She realized she had never spoken a truer word. All the heartaches and worries had gone. Perhaps now she needed to own up? She began to run her hands through the soft hairs on his chest.
“And perchance I need to now be open? I came here today with the collusion of Amanda. She knew I had to try one last time to seduce you from your noble attitude.”
Stephen laughed and kissed the top of her head. “I rather thought as much. How she is kept in check by Harry, I do not know. To my knowledge he is not of the same inclination as I.”
“Would you know?” Judith wondered. “Do you ah, frequent the same clubs?”
“White’s yes, others no. I have another side of me. One I must soon decide to accept or decline. Whichever, I will do with your input, and will do nothing about unless we are in agreement. It is for later. Regarding Harry? He does not keep a mistress or… Hell. I have to explain about…” He stopped and for the first time looked embarrassed.
“Lady Mallins?” Judith supplied helpfully. “No need, her invitation was declined after Amanda informed her of the smallpox. She wished to go nowhere near anyone who may have remotely encountered it. And by what I hear, she may have a voracious appetite for men, but she is no submissive. Oh.” She giggled. “I am speaking without permission. I do hope you are keeping a tally?” She smiled at him, and was rewarded by a tap on her arse.
“Indeed,” Stephen replied, urbane as usual. “I look forward to reminding you of your misdemeanors.”
She looked upwards at the ropes and chains that hung over them.
“I wonder, my lord. Is this”—She waved towards them—”A pleasure or a punishment.”
His cock pulsed against her leg as she spoke.
“That is up to you. For me it will bring such emotions, as I see you tied and suspended, touched and loved, it can only be pleasure. Whether you agree will be up to you.”
Even raw as she was Judith felt her juices flow and her clit clench. She ached to see if those exciting feelings returned with each new revelation. She was content for him to reveal any other secrets later. She could sense they troubled him, but believed they had no bearing on them at that moment. Other things she was impatient to know.
“I am hard-pressed to wait. And the silk straps on the table, are they for me also?”
“Of course. To cross your body, outline your breasts and cunt. To show you how I worship you. Soon, very soon,” he vowed. “You will see.”
“I admit I am impatient to see,” Judith replied frankly. “If I was not sore inside I would be begging you to give me my next lesson. However, I dare not, for you are correct in your assumptions. I would get no pleasure.”
He nodded and returned to her earlier statement.
“So, no Lady Mallins. Do I expect a house party or is that all fabrication also?” he asked. The reply, knowing Amanda as he did, could be either.
“Oh you will get the house party. Amanda will arrive a day before the others. In case I need to leave. We felt four days should give me long enough for you to forget your nobleness. Instead,” she said with satisfaction. “I needed but four hours. So we have time to practice with all those other delicious and intriguing items I spied. And with Kitty also?”
He nodded. “It must be soon. I have to see you in her arms, see you writhe with passion and know it is all mine. My love, you have my heart.”
Judith lifted her head to kiss him on the lips. She pushed her tongue into his mouth and swirled it with his. His fingers tightened on her nipple and she moaned with excitement.
“All yours, Stephen. All I do is for you.” He rolled her onto her back and rested his body over her. His teeth hardly grazed her body, but every nerve end was on fire. This was her answer. Her life.
“Ah I am truly lucky. It is the perfect gift.”
EPILOGUE
Kitty listened to the laughter and walked across the bathing chamber and into the sitting room. Her body ached for release. Her heart was gladdened by the knowledge at last Stephen was happy. She was pleased she would be part of both his and Judith’s happiness. Stephen had spoken the truth when he said part of his completion was to see her with Judith.
But deep inside she was weary. Why was she always alone? Was there no one for her, just her? Stephen was not and never had been that man. Her masters had warned her, life could be lonely, but she had stuck to her destiny. But on a night such as this…
She pulled the drapes across the tiny window overlooking the courtyard, shutting out the winter’s night. Would her love ever be returned?
With a sigh she left the room and walked along the corridor to her own room. Tomorrow she knew she would be needed. Tonight was for Judith and Stephen, but oh how apart and alone she felt. Their love would surround her, invite her in and cherish her, but still there was an empty hole inside her waiting…
She didn’t see the figure standing next to the wall, or notice the footsteps in the snow as they were filled in.
The End
Other Books by Raven McAllan
Available from Breathless Press
Almost Entente Cordiale
The Baronet’s Blackout Bombshell
The Price to Pay
Riding Ryder
Teaching Teacher - Coming December 2012
Two Titles in the Freaky Flashes Anthology
“Spin the Bottle”
“That Special Feeling”
The Ladies of London Series
La Bella Isabella
The Best Man’s Bridesmaid
The Wilder Wood Series
To Catch a Fox
The Rogue Scandals Series
Wallflowers Don’t Wilt
To Please a Lady
A Most Unusual Mistress
In The Protectors: The Blood Bar Chronicles anthology
To Stop a War
Available as a Free Story:
Ana Do You Hear Me
BIOGRAPHY
Raven lives in Scotland, along with her husband and their two cats—their children having flown the nest—surrounded by beautiful scenery, which inspires a lot of the settings in her books.
She is used to sharing her life with the occasional deer, red squirrel, and lost tourist, to say nothing of the scourge of Scotland—the midge.
Her very understanding, and long-suffering DH, is used to his questions unanswered, the dust bunnies greeting him as he walks through the door, and rescuing burned offerings from the Aga. (And passing her a glass of wine as she types furiously.)
The Perfect Gift Page 6