Page 15 of In a Rake's Embrace
Several minutes later, he watched his mother and brother enter their townhouse. Ronald gaily waved, and Thomas lifted his hand and returned it. Once the front door closed, he wheeled his horse around and started to trot home. A wicked dart of anticipation thrummed through him. Tomorrow, the lessons with Miss Woodville will begin. He had no plan and would go as the moment, and instinct, guided him. Thomas wondered what he might learn about Miss Woodville.
Bloody hell. Again, there was a pulse of desire and curiosity about what drove her to this decision. He ruthlessly closed his mental fist and banished it from his thoughts.
CHAPTER 6
Thomas sat in his private room atAphrodite, waiting for Miss Woodville. It had been a few minutes since the servant was sent to fetch her. The dimly lit room was one of the few private quarters on the fourth floor, reserved for elite clients, given more for their status in thetonthan their frequency at the pleasure palace. It was tastefully decorated, with a large bed dominating the space, a gilded chaise longue near the fireplace, and a long sofa beside a window overlooking the busy streets below. Aubusson carpets lined the floor, while heavy drapes with ornate tassels framed the windows. Liquor carafes lined the mantel along with a decanter of fine whisky on a walnut table.
The door opened, and Miss Woodville entered. Her face, though composed, couldn’t quite mask the bright blush that colored her cheeks. Thomas smirked, amused by her suppressed nervousness.
“Ah, Miss Woodville,” he drawled, his tone teasing as he took another sip of whisky. “Looking very much like a mouse going to the slaughter.”
She delicately cleared her throat. “It is natural to be anxious.”
“Not here,” he clipped. “There is no room for it. Once a path is decided, there is no room for hesitation or regret.”
“I agree, my lord.”
He caught the slight arch of her brow at his position, her eyes flicking briefly to the glass in his hand. Thomas was sprawled indolently on the sofa, one leg crossed over his knee, perfectly aware of the deliberate ease in his posture. Most people of thetonwould consider this stance highly improper.
“Gentlemen come here to unwind,” he began, watching her take in the room. “Only a select few have private rooms like this on the fourth floor. If one of those men wins your auction, you will be taken to a room like this for the nights won.”
“Yes. Madam Rebecca explained I might see a few men on the fourth floor, and I should not be alarmed by it,” she said quietly, glancing around again. “I presume those gentlemen all have private quarters like this one.”
Thomas nodded. “How many nights will you allow?
Her gaze swept over the large bed, the long sofa, and the well-stocked mantel. “I shared your concerns with Madam Rebecca, and she agreed to a few changes. I’ve decided to set a maximum of five nights. If the bidding caps at one thousand pounds, that will grant only a single night. Once the bidding reaches five thousand pounds or over, the winner will secure five nights, no more. Additionally, the winner must agree that I won’t leaveAphrodite’s premises; all nights will take place here. This way, I’m assured the protection of Madam, the other girls, and the guards.”
He nodded approvingly. “Good. You will take him to your chamber if he has no private quarters.”
“These men … have homes. Why do they need a private chamber here?”
Thomas leaned forward, setting his glass down. “Men also enjoy a place where there’s no judgment, no expectation toconform to society’s notions of ‘gentlemanly behavior.’ Some are wedded or live with family and feel they cannot be themselves. Take how I’m sitting, for instance,” he said, gesturing to his leg. “It’s considered impolite for a gentleman to sit with his foot crossed atop his knee. Proper etiquette demands it be at the ankle.”
“How absurd,” she replied, a small smile touching her mouth.
He nearly damn well shouted that she should not smile. By God, it rendered her exquisite. Thomas glanced at the perfect bow of her upper lip and the soft, inviting fullness below, his body stirring at the thought of seeing her tongue curled around his cock.
“I tell you this so you understand that when you enter a room with a gentleman, you can have no expectations of gentleman-like conduct from him. He’s not here to cater to a woman’s sensibilities or uphold society’s standards. He’s here for pleasure and to be pleased in the ways that matter tohim. That is whatAphroditepromises. He will be crude if he can, or he might be charming. Understand he is even more selfish at this place, and you cannot hope he will consider your desire, even once.”
“I understand.”
A small silence fell as they took each other’s measures. Miss Woodville seemed less nervous.
“Take down your hair,” he said softly. “Never come to me with it pinned. It is glorious when loose, and that is how most men would prefer it.”
Her hand lifted, and she withdrew the pins. Dark hair tumbled around a heart-shaped face and down to her hips, and she instantly appeared more provocative with her gently sloped cheekbones, dark green eyes and a perfect, pouty little mouth. Thomas breathed in deep and long, disconcerted and temporarily stuck for words, which was quite an unfamiliarexperience for him with a woman. Somehow Thomas had imagined the impact of her beauty to lessen today.
Bloody hell.
It was his turn to clear his damn throat. Thomas arched a brow, his gaze drifting over her plain, modest gown. “Why are you dressed like that?”
Miss Woodville faltered, glancing down at her attire, which had clearly seen better days. She took a small breath, smoothing her hands nervously over the fabric.
“This ... this is what I have, my lord. I sew well and will make alterations as needed to improve the fit. My gown yesterday was a loan from Madam Rebecca until I see the modiste.”
Thomas clicked his tongue disapprovingly, setting his glass of whisky aside as he rose from the sofa.
“That won’t do,” he said, crossing the room to her. “I’ll take you shopping for clothes—hats, stockings and everything else you need.”
