CHOCOLATE, TEA AND THE DUCHESS (17 page)

more than those for someone who lives under the same roof."

"No, I don't know any such thing, though I'd hoped you enjoyed our relations as

much as I."

He took her face in his hands, rubbing her cheekbones with his thumbs. "Yes, I

more than enjoy our
relations
, Felicity. Have I not made that apparent?"

"Yes, I suppose you have, but then you go to the club, and I am again filled with

confusion."

"I am not sure that one really has to do with the other. I suppose in other

marriages it could be explained that simply, but ours is different, because of my other

needs. I need you Felicity, I have come to realize this, but I need another as well, and I

believe that other person is Alex."

"What are you proposing, Phillip?"

"I wish to see if there is room in
our
lives for another, for Alex."

He'd never been so candid with anyone. He'd cut his chest open and bared his

soul. Waiting for her response was horrendous, and she took her time in answering.

Felicity didn't say a word, but instead looked deeply into his dark eyes. He

looked more vulnerable than she'd ever seen him. He sought her approval, her

acceptance.

She wanted her husband—all of him, with his quirks and his differences. He was

the most honest man she'd ever known. Phillip was caring and generous, but he was

also deeply troubled. She suspected she knew the cause of that conflict, and she

wouldn't contribute to furthering his pain.

"What are you asking of me?"

"I want you to meet Alex. I've arranged for the three of us to have dinner at the

Sapphire Club in one week's time. I am not sure where things can go from there, but I

wish to discuss it. I very much wish to explore the possibilities, but it will take the three

of us to determine if we can all co-exist or not."

Felicity was surprised, but found she wasn't adverse to what she thought Phillip

was proposing. She wanted to please her husband, and the idea of another man in their

relationship was oddly pleasing to her as well. Before she could say a word, Phillip

continued.

"I will never ask anything of you that you are not willing to give. I am not sure

how I feel about the possibility of another man touching you, and I will not allow it if

you are adverse, but I confess, at my peril, the idea intrigues me."

Wishing to please him and knowing for a certainty their marriage would suffer if

she didn't at least agree to talk about this, she finally said, "I am willing to explore this

with you."

Phillip's eyes lit up with his smile. He leaned forward and kissed her, a sweet,

chaste kiss.

"I will not force anything on you. You are free to make up your mind and I will

respect your thoughts and feelings. Nothing needs to be decided now. We will have

dinner with Alex, along with a frank discussion. You may interject as often as you

wish."

"I look forward to meeting him, and you know, I never have a lack of thoughts or

opinions." They laughed together lightheartedly. It felt good to laugh with him.

"You are quite a girl, my Felicity."

"I am afraid when I show you what I have purchased, you might have a vastly

different opinion of me."

"My entire fortune is at your disposal, my dear. You may buy whatever you

wish."

"Before I show you, I want you to know that I bought them because of you. I

hope what I propose pleases you."

She leaned over the drawer in the table beside the bed. She removed a long,

black velvet pouch and laid it on the bed beside them. When she opened the pouch, she

took out three more pouches and set them side by side on the bed.

"What is this?"

She picked one up and handed it to him. "Open it."

He did just that and removed the object from its pouch. In his hand he held a

clear glass phallus. His eyes darted between the object and Felicity.

"Where did you get this?"

"Serenity Damrill gave me the direction of a man in London who makes them for

particular clients."

"Yes, I have heard of him. What are these pouches?"

In order of size, she uncovered the other two as well. "I thought you might use

these on me," she said in a tiny voice.

Phillip's reaction apparently left him speechless. She'd never seen Phillip so

stunned. "I have heard anal sex is wonderful and I wish to learn."

"Where would you hear such a thing?"

"I had a discussion with Serenity and Lady Desiree. It appears you have been

keeping something quite glorious from me, and I wish to put an end to that,

immediately."

Phillip had picked up each phallus in turn. They were in graduating sizes, until

the third was nearly has large as he was in both girth and length.

"I wish to one day accept you in that way, Phillip."

Phillip felt his heart and his cock lurch. How could one young girl have such a

profound effect upon his life?

"You wish to have me—"

"Yes, Phillip."

"Why?" He could say no more, for his tongue was firmly tied.

"At first it was to please you. I thought it was what you wanted at the club, and if

I could provide it for you, you wouldn't need to go there. However, after a discussion

with Serenity and Desiree, I realized
I
am curious."

"Are you quite sure?"

"I am more than sure. My new friends told me it is wonderful, once you get used

to it, and I wish to get used to it."

She winked at him and melted the heart he thought had long ago turned to

stone.

"You are an amazing young woman, my duchess. How did I ever earn the right

to have you?"

"I simply allowed you to compromise me and the deed was done." Her eyes

twinkled, and her smile brightened the room.

"You are indeed an adventurous one, aren't you?"

She picked up the smallest of the three phalluses and held it in her hands. "I

believe we should start with this one."

Electricity flashed through him. Could this really be happening to him? Could

his wife be this amenable? He'd never imagined anything but disaster, which was why

he'd never married. He deplored having to explain himself, especially when he had no

explanation. He was who he was. Then this wonderful woman burst into his life and

makes him feel less an oddity and more a man than he'd ever felt before.

"Do you know how special you are, my beautiful Felicity?"

Innocently, she shook her head.

"My life is very complicated. I have feelings I've never truly understood, though I

have acted upon them. I've been alone most of my life because of those feelings. It was

when the Sapphire Club was established that I began to feel at liberty to be who I feel I

really am. I am now coming to feel that I am safe with you as well."

Absently playing with the phallus and gazing into his eyes, she spoke. "You are

entitled to the feelings you have as are we all. No one should try to make us who we are

not. My mother has tried that with me for years. I have always been somewhat of a

rebel, and I believe you are too. I care for you, Phillip, more deeply every day, and my

fondest wish is for your happiness, for in that, my own is won. I will ensure the safety

of your secrets and your heart, for I wish only to spend all my days with you, in

whatever way you deem fit. I am your wife."

"You will consider Alex as part of our relationship?"

"I will consider him, but only if he is half as handsome as you are."

Phillip laughed. "I fear when you see him, I will pale by comparison. He is quite

handsome and much lighter of heart than I."

"I rather like your darker side, darling duke. You always make me wonder what

it is you are thinking."

He took the phallus from her, rubbing his hand over the glass that had been

warmed by her hands.

"Can you guess what it is I am thinking at this moment?"

"I believe, sir, our thoughts are in accord."

"If that is true, my dear, let me help you out of that gown."

Chapter Seventeen

As their carriage rolled closer to the club one week later, Phillip confessed his

nervousness at the impending meeting. Felicity seemed outwardly calm, holding her

chin up and smiling, as always. Phillip hoped all would be well. He began to fear his

own anticipation and his need to have Alex become a permanent part of his life—their

lives, as could possibly be.

He and Felicity had continued their discussion throughout the last week,

awakening him to the reality that was the woman he'd been forced to marry. She'd

given him not a moment to regret that event—quite the contrary. She accepted him for

who he was, something even he had been unable to do.

He wanted the three of them to find common ground. To find a way to live out

the fantasies he'd held so close to his heart. He needed to have both Felicity and Alex in

order to feel whole.

Felicity looked particularly beautiful this evening, dressed in a rose-colored

gown, short sleeves, her arms covered with a white shawl. Her hair was done in a loose

chignon at her nape. Simple jewelry and a particularly fetching smile. He'd found she

looked older, but it could just be the maturity he seen grow in her.

"What are you thinking?" he asked.

"I am thinking about your friend and whether he is as handsome as you are at

this moment."

"Flattery will buy you jewels, madam."

"Will it buy your heart, sir?"

"You already have that, my dear Felicity, if for no other reason than you are here

with me now."

"I wish to be no other place or with any other person."

"Remember, you needn't agree to anything you feel uncomfortable with, darling.

I will understand."

"Will you understand if I agree to it all?"

He looked at her and realized he had no idea what "it all" was. "I am not sure

what I wish your role to be or what your involvement with Alex
should
be. I only know

what my fantasy is, but you will need to decide for yourself, I suppose, or should we

decide together?"

"We will decide together, when the time comes."

The carriage slowed, preparing to stop in front of the Sapphire Club.

They were ushered into the entrance hall by Hampton. "All the arrangements

have been made, Your Grace."

"Thank you, Hampton. Has my guest arrived?"

"I don't believe so, Your Grace, but I will escort him personally when he does."

Phillip nodded sharply and guided Felicity to the room on the second floor. She

suddenly appeared somewhat nervous, as her hand fluttered upon his arm.

"Please, don't be afraid," he implored.

"I wouldn't say I am afraid." Her voice seemed to quiver.

"What is it then?"

"Just curious as to how this will go. I will be fine, please, don't worry about me."

She patted his hand and smiled, though he sensed she was more trying to convince

herself than him.

When they entered the room, he noted how beautifully it had been done. A table

sat far from the huge bed, decorated with candles and a linen cloth. Crystal goblets and

heavy silver cutlery marked the three table settings. Wine and glasses sat on a small

pier table nearby.

"Would you like a glass, dear?" Phillip asked, pointing to the cut-glass decanter.

"I believe I would, if for nothing than to calm the butterflies in my stomach."

"I knew you were nervous," he teased, which earned him a raised eyebrow and

another of Felicity's sweet smiles.

He poured her a glass and took one for himself. He watched as Felicity looked

over the ladder device that stood in a corner. He wondered what she was thinking but

didn't dare ask.

She continued walking about the room, her tiny fingers gliding over furniture

and objects d'art. Salacious sculptures of men together in a sexual act caught her

attention, and she spent several minutes examining it closely. She gave him no

indication as to her feelings as she rubbed over the one figure bent over and holding

onto a tree as the other stood behind, obviously with his cock inside the other man.

"I would wish to see this done," she said and looked squarely at him.

He stammered for what seemed to be an eternity. "You would?"

"Indeed I would."

A knock sounded at the door. Phillip's heart pounded as the handsome

Alexander Chilton sauntered into the room, dressed as elegantly as he had been every

other time Phillip had seen him.

"Your Grace," Alex said, and swept into a bow.

Upon rising, Phillip introduced him to Felicity, who received the same treatment.

"Your Grace, you are as lovely as Phillip said you were. It is my honor to meet

you."

"It is nice to meet you as well, Mr. Chilton. Please, call me Felicity."

"I shall, if you promise to call me Alex."

Felicity smiled, which not only lit up the room, but Phillip's heart as well.

"It will be my distinct pleasure to call you Alex."

While drinking wine, the three chatted awkwardly about the weather and the

state of British politics, several footmen came into the room carrying trays laden with

food. The meal was to be
a la francaise
, where all the food was laid out on the table at

once. Each of them served themselves and then settled into further general

conversation.

It was discomfiting at first, but soon Phillip could see Felicity relaxing, which