Vauxhall Vixen (8 page)

Vivian could feel hot waves of desire coursing throughout her body. Her nub felt sensitive and swollen as it seemed to strain upward in response to David’s heady ministrations. Her hips rocked and she raised one of her hands to rest at the back of her partner’s head in an attempt to tell David without spoken words that his execution of his part of the performance was pleasing her wondrously.

“Yes, yes, David, oh…my goodness!” At that moment the stars in the sky above seemed to burst inside her in one ecstatic release.

“Your reaction shows me that the erotic pleasure you just experienced equaled my own response, Vivian,” David commented with evident satisfaction. He changed position and lay back down, loosely wrapping one arm around Vivian’s waist. “May I escort you back to your lodgings again tonight, my dear?”

Vivian reached up to clasp David’s arm with both hands. She lightly squeezed the limb before answering. “I must return with Clifford this evening, David. Madam Page has requested that I join her this evening for a ‘quick visit’ to discuss a matter of ‘some importance’.”

“Do you have any idea what she plans to discuss with you?”

“Oh, yes, I have already been forewarned by the other women lodgers,” Vivian assured David. “Madam Page has discovered that I charge higher fees. She means to raise my monthly room charge.”

“Are you going to protest such an action so soon after you have moved in?” David prompted her further.

“It is commonly known that we women of easy virtue garner more customers and make more money during the spring and summer months. It is true that I have only just started my trade but with her knowledge of my higher fees, my proprietress simply wishes to make certain she receives her own proper share of my gains.” Vivian sighed softly and released David’s arm. “I must ask you to escort me to the entrance now, David.”

David withdrew his arm from Vivian’s waist and assisted her to stand again. They adjusted their clothing, collected the discarded articles and made themselves presentable. David reached down to retrieve his cloak and Vivian walked over to the shrub to gather her bouquet of flowers.

“Thank you once again, David, for my beautiful flowers.”

“You are very welcome, my dear,” David answered as he pulled back the branch covering the entrance to the hidden glade and indicated that she should emerge before him. “I wish to pose a question to you if I may. The violet fragrance you wear, is it significant other than the corresponding first letters in your name and in your designation?”

Vivian paused on the pathway until David emerged from the glade and reached her side. She resumed walking and addressed his query. “Actually, Mrs. McCrea, the housekeeper at
Huntgate
, takes great pride in creating fragrances and she has much skill in mixing scents. She presented me with my first vial of the violet fragrance on my twentieth birthday and I have worn it ever since. But I have to confess, the flower is a symbol of modesty. I do not believe my profession as the Vauxhall Vixen could be described as modest.”

“How very interesting, Vivian. Certainly another item of interest when I remember the significance of the violet fragrance in my dreams,” David answered with a tone of satisfaction in his voice, resolving not to mention the meaning of the aster flower to her as yet. “However, there must be some form of modesty in your veiled form.”

Vivian slowed her pace as she observed that they had reached the entrance to the gardens. “I dare say that is possible. And the fragrance is definitely something of note when we discuss our singular connection, David,” she agreed.

David clasped her gloved hands in his own and looked intently at his veiled companion.
“Are you available tomorrow night, my dear.”

Vivian sighed softly once again as she recognized that each subsequent evening spent in David’s company would make it harder for her to guard her heart from becoming even more emotionally involved with him. “Of course, David, I am free.”

David gently squeezed her hands as he heard her answer. “I must say that your news fills me with great happiness, Vivian. I realize that I am monopolizing your time. Perhaps we could come to an agreement. You would be my paramour exclusively. I am eagerly anticipating many other evenings enjoying the Vixen’s services.”

“You are certainly paying for the privilege, David. I will consent to be your personal courtesan for a time,” she answered. “Join me on the South Walk tomorrow near the spot where we first met.”

“That will suit perfectly, Vivian.” He raised both her hands to his face and placed a light kiss on the upper surface of each of her gloves. “Good night, my dear. I look forward to our next sojourn in sexual pleasure.”

Chapter Five

The following evening David was somewhat tardy arriving at his destination. He was outside Vauxhall Gardens just as the first rockets from the fireworks display were released into the sky. He was carrying a large satchel under one arm and his expression could be described as resolute. He spied Clifford Boots waiting patiently at his post near the entrance. David wasted no time in approaching him.

“Good evening, Mr. Boots.” The young man turned towards him and quickly bowed. “I must request that you allow me to escort Miss
Cassell
home tonight.”

Mr. Boots answered his statement in an eager manner. “My lord, I would be right pleased to hand over the task to you. Miss
Cassell
told me to come a little later this
evenin
’ but I came at the usual time
hopin
’ I’d run into her. The Duke of
Middlecrest
be
havin
’ some gentlemen over for drinks.
Chadley
, the Duke’s butler, is a good sort, Lord Maxton. He been
havin
’ no qualms about
allowin
’ me to make up my time
escortin
’ Miss
Cassell
by
lendin
’ a hand in the Duke’s stables some mornings. But
Chadley
was in a fit of the jitters when I told ’
im
I be
leavin
’ for a time this
evenin
’.”

“Then I am happy to be of service to you, Mr. Boots. You must return to your post without delay.”

“Thank you very much, my lord.” He took a hasty step away from the entrance to the gardens and then turned to face David. “You certain you will have no trouble
locatin
’ Miss
Cassell
, my lord?”

“I will not leave the gardens without her, Mr. Boots. You have my word that no harm will befall Miss
Cassell
.”

“Thank you very much, my lord.” His task relinquished to one of higher authority, Clifford Boots hurried away to resume his duties as a footman.

David paid his admission fee to the garden. Once inside the entrance gate, he studied the couples and groups of people who were sauntering toward him on the South Walk. He could discern no sign of a tall, veiled woman among them.

He stood still on the pathway for several minutes, studying the faces as best he could of those who passed him. His thoughts drifted momentarily to the dream he’d had last night. He had been in this garden once more. A woman had been with him. However, this time, the woman was not wearing a veil. He could just make out her features in the dim light. The woman in his dream was Vivian. He was certain of this fact. Even though he had not yet seen her face distinctly, a clear image of her was effectively imprinted in his mind. There could be no doubt of her identity.

As he focused once more on the people strolling around him, he became aware of an urgent need to see Vivian. He wanted to hold her in his arms again and feel the curves of her luscious body pressed against his own.

Suddenly he perceived the sound of a familiar voice coming from the direction of The Grove. “My lord, your Sally can take care of
ye
, see if she can’t!”

David turned to observe Sally as she led a somewhat disheveled gentleman out of The Grove toward the supper boxes. “Sally,” David called out to her. “I need to speak with you.”

The sound of David’s voice caused Sally to abruptly come to a halt and turn toward David, careful to keep her hand clasped on the man’s forearm. “Yes, my lord?”

“I am searching for someone. I have escorted her in this garden at another time. I trust you can tell me her whereabouts?”

“You’ll be
findin
’ her in the ladies’
retirin
’ room at the end of the South Walk, my lord.”

With a curt nod, David quickly left Sally and her companion. He moved to the end of the South Walk and discovered a small entrance that was partially covered by a large vase of cut flowers. Just as he was pondering his next move, Vivian slowly walked out of it looking to her right and left as she did so.

“David…my lord!”
She cried out and walked briskly over to his side. “I was just coming to look for you.”

David studied Vivian carefully. Her gown appeared to be in one piece and her gloves were safely upon her hands. There was a small tear on the front of her veil. “Are you hurt, my dear? I have just come upon Sally at the edge of the Grove. She told me where I would find you.”

Vivian gripped his arm. “I am unharmed, I assure you, my lord.” The veil rose and fell against the front of her gown as she took a deep breath before continuing, “I simply had to make an adjustment to my costume.”

She turned her head slightly away from David as she continued her account. “A rather boisterous couple pushed me off the main pathway this evening as I was coming to meet you. The front of my veil became caught in some shrubbery. I sought the ladies’ retiring room to determine if I could repair the damage. The veil is only slightly ripped. I can replace the fabric tomorrow. Sally was just emerging from the room when I entered.”

“I am very relieved to hear you are unhurt, my dear,” David told her in a serious tone of voice.

Vivian turned slightly and noticed the parcel David held at his side. “Do you have business in the gardens tonight other than our planned meeting?”

“No, my dear, why—” He suddenly remembered the items he had brought with him tonight. “I beg your pardon, Vivian. I had forgotten my plans for this evening in my concern for your safety.” He lifted his satchel. “I have a request, my dear. I have obtained a lady’s gown with simple front fastenings in a size for you. There is also a shawl for warmth.”

“I too have a costume which I trust will alter me into a gentleman of mystery. I would like to offer you, Vivian, the woman of my dreams, my enchanting Vixen, a chance to change roles and to enjoy some of your own fantasies with me in this garden tonight,” David gave her a warm smile as he held the parcel out for her inspection.

Vivian stood still and made no move to touch the satchel. She quickly studied the handsome gentleman before her who had become so dear to her in such a short time. And now he was offering to fulfill her fantasies this evening. How very lucky a woman she was!

“I eagerly accept your invitation, my lord. But should I inform Clifford that I do not require his escort to my lodgings this evening?”

“There is no need, my dear. I spoke with Mr. Boots at his post outside the gardens. I assured him that I would see you safely home,” David explained, grinning down at her.

“It appears that I am free to indulge myself and to comply with your request. Please, David, advise me where in the garden I should meet you.”

It was determined that Vivian should meet David behind the last archway on the South Walk a short distance away. Few people ever ventured that far down the path. Taking the garments David had procured for her, she retraced her steps to the retiring room.

Several minutes later, Vivian emerged carrying her gown and veil in one hand. She swiftly strode to the end of the pathway. As she approached the final archway, she heard the crunching sound of gravel. Vivian paused to listen more carefully to the sounds around her. The fireworks were no longer on display. She could hear faint sounds of music and laughter coming from the direction of the supper boxes. Most of the revelers seemed to have retreated to that portion of the garden.

Suddenly Vivian realized that her face was no longer covered. In her hurry to change her clothing, she had paid no attention to this detail. Certainly it was evening and dark but David would be able to clearly discern her features.

“Vivian, come to me.”

She heard his voice and slowly turned toward the sound. What she saw made her gasp with pleasure and surprise. David was standing with his back braced against the archway. He was wearing shiny black Hessian boots and black breeches. Above, he was attired in a snowy white shirt which was opened slightly to reveal his firm chest. He wore a heavy coat with several capes draped across his shoulders. Over his face, he wore a black mask. Only his eyes and mouth were visible. His dark hair was loose, sweeping in a soft, satiny arc to fall enticingly forward as he moved.

“You are making my imagination go wild, my lord,” she whispered softly as she became aware of her rapidly increasing heartbeat. Vivian’s garments slipped from her hand and fell unheeded to the ground. She slowly walked up to David and raised her gloved hand to gently stroke his bottom lip. “Are you pleased with my appearance?” Vivian asked shyly, unable to stop herself.

“My pleasure is almost beyond words, my dear,” David replied gruffly. He keenly studied her face—the high cheekbones, small straight nose, wide eyes framed by thick, dark lashes and the luscious, full lips. An ample quantity of dark, silken hair was pulled back at her nape. He pulled her into his arms. “You should be able to discern the evidence of my satisfaction momentarily, Vivian.”

As she snuggled closer to him, Vivian could feel David’s cock harden and become enlarged as it settled against the front of her gown tantalizingly near to her crotch. She lifted her face for a kiss and wrapped her hands around his neck. The sensation of kissing David in his provocative costume in a shadowy and mysterious garden setting combined with the freedom she was experiencing without the veil concealing her own face was driving her crazy with desire. The elusive sense of desperate yearning that she had experienced the previous evening before David had sucked her nub was upon her once again, only this time the sensation was much more intense.