excitement—for the exotic and the erotic together held such a powerful allure.

While the same wooden-faced footman tended the door, this time, Mrs. Hayes greeted her with cloying sweetness. “My dear,” she said, “you do not know how very fortunate you are! I have begged, pleaded, and cajoled my most-prized gem, Salime, to share her secrets with her sisters in pleasure, but she has been unmoving in her refusal...until you.”

“I am honored by her condescension,” Diana replied.

“You must play close heed, for should you master the arts of the East, you could command such a pretty price.” The bawd’s eyes gleamed.

“You think I wish to profit from it?”

“What woman would not? There would always be a place for you here, my dear. You should consider it.”

“I fear you misunderstand. I am here for a sole purpose, a personal one.”

“But, my dear, every man’s interest eventually wanes. You would do well to remember that.”

“I shall,” Diana said tightly. “And while I appreciate your generous offer, I have no interest.”

“The offer will stand,” Mrs. Hayes answered with a smugness that Diana chose to ignore.

“I pray you will excuse me now, madam, for I would hate to keep Salime waiting.”

***

Diana entered Salime’s apartments to find her without the hookah. “Efendi enjoys many traditions of the East, Khanum,” she explained without prelude. “The hookah, as you know, is one of these; the Oriental dance and the hammam are two others.”

“Hammam?” Diana regarded her blankly.

“The Turkish bath.”

“And why are his hygiene habits relevant?”