Page 127 of Forsaken Secrets

I didn't let him finish, though, and grabbed one of his enormous hands and pulled him out to the crowd, feeling for a ring or bracelet. This was one benefit to making quick decisions. People had a hard time resisting if they didn't know what was coming.

Success! Around his thumb was a smooth, round ring. I slipped it off, running my other hand down his chest while I did so. His jaw dropped, and I slid the ring into my pocket before stepping closer and releasing more charisma.

His pupils immediately dilated.

Mission accomplished!

Now it was time for some fun.

Waggling my brows, I picked up his hands and waved them around us in time with the orchestra. "Do you feel it? The way the music runs through you? Relax. Enjoy! You deserve it. In fact, the quadrille is about to begin. You should tell your guard friends to come join us."

The man nodded, completely in my thrall, then began to sway.

Wow! It wasn't usually this easy! That poor man must be seriously repressed.

Smiling at him one more time, I spun away, making my way back to the women. A shorter man tried to intercept me, but this time I knew what to look for and pocketed his ring immediately.

Finally, I stepped into the ring of women. They all turned to me, shock straining their features. Time for the magic …

Breathing deeply, their scents coalesced into an intoxicating cloud of femininity that mingled happily with the energy inside my lungs. I leaned into their group and sighed deeply. "Hello, beautiful ladies!"

"Lord Kierstall," one woman said, pupils wide, "We were just speaking about you. You are beauuuutiful, you know! In a verrrry distracting way …"

I chuckled, ignoring the slight twinge of guilt at how my charisma was affecting them. "Thank you, beautiful lady," I said, bending over and nuzzling at her neck, sending a shiver through her body. "What else were you speaking about? Any … secrets?"

She arched into me, running her hands down the bare skin beneath my vest. I gently removed her hand, but smiled. It had been fun to needle Liam, but I was in no mood to take advantage of these women.

I preferred my partners fully awake and aware of how I rocked their world.

"I — my husband hasn't fucked me in years!" she tittered and leaned closer. "His member is still fully functional, too. Sometimes I see him taking his own relief, so I've started doing the same." Her eyes glittered with mischief and my heart ached for her.

"My lady, you're doing exactly what you should. He's simply missing out on a beautiful, sexy woman. You deserve more."

One of the other ladies leaned in. "My husband takes the money he says he's donating to help Ellesmere and spends it on liquor and brothels." Her words were slurred, and I winced. Perhaps that had been a bit too much charisma. Then again … sometimes it helped to get all the nastiness out. Maybe they'd wake up feeling like new women, ready to conquer the world.

Saints. I hoped so!

"I'm actually looking for a girl … she's tall, blonde, often wears britches instead of skirts, and is maybe with our hosts?" I tried, hoping the details might shake something else loose.

They all just stared at each other. Saints. Had this been a complete waste?

No. They had to know something!

I tried different questions, but they just kept looking at me like I was crazy.

Finally, I tried using more charisma.

The third lady leaned in almost immediately, lips wide with dreamy excitement. "You know, Lord Ellingsworth and the widowed Lady Maderoth had an affair. Lady Ellingsworth found out and was furious! But we all knew the Ellingsworths weren't a love match. He's been in love with Grace since they were kids. Gods, they were so romantic when they were young …" she trailed off, staring into space.

Gods damn it. I'd pushed too hard!

Frantically, I turned to the other ladies. The first one was dazing off into space, too, lost in her own world.

But the second one was staring at me, lips curled in a seductive smile. "I know what you want, Lord Kierstall. You want to see the mage girl, don't you?" She leaned close enough for her tongue to lap at my ear. "I could pretend to be her, if you want."

She dropped her nose to my neck, and her teeth nipped at the pulse there. It sent a shiver through me, but I pushed the feelings away. Now was not the time!

"Lovely, darling …" I let my finger drift along the edge of her bodice, letting my charisma do its work. "I'd really enjoy seeing that. Could you tell me where they'll be?"

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