“I've learned a lot about women from Miss Brickstone,” the man said admiringly, gazing at the attractive blonde. “It seems as though those lessons shall serve me well here in Epsom. Back at the university, a lady would never have asked me to join her in a pub like this. Nor would she have indulged my boorish conversation.”
“It's a new era for us all,” Nettie said. “Why should men have all the fun? Let’s dance!”
After he spun Nettie about on the dance floor, he bowed before Jane and asked her to join him. As he waltzed her around the room, Jane fantasized that it was Philip holding her with such an intimate touch upon her back. She felt a blush rising as her ring, moving against her womanly nub, began to stimulate her to an inordinate amount of pleasure.
“Is it uncomfortable where my hand is?”
“Why would it be uncomfortable?” Jane asked. His hand was just where it belonged, in the center of her back.
“I know that you are betrothed. I did not wish you to feel I was inappropriate.”
“Miss Foster may not view your behavior as inappropriate, however, I do. The knowledge that she is spoken for demands that you keep your hands to yourself,” a low voice said to their left. “Release her immediately.”
Jane’s face paled as Philip stood over them, his eyes narrowed as he observed the close hold the man had upon her body. The young man lifted his arms in surrender and stepped away, declaring that he did nothing wrong. Jane gulped as Philip grabbed her hands and began to lead her around the dance floor in a frenzy of turns and well-practiced steps. He said nothing, his gaze boring into Jane’s as he commanded the dance. His firm scowl gradually melted into a gentle smile as she nervously stepped upon his foot. He drew her closer to him and offered her an apologetic grin after her eyes lowered to investigate the hard bulge that pressed deliciously against her lower abdomen. His lips touched her cheek, and she responded in kind. The timid kisses worked their way closer in until their lips met and opened.
Jane’s heart fluttered as he took possession of her mouth. At long last, her handsome prince claimed her as his own, publically! When their lips parted, she took his hand and started towards their table, offering a knowing smirk as Lucy stared at Philip in disbelief.
“I told you I had a man interested in me, despite my ‘malformation’,” Jane hissed. She turned to Philip, “Let us finish one more dance, and then perhaps have another drink in a more private setting.”
“I agree. It certainly is time to go home. And no,” he took the glass from her hand that she was lifting to her lips. “You will have no more wine.”
She felt her mouth grow dry as she first detected the smoldering anger behind his beautiful eyes. “Papa…”
“We are in public, Jane.”
“Philip,” she corrected herself. “I am not ready to leave just yet. I have never had a partner as elegant as you upon the dance floor. Let’s take another spin.”
Philip sighed, taking her back onto the floor and joining her hand in his. “I always find it amusing when you attempt to change the subject. That is not what you are wanting to say to me.”
“You are correct. I just was not expecting you home so soon. Is all well?” Jane tried to sound casual as though her presence in the pub was a perfectly natural and expected event.
“Everything was resolved before I arrived by train. There was no reason to stay at the docks,” Philip said, twirling her in his arms, his eyes not leaving her face. “What did she mean by malformation?”
“Nothing of import,” Jane said quickly. “I have red hair and it is considered unusual.”
“I see,” Philip said doubtfully. “Why did you disobey me again?”
“I was angry that you left me alone.”
“Is your anger a reason to defy me?”
“I didn’t defy you,” Jane said, feeling herself grow warm with the unceasing activity. “You forbade me to go to the Baths. You said nothing about the pub.”
“Did I not give you rules about leaving the estate grounds without permission?”
“You were not specific…”
“You will be spanked for this once I get you home, young lady.”
“That is unfair, Philip!” Jane stopped mid-step and pushed him away. “You cannot treat me as though I am some dog you can leave at home who whimpers and waits until you return!”
“Lower your voice,” Philip said warningly. “I will not have you make a spectacle of yourself.”
“Why not?” Jane shouted, the wine fully taking control of her thoughts and words. “That is what I do, is it not?”
“Jane?” Nettie approached her friend worriedly. “Are you all right?”
“No! I am not,” Jane pointed to Philip. “He ruined everything. I was having so much fun and…” She began to sway and stumbled against a table.
“You have had too much to drink,” Philip announced, scooping Jane into his arms. He glanced at Nettie with disapproval, eyeing her painted face and protruding bosom. “Miss Brickstone, I presume? I will be calling upon your father later this week to discuss your public display as well. The doors! And someone fetch her cloak.”
***
Jane blinked dumbly in the dark enclosure of the coach, confused by the cradled hold that Philip kept on her during their ride home. “Why did you come to the pub looking for me? I have always returned home at a respectable time. It is barely dark outside.”
“When I stepped off the train, nothing more important occupied my thoughts than the desire to sit in front of the fire with you in my arms,” Philip said guardedly, his tone tinged with jealousy. “I was going to await your return but thought I would join you instead. I was willing to put aside my anger at your disobedience, trusting that you had taken precautions for your safety and give you the benefit of the doubt as you had asked of me. I was wrong.”
“You were going to actually join me?” Jane was stunned.
“I wanted to get you an opportunity to show me that you could take care of yourself in situations such as these. What I saw, however, was that you overindulged in drinking and made yourself available to dance with other men.”
“I did not make myself available for anyone, Philip de Courtier. Your absence made me lonely and when I am lonely, I need distractions.”
“Once again, you place me as the one to blame. You will receive a proper distraction this evening, young lady. I promised you a spanking and you will be receiving one just as soon as we arrive home.”
“You cannot bully me into being content without companionship or…” Jane was silenced as Philip pressed his hot mouth to hers. Whether it was the wine, or merely her body’s response to pure passion, Jane went limp in Philip’s embrace. Her lips parted open for the sweet penetration of his tongue and she felt her knees separate as well. To say that his kiss stole her breath was a fib. No, it stole her heart. His mouth possessed her once again and she was helpless to resist him.
Philip carried her into the manor, his expression directing the curious servants back to their posts. He barked for tea and took the stairs two at a time to Jane’s bedroom where he placed her on the lounge and covered her with a quilt. Philip excused himself to change out of his travel clothes, leaving Jane alone with her legs pulled under the voluminous skirt. She rubbed her neck. Her head spun from an over-abundance of wine, music, exercise and, yes, lust. Her body throbbed with want, tormented by the rubbing of the ring against her clit. How she hated the thing at times!
“I’ve made a decision,” Philip said upon his return, settling next to her. “Your inebriated state will inhibit you from remembering the majority of this conversation come morning, so I will delay our talk, and your spanking, until tomorrow.”
“I don’t feel very well, Papa,” Jane murmured, leaning against him.
Philip sighed and patted his thigh. “Put your head down. You silly girl,” he said softly, stroking the long red locks that Jane preferred to wear in loose falls down her back. “Why do you do such things to yourself?”
&nb
sp; He continued to stroke her head until the tea was presented. He sat her up, prepared the cup for her, and brought it to her lips. “Drink. It’s your favorite. Jasmine with vanilla bean sugar.”
“How did you know it’s my favorite?” Jane asked, sipping the fragrant brew with her eyes closed. “You know exactly how I like it sweetened!”
“Why do you sound so surprised? I’ve prepared your tea for you from the very first day you came to live here. Janie, why do you plague me so?”
“I’m a selfish, spoiled and ungrateful little prick, I suppose.”
“Interesting vocabulary. Did you pick up that term while visiting the pub?”
“No. It was actually your Aunt Elsa whom I heard say it.”
“Aunt Elsa needs a man to take her across his knee as well. Would you care for some more?” Philip asked, taking the empty cup from her.
“No, thank you. I need to use the water closet and then lay down. The room is taking some uncomfortable turns.”
“I will help you.”
“What? You cannot do that. It is not proper.”
“My darling Jane,” Philip said patiently. “You are about to enter a world that is far from proper. You may as well get used to it.”
Gratefully, he only escorted her to the water closet and gave her privacy to relieve herself. He then took her back to her room and began to undress her.
“No…” Jane protested as he peeled away layer after layer of clothing from her body until she stood in a simple silk chemise.
“You amaze me,” he chuckled, folding her garments and placing them upon a chair. “You attend the Baths without a stitch and go about town without undergarments. I have seen your bottom as well as other areas displayed during your punishment, yet you come across as shy. Why is that?”
“Y-you’ve seen my privates?” Jane paled, turning to look at him. “How much?”
“Every beautiful inch, I am pleased to confess.”
“You are not disgusted?”
“I am assuming that you are speaking of your ring. No, I am not disgusted. If anything,” he pulled her thinly clad body into his arms and kissed her lips, “I am intrigued. I did not want to embarrass you by bringing it up. Tell me of it.”
Jane rubbed her head, moaning as Philip took over and massaged the aching muscles of her neck. “It was placed upon me at birth by a Hindi midwife as a sort of blessing. It has been a source of both interest and annoyance once I discovered that I was alone in this type of ornamentation. I greatly feared you would disapprove.”
“Why would I disapprove? It is not as though you had the jewel placed upon you by your own accord. I could tell by the structure that it was one given at birth. It was sealed shut and meant to be a permanent fixture. I hear that its placement causes a woman to be unduly aroused. Is that true?”
“We should not be discussing this subject.” Jane blushed.
“There is much we will be discussing, my love, whether or not you are comfortable with the subject. Answer my question.”
“Yes, it rubs constantly and is quite distracting.”
“See? Who called it a malformation?”
“That insipid little bitch, Lucy.”
“Well, I think it is beautiful and I look for the day that I can study it closer. Into bed with you, now.” Philip tucked the blankets around her and then stretched his long body alongside hers, wrapping his arm around her shoulders.
“Are you sleeping with me?” Jane sounded shocked.
“I will stay next to you through the night to ensure you do not try to spirit yourself away again, my naughty Jane. I also promise you that once we leave for our trip, you will never be far out of my sight.”
“Maybe I will like that,” Jane muttered, cuddling into her pillow.
“We shall see. Close your eyes and sleep, dear girl. Tomorrow is short in coming and will not be a day you will enjoy.”
CHAPTER 7
Jane hid her head under the pillow the following morning, avoiding the sun that glared through her window. She felt something solid next to her and was surprised to see Philip still sleeping in her bed. She squinted as she tried to focus her eyes and study him.
He certainly was a handsome rogue, as Nettie described. His face had lost that young boy’s sweetness and had developed a rougher and stronger form. Unlike their neighbors, Philip’s skin was colored gold by the sun, and he was very muscular in all his limbs and torso. He kept his thick, dark hair short and immaculately groomed and his face clean-shaven except on days that he did not have to present himself in public. She adored his appearance on the “lazy days,” when his straight, white smile was framed by dark stubble. He reminded her of the south sea pirates that she had read about in his books of adventure and exploration.
Her gaze ventured to the snug trousers that hugged delectably around his firm buttocks. He had always preferred riding horseback to taking a buggy or coach, and the years of being in the saddle gave way to hard, rounded muscles and solid, shapely legs. She touched the back of his hand, comparing the size against hers. The difference amazed her; she had never considered herself to be smaller than the average girl her age. However, next to Philip, her slender curves appeared almost childlike. No wonder he had a difficult time seeing the womanly changes in her body! It also explained his comfort in treating her like a little girl.
Jane smiled, placing her cheek against his slumbering shoulder. Her fondest memories of Philip were from when she was very young. She had always admired the tall boy and his mischievous laughter. Her father would take her to visit and leave her in Philip’s care while the older men conducted business. He treated her as a treasured little sister and took her riding in the woods, swimming in the pond, and helped her connive ways to steal treats from the pantry without being caught by Cook. They spent most of their time together laughing, reading and talking. But then the news of the accident changed everything.
“What are you thinking of so intensely this beautiful morning?” Philip asked as he woke to the sunshine on his face. “I have not seen such an expression since the day I asked you to ponder the existence of the universe during your philosophy lesson.”
Jane timidly touched his cheek. “I was just remembering how things used to be with us. Before the accident. Before you were forced to grow up so fast. I am so sorry.”
“Sorry for what?” Philip asked, sitting up next to her.
“For all the grief I give you. I am a very selfish girl. I never realized the sacrifices you made when you chose to keep me.”
“I did not consider them sacrifices. They were investments into our futures—both yours and mine. Our fathers had plans for us from the very beginning. I would never have imagined that my little shadow was destined to be my wife one day.”
“How the thought must have frightened you!” Jane chuckled. “What an ugly thing I was back then. All arms, legs and freckles. How did you ever abide having me around?”
“You were adorable and quick witted. I always knew that I would laugh when you were with me.”
“I don’t make you laugh any longer,” Jane said sadly.
“Not as much, but I trust that will return in time. Did you enjoy dancing last night?”
“Very much so. I have not had a partner such as you. It made a tremendous difference in my enjoyment.”
“The place I am taking you to will have plenty of opportunities to dance. You will do so often, if you behave yourself.”
“When are you going to tell me where we are going?”
“Not until we arrive. Remember, I want this to be a surprise. I have to go into town and secure the arrangements today. You and I will have a talk about last night upon my return.”
“Are you still going to punish me?”
“I am.” Philip said patiently. “Jane, all you would have had to do is ask and I would have taken you dancing if that is what you desired. There was no need to be deceptive and sneak out.”
“I didn’t know you would been interested in such a fri
volity.”
“You did not bother to give me a chance. You are to dress in your frock with full drawers and stockings, nothing more. You are also to remain in your room today, understand?”
“Yes, Papa,” Jane said sullenly. Full drawers? Why not the split ones? Perhaps he intended to keep her covered!
“You’ve been a very bad girl. You know that.”
“Yes, sir.”
“I will see you when I return,” Philip said, kissing the top of her head and then rolling out of bed. “No climbing out the window.”
“I won’t,” Jane faced the floor. “I promise.”
***
Jane paced the floor of her room, frequently glancing out the window for evidence of Philip’s return. The sound of the hounds barking announced the buggy’s presence and she felt her stomach rise in her throat. She peered out from her window and watched as he entered the house. She quickly sat on her couch, her ankles crossed delicately and her hands demurely clasped in her lap, listening for the sound of his heavy footsteps coming towards her room.
“Jane?” he tapped on the door.
“It is open, Papa. How was your day?” she asked nervously.
“Everything is arranged.” He removed his travel cloak and gloves, and stood with his hands in front of the fire.
“Can I get you some tea? Or wine?” Jane asked hopefully.
“No. What you can do is bring yourself over here to me.”
Jane bit her lip. She still was unaccustomed to the changes she was seeing in the previously stoic man, making it impossible for her to predict his behavior. Slowly she trudged to stand before him.
Philip cupped her chin in his hand and kissed her lips with a gentle peck. “I expect to see some form of physical greeting from you when I come into your space from this day forth. I’ve asked you that before, remember?”
“I’m sorry. I was nervous about your return.”
“Being concerned about the state of your bottom and greeting me with some enthusiasm are two different things. I’m French by birth, remember? My countrymen are very demonstrative and our women are passionate. Living here has bred much of that out of me and I desire to regain it back.”
Little Lady Jane Page 7