Page 6 of The Viscount's Pearl
“Very good, Sir. Dinner will be served in a few moments.”
Laurence made his way to the dining room, where Roberts soon had a decent meal on the table. First a mutton broth, followed by a game pie served with peas and cardoons, and finally some peach tartlets, a modest but tasty repast since he was dining alone. He ate well, then wrote two quick notes. One to Lady Kingsman, a woman whose company he had much enjoyed that spring before going away for the hunting season. He would be glad to renew their acquaintance and promised to escort her tomorrow night to the theatre. The second note informed Uncle Barrington that he would be with him late on the second day and not to wait up for him, for the old man kept early hours. Having made these arrangements, he took himself off to bed and slept soundly.
The next morning, after a leisurely breakfast and having answered a few other items of correspondence, he visited his tailors, Schweitzer and Davidson of 12 Cork Street, where he bespoke himself some new clothing to be collected on his return,then shoes and boots at Wood, as well as a new hat at Lock & Co. None of them would be needed in Margate, which was hardly a place of high fashion, but all of them would be required for the rest of the season. Laurence prided himself on being well turned out for all social occasions and while Roberts could be relied upon to keep him well stocked in shirts, stocks and stockings, a gentleman should see to commissioning his outer clothing himself, for fit was everything and there were always small modifications, season by season, which showed attention to detail and marked one out as a man of fashion. A new item known as a frock coat was being worn by some men who were considered forward in their fashion choices and although it was very new, Laurence had one ordered, in case the style should catch on. It would not do to be seen as behind the times and if it did become the fashion, no doubt all the tailors would be busy creating them for their customers. Better to be ahead of the crowd. There were also so-called Cossack trousers, voluminous items with ribbons at the ankle, but Laurence frowned when shown them and decided against such a departure from Brummell’s accepted leadership.
A meal at his club, Boodle’s, led to a brief rest at home before the enjoyment of a bath and then the matter of dressing for the theatre.
He arrived promptly at Lady Kingsman’s house and was there to take her hand and help her into the carriage as she emerged, appreciating both the quality of her perfume and her sequin-studded green silk dress, made up in the very latest style. He admired a woman who took care of herself and made the most of the finer things in life, as he did himself.
“You’ve been gone too long,” she murmured when the carriage started. “I didn’t know what to do with myself all summer.”
He changed sides of the carriage, taking the seat beside her,their bodies pressed close together. “Whatdidyou do to… I mean,withyourself all summer?”
She leant against him. “You wicked man.”
“The summer was very warm,” he said in a low voice. “I cannot imagine that all those layers of clothing were wanted. Surely you must have removed some of them so that you could be more comfortable?”
“I might have done.”
“May I be so bold as to inquire which layers you felt were not needed?”
“I could not possibly say.”
“May I be permitted to guess?”
Her lips parted. “You may.”
He looked her over. “To begin with, a silk dress is far too hot for the summer. So I think that would need to be removed.”
She inclined her head.
“Which leaves… a petticoat? Surely unnecessary without a dress.”
“Entirely,” she whispered.
“In that case, let me think. I believe that under this…” His hand slid over her silk-clad breasts and she shivered at his touch, her breathing growing faster “… there must be a corset or stays of some kind, to take care of these beauties.”
“There is.”
“Well, that is far too restrictive for a hot summer’s day and besides, as I recollect, they required very little help in remaining… uplifted. I think we could entirely dispose of that item.”
“You leave me clad in very little, Sir,” she murmured, her hand on his knee.
“A shift, I believe? And stockings?”
“So little? I am covered in shame.”
He leant towards her, whispered into her ear. “If you arecovered in shame, madam, I see no need for the shift. I will remove it at once.”
“And my stockings?” she breathed.
“Those I will leave. But only if they are held up with these.” From his pocket he pulled out a small box. “A gift.”
She opened it and pulled out two silk ribbon garters, each one delicately embroidered with flowers and letters. She held them out, looking at the words on one and then the other. “Laisse-moi te tenir les cuisses… jusqu’à ce que nous nous revoyions.”
He traced the words with one finger. “Let me hold your thighs… until we meet again.”
She sighed with delight and slid her hand down the inside of his thigh. “Laurence…”
