Chapter 8
“Good God! Miss White, youmustbecome my mistress.” Lord Reddington rose from his seat on the chaise, his wrists still tied and the damp spot on the falls of his trousers evidence that her plan had worked.
Mary was rather surprised at how quickly hertaskhad been completed. Ordinarily it took men at least a half of an hour to be fulfilled without a single touch, but Lord Reddington had found completion within ten minutes.
She smiled at him, her eyes crinkling in the corners. “I am mistress to no one.”
“Then you must say yes. Be my mistress.”
She had been propositioned by many men and her answer with Lord Reddington would be the same as the others. Mary shook her head. “I will not become a mistress. I prefer the freedom to choose.”
“Then I shall come again tomorrow. And the day after…”
Curses. The man was determined. Though…that might work to her advantage.
Mary slipped her chemisette over her mostly nude form and sidled up close to him. “La, what a persistent man. You may come back, Lord Reddington,” she said in a throaty whisper, “but my answer will remain the same.” As she pulled away, she slid her scarf from around his wrists and draped it over the decorative mirror of her dressing table.
She heard him stand behind her before she felt his body press against her back, his arms curving around her middle to pull her tightly against his front.
“Please, dearling, call me James. I long to hear my name on your lips.” He spun her in his arms, turning her so he could see her face as she spoke.
The corner of her mouth curved up. “James,” she whispered.
“Mmmm,” he hummed, squeezing her tighter against him. “Louder.”
She reached around her back to clasp one of his hands in hers, forcing him to loosen his grip. Bringing it slowly upward, she used his hand to caress her hip, her waist, and then between their bodies to graze her chest, finally reaching her deliberately chosen final destination. She lightly grazed his fingertips over her pouted lips, then she pulled his forefinger into her mouth and bit the tip. “James.”
A grunt of satisfaction escaped him as he pulled her to him once more. He wedged his face in the soft area between her neck and shoulder and inhaled deeply. “A good friend of mine is hosting a house party in a fortnight.” His voice was muffled against her skin. “Tell me you will accompany me.”
She placed her most charming smile on her lips. “That, my lord, I will most certainly do.” She lifted an eyebrow as she placed her hands on his shoulders. “However, I will not go as your mistress and I insist that we arrive separately.”
“Come now, love, you don’t know what you’re missing.” His liquor-scented breath wafted over her and she suppressed a grimace. Ever since her horrifying experience all those years ago, she had a vehement distaste for all spirits, particularly those riding upon the breath of a man.
Mary raised an eyebrow once more and began to pull away from him.
He tightened his hold. “I concede!” he said almost desperately. “I concede, minx.”
She dazzled him with a bright smile. “I would be delighted to attend. Thank you.”
Suddenly, the door swung open and a man tumbled in, falling to the floor. Startled, they both jumped. Lord Reddington released her, causing Mary to stumble backward.
“I say!” Lord Reddington exclaimed, red faced.
The man staggered awkwardly to his feet, the stench of brandy seeping from his clothing and filling the air around him.
“I say, get out, sir! This room is taken!” Lord Reddington removed the hat still resting on his head and placed it discretely over his pelvic region as he stepped away from Mary.
The intoxicated man looked around, bleary eyed, at his surroundings. His bright clothing was rumpled, but of fine quality, his black hair was wavy and haphazardly styled atop his head, and he sported the dark outline of several days’ growth of beard.
Mary stepped toward the confused man with a mind to help, but Lord Reddington placed a hand on her arm to hold her back.
“Did you hear what I said, sir?” Lord Reddington’s voice darkened.
The man turned bloodshot blue eyes in their direction, his gaze sweeping them both from head to toe. A slow grin spread across his lips. “Oooh…I geddit.” He brought a hand up to touch the tip of his index finger to his nose, but missed and poked himself in the eye. “Bl—bloody hell!” He blinked rapidly, losing his balance and knocking into the stool in front of her dressing table. “Shhhh!”
He righted himself again, though still unsteady. “Having a liddle fun, eh?” He winked both eyes, his grin growing to show perfectly white teeth. “I don’ wanna interrupt!” He wiggled his fingers suggestively and suddenly Mary felt the urge to smile.
The intoxicated man turned to leave but tripped over his own foot and fell face down onto the floor.
