“I would consider it practice for when I have a son of my own one day. That’s all.”
Lucretia surveyed him. She had a feeling there was more to it than that. After all, Felix had gone out of his way to help Marcus, even as he was trying to undermine her. He seemed to like Marcus, and Marcus had even gone so far as to say “he’s not so bad” about Felix at one point. Which was high praise from her son.
It might not be the worst thing for Marcus to find a mentor in Felix. It still rankled that Felix had developed a rapport with him without even trying, but she had to think of what was best for Marcus.
Lucretia considered. Logically, this offer seemed to have no downsides for her. She would get freedom from Felix’s scheming, a mentor for her son, not to mention the chance to…
She tore her mind away from the prospect of thecarnal relationshiphe offered. She could not go around making decisions based on lust. If she was to consider this, there would need to be parameters.
“How long would this continue?” Lucretia asked. “I offered you two weeks in our last conversation.”
He contemplated for a moment, his gaze raking over her. “I propose an indefinite term. Any of us, including Marcus, may dissolve the agreement at any time.”
Indefinite. Her mouth went dry at the thought of an indefinite carnal relationship with Felix. The last time they’d discussed this, she’d treated her body as a tool to be bartered. But now, after that night, she recognized the mutual pleasure that could be found in such an arrangement. This was no longer about offering herself in payment, but instead it had become something with an intriguing sense of balance.
“I’ll put your offer of mentorship to Marcus to see if he agrees,” Lucretia said. “For the rest, I have one amendment.” She swallowed and met his gaze. Was she really about to agree to this? “I don’t want to be your lover. I want to be your teacher.”
This way, at least, she could maintain some distance, some control. Simply becoming lovers was too nebulous, dangerous in its latitude. Where these things were concerned, she sensed boundaries were important. She could allow herself to enjoy it—to enjoyhim—but only within the limits she would set.
Heat flared in his gray eyes, turning them to smoldering charcoal. “Are you qualified to teach such things? As far as I understand, you’ve only been with one man. I may be better served with a more experienced instructor.”
Her eyebrows shot up, indignant. “I was married to Cornelius for fifteen years. Assuming we had relations an average of eight times a month during that time, that is a total of…” She paused, working out the numbers in her head.
“One thousand, four hundred and forty times,” Felix finished.
She glared at him, irritated that he’d solved it before her. “Which is one thousand, four hundred and forty times more than you, if I’m not mistaken.” Her calculations were inflated, given how often Cornelius had been absent and how their relations waned in the last years of their marriage, but Felix didn’t need to know that.
A smile twitched at the corner of his mouth. “I concede, and accept your amendment.”
Dihya arrived, escorted by Caeso, just as Felix departed. “What didhewant?” Dihya questioned, looking after Felix with a suspicious glower.
Lucretia leaned against the wall beside Dihya’s desk. Her mind whirled as she tried to comprehend what she’d agreed to. How had they gone from rivals to her agreeing to teach Felix the ways of the flesh in exchange for a truce? It was insanity.
But during that conversation with Felix, it seemed to make perfect sense.
“He gave some more thought to the arrangement I proposed after the shipwreck.” A shiver of nerves ran through her. What would Dihya think of all this? “He wants to apprentice Marcus. In exchange for a truce and…a carnal relationship.” Lucretia left out the part about Felix’s lack of experience; it didn’t feel right to share something so personal about him.
Dihya let out a ringing laugh. “So you’re really going to do it?”
Lucretia glared at her. “This is not a laughing matter.”
Dihya didn’t restrain her chuckles. “I should have known it would take a business proposition in order for you to consider sleeping with someone new.”
The enormity of what she had agreed to finally sunk in. Sleeping with Felix? Being intimate with him? “I’m already regretting this.” She pressed her hands to her eyes. “I should back out. Never mind the truce, we’ll just have to think of something else—”
“No!” Dihya grabbed Lucretia’s hands, forcing her to open her eyes. “You’re unattached, and there is a young, handsome man who desires you. You don’t need to marry him, but don’t waste this chance.” Dihya raised an eyebrow. “Sound familiar?”
Lucretia let out a resigned sigh. Those were her exact words from when she’d convinced Dihya to give Caeso a chance. “Your memory can be extremely irritating.”
Dihya smiled smugly. “Trust me, it will be worth your while. I have a feeling Felix is good in bed.”
Lucretia flushed. “How could you possibly sense such a thing?”
Dihya lifted one shoulder in a shrug. “Men like him—those who come off as being so aloof and reserved—my theory is they let it all out in bed.” Her smirk grew. “I bet he’ll be a wild lay.”
“Dihya!” Lucretia’s cheeks burned. She didn’t want to admit that Dihya might have a point. Despite Felix’s inexperience, and despite the fact that they hadn’t even shed their clothes, there had indeed been something…wild…about their brief encounter at the tavern. “Is Caeso like that?”
“Well, unlike Felix, Caeso isnice. But when it comes to bedding…” A knowing smile grew on Dihya’s lips. “Let’s just say the man knows what he wants and has no qualms about taking it. Do you have any idea how strong hauling sacks of flour and kneading bread makes a man?”
