Improper Pleasures (The Pleasure Series #1) (10 page)

He’d removed his coat and rolled up the sleeves of his
linen shirt. The well-used fabric was open at the throat. Though he still wore
a navy wool waistcoat, the garment only emphasized the broadness of his chest.
He seemed to be examining her with the same attention to detail and Astra
cringed on what he might be thinking. Her modest brown gown printed with pale
pink flowers gripped her waist, making the most of her small breasts though the
neckline was not nearly as low cut as the current style. The pearls she chose
with the small gold cross now seemed entirely too prudish. Not that she
imagined anything in her wardrobe suited her purpose tonight.

“I noticed you missed dinner, though now I see you were
provided a meal.” Astra forced the awkward words past her dry throat.

“Yes. Cold beef and cheese. I didn’t wake you, did I?” His
tone was not rude but far from welcoming. He shoved his hands in the pockets of
his tan breeches and shifted, almost defensively.

Astra anxiously waited at the threshold, fearing he would
not ask her in. “No, I was awake. I couldn’t sleep. I wondered if you’d made
any progress with the estate.”

She stopped congratulating herself on her leading question
when James’s face fell. He brushed his hand through his already mussed hair and
turned away. “Things could be better. I’m going to have a drink. Can I offer
you something?”

“A sherry would be wonderful. Perhaps that will make me
drowsy.” Astra strolled into his study and she quietly closed the door behind
her. She’d passed her first obstacle. They were alone together and she prayed
nature would take its course.

“I rode to Devon this morning to meet with another
landowner about innovations he’s made to his holdings.” He strode to a
sideboard and rummaged through the bottles.

“That sounds promising.” Astra forced herself to sit in
the same chair where she’d sat at their first meeting, but this time arranging
her skirts and trying to appear relaxed. She wet her lips and attempted a
seductive look.

“The man would not receive me. Though Lord Blackmore is a
baron as well, he is also the heir to an earldom which apparently outranks me
by quite a bit. It was a wasted day and a long ride.” He poured a thimbleful of
sherry in a cut crystal glass, a much larger goblet of brandy for himself.

“James, you should have consulted me first. We could have
sent a note ahead. Lord Blackmore is known to be eccentric.”

He handed Astra her drink, sinking down in the chair
beside her. His choice of seating arrangements, intimately snuggled beside her
instead of seated behind his desk, showed promise, yet Astra felt as
high-strung as her mother’s corset.

“We can still right the situation. We will send notice and
call on him formally.”

James took a big slug of his brandy. “Don’t send a note. I
don’t need his help if he doesn’t want to give it. I’ll find another way.”

His voice held a little too much passion for the
circumstance at hand. Her James had a fierce streak of pride.
Her James
.
The possessive endearment sent a shiver of thrill across Astra’s skin that Ivy
would no doubt frown upon. Though Astra had thoroughly convinced herself of the
absolute necessity of becoming James’s mistress, a sensation that had nothing
to do with logic sped her pulse.

Astra toyed with her necklace to avoid fanning the heat
that had suffused her breasts and neck. “As you like, but perhaps you should
consult me on people you wish to meet. The proper introductions are of the
utmost importance.”

“I’ve ordered some books from London. I’ll teach myself
and then Lord Blackmore will come asking me for advice.”

“But you shall not refuse him, as he did you?”

James’s gaze softened as if she had just discovered
something secret about him. Astra suspected the mischievous grin that quickly
followed was a ploy to cover a flash of vulnerability.

“No. I wouldn’t turn him away. Then I would not be able to
gloat properly.”

“Not everyone in England is quick to shun you.” Astra
spoke before she could stop herself. Although it worked to her advantage for
James to believe he was an outsider, Astra found she had no desire to deceive
him. “You had a visitor today by the name of Mr. Bainbridge.”

“Did he want me to pay a bill?”

“Not at all.” Astra’s laugh sounded a bit high pitched
even to her own ears. “He came to lend you support, no less. Even invited you
to dinner. Mr. Bainbridge is a wealthy tin merchant. He has quite the influence
in Cornwall and I’d wager his prestige even extends to London.”

James raised a skeptical eyebrow and took a swig of his
brandy. “Then why did he come to me?”

“Because you are an aristocrat and he hopes to get ahead.
Noble influence is always valued.”

James shrugged. “I suppose he’s worth meeting.” He stared
into his glass, not seeming all that pleased by her revelation.

“He also said he had three eligible daughters.” Astra
could not stop her outburst, though she had already said enough to ease her
conscious. But erasing James’s frown suddenly seemed more important than
anything else. “I think he means to create a union with someone who knows what
it’s like to be an outsider. I found him very charming, actually. Making his
acquaintance could prove a valuable asset.”

“He’s a friend of yours?”

“No. I had never met him before today. Though, I’ve heard
of him.”

“He doesn’t travel in your circles, I suppose?” James’s
tone revealed that he lumped himself into that category as well.

“Until recently, I have been in mourning which did not
include socializing. Mr. Bainbridge bought an estate near here shortly after
Lowell’s death. I would be happy to accompany you to meet him at any time.”
Astra leaned toward him, and set her hand on the arm of his chair.

He downed the rest of his brandy, taking no notice of her
intimate gesture. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t take my frustration out on you. Thank
you for your offer. I know you’re not used to peddling the family business.”

“I don’t mind.” Astra studied his downcast gaze in the
candlelight. The lines of his face were tense and she gripped the arm of his
chair. She thought to touch his cheek but couldn’t find the courage. “In fact,
I enjoyed making Mr. Bainbridge’s acquaintance. And even more knowing that I
was helping you. I fear I have not done much to hold up my end of our agreement.”

“Oh, you are going to change your mind the night of Lady
Phillina’s ball. I plan to stay in the corner and drink heavily.” He suddenly
found his empty glass fascinating.

She shook her head. “That is the real reason I came to
speak with you. I want to discuss our relationship.”

“I’m sorry.” James lowered his head and did not ask for
clarification which was very encouraging. “You look lovely in that dress.
Perhaps you should retire. It’s late and I’m going to get drunk.” James stood
and strolled to the sideboard that held the brandy.

Astra followed with her glass in hand. “I would rather
stay and keep you company. Of course, a lady never gets drunk.”

James glanced suspiciously over his shoulder. If he
happened to miss the mischievous tone in her voice, her smirk would assure him
she meant to tease him. Not that she’d ever teased anyone before.

He took her glass and gave her a larger portion of sherry
while he refilled his glass. He slowly turned, then clicked his glass with
hers. “Cheers.”

“Cheers,” she said, and mimicked his healthy gulp.

“I think you better tell me what’s on your mind before I
manage to scandalize you again,” James’s gaze dropped to her neckline, then
lingered on her mouth.

“I propose to scandalize
you
.”

James flicked his gaze to hers. She licked her lips,
hoping he might take the hint to kiss her. He did not move. The flare in his
pupils revealed that he sensed her invitation but he remained still and
waiting.

Astra longed to touch his face covered in dark blond
stubble, run her fingers over his lower lip but she could not find the
boldness. “I know I implored your restraint, but I find myself regretting my
words.” The sherry loosened her tongue, though her heart beat wildly at her own
audacity.  

He straightened. “Astra, I’m not someone who appreciates
being toyed with.” His jaw was tight as if he were angry. “We’re two healthy
adults living under the same roof. Any intentions I have toward you
romantically are not honorable, I assure you.”

“Nor are mine, James.” Astra took a gulp of her sherry and
returned to the chair she had vacated. She did not think she would have to
articulate her intentions with so much detail.

James followed her and sat in the chair next to her again.
He took her free hand in his and rubbed her knuckles. “Now, I am confused.”

Astra let him hold her hand, realizing perhaps he was much
more intrigued by an improper relationship than he wanted to admit. That he
tried to resist an obviously scandalous situation endeared him to her in a way
she didn’t need.

“I propose to be your mistress,” she blurted out, wanting
to put a more businesslike tint on the intimacy growing between them.

James dropped her hand. “As in mistress you mean—”

“Lover. I want to be your lover. There I’ve said it,
haven’t I?”

James stood and strode to the far side of the room. He
stared at the wall a minute with his hands clasped atop his head. He turned to
study Astra. His gaze grew more intense with each tick of the clock on the far
shelf.

“And if I said yes?”

Astra abruptly stood. Her throat felt dangerously tight. Ivy
would tell her this was not the proper way one should obtain a paramour. “It
was not a question.”

She strode to the door but James beat her to it.

“Please, Astra.” He gripped her arms, stared into her
face, forced her to meet his probing gaze. “I want you. And if you don’t tell
me what this is all about, I’ll take you up on your offer. Right here. Right
now.”

“Then why don’t you?” The words came from a place inside
herself that Astra did not recognize. A deep need to be his lover roared to
life, overtaking everything else, including her protective reserve.

James answer was to lower his mouth to hers. He tightened
his hold on her upper arms, pulling her against him. His kiss was forceful and
demanding. Astra welcomed the thrust of his tongue, his firm grip that held her
upright as she sank into the swirling need that weakened her knees and dampened
her sex.

James abruptly pulled his mouth from hers and released
her. Astra stumbled backwards, but James made no move to help her.

“What the hell has gotten into you?” demanded James.

Astra studied his tense features. “I told you. Refuse me
if you wish, but don’t drag this out, James. It’s cruel.”

“Drag this out?” He raised his hands as if he either meant
to grab her or strangle her. Instead of doing either, he ran them through his
hair. “What happened to the woman I made hysterical by a much tamer kiss than
that a few days ago?”

“She could not forget about that kiss and it was driving
her mad. Haunting her dreams. Even invading her waking moments.” Astra sucked
in a hot breath and tried to remember all her rational, detached reasons for
soliciting James. Oh, Ivy was right. She could not do this with James. He was
like a raging fever that fed upon itself. Making love to him would no doubt
destroy her.

“I’ll wager I’ve thought of that kiss more than you.” His
voice lowered and his gaze lingered on her mouth once again.

Astra caught her breath with the realization that he might
want her as much as she wanted him. “Have you thought of what could have come
after?”

“That I have. Every damned night. I’ve already made love
to you ten thousand ways, Astra. You should run lest I show you one of my
favorite fantasies that involves that desk over there.”

Astra felt a blush creep up her neck and into her cheeks
but she would not allow herself to turn away from James. “Then the idea of
taking me as your mistress is not unwelcome to you.”

“Plain taking you is more what I have in mind.” He took a
swift step toward her, his long legs tangling in the swirl of her skirts.
Instinct and nerves forced her to stiffen, halting him. He didn’t touch her
though his hands balled at his side warned he wanted to. “What is it exactly
that you are offering, Astra? And what do you want in return?”

Suspicion had returned to his gaze, and it left her on
more solid ground. “I only ask that you do not take another woman into your bed
during the term of our affair or become engaged.”

“I had no immediate plans of doing either.”

“But you are a very desirable man, James. I fear someone
else might already have plans for you. Yes, the idea makes me jealous.” He
continued to scrutinize her. “I want you, James, and perhaps I stumbled upon a
rational reason that will allow me to have my needs met for once.”

James nodded, pressing into her until her back hit the
solid door behind her. He braced his hands on the wood near her head. “Are you
sure? I’ve never had a mistress. I fear I might be rather demanding.”

“I’m very sure.” She turned her face up to his, surrounded
by his heat, his unyielding form.

He slid his arms around the small of her back and
maneuvered her back into the study, almost as if they were dancing. When she
bumped the edge of the desk, her heart raced. Suddenly, she was slightly unsure
of what he would demand of her and more than a little afraid. He gripped her
waist, lifted her effortlessly and set her on the desk.

“So what are my limitations? Are you to meet my every
demand, my every desire, morning, noon and night?” He stood in the folds of her
dress, his hard thighs brushing her trembling knees.

“Within reason,” Astra heard her own breathlessness. “I
think mutual satisfaction should be our goal.”