Page 60 of Desire and Discipline
Whips, ropes, floggers, paddles, multiple groups of people, as well as couples, all fornicating with abandon—although some of them were merely caressing or even cuddling. It boggled the mind. Certainly not the usualtonnishevent, though he recognized many lords and ladies. To his surprise, the wealthy but unlanded were also well represented. He was far from being the only businessman present.
Several of his contemporaries gave him a knowing nod if they recognized him, which he returned. They likely assumed he was here for the same thing they were—pleasure.
But Samuel was here for one reason and one reason only—or rather, one person.
Lady Catherine Cross.
He hated thinking of her title and married name because it was a constant reminder that he had not been enough. She had bowed to her parents and married Lord Cross. Samuel could not even hate the man because he seemed to have taken good care of Catherine, then obligingly left her a widow before Samuel had married another.
Truthfully, Samuel had nearly decided not to marry at all.
He’d been away on business when Lord Cross died. It had taken time for the news to reach him. Time for him to wrap up his affairs, then even more time to travel across the ocean back to London. Then he’d needed to settle in and prepare himself to see her again.
Opportunity had beckoned when they were both invited to the Marquess of Camden’s wedding. He’d called in a favor after all the information he’d provided Camden with over the years during his travels and managed to secure a seat beside her.
Seeing him had unsettled her. He’d realized it immediately. Even enjoyed it a little. As much as he wanted to be understanding about the choice she’d made—the decision not to defy her parents and Society and risk becoming a total outcast by running away with him—he still held some bitterness in his heart.
Though, as he walked around watching the various activities the Society of Sin engaged in, he was getting some ideas about how to overcome that…
Especially because seeing her again had confirmed that his feelings had not gone away. They were both older, different, yet the moment he’d set eyes on her, he’d felt like he’d stepped backward in time. She’d changed, grown, and was as beautiful as ever. Maybe even more so. He’d felt like a fumbling young man again before he’d recovered.
He wanted to see if they could make things work now that they were older and wiser.
Pausing to watch one of the gentlemen spanking his lady, her moans and sobs filling the air as their audience grew, he felt his cock stir. Yes, he could think of several ways Catherine could make things up to him. And since she was already a member here, his suggestions could hardly shock her.
“Very nice,” murmured the gentleman next to him. He was not talking to Samuel, though, but to the gentleman on his other side.
“She’s taking it well.” The other gentleman glanced at the clock on the far side of the room. “Lady Cross should be starting soon.”
Samuel just barely managed to keep from jerking in reaction to Catherine’s name. Of course, he’d known she was supposed to be here this evening, but it still startled him. The fact that the other two gentlemen were apparently awaiting her arrival made him bristle.
He’d realized, of course, that she’d likely had lovers after her husband’s death. If he’d doubted it, the point would have been driven home the moment he’d walked into tonight’s event. But he did not care how many lovers she’d had in the past. He was no hypocrite.
However, he did strenuously object to her taking another lover now unless it was him.
He did his best to appear relaxed as the two gentlemen beside him continued to observe the scene in front of him. When they left, he would follow. Presumably, they would lead him to Catherine.
And then what?
Would he be willing to watch her with another gentleman?
See another man turn her over his knee… and more?
Samuel took a long, deep breath, letting it flow out of him as he forced his muscles to relax. She was not his yet. He had no claim on her. However, he would do whatever he had to in order to court her again, and that included watching her with another man tonight if that’s what it took. Though, he vowed to himself, it would be the only time such a thing would occur.
He was determined to win Catherine over, to stake his claim in a way that he had been unable to before. Now that they were older, she had her title and did not need her parents’ permission to marry him.
She might not want to, anyway.
Marrying him would mean losing her title, but he would cross that bridge when he came to it. Marriage was not a necessity, just a preference. The important thing was having her in his life, in his bed, where she’d always been meant to be.
He was so lost in thought, he almost did not notice when the gentlemen began to move. Thankfully, he was notthatfar gone in his head. Waiting a moment to make it less obvious he was following them, Samuel casually turned and trailed behind them.
They seemed to know exactly where they were going, and they led him to the library, where a space had been cleared.
In the middle of it was Catherine and another gentleman… wait… was that?
The Duke of Kent. One of the dukes unaffected by the recent tragedy. And he was stripped down to his underthings while Catherine remained fully dressed, standing beside him with a tawse in her hand.
