by Tamsin Baker
Eleanor nodded. She knew he was.
“I had heard that he boxes and fences. Quite extreme for an Earl.” She smiled brightly giving the impression that she was eager for information.
“He does, my lady. Though they are gentlemanly enough pursuits.”
Eleanor smiled at the young gentleman’s defense of Gareth. She liked him even more now.
“Does he have other faults?”
The viscount frowned. “Not that I know of, my lady.”
Eleanor looked coyly down at the ground, striving for elegant shyness.
“Will you excuse me, my lord? I must use the powder room.”
She had obviously succeeded when the Viscount coughed and flushed.
“Of course, Lady Rossette. May I claim the next dance?”
She took the Viscount’s arm as they walked back into the ballroom. She spotted Gareth off to the side of the room, prowling along the wall like a fenced in animal.
“You may when I return, my lord. I will find you when I am ready.”
The Viscount smiled and bowed, releasing her hand.
“I would very much like that.”
Eleanor smiled at him and began to walk towards the lady’s room. She took the longest way possible, making sure her path crossed in front of Gareth’s vision.
She ambled along a long corridor, her breath catching in excitement. The trap was set – would her prey spring it?
The footsteps falling behind her caused another flood of excitement seconds before a hand wrapped around her elbow and she was lifted bodily into a small room off the corridor.
The bolt slid home on the study door with a loud clunk.
Chapter 3
“What game are you playing, Eleanor?” Gareth’s voice slid into her ear like warm honey. Oh, so good.
“A game of hide and seek, Gareth,” she purred, dislodging his arm and circling around to face him. There was very little light in the study, only three candles were lit. Slowly, her eyes adjusted to the darkness.
“Why do you torment me so?”
Eleanor laughed, low and husky. Torment him? If only he knew what she had planned!
“You are what I need, my lord. Every facet of who you are, what you are, I need.”
Gareth’s breath hitched at Eleanor’s declaration.
“You know nothing about me, my lady.”
Even as he said the words, Gareth wanted to call them back. What else did she need to know about him other than he desired her?
“I know that you take care of your servants, your invalid mother and your insane sister.”
His eyes narrowed, how did she know all of that? He spent a lot of time keeping that information private, well-guarded. She had deep pockets indeed.
“I know that you are respected in Parliament and that you are in control of every piece of your life. You want to marry. I would make you a good wife.”
Gareth laughed. He had imagined how his proposal would play out several times and none of those times included the lady doing the suggesting.
“If I choose to marry you, I will ask you my lady, not the other way around.”
“But you don’t know me the way I know you.”
Eleanor’s eyes slid over him in a way that made his loins throb. How did she arouse him with mere words and a glance?
“What do you know about me that I don’t know about you?”
He was sincerely interested in her answer.
“I know that you and I would suit perfectly. I know you will love all the things that make me different.”
She smiled, stepped towards him and with unerring accuracy she grabbed his left nipple and twisted hard.
Gareth gasped, pain rushing through him, followed by a long wave of desire. Lady Rossette didn’t move, but held tight to him.
“I know you have never been satisfied properly, my lord. I know some tricks that you would love.”
She released his nipple just as quickly as she had grabbed it and Gareth groaned in ecstasy. His erection was aching now – how would he make it go down before he went back into the ballroom?
In silent answer Lady Rossette flipped her dress up to her waist and bent over a chair, her exquisite derriere exposed for his use. Gareth swallowed against his needs.
“You may fuck me now.”
He pulled at his breeches to undo them before they split. She opened her legs wider and exposed her glistening slit to him. Her hips began to sway in anticipation and he moved to stand behind her. He held his cock in one hand and led it to her entrance. Taking a deep breath, he pushed the head into her and held her still.
She gripped him with her internal muscles and tilted her hips. Unable to resist such an invitation, Gareth thrust himself into her up to the hilt. They both groaned in bliss. He put a hand on her upper back to hold her down and gripped her hip with the other. He looked down to watch the way his body penetrated hers, over and over again. Eleanor began to call out to him as she reached between her legs to pinch his inner thigh, twisting the flesh there. He thrust harder, faster, unable to control himself. His orgasm was imminent.
Just before Gareth came he pulled out of her, and was shocked when she turned around and knelt on the floor in front of him. Too late, it took only one suck of her mouth to have him exploding, hot currents of come flowing into her hot, willing mouth.
“Lady Rossette, I am sorry…” he began as she stood up and turned the seat around.
“Call me Mistress.”
He frowned, why would he do that?
“Ahh, Mistress, I’m sorry that I…”
Keeping her dress around her waist Eleanor sat upon her chair, keeping her legs open and pointing to the floor between them.
“Make me come with your mouth.”
Half of Gareth’s brain was so shocked that he continued to stand for several moments longer. Fortunately the part of his brain that controlled his body worked faster. He dropped to his knees and leant in to suck her swollen and juicy flesh. She bucked against his mouth and wrapped her hands in his hair, gripping his skull.
Gareth used his tongue to flick against her and then couldn’t resist inserting two long fingers into her moist canal.
Eleanor moaned and arched her back. He sucked on her clitoris in time with the thrusts of his fingers until he felt her go rigid and cry out, wave upon wave of contractions tightening around his fingers.
When she leaned back, Gareth moved away to stare up at her. How had that just happened?
Eleanor smiled with satisfaction and flicked her skirts back into place.
“Thank you, I needed that.”
Gareth stared after her as she moved to look at herself in the mirror. Her earlier words floated back to him.
“What do you want from me then?”
She smiled knowingly.
“I want you to be prepared for our next meeting. I want to marry you, become your life partner. We are very evenly matched – I already know this. It will take you longer to realize, but know that the next time we meet, you will end up tied to my bed and I don’t intend to let you get away.”
Eleanor smiled in a way that had Gareth’s pulse racing once again and his already sated cock twitched. Then she opened the door and slipped out.
He turned his back to the closed door and sat down by the fireplace. He couldn’t stop the involuntary shiver that went through his body at her suggestion. He had often secretly yearned to be dominated; yet he had never voiced the desire. It wasn’t proper of a gentleman. He also didn’t know if he could give up control in the bedroom. To be tied to her bed. Another shiver shook Gareth’s frame.
He had just had the most explosive sex of his life – he should be exhausted, sated and happy. Instead he was unsettled, worried and aroused. What else did she have in mind for him?
Chapter 4
Two days later, Gareth received a note from Eleanor. She had invited him to have tea with her at three in the afternoon. The note held no suggestions for anything else. No perfume sprayed on the
paper, nothing except the invitation. After their last meeting, he was surprised.
He sent an instant response saying of course he would be delighted.
His valet dressed him with care for his afternoon. Gareth knew that Eleanor preferred varying shades of pink and red in her clothing so he chose a rose waistcoat and cravat. His valet was delighted – he never chose such vivid colors.
When Gareth arrived at her town house, he was surprised anew. Eleanor’s townhouse was in the most expensive street in London, not far from his own home.
Smiling because he knew that Eleanor did not need his money, he reached for the doorknocker. The door flew open before he could connect with the metal – she had very efficient servants.
“Lord Osborne.” The butler bowed low.
Gareth scowled at the young man, wondering why such a handsome and youthful man had such a prestigious position. Was he Eleanor’s lover?
The butler paled and indicated a door to the right.
“Lady Rossette is expecting you.”
Gareth strode into the room, his breathes coming in pants and his fists clenched on either side of him.
“Gareth.” He heard her voice behind him. Eleanor stood looking at a portrait of herself, arms hanging calmly by her hips.
Turning quickly, he grabbed her by the arm and pushed his aroused body against her back.
“Are you fucking your butler?” he hissed into her ear, blind in his jealousy.
Eleanor pulled out of his grasp and calmly walked the few feet away to the door, shut and locked it with a loud click.
Then she whirled around, walked back to him and slapped him straight across the face.
Gareth’s head flew sideways with the impact, leaving him stunned.
Eleanor stepped closer. “Kiss me.”
Gareth looked back at his Mistress and grabbed her face for a kiss – their first.
He parted her lips instantly, plunging his tongue into the hidden recesses of her mouth. She wrapped her arms around him and kissed him back with all the passion he could hope for.
Just when Gareth was considering laying her down on the closest flat surface she pulled away from him and moved back to the door. Gareth watched in shock as she unlocked and opened it.
“Tea in five minutes please, Sanders.”
He was so hard he could barely breathe, and yet he watched the woman who had caused it all sit down on the chaise lounge with all the poise and beauty of a queen.
“Please sit, Gareth.”
Eleanor motioned to the chair opposite her. Gareth walked awkwardly over to the chair she indicated, rearranged his cock, and sat down.
“How was your evening?” She quirked an eyebrow.
He stared at her for a moment before he realized she was serious. She really did want to talk and have tea after what they had just experienced.
His cheek throbbed where she had slapped him, and his cock was aching for release.
“I need to use the water closet.” Placing both hands on either side of him, he pushed down. If he could just have three minutes alone he could make his erection disappear.
“No, you may not.”
Gareth blinked and relaxed his arms. Had she just forbidden him from using the necessary?
“Excuse me?”
Eleanor smiled at the young maid that entered, laying out a tray piled with tea, sandwiches, cakes and sweets.
When the servant left, Eleanor turned her steely gaze back to him.
“No, you may not relieve your hard cock. It is your fault for accusing me of sleeping with my butler . You will not touch yourself until I tell you that you may.”
Gareth blinked again. When had he agreed to this arrangement?
“Eleanor…”
“I am not Eleanor at the moment. I am your Mistress and you will address me as such.”
Gareth saw the change in her bearing and couldn’t help the way his heart leapt into his throat.
“Mistress, I want to come.”
The words were out of his mouth before he realized what had happened
Eleanor smiled rather cruelly. “No.”
Then her face cleared and she poured tea into two cups.
“How do you take your tea?”
Gareth didn’t know what he was going to do. He was confused, angry and mightily aroused. How could she stop him from leaving the room with one word? Why must he call her Mistress?
“No milk, two sugars.”
Eleanor smiled and made her tea the same way before handing Gareth his.
“Biscuits?” She offered him the plate of shortbread and Gareth smiled at her.
“I’m allowed to have one?”
Eleanor smiled again. “Of course.”
Gareth took one and bit into it, the sugar and butter melting in his mouth and making him groan.
“I have a proposal for you.”
Gareth swallowed and nodded his head for her to continue.
“I want you to allow us a month to get to know one another – in the bedroom and out of it. I will be totally honest with you at all times and I will expect the same from you. And at the end of the month we will decide whether we to marry or part forever.”
Gareth didn’t know what to say. Could he really take part in something like that? Why would a lady want this type of agreement?
Eleanor could see that she had shocked him, but for her there was no coy approach. She wanted him and Gareth had to know what he was getting when he agreed to have her. She was not being locked into another marriage like her last.
“Why would you ask this of me…Eleanor?” Gareth raised an eyebrow at his use of her name and she smiled. He was learning fast.
She sighed, knowing he deserved an honest explanation.
“My first marriage was not pleasant. My husband was mean, selfish and sexually abusive.”
Eleanor watched the rage creep across Gareth’s face and wanted to smile. From that look she was certain that he wanted to hurt her husband, but how when the man was already dead?
“He harmed you?”
Eleanor shrugged. He had. But that wasn’t an issue anymore.
“He wanted sex often but had no idea of what I needed. When I tried to ask or encourage other things he would hit me or use vile language. If I resisted him, he would hold me down.”
Gareth hissed and stood up. Eleanor watched the muscles in his legs work as he paced up and down her sitting room. He was so delectable she found it hard to concentrate. He was beautiful, powerful and not one tiny bit cruel. Because she had experienced cruelty and she could recognize when it was absent.
Eleanor bit back a laugh when she felt her lower belly clench. She wanted him so much, but it wasn’t yet time to give into her instincts.
“Gareth, it is alright. It was his legal right as my husband and I am fine now. However, I want to remarry. I want a family and I want a man who can accept my need for power and total trust in the bedroom. Do you want that too?”
Gareth’s eyebrows drew together and he collapsed into his chair. Eleanor could see how tired he was. He wasn’t used to the amount of emotions that he was currently experiencing.
“What would that entail exactly?”
She looked down, stifling the joy that threatened to break free. Although the dominant part of her wanted to keep it a secret, she knew knowledge would be key in the trust built between them.
“I want to be called Mistress in the bedroom, but only when we are playing.”
Gareth nodded, “I can do that.”
This next part would be harder for him to agree to, but she knew he would enjoy it. “Also, I would like to tie you up and perhaps use a riding crop on your buttocks. I know it sounds strange, and if you choose not to let me after the first time, I will understand. But I ask for your trust and patience.”
His eyes widened and blood filled his cheeks. She wasn’t sure if he was embarrassed or aroused. He hadn’t yet said no.
“Why me, Eleanor?” Gareth held his hands up in questio
n and shifted closer to her on his chair.
Eleanor wanted to crawl across the table and take him in to her arms. He looked so beautiful, so raw. She would enjoy instructing him.
“Because I have watched you and I know that you would be my perfect husband…”
Eleanor had been interested in Gareth the minute she saw him, then she had paid a Bow Street runner to investigate him. He was squeaky clean. No abused mistresses, a family he looked after, no gambling debts, not even a drinking problem.
It was time to be completely honest with him.
“And if I’m truthful it comes down to the fact that I just want you Gareth. If you’ll have me.”
Gareth’s eyes widened and he took a deep breath.
Eleanor felt as though her heart stopped as she waited for him to absorb everything she had said. She had been honest enough for Gareth to know what he was entering into, but she had a lot more to show him before the month was out.
In a surprise move, Gareth fell to his knees and shuffled the few feet over to her. He bent to kiss her hands and looked up, his eyes fever-bright.
“I would be honored to serve you, Mistress.”
Eleanor felt her pussy clench almost painfully. She could take him this very moment.
“You will give me a month to prove how right we are for each other?”
He stroked her hand reassuringly and Eleanor’s eyes burned with unshed tears. Gareth was the submissive partner and yet he was comforting her. She had never been so touched.
“Then we shall start tomorrow.” Eleanor kissed Gareth’s full lips to seal their bargain, enjoying the touch of his mouth for a moment before standing up and moving away. She had to break the spell he had woven around her. He was not the one in control.
“Meet me here at eleven in the morning and we will go riding.”
Gareth jumped to his feet, tugging at his breeches. She loved how aroused he was in her presence.
“On a horse?” He raised a rakish eyebrow.
“Of course. I need a man who can handle a horse.”
Eleanor watched Gareth’s smile light up his face. It was truly bewitching to witness. He took her hand and chastely kissed the knuckles – a gentleman to the bone.
“I will see you tomorrow.”