They passed through the first door, and Dash began providing information.
Out of the corner of his eye, he observed the Prince’s mistress, who seemed utterly fascinated, and whose cheeks coloured rather attractively as she viewed some of the items. The Prince, however, appeared just as obsessed by it all as Dash was. Soon, his explanations transformed into a conversation which delved into history, provenance of specific pieces, and the regional and cultural trends in erotic pursuits. Dash realised, with a start, that he was enjoying himself.
When they reached the upper floor, the mistress paled rather, as she studied some of the items, and Dash was hard put not to laugh. That a renowned courtesan, mistress to a Prince reputed to have rather depraved appetites, should flinch where Mariel did not, amused him a lot.
Once the viewing was concluded, and they had settled in the small parlour near his office with an extravagant serving of tea and cakes of all kinds as well as port and brandy, Dash broached the question which was the entire purpose, from his point of view, of the visit. But first, he made an enquiry which would allow him to ensure, he hoped, the response he wanted to that key question.
“Your Highness, might I ask which items in the collection you find most… interesting?”
The Prince Regent popped a sugared cake into his mouth, looking thoughtful, then followed it with a sizeable swallow of brandy.
“Well… dilettos are always worthwhile, especially when the carving is well executed. But I admit that I am far more intrigued by a number of the harnesses and... mechanical devices… which you showed me on the upper floor.”
Dash watched the mistress go quite green, and quickly swallowed his mouthful of brandy so as not to cough or laugh.
“Indeed, Your Highness, those items are both devilishly clever in their design, and reputed to be most… effective. Apart from the items displayed here, in the Museum, I do happen to have some similar, and in some cases identical, pieces stored away. I will, if you would like it, arrange for a selection of them to be delivered to you, as a gift. It is rare to find another man who truly appreciates the full scope of human erotic ingenuity…”
The Prince Regent looked pleased, and the mistress fixed Dash with a glare of pure venom.
“An excellent idea, Longwood. Do please send me something. I will look forward to the surprise of seeing what you have for me.”
“It will be my pleasure, Your Highness. Might I be most forward, Your Highness, whilst we have this opportunity to converse privately?”
The Prince raised an eyebrow, and Dash was quite certain that he knew what was coming. But he was kind enough to allow Dash the chance to ask.
“No doubt, Longwood, that means that you’d like to ask me for a favour of some kind?”
“Aah… yes, Your Highness. The gossip, as you duly noted, has been running rather rife. Which annoys me, as I created this collection not to titillate society, but to preserve the cultural and artistic history of human eroticism. I do not want my family, or my soon to be wife’s family, tarnished by the pettiness of others.”
“Indeed, I can see that you wouldn’t. So, what do you propose to do about it, and how does that involve me?”
“I was hoping, Your Highness, that you might see your way to being a patron of the Museum of Human Eroticism, and to officially opening it, at the ceremony we have planned for a week’s time? Your approval of the museum would make it socially acceptable to the ton, and ease matters considerably. Of course, you would be welcome to arrange private viewings for your friends, as you wished to. As our major patron, that would be a benefit we could offer you.”
The Prince Regent laughed, and Dash relaxed a little.
“I believe I’ll do it. I can’t wait to see some of those stuffy old termagants swallowing their righteous horror and smiling as they tour the place, because I have approved of it. You may just have provided me the best entertainment I’ve had in quite some time. Wife to be, you said? What does she think of all this, then? Most of the young women out there would faint dead away at the sight of a diletto.”
Dash smiled and shook his head.
“She is made of far sterner stuff than that Your Highness. She is as fascinated by it all as I am. In fact, she has recently translated a very… explicit… book for me, from the Russian.”
The Prince Regent roared with laughter at his words.
“Then you are a lucky man indeed, Longwood. I expect you’ll have a far more interesting time in the bedroom than the average man has with his wife. You must introduce me to this paragon of sense in the near future. I like a woman who is not afraid of her own appetites.”
“I will be sure to introduce you at the official opening celebration, Your Highness.”
The Prince rose, and the mistress and the attendant rose with him. Dash stood, and bowed again, a full deep court bow. The Prince waved a hand at his attendant.
“Give Burrows here all of the details for the opening, and he will ensure that I arrive at the appropriate time.” Then the Prince turned to the mistress, and held out a hand. “Come, my dear, we will send the carriage back for Burrows. I fear that this visit has given me rather an… appetite... for the bedchamber.”
She simpered, cast Dash another venomous look, and the Prince led her away.
Chapter Sixteen
The week passed with alarming speed, as everything was put in place. Gilt invitations, which clearly proclaimed the Prince Regent as the Patron of the Museum, were sent out to all of the highest ranked people of the ton, and Dash collapsed into bed each night, so exhausted that he barely dreamed. But when he did, those dreams were of Mariel – of her passionate kisses and of what they might do together, the next time that they managed to actually be alone.
Now, the critical day had arrived, and Dash stared at the list on his desk at the Museum, rather bemused. It was a list of all of those who had formally accepted the invitations – a list featuring the names of some people whom he had never expected to ever deign to go anywhere near his collection. It would be, as the Prince Regent had predicted, remarkably amusing, watching some of them attempt to remain polite and interested, where normally they would have decried the whole thing as immoral. Mariel stood beside him, studying the names.
After a moment, she turned to him, her eyes sparkling.
“Promise me that you will tread firmly upon my toes if I show the slightest sign of giggling hysterically as I watch the reaction of some of these people to the items on display. Especially Lady Phyllida… for I never considered it possible that she and her family would accept the invitation. But then, the Prince Regent’s approval is always enough to draw those who would curry favour with him.”
Dash pulled her to him, seizing this one moment alone before the undoubted chaos of the day began, and kissed her. She responded eagerly, melting into his arms, and kissing him with equal passion. When they drew apart, he stepped back, breathing hard.
“We must stop now – before I am tempted to do far more than would be wise, here and now. But yes – going back to what you asked, I promise faithfully to trample your delicate toes if you show the least sign of laughter. We must, somehow, manage to look respectable, at least until we are married!”
She laughed lightly, then took his hand, and they went out into the Museum together.
Benson was fussing about, directing the horde of footmen and maids hired for the day, who were setting up refreshment tables in the small parlour, and preparing to deal with the onslaught of guests. Through the narrow windows which ran up each side of the wide double doors to the building, Dash could see that a small crowd had already gathered, waiting. Undoubtedly, many out there had not been officially invited, but had come on the strength of gossip, and in the hope of seeing the Prince Regent.
Some, equally certainly, were journalists, there to capture the whole event in lurid prose, to be published in tomorrow’s papers.
As he waited, the clock beside his office door seemed to tick so very slowly, towards the mome
nt when they would open the doors. Selina and Alex slipped into the foyer, followed by his parents, and Mariel’s. Selina and Alex looked happy and at ease, but neither set of parents looked at all comfortable. But at least they were here, supporting him – far better that, than the scandal which would have resulted if they had stayed away.
He drew himself up, and went to stand near the door, just as the sound of carriages began outside. They waited until the street was thronged, and the susurrus of conversation came to them through the doors, and only when the Prince Regent’s carriage made its way through the bustle did Benson move to open the doors.
The crowd, who had been pushing forward, stepped back as the Prince Regent was announced, and he moved through them, trailed by an entourage of toadies, until he reached the door. Everyone bowed and curtseyed, all to the proper degree, and he greeted them in his most regal manner – but his eyes met Dash’s, full of amusement.
“Your Highness – if you would step this way, we have a podium prepared in the first display room. Once you are in place, we will allow the guests into the Museum.”
A footman rushed forward as they moved across the room, offering a drink, which the Prince Regent took with a nod.
“This all looks well planned, Longwood. Theatre for the masses, so to speak.”
“Exactly, Your Highness. Thank you again for your patronage. I trust that the… parcel… arrived in good order?”
The Prince Regent turned a smile upon him, and laughed.
“It did indeed, and I have already… experimented… a little, with some items. Most satisfactory, I must say.”
“Very good, Your Highness, I am pleased to hear that it is so.”
They reached the podium, and the Prince took his place, well used to dominating a room. Dash supposed it was not so different from court – which was also theatre of a kind. The Prince’s entourage found places around the room, and appeared to be torn between looking at the exhibits, and capturing passing footmen to obtain drinks and food.
Dash bowed, and moved back into the foyer.
“Let them in, Benson. Make sure to check the invitations. Anyone else will have to pay an entry fee, and can wait until the opening is officially done.”
“Yes, my Lord.”
Dash took his place, not far from the door, with Mariel by his side, and their families behind them, as Benson opened the doors again, and waved people forward. The next half hour disappeared into a whirl of greetings. When that was done, Dash left Benson to deal with the uninvited hopefuls, and moved into the other room.
The Prince Regent appeared at ease, drink in hand, a plate of food on the table beside him, and a cluster of the highest in the land conversing with him. Dash made his way across the room, quietly observing the expressions on the guests, as some of them looked at the exhibits. It was worthy of laughter, indeed.
The Prince Regent saw him coming, and raised an enquiring eyebrow. Dash nodded, and the Prince set down his glass and stepped to the centre of the raised podium. The movement was enough to cause a wave of silence to run through the room. He waved Dash forward to join him, then spoke in a booming voice.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I am pleased to see you all here today. I have decided to become the Patron of this remarkable new Museum which Lord Longwood,” here he waved at Dash, who bowed to the audience, “…has made possible, through his assiduous collecting during his time overseas. So, without further ado, I declare the Museum of Human Eroticism open, and invite you to explore the rooms and see all of the intriguing exhibits. I fully intend to do so myself, very thoroughly.”
There was quiet applause, and the Prince Regent picked up his drink, then stepped close to Dash.
“Now the fun begins, eh? I can already see some shocked expressions around the room, and the closer they look at things, the more there will be. This Museum of yours is a capital idea, capital. It will provide endless hours of amusement, as well as possibly actually spicing up the lives of some of the most boring people of the ton.”
“I hope so, Your Highness. It may be art, and culture, but I must admit that I do also hold the hope that it may… educate… some people, in a far more… personal… manner.”
The Prince Regent laughed, then stepped down from the podium and began to wander around the room, examining the contents of each display case in detail. A collection of faithful sycophants followed his every move. As the crowd began to scatter, progressing through the other rooms, Dash finally relaxed.
In each room, a footman was stationed, with a stack of printed leaflets describing the contents of that room, ready to assist the viewers. For now, all Dash needed to do was circulate amongst the guests, and observe.
Mariel came to him, carrying two glasses of wine.
“A toast to the evident success of today.”
He took a glass, and drank, as she suggested. He was beginning, just beginning, to believe that scandal would be mitigated, and that society’s fascination with anything titillating would ensure that the Museum saw many visitors each day.
~~~~~
By the end of the day, the event was declared a great success. The last guests had to be almost pushed out the doors to allow them to close, even though the Prince Regent had not stayed above two hours. Perhaps the most satisfying moment had been when Dash had, while circulating, with Mariel, Alex and Selina accompanying him, come face to face with Lady Phyllida, who had met his greeting with a stony face, even while Hockingmoor, beside her, had congratulated him on winning the Prince Regent’s approval.
Lady Phyllida’s expression, and her rather ferocious sidelong look at Selina, had made it quite clear that she found the success of the venture unforgiveable. He had moved on to speak to others, well satisfied. Now, as their parents took their leave, Dash stood in his office, with just Mariel, Alex, and Selina. It was rather amusing that his parents, and Mariel’s, now that they were betrothed, found Selina and Alex to be quite adequate chaperones.
“I can’t wait to see what tomorrow’s papers have to say about it all. I suspect that the articles will simply send even more visitors to the door. The small entry fee for the main rooms, and the rather larger fee for the upper floor, will no doubt completely ensure that you can maintain the collection, and add to it – for word will spread.”
Dash looked at Alex, and grinned. “It already has – men kept pulling me aside today, and saying ‘I hear that there is a special section of the Museum… what do I have to do to view it?’ – I have private viewings booked for the next three weeks at least.”
They all laughed, then Selina took Alex’s arm.
“I think I would like to go home now. I am sure that we can trust Dash to escort Mariel to her parents’ door unscathed… they are betrothed, after all…”
Alex bent to press a kiss to his wife’s lips, softly.
“I do believe that you are right, Selina. A day spent looking at hundreds of erotic objects has a most peculiar effect upon the mind….”
She smiled up at him, then turned to Mariel and Dash.
“So we will leave you, and see you tomorrow, at dinner. We can all discuss what has been said in the papers, and plan the next steps. I am sure that your mothers will want to discuss nothing more than your wedding, now that this opening has gone off so well.”
“I expect so. Good evening, and thank you for your support today.”
They left, and Dash, after making sure that the door was locked, came back to Mariel.
She looked at him, with eyes full of mischief.
“Now, take me to the upper floor, and show me just which items the Prince Regent was fascinated by – you said you would, after his first visit, and you never did…”
Dash pulled her into his arms and kissed her – a slow, passionate plundering which brought him to aching hardness in moments, as she thrust her body against his, and ran her hands over him with obvious desire. After some minutes, they stepped back from each other, by unspoken consent, and turned to leave the room, going up the st
airs arm in arm.
Dash unlocked the door at the top landing, and led her into the first room.
“These were the first things that caught his eye.”
Mariel looked at the objects he indicated, and he saw a shiver run through her. He stood behind her, and slipped his arms around her, sliding them up until his hands cupped her breasts, and she leant back against his hardness with a little whimper of pleasure.
“They look… interesting… perhaps… perhaps you could… demonstrate their use to me… on me…”
Her voice was husky with arousal, and he bent to kiss her neck, at the juncture of her shoulder, his fingers pinching gently on her nipples as he did.
“Perhaps I could… to… celebrate the day…”
“Yes… please….”
Epilogue
The Museum of Human Eroticism had, thanks to the Prince Regent’s patronage, and the rather lurid reporting on its contents as purveyed by every newssheet in London, become the fashionable place to be seen, for the aristocracy.
As the few short weeks of the banns being read rushed by, Mariel felt rather dazed by it all. When she had gone to Fortescue Grange in February, she had simply been looking for an escape from ennui, before the expected whirl of the Season. Now, in late April, such a short time later, her life was utterly different. The Season was in full swing, with a plethora of Balls and soirees, but she had no need to attend them, unless she wished it, for she had through some miracle, found herself loved by a man she loved, whose interests in life so well aligned with hers that she would have declared it impossible, had it not happened.
At those events she had attended, with Dash by her side, she had been looked on with envy by most young women.
They had all wanted to pull her aside, and ask detailed questions about the Museum, and ‘did she know what was in the rooms on its upper floor, which men seemed so keen to visit?’. She had laughed, and refused to tell them, even as their words brought the memories to her mind, of what she and Dash had done in those rooms, the evening after the opening celebration. Memories which left her instantly heated and aching, and more than ever desirous of the day they were to be wed.
Lady Mariel's Scandalous Love: Regency Romance (Regency Scandals Book 2) Page 13