Treacherous Temptations(59)

“But, my dear girl, you must understand that on your wedding night your husband will place something much larger than his tongue in a place much more intimate than your mouth.”

Mary feigned a look of shock. “But can it be done very quickly?”

“Some men are amazingly rapid,” the countess replied dryly.

“Then perhaps it will not be too much to bear,” Mary replied. “I know it’s my duty.”

Lady Blanchard patted her hand. “Your common stock should make you a good breeder, so perhaps you won’t be troubled but a few times before you conceive and your husband returns to his mistress.”

“Must a marriage always be so cold?”

“My dear, as I said before, once the requisite heir is produced, a husband and wife generally go their separate ways…and pursue their own interests. But if it is intimacy you seek, rest assured that it may still be found.”

“I have no interest in taking a lover, if that is what you mean.”

“But my dear, we all experience the need for companionship…for intimacy.” Lady Blanchard stroked her cheek, adding soft as a whisper, “Needs that can be met with the utmost discretion when less conventional means are employed.”

“I don’t understand you.” An uneasy feeling settled in Mary’s stomach.

“La, child!” Lady Blanchard rose with a laugh. “Who but another woman can truly understand a woman’s needs?” She regarded Mary with an inscrutable look. “Have I laid your anxiety to rest, my dear?”

“I suppose as much as is possible.” In truth, their tête-à-tête had only fostered new fears.

“Very good, then. You know you need only come to me should you have any further concerns.” Lady Blanchard shook out her skirts and retrieved the key from her pocket, but stopped short at the door. “By the by, I almost forgot to mention I am expecting a gentleman for tea who is very desirous to meet you.” The countess smiled sweetly. “A most prominent gentleman and foremost amongst your potential suitors. His name is Lord Barnesley.”





Chapter Nineteen


Two hours later, the footman opened the door to Barbara’s boudoir to announce Frederick, Baron Barnesley of Oldham. Barbara had waited for this moment with great anticipation. Wearing only a diaphanous dressing gown loosely sashed over her stays, stockings, and beribboned garters, she rose to receive him. “Barnesley! What a delight!”

“My dear Countess, it has been far too long.” He smiled a slow predatory smile displaying the full expanse of his white teeth. His dark eyes raked over her state of dishabille as he accepted her extended hand. He plied a kiss to it, lingering to dart his tongue between her fingers.

She snatched her hand away with a throaty chuckle inspired by his blatantly sexual message. “You are all too wicked, Barnesley! But you know I have always adored that about you. Indeed I once thought we would have made such a fabulous pair.”

“Did you indeed?” He sized her up slowly, his black eyes glittering dangerously from beneath his hooded lids. “I have never made a secret of my desire for you, but wondered if you would be willing to accommodate my little…idiosyncrasies.”

“But I enjoy an inspired lover, one possessed of a vivid imagination. Pity you could never afford me.” Her lips formed a moue. “Won’t you sit, darling?” He inclined his head and flipped his coat skirts before lowering himself onto the silk upholstered divan. “Sherry?” she asked, her hand hovering over the bottle. “Or would you prefer I call for some port?”

“Nothing at the moment, thank you.”

She poured herself a drink and then joined him.

His gaze settled on her exposed décolletage. He traced an index finger over her collarbone. His gaze flicked up to meet hers. “You raise my expectations with this intimate chat, yet you are still under Sir Richard’s protection, are you not?”

“For the nonce,” she replied. “But the arrangement no longer agrees with me. You might say I am become bored with the boor.” She chuckled and then lifted her finely shaped brow as she toyed with his lace cravat. “I had hoped that perhaps you and I might be able to come to some understanding.”

“Did you indeed?” His warm hand closed over hers. His grip tightened as his smile hardened. “Yet, your interest seems to conveniently coincide with my potential change of fortune,” he replied. “Is the rumor of my impending marriage to an heiress why you called for me?”

“How perceptive you are. Yes, darling,” she replied without guile. “I know that you are currently involved in some negotiations in the matter.”

“And how does this concern you?”

“Sir Richard’s ward is in my care. I can make her yours, Freddie.”

His raised brows betrayed his interest. “Why? What do you seek in return? Do you wish to become my mistress now, Barbara?”

“Simply your mistress?” she gave another throaty chortle. “Darling, I would never be so trite as to propose something so commonplace to a man like you.”

“No? Then what have you in mind?”

“Is it true what they say regarding the first Lady Barnesley?” she asked.

“That I strangled her during sex play?” He gave a dismissive wave of his hand. “That is largely exaggerated.”