She sat up, straightening her spine against the squabs. “I would expect no less from my new protector. The finest silk, I assume?” She kept her voice light.
“If it stays cold, you might prefer flannel.”
“You have a valid point. But I doubt flannel would rip quite so readily, even under your strong grasp.”
Max chuckled. “Well played, Kitty.” She felt rather than heard him turn his head toward her. “We’ll do, you know. We’ll do well together.”
“I hope so. But we’ve certainly come a long way from a mildly shocking breakfast to…this.”
“We have. But then again, are we run-of-the-mill people? The decorous and unwed Miss Ridlington? The permanent bachelor Mr. Seton-Mowbray? Should we have met at the library and exchanged books? Or perhaps taken a daring stroll around the Elgin Marbles without a maid in attendance?”
She shook her head. “No. No, you’re right. We are definitely not those people.”
“Well then, dear Kitty.” The carriage slowed. “I have no hesitation in welcoming you to Mowbray House as my mistress. You will have a room of your own next to mine, and my staff will see you settled comfortably. And within the hour I shall expect you to be naked and awaiting my summons.” He paused for an instant. “Pleasure awaits.”
She couldn’t answer him. Unformed words trembled on her lips, but she could not find her voice. Which was a good thing, since they had arrived and a servant was already opening the door. It would not have done for the man to have overheard his master’s guest whispering “yes, I’ll be naked. Take me, Max”.
No, that would not have done at all.
*~~*~~*
Mowbray House had always prided itself on its ability to welcome anyone at any time. The staff understood the family’s needs; those who did not…well, their tenure was brief.
Deery was already at the door awaiting their arrival, and there wasn’t one flutter of an eyelash when he discovered his master was not alone.
“Good evening sir, Miss Ridlington,” he said. “I trust your journey hasn’t chilled you overmuch. There is a fire going in the small salon…” He relieved her of her cloak.
Max noted the death grip she’d developed on the edges of her purple domino. It was probably the only thing concealing her ruined gown. The thought of those breasts increased the painful hardness of his cock beneath snug breeches. A change of topic was in order.
“Deery, my carriage was appropriated by somebody at the DuClos masquerade. Sinjun Forrester loaned me his. Can you make sure it’s returned? Feed the horses and the driver beforehand, of course…”
“Indeed, sir. I will make sure it’s taken care of.”
“And let me know if my carriage shows up, would you? I’d like to know who the devil thought it was all right to take a man’s carriage without letting him know.”
“Completely inappropriate, sir.”
Max nodded. “Well, since we’re on the topic of inappropriate, you should know that Miss Ridlington has done me the honor of accepting the position of my mistress.”
“Really, sir?”
The man was amazing. One raised eyebrow greeted a statement that would have sent most of theToninto a twitching fit of astounded horror.
Max nodded. “Yes, really. Quite publicly, too.”
Deery turned to Kitty. “In that case, you are most welcome, Miss Ridlington. Please let myself or Mrs. Garnet, our housekeeper, know of your needs?”
He wanted to laugh as Kitty’s jawnearlydropped. But she managed to keep it in place long enough to smile and murmur her thanks.
“Right then. Obviously Miss Ridlington has no luggage at the moment; we’ll take care of fetching her belongings tomorrow. She will have the Bluebell room, Deery. I think that will be best?”
“I shall have a fire lit in there immediately, sir.”
“Excellent. I think perhaps a few of m’sister’s night things will suffice for this evening.”
“As you wish. One of the maids will attend to it. Would you care for a nightcap while the staff sets matters to rights?”
Max glanced at Kitty, pale now, and probably more than a little on edge. Then he nodded. “I believe a brandy would work well for us both. It’s been a long and unusual day.”
