Cage wound his arm across Caroline’s collarbone to pull her back flush against him. Her wings pressed against his chest. His fingers played lightly across the top of her cleavage. “Peaseblossom is my lady; she is not for sharing.” He gave the other man a stern look.
Gaylord immediately backed up. “Sure, sure. There are plenty of other entertainments here tonight.” He gave a sloppy smile to the redhead and reached for her again. The woman slid under his arm once more, running her fingers through his hair affectionately. The two of them wandered off.
“Yuck,” Caroline whispered furiously.
He saw no reason to let her go. Let the room see exactly who she was with tonight. He hadn’t thought hard enough about how he planned to keep the wolves from touching her. The low cut of her costume gave him a delicious view of her breasts. He continued his languid exploration of the soft skin displayed. Caroline sighed, and her head fell back against his shoulder. Unable to resist, he bent his head and placed a kiss at the juncture of her neck and shoulder. “Let’s let them all see who you belong to this evening.”
“Mmmm.” Caroline nodded. “Do you think that woman with Gaylord is a prostitute?”
What? He ordered his brain to concentrate. How could she stay focused while he was thoroughly distracted by the scent and feel of her against his body? She smelled the opposite of her outward appearance. Instead of expensive French perfume, the scent of fresh soap and a hint of lavender hit his nostrils as he nuzzled her neck. She smelled like a summer day.
He moved up to bite her earlobe, earning him a small squeak of surprise. “Most likely. Did you notice she was wearing a plain black mask? Many of the women who are guests are dressed far more elaborately.” With a hand at her waist, he spun Caroline to face him. Her lips parted in surprise, and her chest bore apink flush. Perhaps she wasn’t as indifferent to his touch as he thought. He leaned down to speak in her ear again. “We need to wander out of this room and see what else is happening. There is always card playing at these events, and the invitation said there will be a midnight supper. Let’s go explore.”
Chapter 18
Caroline took a long swallow from the wine glass Morgan had pulled off a tray before they left the room. It did nothing to cool her parched throat. The hot flush she’d felt spread across her chest while Cage had nuzzled at her neck seem to intensify. She tipped the glass and drained its contents, hoping it would lend her some courage.
This party was not like any that she had ever attended. Over the years, she had seen drunken guests make fools of themselves, but never had she seen anybody dancing like those people in the drawing room. There was so much touching and brushing up against each other. And the behavior of the mixed company sitting on the sofas, one woman sat on top of her partner’s lap! Every man they passed leered openly at her. Apparently, all decorum had been left at the front door.
Cage tugged her hand, and she followed him around the corner to the left. They passed a smaller receiving room of sorts. It was empty of people, but a half-circle of chairs surrounded a platform covered in green moss and flower petals. A wooden pole painted to look like a birch tree grew from the moss. Its fake branches were draped in green tulle, similar to the decorations in the other room. The extravagance of the decorations impressed her. Caroline briefly wondered who Devonshire hired to create the forest theme.
As they continued down the wide corridor, smoke wafted from the next room’s open door. “This will be the card room.” Cage explained in a low voice. “Ready?”
Caroline nodded. She pasted on a bright smile and wound her arm around Morgan’s waist, his solid body an anchor as she walked into a lion’s den. Six card tables dotted the spacious room. Around the edges, settees lined the walls. At one end, a cavernous stone fireplace radiated warmth to the room. Thisspace was considerably dimmer than the drawing room. Cigar smoke floated up and swirled around a single chandelier that hung in the center, illuminating the card tables. The edges of the room remained shadowed and private.
A man stood abruptly from a nearby chaise, the woman who sat on his lap slid to the floor.
“Hey,” she yelped.
The man moved toward them without a backward glance at the woman. “Welcome! Who do we have here?”
Devonshire’s face became clear as he walked out from the shadows.Blast.What in God’s name was he wearing? It looked like a sheet wrapped loosely around his torso; a golden belt around his waist held the draped fabric in place. She could see the black hair on his calves! On top of his head, he wore a silver crown fit for a king.
“Ah, Devonshire. Thank you for the last-minute invitation.” Morgan greeted the man.
“Not a problem.” Devonshire’s sharp eyes raked up and down her body. “Now tell me, who have you brought with you?”
“Ah, this is my special lady friend, the beautiful fairy, Peaseblossom.”
Caroline curtsied and then did a small twirl before giggling. She wondered if anyone they’d spoken to thought it odd that all she was capable of was giggling. Devonshire just chuckled.
“Wrotham, I’m glad you brought a friend. Let me know if there is anything either of you desires. Tomorrow will come soon enough, but tonight will be like one long dream under the midsummer night’s moon.” Devonshire reached out to draw a finger slowly across her jaw.
Caroline drew in a sharp breath. She managed to stay still and not recoil at his touch. Morgan’s hand squeezed hers tightly. He continued to smile, but a muscle in his jaw twitched.
“We’ll be sure to tell you if anything, or anyone, tickles our fancy.” Morgan pulled her against him. “Won’t we, darling?”
Caroline looked up at him and nodded, glad to have the excuse to turn from Devonshire’s lurid gaze.
“We do so like to play with others.” Morgan chuckled lowly.
Caroline laughed along with him, although she was confused about where he was leading the conversation. He needed to find out about the girl or the auction or both. Flirting with Devonshire was making her nervous. Even though, with her mask and wig, he couldn’t possibly guess it was her, her stomach knotted.
Devonshire’s lips turned up in a wicked smile. “All of the women wearing plain black masks are here from Mrs. Gwyn’s place. She has brought all her best girls to play tonight.”
Morgan wrinkled his nose. “We prefer someone more innocent and pure. This one here likes to corrupt. She certainly has corrupted me.” He slapped her backside with a laugh.
How dare he! The men’s laughter at her expense sparked her temper. She bared her teeth in a tight smile. Oh, she liked to corrupt, did she? She walked her fingertips up Morgan’s chest, across the pulse beating in his neck, and around to cup the back of his head. Grasping his hair, she pulled Morgan’s head down. As his mouth drew close to hers, his laughter died, and his gaze locked on her lips. She placed a kiss on his jaw. Then she slid her lips down to his neck, where she bit him viciously.
