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)
But he did, at the accustomed time.
He knocked and entered to her soft “Come in.” She awaited him in one of her ridiculously innocent white nightgowns. He must buy her something more daring when they moved to London for the Season…something black or gold. Something red. Something striking and risqué. Of course, word might get back to her father or brother that he was buying clothes for a mistress.
His mistress was history. He never even thought of her, could barely remember her name. What he’d felt for her was a scant iota of what he felt for Elizabeth.
She tore her gaze from a book opened in her lap. “August, come look. I thought of this today in your modeling room.”
He strode to the bed, resisting the urge to strip off his robe, toss the book aside, and fall on her. “What’s this?” He sat on the edge of the bed, lifted the volume, and read the spine. “The Legends of Arthur the King. Is this from my library?”
“No, it’s my book from home. Mama and Papa gave it to me as a gift years ago.” She took the volume back and turned to an illustration of a knight in dark pencil. “Doesn’t this look just like the knight you made?”
“Indeed, it does. Is this Arthur or Lancelot?”
“It doesn’t specify. It might be one of the other knights.”
“I see.” He took it from her, closing it and setting it on the side table. “Perhaps we can discuss Arthurian legends later. I’d like to talk about our conversation earlier today in my modeling room.”
“Goodness.” She forced a smile. “I still can’t get over how talented you are.”
“That’s not what I want to discuss.”
“Oh. That’s unfortunate.”
“Unfortunate indeed.” He must not become sidetracked by her wide eyes, her pouting lips. “I’ve wanted to spank you all day, Elizabeth, for antagonizing me and making me cross.”
“I didn’t mean to do that. If I even did.”
“You did.” He must be stern with her. “What do you deserve as punishment?”
“Nothing. You’re being rather unfair.” She lowered her head, then looked back at him in accusation. “You antagonized me, too.”
“We exchanged cross words, but most of the trespasses were yours.”
Of course, her main trespass had been throwing Felicity in his face again. She knew he didn’t like it. He lifted her, blasted nightgown and all, and forced her resisting figure over his lap. “I don’t mean to quash your spirit, darling, but you must have a care in our relationship. You mustn’t bait me and…speak of her.”
“How can I not?” she said, pulling her gown down even as he hiked it up. “How can I not speak of her, when she was such a part of your life?”
“Because I’ve asked you not to! I’ve asked it more than once.”
He collected her flailing arms at her back and landed a spank over her pantalettes, then removed them from her squirming bottom and tossed them across the room. “You’re no longer to wear any pantalettes to bed. Ever.”
“Why not?”
“Because I forbid it. Because they get in my way when I want to punish you.” And fuck you. And drive a big, smarting plug of ginger into your naughty arsehole.
“You can’t spank me now,” she protested. “Not here in my bed, as I’m preparing to sleep.”
He disproved that misguided theory with another series of smacks upon her pert cheeks.
“I’m your husband now.” Smack. “That means I can spank you wherever and whenever I see fit, whenever I think you need it.” Smack. Smack. “We’ve discussed this already.”
“Such domineering tactics won’t change my behavior.” She cried out as his palm connected again. “In fact, it will only make me antagonize you more.”
He paused, rubbing his palm across her heated arse. “So, you admit you antagonized me?”
“I admit nothing. You were cross this morning, too. Very cross and prickly. Ow!” She kicked her legs as he landed several stinging spanks in a row. “Perhaps I was a bit impertinent this morning…” she admitted, voice trembling.
“A bit?”
He felt her body tense as he increased the tempo—and velocity—of blows. Now and again, a wail escaped amidst her agonized huffs of protest.
Surely she understood that only drove him on.
“I won’t speak of her again, then,” she cried when he stopped to rest his hand. “I’ll never say her name. I won’t say anything to you at all, forever, if you wish.”
“You know that’s not what I wish.”
His fingers curved around one reddened buttock. Her breath hitched as he dipped a finger between her pussy lips. He wanted to see if she was wet.
She was.
I should not be spanking her right now. I want her too badly.
“I want you to speak your mind, Elizabeth, whenever you please. But when you cross a line…” Smack. “I’ll spank you for it.” Smack. “You know very well where that line is.” Smack. “Though I’m happy to continue spanking you if you choose to feign ignorance.” Smack. “Lord knows I enjoy spanking you. You enjoy it too.”