LORD DECADENT'S OBSESSION (11 page)

"My father had a collection, which he thought he kept well-hidden. I spent many

hours viewing the drawings. They not only depicted spankings but also every possible

sexual position. Since that time, I've always, somewhere inside me, wished to have that

myself."

"Was your husband as, shall we say
adventuresome
, as you are?"

The mere mention of her husband threatened to rile her. There would have been

no husband, at least not
that
one, if it hadn't been for the man next to her. With

deliberation, she quelled the anger, not allowing bad memories to ruin this delightful

day.

"No," she told him, "he was not."

He moved on to another topic. "Were you spanked as a child?"

"Of course, often, and I rather looked forward to them. What of you, my lord?

Why your interest in such perversities?"

"I spent many years in India. At first, I took a casual interest in the Kama Sutra,

then a more intense interest as I came to understand the meaning of the teachings."

"Were there women who allowed you to practice what you'd learned?"

"Never a lack of them, my dear," he said, and slid his hand between her legs. He

dipped two fingers inside her. "I've always been somewhat amazed at the number of

people, not just women, who enjoy spanking, to varying degrees. Some, such as

yourself, enjoy it as a means of sexual arousal—while others need crave the paddle or

lash as a part of discipline. The various nuances always fascinate me."

She found herself reveling in the glorious sensations he was again producing.

The heat was simmering inside her, lust and need clouding her ability to think. If he

continued on this path, conversation would be difficult.

"So men enjoy being spanked as well?" she asked, trying to keep her voice

steady.

"Oh, yes. When we get back to London, I must take you on a tour of the club.

You'll be amazed at what you might see."

The next question seemed obvious, but her curiosity tugged at her tongue until

she asked it. "Have you ever been spanked as part of sexual play?"

She watched his face, wishing to see every flicker and blink. There were none.

Instead, he kissed her until she forgot she'd even asked the question.

He made love to her again, this time with less intensity and passion. When he

was finished, her body felt well-used. Her bottom had a pleasant sting, reminding her

of his attentions. When he pulled the bedcovers over her, she closed her eyes. Before

long, sleep took her.

* * * * *

It had been hours since Prentice slipped out of his bed and made his way to the

library, where he had imbibed more scotch than he had intended. He'd not had

anything to drink since his arrival at the Park, but a bit of spirits seemed appropriate,

after what he'd done. He'd committed a thoughtless act, that of failure to consider the

consequences of spilling his seed inside his partner. He never again wanted to be

responsible for a woman perishing in child birth and yet
that
rational thought had

completely escaped his mind, which was once again controlled by his cock.

Prentice knew the price that should be exacted, but he also knew it was one he

was unwilling to pay. There would be no marriage in his future, under any

circumstances. He'd not considered himself an honorable man since Abigail died.

He'd pray his seed had not taken and use French Letters from now on, as much

as he hated the infernal things. He wasn't ready to give up romping with Mrs.

Huntington, but he could certainly be more mindful of the precautions he should take.

As he sat sprawled in his chair, drinking his scotch, he started planning their

activities for the next day. It would test her, no doubt, but he intended to see just how

much she trusted him. The result would indeed be interesting.

Chapter Eleven

The pony cart was ready, packed with all they'd need. Prentice stood tapping an

impatient foot on the marble when Desiree entered the entrance hall the next morning.

Sometime in the night, Prentice had informed her they were going on a picnic,

something she had not done since she was a child.

She had chosen a simple muslin dress, and forewent the stays, reasoning that

Prentice had seen all there was to see, and they would encounter no one else during

their adventure.

"Come, come," he said anxiously, his hand waving her toward the door.

"I'm coming, sir." She increased her pace, laughing as she did. She was looking

forward to seeing his estate and spending a few hours out of doors.

Prentice handed her into the seat then bounded up himself. He took up the reins.

The small chestnut mare stomped her feet and whickered, anxious to take her exercise.

Prentice turned down the drive and onto a path that would lead them across the fields.

Along the way, he pointed out the tenant's cottages in the distance and the sheep

in the fields beyond. A gentle breeze swayed the tall grass and lifted Desiree's hair,

which she had pulled back in a simple style, with hair combs on the sides.

Prentice seemed rather chatty, mentioning several times how lovely the day was,

how intense the sun's warmth, and how much he appreciated the vast expanse of

property that belonged to him. Desiree watched as the sun shone on his hair, revealing

golden highlights. His smile was infectious as was his enthusiasm.

They passed low stone walls that looked ancient in their disrepair. Ivy grew wide

over the length of them, and most were covered with thick patches of moss. She heard a

loud buzzing to her left and discovered a nest of bees in an oak tree.

Birds chirping and the smell of newly mown grass made her recall her youth,

when she ran freely for hours over the country estate her father owned in Kent. It had

been a happy time, one that had not been repeated since her forced marriage to

Ebenezer Huntington.

The pony cart was heading for the forest, a place so in contrast to the wide open

space she presently enjoyed. Soon, Prentice steered them through trees and down a

well-worn, rutted path, which led them back out into the sunshine again. There, before

her, stood a magnificent sight, breathtaking in its beauty.

A crystalline blue pond glistened in the sunlight, its surface sparkling like

diamonds, and large enough to accommodate a hundred swimmers. The water rippled

only slightly in the breeze. A red brick folly rose up a short distance away, the metal

roof sparking in the sun, beckoning her to explore.

Prentice stopped the cart beside the majestic structure. Too anxious to examine

the beautiful building, Desiree didn't wait for his assistance in alighting.

"My father had it built when he married my mother. It was a gift to her, which

she never fully appreciated."

"She didn't like it?"

"She didn't like my father." He chuckled.

"Oh, I see." Another piece of information she hadn't known about him and his

family.

"My lord, this is positively beautiful." It looked like a cottage, unlike any folly

she'd ever seen. There were turrets on either side of the main structure, which had two

large doors, each with twelve panes of wavy glass.

Prentice unlocked the door and gave a push. The door opened on squeaking,

unwilling hinges. It opened into a large room, partitioned into a kitchen and parlor. She

twirled around on the marble floor, thinking a lovlier sight she'd never seen. It was

furnished with comfortable, over-stuffed chairs, settees, dark wood tables and a small

table and chairs set in the area that looked to be the kitchen.

"I had Mrs. Polton and some of the staff come here very early and set it to rights.

They left us food and fresh linens, enough for a couple of days. Would you like to stay

here with me?"

"Oh, my yes." She could live in this place forever.

Prentice smiled at her answer. "Good. Come, let me show you around."

They went outside, where she discovered that the folly sat near a shallow grotto.

The setting stole her breath. They were on a hill, something she hadn't noticed as they

negotiated their way through the woods. The rise overlooked rich, verdant fields, which

spanned as far as she could see.

Before she could conceive of doing anything different, she turned to Prentice and

hugged him, bubbling over with excitement. He hugged her back, twirling her around

and around. No doubt, she'd never forget this moment. When he finally set her down,

he kissed her deeply, his tongue delving into her mouth with hunger and need.

Desiree had never imagined a man with such passion. His mind seemed to rarely

leave the realm of the flesh. Before she knew it, her dress was falling to the ground. The

sun bathed her in golden warmth; her skin was quick to heat.

"I want you naked," he said, shucking out of his coat. He danced on one foot and

then the other as he removed his boots.

"Here? Now?"

"Yes, here and now."

She removed her chemise and stood nude before him, basking in the sun's

warmth. It was glorious.

He laid her down in the soft grass, the sensation alone as sensual a feeling as any

she'd ever experienced. She saw hunger in his eyes, but then the man was forever

ravenous. His hands were everywhere at once, firing her blood and filling her senses.

She waited as he took the pains to sheath himself with a French letter, and with

little warning, he came over her and entered, hilting himself with one deep thrust. He

rode her hard, taking his satisfaction with enthusiasm. She soon came, shouting her

delight to the heavens. He roared as he pounded into her, his face strained, eyes closed.

She'd come to realize how demonstrative he was, and she rather enjoyed it.

Temporarily sated, Prentice rolled off Desiree and onto his back, placing his arm

over his eyes to shield them from the sun. He lay partially naked beside her, and

realized he didn't want to be anywhere else, at least not at this moment.

Up on one elbow a moment later, he looked down at her, his body providing

shade for her eyes. "Have you never made love outside before?"

"Never!"

"Want to do it again?"

She looked down at his cock and was amazed to see it at full attention.

"Are you ever
not
ready for sex?"

"Not to my recollection. Get used to it, my dear; I am a man who is steeped in the

pleasures of the flesh. Let me know if that isn't to your liking, but I see no reason to

change now."

Her eyes widened and he only realized what he had said, or rather how he had

said it, when the shock registered in her eyes. He hadn't meant to make it sound as

though he intended anything permanent by this forest foray, but even to his own ears, it

sounded as though he'd meant more.

"As far as our agreement goes, my lord, I am quite content with your abilities."

Prentice breathed a sigh of relief.
She didn't hear it the way I did. Good.

They rested for a while few moments in companionable silence, enjoying a

perfect day spent in a perfect setting.

"I feel like a swim. What about you?" Prentice finally spoke. She agreed the water

would feel good, and accompanied him as he made his way to the pond. He dragged

her into the water. They romped, splashing each other, him dunking her and her

fighting to do the same to him.

They laughed like children, carefree and genuine. Prentice was enjoying her

company. She seemed willing to participate in any venture he suggested, which pleased

him, because he had some thoughts as to how he could take their sexual games to new

heights.

They were in the water for nearly an hour before he took her by the hand and led

her to the grassy shore. He was aroused, which was becoming a way of life for him,

especially around Desiree. His hands itched for the feel of her flesh. He pulled her to

him and held her tightly with one hand, leaned in and whispered in her ear, " I am

going to spank you right here, right now." His other hand came down on her wet

bottom.

"Oh,"
she exclaimed in surprise.

"Hold perfectly still while I redden you up."

She snaked her arms around his waist, rested her head on his chest and allowed

him to do what he must. His hand on her felt wonderful. The position lent itself to an

intimacy she wished she didn't want, but couldn't reject. His erection throbbed against

her belly. Her bottom stung like fire by the time he was finished, as he had given her no

quarter, but she felt bereft when he stopped. Then, he turned her and bent her over.

Holding her around the waist, he entered her from behind. It was breathless, painful,

and glorious, all at once. Over before it started, leaving her sated, but her heart still

intact.

"The Decadent Lord; that
is
what they call you, is it not?"

"So I have heard," he said as they walked back to the folly, both naked and

blissfully content.

"I can see why."

"I don't believe you have much evidence as to the full extent of my decadence,

but I say you will, before we leave here."

"I indeed look forward to what you might have in store, my lord."

"I believe it is time you called me Prentice, considering our intimate

arrangement. I've always thought 'my lord' referred my father at any rate." He spoke