Revealing Ruby (Bound and Determined #1.5)(32)
“You had to tell me.” The tiniest hint of a smile lifted Angela’s cheeks. “You had to explain that you gave everyone nicknames after you called me Angel.”
The story was an old one, but brought a hint of warmth to Bliss’s chilled heart. “Yes, but you still shouldn’t call him that here. What if someone heard?”
“What do you care? You love a bit of scandal. And besides, it suits him so well. He is such a dull, dull don.”
If only Angela were correct and the name suited him far better than it did. Perhaps she could still persuade herself that it did. She considered the matter. He might be attractive, perhaps too attractive, but all he truly cared about was his estates and his own amusement. She knew just how much he liked his own amusements—she’d seen far too much of him and his amusements. Her stomach twisted with past memory. She must remember that the man no longer had a caring bone in his entire body. He didn’t care for her any longer, if he had then he would never have…But she wasn’t going to think of that. He might once have been the most exciting man she knew, but she’d been a child then; now she knew better. If she worked hard enough maybe she could even consider him a bore, a dull don. That would be safe, and deep in her heart she longed for safety.
A shiver took her at the thought. Even thinking about the man made her uncomfortable. She’d like to blame it on Swanston’s marriage plans, but she knew better. Ever since she’d left childhood behind her stomach had tensed when Duldon was around, tiny flickers of awareness leaving her most uncomfortable. That had been true even before…
How could her brother even think that marriage between them would be suitable?
—
Stephan Andrew James Perse, Lord Duldon, rolled onto his side as the clock on St. Michael’s tower sounded the hour, the sheets tangling about his waist. He counted the toll as he ran a finger down one of the fine red welts marking the woman’s bare back. Eleven bells.
A slow sigh escaped between his teeth. Normally such a night’s work would have left him satisfied, but tonight he felt strangely empty, incomplete.
The woman rolled her hips, inviting further play. Almost perfunctorily he raised a hand and gave her a hard swat. Her ass stretched back as a happy moan sounded. Blast. He knew every move to make, but lacked any actual desire. It had been this way for far too many days—weeks or months if he was honest.
The woman turned toward him, heavy breasts falling forward, nipples still swollen from the evening’s play inviting his touch. A slight smile curved her lips beneath the silken mask she wore. “And how may this humble servant serve you further, master?” Her eyes dropped to where the thick linen of the sheet still draped about his waist.
Her tongue darted out wetting already moist lips.
Eleven.
Eleven bells.
Shit. He was late.
He’d promised his aunt he’d attend the Evanstons’ soiree. And his aunt, Lady Perse, was not one to be disappointed—plus there was always the possibility that Bliss would be there. He pushed the thought from his mind. He’d thought of her far too frequently these last months, fantasized about her far too often. His cock began to swell at even the slightest thought. Blast. Bliss was going to be his wife, not his mistress. Now, if only the unruly beast would remember that fact and not rear his ugly head at every thought of sweet Bliss.
Without a word, he swung from the bed reaching for his trousers. If he hurried he would make it before the call to dinner. Luckily, Lady Evanston believed in a late dinner. Lady Perse would understand. A gentleman could not be expected to arrive early.
“You’re leaving now?” The woman did not sound happy, not at all.
“I am sorry. I must.” He laid a careless kiss upon her rounded shoulder.
She pushed herself up, her breasts almost slapping his chest. “Don’t you want to punish me more? I’ve been a very bad maid. I haven’t completed my tasks.” Her hand reached for the trousers he had just fastened.
He pushed her hand away. Couldn’t they ever be original? He knew it was all a game, his partner was no more a servant than a lion was a house cat, but some days he tired of all the pretense, wanted something real, something true.
Why couldn’t a single one of them admit what they wanted without masks and foolery? But he knew the answer to that question. It wasn’t as if he walked about admitting to his own desires…
“You can’t leave. I am not ready,” the woman complained, her lips forming an unattractive frown.
Now, that was more in character with her real identity.
“Sorry.” But, actually he wasn’t. It was as much a relief as anything. “I’ve paid Madame Rouge for the room. You can stay until morning if you wish, perhaps seek another companion.” He draped his untied cravat about his neck.
And then he slipped through the door, his thoughts moving on to the remainder of the night, the woman already forgotten.
—
Bliss stared about the Evanstons’ ballroom one more time. Surely it must be nearly time for dinner. If she didn’t receive her invite soon…
“I still can’t believe what you’ve said.” Angela was not going to let their previous conversation go. “Your brother knows you better than that and since Swanston married Louisa he’s seemed almost human. You need somebody who enjoys a bit of fun. There must be a dozen lords you could marry.”