Page 37 of The Viscount's Daring Cinderella
With all my love,
Beryl
As she finished the letter, she sighed. Sharing her thoughts with Flora felt like lifting a weight off Beryl’s chest, even as it also laid bare her most vulnerable wishes and fears. She sealed the letter before climbing into bed, hoping that she might find clarity and perhaps even the courage to face whatever the future held.
CHAPTER 15
Afew days later, Theodore held a letter, and he scanned the contents once more. Moreland had invited him to one of his libertine indulgences. An orgy of fun, it said, and Theodore knew what it would be. An orgy indeed. As he fingered the rich paper, the tranquility of his domesticity crossed his mind. He was at home with Beryl and the girls. He had found a sort of peace in this normal existence because it felt good, comfortable even. He had his misgivings. Perhaps he should not go. Beryl’s beautiful smile and tinkling laughter flashed before him before he pushed it aside. Mayhap, this would be another in the line of things he would deliberately do only to regret later.Bloody hell. It was not like him to feel this sense of reluctance. He decided to go.
Theodore was sure his friends and acquaintances would be there for they had similar tastes. Over the years they perfected the art of debauchery. There would be gambling and an abundance of women, all shapes and sizes, for coupling. One could sample and swap throughout the evening.
The upper crust of society did not need to go to the opium dens. Moreland provided a discreet room for those who wished to smoke opium for pleasure, but neither of them partook inthis vice. Theodore could not abide the taste of opium, and he was not fond of any substance that could dim his wit even for a short time. He took his pleasure elsewhere, and he was looking forward to being drained and his body well pleasured. These were the nights he could be whomever he wished and do whatever he wanted.
Many in polite society consider it depraved, yet many gentlemen would be in attendance tonight and they would enjoy it. Such hypocrisy.
A few hours later, Theodore’s carriage pulled up to Moreland’s estate and he disembarked. He was quietly ushered into the drawing room, which was more dimly lit than at a ball, but not enough that he could not make out the voluptuous woman that reposed on a sofa on the left of the room. The revelry had perhaps worn her out, and her lush flesh was spilling from the thin gown that barely covered her shapely thighs. He would enjoy running his hands up those thighs.
“Finally, you are here, Bowden.” Moreland’s voice pulled him away from the woman with the ripe breasts. “I was beginning to think that you would not grace us with your presence.”
Theodore chuckled. “Whyever not?”
“Well for one, I haven’t seen you since the masquerade ball, and you left London in such haste. I have not heard a bloody word from you since,” Moreland said as he pinned Theodore with a curious gaze.
“There were matters that required my urgent attention. I could not pass the responsibility to anyone else,” Theodore replied.
Moreland peered at him as if he was a rare specimen. Moreland took a step forward and raised the back of his hand to Theodore’s forehead. “Are you well? You do not have a temperature, but—”
Theodore playfully swatted Moreland’s hand away. “I am fine. I need a drink.”
“Let us go to the next room, shall we?” Moreland spun around and Theodore followed.
He had only taken a few steps when a waif-thin woman with raven black hair approached him. Her dark nipples were a contrast to her alabaster skin. She jutted her pert breasts begging to be touched, but Theodore did not stop to engage with her. She opened her legs slightly as if to present her mound to him even for a fleeting touch. He was decidedly uninterested and continued on. Moreland held the door for him, and they entered a smaller sitting room.
Moreland poured him a whiskey, and he threw it back in one swallow. Moreland immediately poured him another and a brandy for himself.
Theodore heard the soft sound of a slap, a whip on flesh. He shifted his head to the right to see bare buttocks as the whip slightly cracked and the recipient groaned his pleasure. He was never one to become excited too early, but normally, Theodore would have a rush from the decadence and blood would rush to his cock in anticipation of the enhanced pleasure. Yet tonight there was nothing. Perhaps he was indeed ill or he was losing the fierce passion of his reckless youth. Whatever it was, he needed to shake it if there was any hope of enjoying the evening.
There was a whisper of a laugh and a muffled sound as the door opened behind them. Theodore did not turn to see who had entered the room. Within seconds the voluptuous beauty was sitting on Moreland’s lap and her full lips descended on Moreland’s with passion. Behind him Theodore heard the rub of satin against satin, the whisper of a chuckle, low and intimate. Before he could turn around, he saw a satin sash before his eyes. He was blindfolded.
“I have a surprise for you, Bowden. Chastity will see to your pleasure tonight. She is a great beauty, and you have not had her before. Go on. Enjoy it.”
Moreland gave a grunt, and Theodore could only imagine the cause.
He felt the delicate whisper of a touch on his arm which slowly moved down to take his arm and guide him elsewhere. As he took cautionary steps, he was surrounded by a mixture of whispers and sighs. He heard the moans of a couple tupping, and he knew that they were just upon them. The woman squealed her lustful pleasure.
Theodore heard a door open before them, and he thought to pull back. He did not. They moved through the door as Chastity drew him further into the room, to a quiet that now seemed eerie. She was yet to utter a word, and he felt the pull on his arms. He followed until he was maneuvered in front of the bed. She gave him a gentle push, and he sat down on the bed. Theodore had enough of being blindfolded, the darkness, this strange sensation. As if she could read his mind Chastity removed the blindfold, and Theodore waited for his eyes to adjust to the pale candlelight. They were in the green room which Moreland reserved for private assignations if anyone so wished. Many did not care if they openly tupped in the plain view of others so the room was only occasionally used.
He could finally see her face and large brown eyes peering at him expectantly. Her comely features and pouting lips did not stir him. He was devoid of emotion, no sensation, no excitement. Chastity was wearing a thin nightgown which was laced at the front. She loosened the lace and it fell to the floor. She stood naked before him and immediately Theodore stood up. Chasity reached up to kiss his mouth, but he turned away and she found only his cheek. He held her away from him, and he was sure she understood.
“I do not please you, my lord?” Her pout was even more pronounced.
“It is not—” Theodore began before she cut him off.
“I know when I displease a man.” Her voice was quiet.
“My mind is elsewhere,” he admitted, thinking of another sweet smile and bright eyes. “I should not have come here.”
Chastity’s face burned the bright red of embarrassment, and she lowered her head. Her eyes dropped to the floor, and her lips were pressed tight. She retrieved her nightdress and draped it over her shoulders. Her voice had dropped even further. “You are certain that I cannot change your mind?”
