He would enjoy this time in Bath, away from the Season and the Ton. Not because she was helping him, although that was a nice benefit. Rather, he could bask in her light safely and enjoy the warm glow of herjoie de vivre.
They turned onto the block for the guesthouse. As though she read his last thought, she slid him a look. “I think I should see a few more examples of what you need.”
He grunted, playing at noncommittal.
I want her in every last piece, but I am afraid if I put them on her, I’ll never part with them, even the commissioned ones.
Always before, he had paid little attention to the person in his contraptions, instead focusing on the design. Would it be comfortable for a half hour? An hour? Would it work for various body types and sizes, for men and women?
Last night, though, the possibilities of the woman rather than the leather enthralled him. He’d scrutinized every expression, wanting to ensure she experienced the utmost pleasure possible. He’d watched every physical response, more so than he’d ever done. His years since university had been spent learning women’s bodies and how to read them, and last night he’d applied every ounce of skill. The cuffs had merely been a means to an end.
Taking his silence as uncertainty, Beth prodded, “I think I deserve a reward for my help today.” In the foyer of the guest house, she turned toward him and drew a line down his waistcoat buttons with one finger. “Don’t you?”
Grabbing her hand, Robert tugged her upstairs. “I do want to show you a few pieces. Some will require more delicate metalwork than others. Smaller buckles, more decorative fastenings, and the like.”
“Excellent.” Beth was out of breath.
He’d like to think it was at the prospect of seeing more of his work.
In his room, he knelt at the trunk and picked out a few items. Laying a pile on the bed, he held one item up. It was a set of cuffs with a long lead to a collar.
“Here, look at the clips and rings. I want some smaller than this and some larger.”
“Why?”
He smiled. “The larger, as you saw at Cheltie’s house, are for men, as they are stronger than women. The smaller are to attach cuffs to different places. For instance, you don’t want two big rings on either side of a collar on a woman. It would not look appealing. However, I want her partner to be able to cuff her wrists to that collar to keep them out of his or her way.”
“Oh.” Definitely breathy again.
He smiled.
Putting that aside, he picked up the corset she’d worn the previous evening.
Poking at one of the breast holes, he glanced up to catch her gaze. “These are simply cut at the moment. The circular shape does not allow stitching around it, so I’d like to add a ring to smooth and hold the edge of the leather and press into the areola. It might also add an element of cold.”
She shivered.
He grinned again.
“W—with your current blacksmith…” Beth seemed to struggle to form the question. “Do you tell him the purpose of the pieces you’re requesting or simply provide specifications of what you want?”
“I tell him. Often the smith will have better ideas on how to mesh the metalwork with the leatherwork. It requires trust, but I also pay well for his discretion.”
She nodded, gulping, her eyes still on the corset. “How do you judge what size cups a woman needs?”
“Usually she’ll provide a set of stays or measurements from her modiste. Or I can judge for myself.” With her obvious arousal, he needed no further permission to reach out and cup her delectable breasts.
Her weight shifted, pressing into his hands, and she grabbed him for support. “Do you mayhap need someone to help you test items before you offer them for sale?”
Was she volunteering? He hoped but had to make sure he understood. “Are you volunteering to help me find someone?” He punctuated the question with a swipe of his thumbs across the pointed tips of her breasts.
“No! I meant me.”
He smiled with satisfaction. “Right, then. After eating, we’ll test a few things.”
****
Robert was glad Beth’s behavior did not warrant punishment tonight, as neither of them would have made it through supper.
