Page 12 of A Wager With A Rake
His gaze fell to the last item on the list, the only one yet uncrossed.One that had proven difficult to complete until he could learn the location of the woman in question.
A sharp rap at the study door jolted Court from his thoughts.Hastily folding the list and returning it to its place in the drawer, he called out, “Enter!”
The door swung open to reveal Court’s butler, Brown, who entered, announcing a merchant that Court had requested to bring a collection of items for him to see.
A portly gentleman with a shock of white hair and an enormous mustache entered the room.The man bowed deeply, his round belly straining against the buttons of his waistcoat.
“Mr.Fitzgerald, at your service, my lord,” he announced in a surprisingly high-pitched voice.“I’ve brought the… items you requested.”
Court’s eyebrows shot up.“Ah, yes.Do come in.”
As Mr.Fitzgerald waddled into the study, Court’s gaze fell upon the leather case he carried.His pulse quickened, anticipating what the man had brought.
“I trust you have a varied selection?”Court asked, keeping his voice steady.
Mr.Fitzgerald’s mustache twitched with barely concealed amusement.“Indeed, my lord.Only the finest for a gentleman of your standing.”
With a flourish, he opened the case on Court’s desk, revealing an array of intricately carved phalluses of various sizes and materials.
Court cleared his throat, heat creeping up his neck.“I see.And these are all… suitable for a lady’s use?”
“Oh, most certainly,” Mr.Fitzgerald chirped.“This ivory one is particularly popular among the fairer sex.Smooth as silk, you see.”
As Court examined the items, his mind wandered to Theodosia.Would her jaw drop?Would she be rendered speechless by such a gift?Outraged?Or perhaps… intrigued?It was highly improper, but when had he ever been a model of propriety?Most would agree this was a tame display compared to what thetonthought of him.
“I’ll take that one,” Court decided, pointing to a sleek, medium-sized piece crafted from polished rosewood.The irony of the material was not lost on him.And his ego wouldn’t allow him to select a size that outmatched his own.Which was more than substantial, if he said so himself.Not that he felt threatened enough by an inanimate object to whip out his cock to compare.
The men completed their business with Court giving the man the required amount of coin to complete his purchase, while the man placed the piece in a box and wrapped it.
After Mr.Fitzgerald departed, Court paced his study, the wrapped package weighing heavily in his hands.Was he truly going to send the piece to Theodosia?The very thought made his blood run hot as coals.She would be far too enticing.He’d intended the gift to be a joke, but deep down he hoped she might use it and think of him when she did.Even better, he wanted to be the one to introduce her to it.
Unable to bear the confines of his home any longer, alone with his thoughts, Court grabbed his coat.“I need a drink,” he muttered, heading for the door.And perhaps another woman to help him forget all about Theodosia.If he’d bedded her, he’d have been able to move on.She was only stuck in his thoughts because she had turned him down.That was all.Another woman would erase the memory and ease the ache between his taut legs.
After a quarter-hour carriage ride, convincing himself that a few ales and a beautiful woman would ensure he slept well that evening, his carriage rolled to a stop in front of his village’s tavern.The Golden Lion was bustling with life, with scantily dressed barmaids and drunk men singing bawdy lyrics.Court found a spot at the bar, ordered a tankard, and let his gaze sweep across the crowd.
As was typical for him, he’d already captured the attention of a few women.They returned his gaze with enchanting smiles and suggestive glances.They could surely tell from his clothing that he was a lord and would have ample funds to make their time in his presence worthwhile.
A striking redhead approached with a confident slink toward him.“Looking for company, handsome?”she purred, her finger tracing a line down his arm.
Court downed his ale and motioned for another.“Perhaps.”He wasn’t so sure, but another ale might aid in deciding for him.
“I promise I can make it worth your while,” she said, shifting so her barely covered breasts were in his direct line of vision.But his reaction—or lack thereof—irritated and confused him.He had never remained flaccid from the presence of a beautiful woman, as thoughts of Theodosia clouded his mind.Even more ale was needed, indeed.He’d forget about Theodosia as he got another beautiful woman beneath him, or against a wall, and he’d finally cure himself from what plagued him.
Once he had a fresh tankard, he drained it with several swallows.The ale would wash Theodosia away and he’d be free.Several nights of brandy hadn’t done so, but ale and a busty beauty would set his mind and body right.
The redhead reached forward and massaged his inner thigh there at the bar for anyone to see.Not that he was a prude, but something about her hand on him brought a taste of ash to his tongue.And his head spun from the tankards of ale on an empty stomach.
Theodosia’s far too beautiful face held in his mind as his eyelids became heavier.The feeling of the woman’s hand on his inner thigh crept higher and, just before she reached his falls, he gripped her wrist.
“No.Not tonight.”What in the devil was wrong with him?
“You don’t mean that, my lord,” she whispered.“I can do all the things you like.”
Court stood and kicked the barstool out from beneath him.It pained him because he did mean it, unsure why he felt like he’d be doing something wrong if he allowed the woman to touch him.It was preposterous.He and Theodosia didn’t have an arrangement.She wasn’t his, and he most certainly wasn’t hers.He didn’t belong to anyone and never would.He’d always been free to fuck whomever he wished and could do so without guilt at present.But yet, his cock was as limp as could be, and it was deuced maddening.And he certainly didn’t want the woman to realize as such.She’d think he didn’t fancy an interest in women.“I must depart.”
He dropped coins on the bar, grabbed his hat, and hurried away from the woman before she could say anything else.
Court stumbled out into the cool night air, frustration and desire warring within him.He refused to go the rest of his life without the feel of a woman wrapped around his cock, so he’d better work through whatever had taken hold of him, and quickly.
