Of Dukes and Deceptions (18 page)

“Oh, darling, how much you still have to learn. Sit down opposite me and I’ll endeavour to educate you. No, don’t remove your nightgown yet. Sit there and pull the gown up to your waist. I want to look at you.”

“Oh.” Alicia felt rather exposed, especially since Nick had yet to remove any clothes at all, but she still did as he asked. She was afraid he wouldn’t tell her about his mistress if she disobeyed him, and she very much wanted to know.

“Now, stretch your legs apart, bend your knees up and rest your feet on the edge of the chair. Hum, very nice!” Nick repositioned the single candle that was burning in the room. “That’s better. Now I have an excellent view. Are you comfortable?” Alicia nodded. “Very well, touch yourself.”

Alicia folded her hands primly in her lap. “No, I couldn’t. It wouldn’t be proper.”

“Sweetheart, you’re sitting before me, completely exposed. It’s a little late to think about what is and isn’t proper. Now, no arguments. You wouldn’t want to make me angry with you, would you now? Touch yourself,” he said again in a tone that brooked no argument.

She nervously extended one finger and did as he asked.

“Do you feel moist?”

“Yes, exceedingly so. Why is that?”

“Liken yourself to one of the mares who’s ready to be covered.”

“Ah, I see. I’m receptive, you mean?”

“Precisely.” Nick smiled at her. “Now, slide two fingers inside and I’ll tell you all about Mrs. Vickers.”

“Your mistress?” Alicia felt a frisson of excitement building as she reluctantly did as he asked. It was wrong, surely? She couldn’t do it. But even so she felt regretful, empty, as she withdrew her fingers and replaced them in her lap.

“No, don’t stop. Put your fingers back and keep working them.”

It was beyond her to deny him when he spoke with such authority. She replaced the fingers with more confidence and moved them experimentally. Nick watched her for a few moments and, apparently satisfied, spoke again.

“Mrs. Vickers is a widow who has no wish to remarry. She is genteel, educated and completely without morals in the bedroom.”

“She would hardly suit as your mistress if she wasn’t.”

“That’s certainly true. She’s well read, can converse on many subjects, speaks several languages, plays the piano like an angel, keeps an excellent table, entertains my friends with vivacity and wit and—”

“Lacks morals in the bedroom.” Alicia nodded. “Yes, you already said that.”

When Nick appeared perplexed, Alicia knew she’d permitted her jealousy to show. She was fascinated by the subject but didn’t care to think too deeply about this talented creature who occupied such an important position in Nick’s life. Perhaps she shouldn’t have asked.

“Precisely. Slide another finger inside, Alicia.”

She did as he asked, carnal sensations fragmenting her senses, driving away all remnants of embarrassment.

“Does it excite you, hearing me talk about my mistress?”

“Yes, but I had no notion that they were required to possess so many skills. No wonder some of them earn extortionate amounts from their lovers.”

“It’s a career, like any other, and one which will never want for vacancies. A good courtesan is hard to come by.”

“Yes, and I begin to comprehend why.”

“All four fingers now, Alicia.”

“What will happen to her when you marry?” Alicia’s breath was coming in shorter and shorter gasps as pleasurable sensations rippled through her. She bit down hard on her lower lip to prevent herself from crying out as her body closed about her fingers with an urgency that shook her to the core. Incandescent desire made her forget the question she’d just asked him as soon as it left her lips. Only the sensation she was generating within her sensitised body mattered at that moment. The rest of the world could go hang.

“I’ll very likely keep her.” He shrugged. “Many married gentlemen do.”

“I dare say your bride will have something to say about that.” Alicia was aware that the words came out in a ragged gasp but didn’t have the strength to care.

“If she were to find out about her, she’ll most likely be delighted. A lot of ladies don’t care to indulge in the kind of activities Mrs. Vickers and I enjoy. They’re grateful if someone else takes care of those particular needs in a husband.”

“Well, I’m surprised you’ve chosen a lady who doesn’t share your exotic tastes, that’s all I can say.” She concentrated on working her fingers. “Still, I suppose you’re restrained by considerations of birth and won’t actually know if she shares your tastes until after you’re married.”

“What the devil are you talking about, Alicia?”

“About the lady you have chosen to marry. I wish you well, of course, but if it were me,” she said hotly, “I’d take great exception to sharing you.” Realising what she’d said, Alicia felt her face flood with colour. Nick merely laughed.

“If it were you, sweetheart, Mrs. Vickers would find herself redundant.” He shifted his position, his eyes glued to her exposed body. “Slow down, you don’t have my leave to climax yet.”

Alicia dutifully slowed her rhythm. “Is it possible for me to climax alone?”

“Of course. That’s the whole purpose of this lesson.”

“Oh, I see. And do you beat Mrs. Vickers like you did me this afternoon?”

“Frequently. And other things too.”

“Does she care for it?”

“Naturally, since her sole
raison d’être
is to please me. All right, Alicia, stop what you’re doing, stand up and remove your nightgown. Slowly, now. Try to appear a little more seductive this time if you possibly can.” He smiled at her affronted expression. “Oh, yes, that was far more elegantly executed. You’re a fast learner, sweetheart.”

“You aim to turn me into a courtesan, sir?”

“Not at all, I simply wish to educate you in the best way to please a man. Now, resume your seat and your previous position. Put your fingers of your right hand back inside yourself and caress a breast with your other. Pinch the nipple hard.”

“Like this?”

“Exactly so. How does it feel?”

“Wonderful!” Alicia threw back her head and increased the pressure of both hands on her sensitised spots. Talking about Nick’s mistress had excited her and she felt a white-hot rush building inside her. “Nicholas, I don’t think I can—”

“All right, sweetheart, let it go.”

Instinctively Alicia increased her frantic pounding. Intense shards of sensation assailed her from all angles and, with a cry of abandonment, her world shattered into a thousand tiny pieces.

The first thing she saw as she opened her eyes was Nick’s infuriatingly smug smile. “Now, when I’m gone,” he said, “you’ll know how to keep your frustrations at bay.”

“Well, of all the high-handed, dictatorial, egotistical…”

Nick stood up and shed what few clothes he was wearing. He extended a hand to Alicia. “Come along. If you’ll only stop berating me for long enough, we’ll see what other lessons you can learn in the short amount of time we have available.”

She slipped her hand into his and Nick lifted her from the floor. He carried her across the room and deposited her on the bed. Then he bent to retrieve her sash.

“Am I to be blindfolded again?”

“No, darling, this time you’ll be able to see everything I’m doing but you won’t be able to touch.”

“Oh, why is that?”

“I see the dressing on your arm is much smaller now.”

“Yes, the wound is healing quickly.”

“Does it hurt to extend your arms above your head?”

Alicia experimented. “No, there’s no discomfort. Why do you ask?”

Without answering her Nick grasped her wrists and bound them with the sash. He then tied its loose ends to the head of the bed.

“Ah, my love, now you’re at my complete mercy.” He looked down at his naked captive and smiled, savouring thoughts of what was to come. She smiled back at him. Her face was slightly flushed and he could tell that she was excited by her situation. “I’ve anticipated seeing you thus since first making your acquaintance on that riverbank.”

“I hope I don’t disappoint you, Your Grace.”

“Well, we’ll have to see about that.” Nick moved the pier glass and positioned it directly at the side of the bed. “You’ll be able to see what I’m doing to you without lifting your head and putting a strain on your injured arm.”

“You’re very thoughtful,” she said, giggling. “But what do you require me to do?”

“You’re to keep absolutely still and only move when I give you leave. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Nicholas.”

“Very well then, we’ll commence your lesson.”

He retrieved a quill from her secretariat and sat at the foot of the bed. Picking up one dainty foot he lowered his head and ran his tongue lightly across her toes.

“You’re supposed to melt with desire, Alicia,” he said with an impatient sigh, “not dissolve into a fit of the giggles.”

“But it tickles!”

“Perhaps I should have mentioned,” Nick said, lifting his eyes to heaven, “that you’re not permitted to talk. In fact, you’re supposed to be so overcome with passion that you have no breath to waste on words. If you care anything for my reputation, you’ll oblige me by at least pretending to be so afflicted.”

“Your ego requires precious little stoking from me.”

“Be quiet and let me ravish you, wench!”

Immediately she fell quiet but it was clearly beyond her to also keep still. He slowly tormented each part of her body in turn, first with his tongue and then with the gossamer touch of the feather. She responded by squirming and thrashing her head from side to side as though he was actually hurting her. Her spontaneity enchanted Nick but he pretended to be affronted by it.

“Look in the mirror, sweetheart, and observe what I’m about to do to you next.”

“Do you tie Mrs. Vickers up?” She turned to look at their reflection.

Nick lightly slapped her thigh. “I didn’t give you leave to speak.”

“Oh, sorry. I forgot.”

“I will, however, answer your question if only you will open your legs a little wider.”

Her shin bashed his buttock in her haste to obey.

“Sorry.”

Nick was moved by the way she gave herself to him without reservation. A welling of tender affection afflicted him as he gauged her uninhibited reaction to their game. Not for one second had she objected to being bound, indicating just how comprehensively she’d placed her trust in him. It was clear that being at his mercy excited her. But she was an innocent. Perhaps he was taking her too far, too fast.

One look at the smouldering desire clouding her remarkable eyes and his misgivings evaporated. She was more than ready for this. Reassured, he absorbed her essence into his very cells, breathing in the light perfume which clung to her, putting him in mind of summer days. Overwhelmed with a torrent of protective feelings that were both sweet and paralysing, he discovered that his own passion was now almost as desperate as hers.

“Oh, yes, I tie Mrs. Vickers up on a regular basis.” The feather hovered over the triangle of curls at the apex of her legs. He applied its tip to the area in question with a teasing touch that made her whole body quiver. “And sometimes she returns the favour.”

“You allow yourself to be dominated? Somehow I find that hard to imagine.”

Nick’s lips had followed the direction of the feather. He could no longer see her face but there was no mistaking the surprise in her voice.

“Ah, that feels so very pleasant.” She bucked against his tongue and Nick increased its pressure, alternating gentle nips with hard sucking actions.

He’d intended to torture her for hours and punish her by making her wait. Her body would be reduced to a quivering wreck and she’d beg him for release. But her ingenuous reaction was already testing that resolve, and he was finding it increasingly difficult to hold back.

With a muffled sigh he abandoned the feather, positioned himself between her thighs and entered her. He’d take her quickly now and then repeat the process at a more leisurely pace when he’d slaked his initial lust.

They lay entwined in one another’s arms, Alicia’s head resting on his chest. Nick stroked her hair, wondering why he wasn’t dressed and making his way back to his own chamber, his head full of other matters. But he already knew the answer. He needed to taste her sweetness just once more. He needed her to give him even more of herself, if that were possible. He needed to be sure that she was holding nothing back.

Alicia accommodated his request with an unbridled enthusiasm that dented his cynical heart. The first fingers of light were creeping between the shutters when he finally forced himself from the bed and reclaimed his clothes.

“I should have left before now.” He swiftly fastened his breeches. “The servants will soon be stirring.”

“They won’t come to this part of the house for a while yet.”

“Alicia, I’ve been meaning to ask you. What was all that nonsense you were talking earlier about my bride?”

“Oh, I’m sorry.” She sat up, looking embarrassed. “I didn’t mean to be offensive. It’s just that I—”

“You made it sound as though it was quite a settled thing. That I’d soon be making my way to the altar.”

“Well, won’t you be?”

He looked at her askance. “Not that I’m aware of.”

“Oh, he must have got it wrong.” She frowned. “But given your relationship, I don’t see how that could be.”

“What are you talking about, sweetheart?”

“About Mr. Gibson. He informed me that you’re pursued by ladies hopeful of becoming your duchess everywhere you go.”

“Yes, that’s true, but I don’t see—”

“He also said you’d been looking for years for the right lady and had finally found her in the last place you’d have thought to look.”

Nick frowned. “The devil he did!”

“Don’t be vexed with him for telling me. If it’s a secret you may rely upon my discretion.”

“Did he have the goodness to inform you of the lady’s name?”

“Well, no, but I assumed that Lady Dawson’s sister must be the recipient of your affections. That’s the only estate you’ve visited since coming to the district. She’s very beautiful and very suitable.” Alicia adopted a formal expression better suited to a drawing room than the face of a young lady dishevelled from his lovemaking, sitting naked in her bed. “I wish you great joy, Your Grace.”