by Golden Angel
She was rather peckish, which was certainly not helping her mood. When Debbie finished with her hair, Josie made her way down to the dining room, where she was pleased to see her husband in attendance this morning. He looked up from the paper he was reading when she came in. It was just the two of them.
“Good morning.” He stood, watching as she moved to her seat, his expression unfathomable. A lock of dark hair curled over his brow, and Josie’s fingers itched to brush it back—to touch him at all—but he held himself in place, so she did not approach, choosing the chair across from him and sat with the footman’s assistance.
“Good morning.” There was a tartness to her tone she could not hide, but she ignored the questioning look Elijah sent her. “I hope you slept well.”
“Well enough.” The silence hung awkwardly about them as they stared at each other across the table. He cleared his throat. “Do you have any plans for today?”
“I had not thought about it,” she said slowly. “Do you?”
“I will be engaged for most of today,” he replied apologetically. “Though I could take you around Hyde Park this afternoon if you wish.”
Hyde Park, where the gossipy matrons would be gathered. They would expect to see Elijah and Josie there at the fashionable hour eventually, and today was as good a day as any. Tomorrow, Josie would be returning to the daytime social rounds, including a tea at Lady Jersey’s, which she could not miss.
“That would be nice. And this evening?”
Elijah didn’t blink.
“I have some business to attend to this evening.” He smiled patronizingly. “Do not worry, we can make our return to society tomorrow at Manchester House.” One of the more important events of the Season, it was not to be missed. The Duke and Duchess of Manchester were powerhouses among the ton. The duke’s sister was also Josie’s friend, Mary’s cousin, giving her an additional connection to the family.
Josie had not been looking for reassurance they would not miss one of the premier events of the Season. She had wanted to know if Elijah planned on attending the soiree at Lady Greywood’s tonight.
If he was still planning to attend, he was not inviting her along.
Just as well, she had her own invitation. A kind of quiet fury built in her chest. She could not wait to see the look on his face when he realized she was welcome within the Society, whether or not he brought her. Perhaps she would find someone to show her the wicked pleasures, if he would not, and see what he made of that!
Elijah
Josie was up to something. She was on her best behavior all day. Not once did she complain about not being able to handle the reins during their carriage ride and did not chafe at having to be seated next to him, prim and proper, while they rode at a sedate pace. She was perfectly amiable every moment he was able to spend time with her.
All of which had his own nerves winding tighter as though she was spinning them on a spindle and waiting for him to snap. An outsider would see nothing but a lady behaving exactly as she should. Neither of his brothers nor his father seemed unnerved by her behavior, which made it even worse. He did not think he was overreacting, yet he was the only one having this reaction.
It was almost time to leave for Lady Greywood’s, and Josie had disappeared into her bedroom. Should he join her? No. It would only make him feel guiltier tonight if he touched another woman, but he would do what he had to do for king and country.
His attendance this evening, so soon after his wedding, would assure the traitor there was nothing between him and Josie other than the events that necessitated their marriage. On the other hand, refraining from involving himself in the activities might spark the traitor’s suspicions. Maybe he should stay home.
No.
He was not going to change his entire life because of his marriage. Nor could he ignore his responsibilities and his mission just because he wanted to remain faithful to his wife. After this mission was over, he could dedicate himself to his marriage but not before.
Decision made, Elijah straightened his cravat in the mirror before making his way over to press his ear against the wood door between his room and Josie’s. He could hear very little, though she had retired to her room after supper. Was she already asleep? Reading? Though it was not her favorite pastime, it was possible.
His lips tightened. He wanted to go in to see her and question her, but what could he say?
Why were you so well-behaved today?
Are you not upset we are spending so little time together after our wedding?
Hmm. Perhaps he did not truly want the answer to the second question. Part of him liked to think the reason for her good behavior had been to draw his attention or impress him. The idea she was content to see very little of him, maybe because of her lingering feelings for his brother, made his chest tighter, almost aching.
He could not expect her feelings toward him to have changed so soon, despite the fact, his had been engaged.
Seduce her, a little voice whispered in his mind. Bring her to the Society. See if Adam is correct about her inclinations. Dominate her, claim her, and make her your own.
No. No, he could not.
The danger would be far too great if he let her into that part of his world without knowing for sure if the traitor still had eyes within the Society. Maybe after his mission was complete. If Josie was interested. Between now and then, when he was able, he could introduce her to some of his darker desires… slowly, hopefully without frightening her.
Heading straight into one of the Society’s events would be far too much for her.
Josie
Dressed in her lowest cut gown of teal and purple silk, Josie did not think she would have the nerve to attend a ball without a fichu to cover her decolletage, but for the Society of Sin, it was perfect. Even if she did feel half-naked.
Josie scowled as she snuck out of the house to the carriage, where Mary and Rex waited for her—she had sent Mary a note that afternoon when it became clear Elijah was not going to mention the event. She scowled ferociously. Elijah had already left the house, almost a quarter of an hour ago. Whether he was going to Lady Greywood’s, she had no idea. He had been dressed normally, though too casually for a ball.
Joseph had gone out for the night as well, separately from Elijah.
She still cared far more about what Elijah was doing than what Joseph was doing. Maybe that should not surprise her. Eventually, she supposed she would get used to being more jealously possessive over Elijah than Joseph, but it still took her off guard.
“Hello!” Mary said cheerfully as Josie stepped into the carriage, clutching her light cloak around her. Even though it was Rex and Mary, she felt shy about how exposed she was. Bending at the waist, she wanted to press her breasts back down to keep them from falling out of her neckline. Mary was dressed similarly but without the cloak covering her cleavage. Her curves were practically spilling out the top, and Rex kept eying them as if he was waiting for that very moment.
Had Elijah ever looked at her like that? Would he ever? A wistful desire flittered through her, leaving her slightly bereft. Her husband had abandoned her this evening, again and could even now be looking at some other woman like that… if he was at Lady Greywood’s. She almost hoped he was not, except then she would not know where he was and would have to make it through the evening without him. She wanted him there.
“Hello,” Josie echoed, clutching her cloak firmly around her. She was a bit shocked to see how easily Mary wore her incredibly revealing gown. Even in the dim light trickling in through the carriage’s window, she could see how thin the green silk was. While Josie could have worn her dress to a ball if covered with a fichu, Mary’s dress was certainly not suitable to be seen in most public spaces.
Mary smiled at her, reaching out to pat her knee reassuringly. At another time, it might have made her bristle, but right now, she appreciated the gesture.
“It will be all right, Josie. Rex and I will not leave your side if Elijah is not ther
e.”
“Perhaps even if he is,” Rex murmured, a wicked smile lighting his face and making Josie laugh, loosening her nerves. If Elijah was there, he would not be happy to find her there and would be even less happy to have Rex following them around. Mary giggled as well, shooting a saucy look at her husband.
“Troublemaker,” she teased, elbowing him gently.
“Always, petal.” Taking her hand, he lifted it to his lips to kiss.
Josie sighed, catching their attention and ruining the moment. Blushing, she lifted one shoulder, trying to shrug off her embarrassment and envy.
“You two are…” Her voice trailed off, and she sighed again, unable to find the words.
“We are very lucky,” Mary replied sympathetically.
Rex snorted. “No, I was very smart in choosing my bride. Luck had nothing to do with it.”
“You almost married Arabella,” Mary reminded him with an arch look, making Josie snort. Arabella was now Mary’s cousin by marriage, so their situation was a little closer to hers and Elijah’s than she had realized. Not that Rex had been in love with Arabella, she did not think, but he had still chosen her as his future bride.
Then he had fallen head over heels in love with Mary.
And they were happy together.
They were everything she had hoped she and Joseph would be.
Everything she did not dare to hope she and Elijah could be.
She did not think she could bear for a second for another Stuart brother to break her heart. Though she also could not deny there was something growing between her and Elijah, no matter how she might want to pretend otherwise.
Chapter 16
Elijah
Standing at the edge of Lady Greywood’s parlor, Elijah had never been more relieved that so far, tonight’s activities were devoted to a demonstration of Nathan’s latest invention. The Countess of Carlisle was on her back on a large ottoman, her wrists tied above her head, legs spread wide and also bound with rope. Between her legs was a large machine with a hand crank, being operated by Nathan, which sent a leather dildo pistoning between her thighs.
The Earl of Carlisle and another young man were kneeling on either side of her, sucking her nipples while she writhed and moaned. The brown leather dildo was glistening with her juices, and her pussy lips were a swollen dark pink from stimulation. Nathan watched with interest more scientific than lustful, yet that somehow added to the eroticism of the scene.
Elijah was normally on pins and needles when reduced to a mere voyeur, itching to be actively involved, but tonight, he was happy to be relegated to a spectator. If only the entire night would be this way.
He had already avoided the advances of two ladies who were thrilled to find him present, despite his recent marriage or even because of it. Lady Maguire had not been interested in him before his wedding, but her green eyes had lit up with interest when he entered the room this evening. Her blatant questioning about the whereabouts of his wife sickened him.
The Society did not allow for revealing its secrets to the rest of the ton, but she was the type of woman to make sly comments to a man’s wife. As long as she made it sound as though they were only lovers and did not mention the Society, there was no cause for her removal, but her emotional sadism did not appeal to him. She was hardly alone in flaunting her affairs to her lover’s spouses, but Elijah would never put his wife in that position.
If he had to find a lover to use as cover within the Society, it would be someone discreet.
For the first time, he wished his father were not so against women joining their ranks. If he could have a woman by his side to help him pretend, one who understood…
That was his selfishness talking. Besides, what lady would want to pretend to be lovers for a mission, much less withstand the kind of dangerous situations the Crown’s operatives often found themselves in? Evie had on occasion, but her set of skills was highly unusual, and even then, Father had done his best to keep her out of any real danger. She was one of a kind.
Just look what had happened when she had drawn her friends into her endeavors. Mary had been kidnapped and could have been killed.
As if his thoughts had summoned her, Elijah caught a glimpse of a petite redhead entering the room with her large, blond husband by her side. He nodded to Rex, who nodded back his own greeting with a peculiar expression. It took a moment for Elijah to realize they had not entered alone, and when he saw who had come into the room with them, his breath seized in his lungs.
Blue eyes wide, her fascinated gaze was fixed on the Countess of Carlisle and the men surrounding her. Blonde curls were tucked up and piled high on the back of her head, leaving her slender neck exposed. The expanse of skin showing down to her breasts, where the neckline threatened to reveal the pink of her nipples at any moment, would have caused a stir in any venue but this. Here, she was modestly attired, yet Elijah’s vision went red with a possessive fury he had never experienced.
Josie’s lips parted, and she took a step closer to the scene. Unable to look away, she did not see Elijah or his reaction.
Switching his gaze back to Rex, Elijah glared with the full force of his rage. Rex smirked, completely unimpressed. Clenching his fist to assuage the itching palm that so badly wanted to be applied to Josie’s backside, Elijah could not stop his cock from thickening and rising as Josie took another step toward the erotic tableau. Utterly fascinated. Aroused. He could see it. And his body responded.
Josie
Oh. My. Goodness.
It felt as though her corset had been cinched far too tight, taking away her ability to breathe. She could not look away from the shocking demonstration of lust and passion. The room was full of people, but the only one she could see was the woman, lying naked on her back, being fondled and suckled by two men while simultaneously being… Josie did not even know what the proper word was. All of this was so improper!
Mary had not exaggerated the Society’s depravities.
Taking another step forward, Josie was entranced by the flush of pink over the woman’s skin, the way she writhed, the glossy shaft plunging into her body over and over again. What would it be like to be in her place? Humiliating? Thrilling? Both?
Her body was incredibly heated, her own nipples becoming sensitive and hard beneath the silky fabric of her dress, her own core growing slick and swollen. The hot excitement curled between her thighs, working its way through her body, distracting her completely. When the woman screamed in ecstatic completion, Josie felt she might faint in sympathy.
A hard hand closed around her upper arm, making her jump, even as it pulled her toward its owner. She was dazed and confused as if she had just been woken from a deep slumber. So, when she stumbled as she turned and Elijah caught her, she could only gape up at him.
Her grand plan of shoving her presence in Elijah’s face—to show him he could not leave her sitting at home while he trifled with other women and expect her to stay there—was barely remembered. The shocking display of blatant eroticism had completely undone her, and when she looked up at his hard expression, she swayed closer to him. Wanting to touch him. To be touched by him.
“Elijah…” Her voice was softer than usual, trailing off. Yes, Mary had described the Society’s activities, but nothing had prepared her for the reality of seeing it or how it would make her feel. She had told herself she was curious but not interested in experiencing such things for herself.
Marriage to Elijah had already started her down the path of thinking otherwise, and she could not deny that she was hopeful for even more now. Her bottom tingled, reminding her of the times Mary had talked about Rex spanking her for misbehavior. It had been in the back of Josie’s mind all this time, unacknowledged.
She wanted Elijah to spank her for being a naughty girl. The steely-eyed glare and firm grip that held her trapped only excited her more.
“Josie.” He sounded almost grim, but his voice was low, not meant to be overheard by those around him—if they were even pa
ying attention to her and Elijah. “What are you doing here?”
Rallying, she summoned her most impertinent smile—the one she had often used in the past when she knew Elijah did not approve of her behavior, but there was nothing he could do about it. Like the first time he had caught her riding in breeches, and she had informed him she had her father’s permission. At the time, he had said he would turn her over his knee if she was his.
Well, now she was.
And she wanted to know what it would be like to go over his knee.
Elijah
Pupils dilated and eyes glassy, lips slightly parted, breasts heaving with her breath, cheeks flushed pink, it was clear Josie was aroused. Jealousy shot through him, combining with the possessiveness already assaulting him. He had never seen her look like this before. The way she smiled up at him, full of sass and mischief, was pure Josie, though.
“I was invited.” Her tone was silky. Smug. The little minx thought she had outmaneuvered him.
Any thoughts of watching the other members of the Society, to keep an eye out for any suspicious activity, was rapidly falling away in favor of focusing on the woman in front of him. His wife.
Directing her away from the rest of the crowd—many of who were already walking away now that the demonstration of Nathan’s newest machine had reached its conclusion—Elijah reined in both his temper and his lust. Before her arrival, he had not struggled with his passion, watching the scene with the same scientific interest as Nathan.
Now that Josie was here, his interest had sharpened. Focused. Centered on her. How badly he wanted her. He was no callow youth, lacking self-control, yet having Josie here, in this arena, had him struggling with his desire in a way he had not since his days at Oxford.
“You cannot stay here.” He managed to get the words out through gritted teeth.
“Why not?”