Page 21 of Wicked With You
They chatted about his family and hers for a long time, the London season, and mild gossip. They spoke about books they enjoyed and even the last play they had seen at Drury Lane. When she ate the fish, Henrietta had never tasted anything so perfect. He teased her as she devoured her meal in quick succession. As her heart ached and squeezed, the stone nestled between her breasts felt warm and no longer cold.
Zeus did not seem to want to join them in their ad hoc meal of trout, but they threw sticks for him, so he trotted back and forth contentedly carrying his prized sticks back to his mistress. Simon managed to eat two of the fish, but she only managed to eat one. The fourth fish they did not cook, and he wrapped it in brown paper which he placed in his carry sack.
“Are you ready to return home?”
“No,” she softly said.
They sat staring at the river and occasionally skipping a stone over its slow-moving waters watching them bounce. The fire died down, and Simon stomped the embers out before refilling a now empty bottle of water and dousing the cinders with it.
“I think we should go now; a wind is picking up and it is getting colder,” he said.
“Yes, we should go, I think it is going to usher in the rain, I should be getting home,” Henrietta agreed although she did not want to leave.
Her mind had not completely settled down after he devastated her senses with the demonstration of his rakery. She was not sure if she should be angry with him for his pleasuring her body or grateful to experience such a wonder. She knew that he had resisted taking her virginity and had no opportunity to seek his own sensual release. She supposed as they continued back to the boathouse, he’d been generous to allow her, an unwanted wallflower, those brief moments of bliss with him.
It hovered on her tongue to ask him about the courtesan he planned to woo, but she bit back the words with a groan. When they reached the boathouse, he unlocked the door and put his fishing tackle away. Then he went and turned off the spigot and tested the temperature of the water.
“The water’s lovely, just right. Are you going to join me in a swim?” he asked, removing his boots and shrugging off his jacket. Simon’s smile was challenging, his eyes heavy-lidded with carnality.
“You’re a devil for tempting me like that.”
“I do not deny it.”
Henrietta refused to smile at the wretch even though it tugged her lips.“ You know I would be utterly compromised if I were to join you. I’ll bid you good day and expect you at the cottage at ten thirty Friday.”
She bobbed him a curtsy and turned to go as he disposed of the rest of his clothes.
“Come on in; you will enjoy it,” he said.
She glanced in his direction to rebuff his invitation, only to realize that he was now standing there proudly displaying his full glorious nakedness. She turned at once and stomped out of the boathouse, slamming the door behind her, as his warm deep laughter echoed behind her. She knew that her face was so red that it nearly matched the highlight in her hair and that her pulse was racing. She picked up Zeus and cuddled him tightly.
“Oh Zeus, what am I to do? The man is an incorrigible rogue.”
Zeus yipped in reply, and they set off back to her Gran’s estate.
Simon was far too handsome with the body of a young Greek god although much more well-endowed than the images she had seen.
I think I will have to take a dose of salts to try and get the sight of him like that out of my mind.
At least by the time she reached home, her blushing had gone down, but also the weather had broken, and she ran the last few yards with Zeus in her arms as large, cold raindrops slashed down.
CHAPTER8
Henrietta set out early for the second session of painting Simon’s portrait. As she strolled along with Zeus, yipping back and forth, she picked some verdant greenery and flowers that she intended to introduce into the picture. She had spent the latter part of the evening, before going through the chests and cupboards in the attic, locating some props used in previous impromptu theatrical performances in the family.
She found a Roman-style helmet and breastplate, although they were made frompapier maché, a wooden spear and sword with sheath, a slightly chipped and very ugly classical urn and some brightly colored drapes which would set the scene better. Before she set off, these items had been carried to the cottage by an enthusiastic and very young footman.
The flowers and foliage went into her basket, and she hummed a pretty tune as she walked while Zeus tried to chase rabbits, who were far too fast for him to catch. She was trying to imagine a classical background of a small Grecian-style temple, scenery, and a blue, cerulean sky. She wondered if she should include just a touch of the sea to give the impression of an Aegean vista with Mars lying amongst sumptuous draperies.
Simon was already there when she entered the cottage, reclining on the bed against the mound of cushion like a pagan god or a pasha, his golden chest gleaming and reading a book. Henrietta tried her best to not blush, for the memory of what happened two days ago was never too far from her thoughts.
“Good morning, Henrietta,” he murmured.
Thankfully he did not lift his regard from his book, and she unabashedly admired him. He really was handsome, with his chiseled jawline, aesthetically pleasing nose, and sensuous mouth. The blackness of his hair was like the inky darkness. Her fingers twitched with the memory of touching those silken strands.As if he felt her regard, his head lifted. His mild and almost unreadable expression shifted. Henrietta stepped back as his expression changed to something more fierce and sensual. She delicately cleared her throat, aware of her pounding heartbeat.
A flash of heat seared her as she recalled the feel of delicate fingers rubbing firmly over the aching flesh between her legs. Oh, she had been so wicked. And she could allow no more. This man was a blasted rake! He seduced and left a trail of broken hearts in his wake. He was now ardently pursuing a woman to be his mistress! Henrietta should not have this maddening desire for him. She closed her eyes and blew out a frustrated breath.
I need to hurry and finish his portrait.
