Page 27 of Daring the Forbidden Earl
Why else would I use liquor and liaisons as my medicine? Nothing else brings me a restful night.
Johanna gave a slight nod of understanding. “Perhaps you might give me your physician’s solution when we next see one another.”
“You would… continue with this?” Her words surprised Mark, for he had assumed he had ruined any chance of such a thing. If she had been any other lover, their slight quarrel would have been enough to send him away, never to return.
Johanna shrugged. “I imagine that will be up to you.” She flashed a daring smile, the coldness disappearing. “If I do not feel your lips upon me again, I am quite certain that the remembrance will prove satisfactory. Perhaps that will be the solution I require to sleep easily for once.”
He gaped at her, exhilarated and stunned in equal measure by her bold statement. “And what might you mean by that?” He thought of the instruction manual, and the writer’s suggestion that the reader ought to explore her own pleasure. But Johanna had not yet seen the suggestive letter. Was she exploring her pleasure of her own accord?
You remarkable minx…
It did not occur to him that she might seek pleasure with some fellow who was not him. Instead, he licked his lips, thinking of her alone in this room, sliding her hand beneath the coverlets to bring herself to a gasping, shuddering conclusion. It delighted him all the more to think that he might be the source of fantasy that could bring such a thing about. Although he would much rather be here in reality.
Johanna smiled. “I shall leave that toyourimagination.” Her eyes glanced downward. “Though I see you are already letting your thoughts wander.”
With that sultry remark, she breezed out of the bedchamber, leaving him utterly in awe of this forbidden, tempting, intoxicating woman.
Chapter Sixteen
The following evening, Johanna found herself at the front door of her dear friend Nora’s townhouse. Her stomach felt unsettled as she approached, for she did not know if her stirring encounter with Mark would be etched across her face. Nora had an eye for odd behavior and could sniff out a flirtation a mile away.
I must act as though all is well. I must keep to my promise.
A wilder swell of nausea roiled in her belly, as thoughts of that blasted letter exploded into her mind once more. The true impact of its loss had not struck her while Mark had been there to distract her. But since he had stealthily departed her lodgings yesterday morning, she had suffered more than a few immobilizing bouts of blood-chilling horror.
What if someone gives it to the scandal sheets? What if they know I am the writer? What if they drag my name through the dirt, to feed the hungry gossipmongers?
Her hand trembled as she lifted it knock upon the door. “I know I should not pray flippantly, but I cannot bear the thought of being mocked and humiliated and spurned,” she whispered up to the darkening sky. “Please, please, please can my letter have been trampled into sodden, unreadable pieces? Please say it was destroyed and is not resting in the hands of the rumor mill.”
“My divine Johanna!” The door opened to Nora’s welcoming cry. “You’re always so punctual. I could set my clock by you.”
Johanna mustered a shy smile. “I do not like to keep my friends waiting.”
“That’s one of the many reasons I adore you.” Nora ducked out of the doorway and leaned close to Johanna’s ear. “Though that must be one of our lessons, my dear friend—when it comes to men, you mustalwayskeep them waiting. But don’t be too late. It’s a delicate balance between increasing the anticipation and not leaving it so long that they leave.”
Johanna’s cheeks warmed.
Does she know? Has Mark told her, despite my request? Or has she read the scandal sheets and seen my name upon them?
“Now, come in. I’ve a glass of champagne with your name on it.” Nora grasped Johanna’s hand and pulled her into the townhouse.
Johanna gulped. “Are we… celebrating something?”
“Only your progression into the world of female sexual liberation,” Nora whispered, with a conspiratorial chuckle.
Oh goodness… she does know. She has found out, somehow.
Johanna’s eyes widened in panic. “Whatever do you mean?”
“I have requested the presence of several delightful—and, most importantly, discreet—members of impolite society.” Nora flashed a wink, only for her expression to turn serious as she looked upon her friend. “Oh dear, you’re cross with me, aren’t you? I thought about telling you of my plan to introduce you to new and willing gentlemen, but I feared you wouldn’t come if I did.”
A shallow sigh of relief loosened the clenched muscles in Johanna’s chest. “I am not cross, dear Nora.” She swallowed past the anxious lump in her throat. “But I do not know that your plan will come to fruition. I can dance with a gentleman, and make polite conversation, but I do not know how to… flirt.”
“I shall guide you, my dear.” Nora weaved her arm through Johanna’s. “I have to say, I’m glad you’re not annoyed with me. And I don’t care a jot if you don’t find a single one to your liking—this is merely an experiment, to stretch your flirtatious muscles. Once you’re comfortable in the art, you’ll be able to enchant whomever you please.”
But there is only one gentleman I desire to enchant, and he is not here.
For a moment, Johanna desperately wanted to tell her dearest friend about her thrilling bedchamber experience with Mark. If anyone could teach her how to please Mark, and how to maintain his interest, it was Nora. But the prospect of a scolding—or worse, an attempt at dissuasion—held Johanna’s tongue.
