Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 86167 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 431(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86167 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 431(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
Afterward, August gasped as if he’d just run a long distance, his breath hot on her shoulder. He bit her there, not hard enough to injure her. She made a small, complaining sound, but she didn’t really mind.
“Be still a moment,” he said. “Be still long enough for me to collect myself.”
“Yes, sir.”
She waited obediently, trembling somewhat, until his grip upon her loosened, and he began to soften within her. He pulled out of her, then rested his hands upon her shoulders and massaged her, as if searching for tension.
There was none. She was absolutely spent.
“That’s what happens to spirited young ladies who hem and haw at the king,” he whispered in her ear, as he relieved her nipples of their painful clips.
“Ouch. Oh. If only I’d known.”
He grasped her breasts as the blood rushed back to her sore nipples. She welcomed the discomfort even though it made her shudder.
“Are you ready to be released?” he asked, caressing her neck and shoulders. “Or shall we finish what I started with the cane?”
“No. Please!”
She pretended to be alarmed, but she knew he jested. He pushed her outside her comfort zone more each time as their intimate familiarity progressed, but he had not yet pushed her too far. That was why she trusted him to do such scandalous things.
He released her wrists from the cuffs and massaged the feeling back into her arms, then helped her dress so they could retire upstairs and clean themselves up in a more civilized and well-furnished area of the house. Her bottom was still hot from the spanking, sore from the lightest contact of her pantalettes.
“I don’t know if I can make it up two flights of stairs,” she said, as he extinguished the sconces.
“I’ll carry you, if you’ll carry the lamp.”
He swept her up in his arms just as he’d lifted her in the king’s chamber, when she’d pretended to be exhausted. She was truly and completely exhausted now. And yes, a bit sore on her backside, but it felt lovely to be clasped against his powerful chest, in his strong, muscular embrace.
As they exited, she took a last look around the dank chamber. No doubt she’d see it soon again, now that he’d introduced her to its wonders. Or horrors.
She smiled to herself, thinking how August’s ravenous, insatiable lovemaking was somehow a combination of both.
Chapter Nineteen
High Season
“Elizabeth! Sweeting!” August yelled up the staircase. “I fear we shall be inexcusably late.”
A footman stationed at the upper hallway didn’t move, but a maid turned and went striding toward his wife’s rooms at a fast clip.
The day of the king’s royal gathering had arrived, his unveiling of the not-quite-finished renovations to the former Buckingham House, now Buckingham Palace. It was a palace in truth, expanded in size and grandeur to suit the king’s extravagant reign.
And Elizabeth, understandably, dreaded visiting her “friend.”
They’d moved into the time of the ton’s High Season, where the entertainments came so fast and thick they began to overlap. It had been nearly a month since they’d been summoned to the king’s reception room for a private exhibition of Elizabeth’s “powers.” It had also been nearly a month since he’d introduced his wife to the secret dungeon in the cellar, and they’d spent an inordinate amount of time there between walks in the park, concerts, gatherings, and grand balls. No wonder that she’d risen late, and they were behind on their way to the king’s party.
He ought to leave her alone now and then, give her a rest from his debauchery, but she encouraged him so often, it could not be entirely his fault. Could relentlessly seducing your husband be considered a spankable offense?
“Darling, please,” he called again. “However you look, I’m sure it’s fine.”
She appeared at the head of the stairs, frowning violently.
“Are you going to wear that?” he asked. Her dress was plain for a court visit, and a very dull gold, rather than her usual floral, lacy pastels. “I mean, you look lovely…”
“I do not,” she said, starting down the stairs. “I don’t mean to. I don’t wish to catch His Majesty’s attention at this party, so I’m wearing a bland color in hopes of blending in.”
“Are you feeling all right?” As she came nearer, he noticed she looked a bit pale and wan. Even…a little green. “What’s the matter?”
“Nerves. My stomach isn’t doing well this morning. I was sick just after I woke up.”
“Shall we stay home?”
“And give the king cause to come ‘detain’ me a second time? No, I’m sure I’ll perk up as the day progresses. I want to see everyone and be there for Felicity and Carlo’s royal appearance. They’re certain to look very grand.”
He embraced her, caressing her cool cheeks. She wore little jewelry, and her glorious ebony locks had been tamed into a sedate bun.
“You’re magnificent, darling, even when you’re trying to hide your charm and beauty.” He lowered his voice. “I’m sorry if last night’s trespasses contributed to today’s tiredness. I couldn’t control myself.”