The Good Sister: Part One (25 page)

“We would have gone back home to the chateau.”

“He’s a monster for what he did to Jacqueline. It’s hard to believe someone like Lord Archer could have such a brother.”

“Yes. But we need not worry about Gavin now. I will be back late so do not expect to see me until the morning, my sweetness.”

“Alec, you have always been so nice to me. Why?”

“You touch my heart,” Alec admitted. “One look at you and my heart sings.”

“Alec,” I said, shaking my head, and more than likely blushing.

“You have a good night. I will see you in the morning,” Alec said then he kissed my cheek.

Once Alec left, I took a shower. I thought about my afternoon excursion with Ashton. I felt something for Lord Archer, but I wouldn’t think about that. I’d think about the orgasms. They were fantastic.

I took my time with my make-up and hair, doing as Amelia instructed, to the letter. I pulled my hair up into a golden clip, fixing it like the first night Ashton saw me. I powered my body in a light dusting of glitter, and dabbed sweet and floral scented perfume behind my ears, between my breasts, on my wrists, a dab between my thighs, and added the final dab behind my knees.

I stood in front of the mirror as I slipped on the black dress, all the while watching as my body revealed itself. The front of the dress was cut to the navel. The back of the dress was cut in the same dipping shape. Without a bra my pert breasts pressed forward. I turned to the side and ran my hand down the curve of my hip. The material brushed against my flesh in an intimate way, so as I moved my nipples were made known. The gown flowed to the floor with the side slit to my upper thigh. I left my legs bare, placing the high heels on my feet. Beneath this black satin I was bare, wearing absolutely nothing.

I waited by the door anxious, impatient.
Settle down, Trinity
. I took in some calming breaths, but when I heard the knock I wanted to squeal in girlish delight. Trying to settle down, and be sophisticated, I waited until the count of ten, took one last calming breath then opened the door.

Ashton’s face illuminated. He took my hand. I twirled around for his complete satisfaction.

“Once again you have outdone yourself, my dove. You are so beautiful that it harms my eyes to gaze upon your beauty.”

My gaze roamed up his body. He stood tall in a perfect black suit. I wondered if my face gave away the fact I wanted to touch him.

“You are very handsome, Lord Archer.”

“Thank you. Shall we?” he asked. He always asked.

“Yes.”

We passed a line of staff. They all bowed. I heard, “My lady, my lord…” as we passed. I acknowledged them by nodding.

We walked into an elegant dining room. In the middle of the cavernous space sat a huge rounded table, but instead of a quiet dinner for two it was to be a dinner party. The table was complete with several people, all seated and dressed to the nines. They stood up when they saw Lord Archer. I wasn’t expecting a crowd. I clutched on to Lord Archer’s arm a little bit tighter.

Lord Archer bent down and whispered, “Do not be anxious, my dove.”

I could do this. I would do this. I had nothing to fear. I nodded.

“My friends,” Lord Archer said. He turned his attention to the guests. “Thank you for coming this evening. We are pleased you were able to attend.”

We?

Lord Archer turned. “This is my dove,” he announced, not using my name. “You may address her as my lady.”

I smiled then turned to Lord Archer. Following what little I knew of etiquette, I bowed my head with a slight curtsy. He bowed his head in return, picked up my hand and kissed it before leading me to the table. Lord Archer took a seat at what was considered the head of the table. I sat to his right. Once I sat, the guests followed by taking their seats.

“Lord Archer,” a tall slender blond man asked, “how was your last trip to the Middle East? Did you acquire any working studs to bring back to Briarwood stables?”

“Yes. I found two, Lord Archibald. One of which I have claimed for my own, Phantom Knight is his name, and another of extraordinary breeding that I must say shall improve the bloodline of my current lineage.”

“My lady,” said the sour faced woman setting next to Lord Archibald. I turned, unsure if she was speaking to me. “My lady,” the woman said again.

“Yes?” I said.

“I am Lady Archibald.”

“I am pleased to make your acquaintance, Lady Archibald.” Lady Archibald gave a generic smile in response.

I studied the face staring back at me. Lady Archibald was probably in her late thirties. She had thin lips, and sharp angled unappealing features. She looked beyond bored or maybe this was her usual demeanor, it was difficult to tell.

“I see you are wearing Cartier,” I commented. “It is a lovely brooch.”

Lady Archibald gave a snorting laugh. “A small trinket from Lord Archibald.” She fingered the diamond, emerald, and onyx encrusted panther.

“We understand you are visiting. Are you enjoying your stay in France?” Lord Archibald inquired of me.

I figured him to be at least forty, and thought he looked stuffy.
Perhaps he’s suffering from a bad bought of gas and in need of relief.
I wanted to chuckle, but felt that would be in bad manners, so I held back the urge.

“Yes. Thank you for asking, Lord Archibald. France is quite beautiful.”

“As are you if I may be so bold,” another man who sat across from me interjected.

This man was stick thin, as pale as milk, and had dark brown almost black eyes. His black hair was graying a bit around the edges, and he wore it slicked back with product. He was very unattractive.
Yes,
there was something about him that made my skin crawl.

“Thank you for the kind compliment,” I replied in a demure voice.

“Yes, Lord Ironington, thank you for the compliment,” Lord Archer said, clearly taking a possessive stand.

Lord Ironington peeled his gaze from me. He turned his attention back to Lord Archer with a bent form of a grin. He didn’t have the best orthodontia.

“Lord Archer,” he said in a haughty tone which breeched no denial, “I am quite enamored by this beauty across from me. Pray tell, wherever did you meet?”

Lord Archer simply said, “Through some mutual friends.”

“My lady. What an interesting ring you are wearing,” Lord Archibald’s wife said.

I gazed down at my ring. “Yes. It was a gift from a friend. It symbolizes Venus, the goddess of beauty and love.”

“How very interesting,” Lord Archibald’s wife said, only this time her voice was much more smug and disapproving.

“How very appropriate,” Lord Archer interjected. “You are truly a goddess, my lady.” He took my hand and boldly kissed the ring upon my finger.

Low murmurs buzzed around the table. I wondered why Lord Archer was doing this. It was clear I wasn’t considered worthy of his time by his guest, yet Lord Archer seemed unconcerned with their opinions, and quite willing to rub their snooty noses in his admiration for me.

“My lady, your accent sounds American,” Lord Ironington said. He was clearly digging.

“Yes.”

Lord Ironington’s dark stare bothered me. I felt violated by the way he looked at me. For a moment I wanted to squirm, but I held my posture. Lord Ironington held his carnivorous gaze upon my breasts.

“How interesting. What will your father think, my dear Lord Archer? A yank,” Lord Ironington smirked while twisting the end of his mustache.

“My dear Lord Ironington, you shall do well to keep your eyes upon other matters,” Ashton warned. Ironington quickly shifted his attention to Ashton.

Ironington bowed his head to Ashton. “Surely, you of all people must find it hard to keep your eyes from such finery. I daresay, especially when it is being displayed upon a beautiful delicate dove.”

Ashton returned to the original question at hand.

“As for your inquiry, Lord Ironington, my father is looking forward to meeting my dove,” Lord Archer said with a smile. It wasn’t a real smile, I was sure. “I am also quite assured his Grace will find her to be as beautiful and as charming as I find her to be.” He paused, turning his attentions back to my face. “And I am also sure he would expect, as do I, she be treated with the same respect my family is afforded.”

“Of course,” said Lord Archibald.

Another guest entered into the banter. “Lord Ironington?”

“Yes, Lord Chatterline?”

I figured Lord Chatterline to be somewhere around Ashton's age.

“I think we should focus on our dinner and our friends, thus leaving the speculations behind us,” Lord Chatterline suggested.

“I agree,” Lord Archibald interjected.

“Very well,” said Lord Ironington.

All of the noise and stress was getting to me. I balled up my fist under the table. From nowhere, Lord Archer’s hand overlapped my fist. I relaxed my hand and glanced up at him. He winked then patted my hand.

“Shall we eat?” Lord Archer announced.

“Yes. I believe we shall get on with the festivities,” Lord Ironington replied, obviously playing the good guy now.

“My lady,” Lord Archer said. He looked at me with piercing eyes. “Would you do the honors?” He handed me the bell.

I took it. “Of course, my lord,” I said then rang the bell.

Tingle-lingle-ling…

As dinner arrived, my mind was a swirl of thoughts. It was like I had walked into another time or a parallel universe. The only thing different was the clothing. The clothing was modern, but my surroundings, the social etiquette, and the pomp and circumstance were like that of another era. I’d never imagined such snobbery still existed, let alone imagined I would be smack dab in the middle of it. I wondered if there would be a beheading before the night was done.

The men talked of travel, politics, horses, wine, cigars, and the women spoke of mundane things such as the garden club, charity balls, and this year’s new fashions. I felt like a complete thumb.

“Shall we retire to the parlor for some Cognac and a cheroot,” Lord Chillington suggested.

I glanced down at my plate. I’d actually eaten very little. It surprised me dinner was over. I thought I had just sat down. I wondered what I missed within the conversations, and hoped no one had tried talking to me.

“Yes. We should retire to the parlor,” Lord Archer said as he stood.

I stood. Everyone followed. Lord Archer took my hand. “My ladies,” he announced, “I am sorry to break with tradition, but my dove shall be accompanying me into the parlor this evening. You are welcome to join us.”

Lord Ironington bristled then stiffened as though someone shoved a cob up his butt. “Archer, we do not allow the ladies into the parlor,” he said, astonished.

The ladies looked confused. Lord Archer did not back down.

Lord Archer smiled, never batting an eye. “Tonight we do, Ironington.”

“Social etiquette as well tradition should still be honored even though we are not in England,” Lord Ironington spluttered, indignant.

“I have always found such traditions to be monotonous, tiring, and boring, Lord Ironington. We have grace, beauty, intelligence, and charm within our midst, yet we should ignore such for the excruciating endeavors of our drink and smoke,” Lord Archer replied.

“Maybe we should call it a night,” Lord Archibald suggested.

“If you wish,” Lord Archer returned.

“I think we shall call it a night. It was a fabulous dinner, Lord Archer,” Lord Chillington said.

Lord Chatterline agreed. “Yes. We shall call it a night.”

“We thank you all for coming, and hope to see you all again soon,” Lord Archer said, dismissing them all.

“Shall we see you and my lady at the Queen’s charity ball in March?” Lord Chatterline asked.

Lord Archer looked at me. “If my lady wishes such.”

The men nodded and took the hands of their wives. Low murmurs still buzzed through the crowd. Lord Archer took my hand and kissed it. “Shall we?” he asked.

“Yes,” I said. He led me into the parlor.

The parlor was paneled in dark wood, dark furnishings, a bar, a billiards table, and the piece of resistance, a bear skin rug placed upon the floor in front of the fireplace. The room smelled of expensive spirits and tobacco, as though years of drinking and smoking in this room had permeated the wood.

Lord Archer turned toward one of the staff. “I do not wish to be disturbed for the rest of the evening.”

“Very well, my lord,” the woman returned, curtsied then closed the doors behind her.

“I must say I know how to clear a crowd,” Lord Archer quipped.

“You did not need to do that on my account. I could have gone to my room or—”

Lord Archer placed his index finger to my lips. “Shh ... my dove, I could not tolerate one more minute with those insufferable bores. I simply had to be alone with you. If dinner would have lasted one minute longer I may have ran with you in my arms.”

“Maybe bringing me to one of your dinners wasn’t such a good idea. I’m not…” I was interrupted again but by his lips.