Page 3 of The Mistress
And by helping him, you are saving yourself and your home.
Well, yes. That too.
The knock on the door had Reggie startling, and I felt my brow raise.
That was quick.
“Miss Jocelyn? You have a…a visitor.” My manservant sounded nervous. “He said he was…expected.”
I cleared my throat and met Reggie’s hopeful gaze. “Yes, he is,” I called. “Send him in.”
I gave myself three seconds to prepare, closing my eyes and dropping my hand from Reggie’s cheek, before I turned to face the newcomer. This time, I didn’t bother with a smile of welcome.
And I suspect he would have known it was false.
It was clear that the man who stalked through the door was calledIronhengebecause he was so very, very hard. His hair and eyes were close enough to black as to make no difference, and his jawline was tight. His impeccable suit was indicative of the iron control it was whispered he maintained, and his hands…
Oh God, his hands.
His hands were large and callused, with scars crossing their backs.
His hands made me shiver.
And I wasn’t sure it was in revulsion.
You are curious. It is natural. Reggie does not have to know that sometimes you touch yourself after he is gone, imagining the kinds of acts Ironhenge is whispered to employ…
“Markland.” His voice was deep, reaching down to my stomach—lower—and stroking something. His gaze held mine captive. “Jocelyn. Your…master has explained tonight’s contract?”
Contract? So it was to be official, then? I was pleased my voice remained steady when I said, “Yes, Your Grace.”
Those intriguing fingers made a flicking motion. “And you are aware of my…tendencies?”
My heart was pounding again, so loud I wondered if Reggie could hear it. He stood at my side, and I could feel him vibrating with concern. Or perhaps controlled energy. Did he want to leap in front of me to protect me from Ironhenge?
Well, tonight it was my responsibility to protecthim.
“Yes, Your Grace,” I whispered, keeping my chin high.
Ironhenge studied me, his gaze turning speculative. Could he see that I wasn’t completely abhorrent of histendencies? That a secret part of me was, dare I say,intrigued?
His dark gaze swept down my body, caressing me the same way the silk did. Instead of lingering on my breasts, the way Reggie often did, Ironhenge seemed more intrigued by my hair. Reggie preferred that I leave the dark curls loose around my shoulders, so that is how I wore it tonight.
I wondered if the Duke liked it just as much.
Anything you can do to satisfy him, Jocelyn. He will strike Reggie’s debt and you will be safe.
Yes. That is the only reason I was agreeing to this.
I almost believed myself.
Beside me, Reggie cleared his throat. “I’ll just—I’ll just leave you two—” he began, but Ironhenge cut him off.
“Stay.”
The command was as dark and certain as he was. His gaze never left mine, faint mocking in his dark eyes, as he continued.
“After all, Markland. Jocelyn isyourmistress. It wouldn’t be proper to leave her alone with me.”
