Her
skin fell hot and prickly, her stomach ice cold at his words. She rallied. "You must be very drunk indeed if you dunk that time will ever come. "
"It takes a lot to get me drunk, my love," he said. He'd stopped calling her "child," and she realized she would have preferred it to his mock endearments. "Get on the bed with me, and you're safe. For now. "
"And if I don't?"
"Then when the servants unlock the door tomorrow morning they'll find you tied up and gagged and you'll stay right here until I decide to let you go. "
''Wouldn't you be more likely to have an enjoyable. , . orgy if your servants simply brought you another willing female?"
"Another? I hadn't realized you were willing. "
"I mean another female who, unlike me, happens to be willing. "
It really was unfortunate. He had the most seductive voice, making the wicked things he was saying sound almost irresistible.
He smiled at her. "I suppose they could, and you could watch, as long as you promised not to make too much noise. "
"You're disgusting. "
He laughed softly. "I'm healthy. You haven't asked what you'll get if you agree to my devil's bargain. You get on the bed with me, let me touch you, and when morning comes you get to leave, dignity and virginity intact. "
"Why should I trust you?"
He shrugged. "My word as a gentleman?"
Her snort expressed a certain lack of faith.
"What kind of assurance can I give you?"
"Unlock the door. Then I'll know I can leave any time I want. ”
"But you can't. In fact, I can't either. So we're equals, of a sort. I'm not asking much, my angel. No trespass against your maidenly flesh. And I can't fathom why you're protesting so staunchly. You're the one who came to the Revels of your own free will. You walked through the Portal of Venus, dressed in monk's robes. You must have been in search of something, and since you stood side by side with Lady Whitmore I know you weren't looking for Lina. So, tell me, why did you come here in the first place? Where you looking for me?"
Author: Anne Stuart
At that moment she couldn't remember. It seemed so long ago, lost in the realm of her own monumental stupidity. ''Don't be ridiculous," she snapped. "I was. . . scientifically curious. As for your stupid Portal of Venus, Lina was going to point it out to me, but she disappeared. "
His expression didn't change, and yet she knew his amusement at her expense was increasing. "Allow me to satisfy your curiosity. I'm more than happy to ensure you experience everything you've ever wondered about. "
From this short distance the bottle wouldn't kill him, but it might startle him enough to give her time to escape. Though the door would have to be opened. If he was to be believed that time wouldn't come until morning. "You fail to understand," she said stiffly. "I'm an old maid. A spinster. Happily on the shelf. Since I would have no chance or interest in experiencing the. . . the lust that seems to be of such paramount importance in most people's lives, I thought I could simply come and observe. I'm of a scientific bent, and there's nothing wrong with a little intellectual curiosity. ”
He laughed again. It should have annoyed her. Instead it sent a trickle of warmth into her belly. "A true scientist does more than observes—he experiments. ”
"I’m not a true scientist. Observation is enough. " "Then would you like to sit and watch while I disport myself with a more willing female?"
"No," she said instantly. Then regretted it.
"And why not?"
When she didn't answer, he laughed again. "Never mind, precious. Your secrets are safe with me. "
"I have no secrets," she said sharply.
"Don't you, now?" he said softly. "Then you'd be the only one. " He stretched, slowly, luxuriantly, like a sleepy cat. A tall, beautiful, elegant, sleepy cat "You really have no idea what you're turning down. Pm accounted to be one of the most accomplished lovers in society. No woman has ever left my bed unsatisfied,
"Then why don't you get one of them in here?"