Page 165 of Ironvine

She clasped the taut muscles of his hips. “Your poetry fills me with inspiration, sir. Such bliss…”

He pounded into his wife like a demon devouring, taking his fill. Possessing her utterly. “Would you like me to visit you again, Miss Georgina?”

“I most certainly would, sir.” She raised her legs around his back to feel him as deep as possible as he clutched at her hips, lifting her higher to his. “Absolutely. Yes.”

Pulling her legs over his shoulders, he nestled even deeper into his wife. He smacked her rump, and a sharp cry escaped her. His eyes darkened over her as he thrust steadily, his lips a snarl. “I look forward to our next visit to your special garden.”

ChapterSeventy-Three

Charles

“A package has arrivedfor the Countess, my lord.”

“Ah, very good,” said Charles. “Place it here.” The servant put the box before the fireplace in the main parlour where Charles and Georgina were enjoying a glass of sherry together. Bowing, the servant left the room.

Georgina rushed to the box. “Who is it from, my love?”

“It is from Monsieur Le Verne. There is a letter attached.” Charles handed her the letter.

She unfolded it and read. “He is in London with Her Grace and has gone to his favourite colour shop and had these new colours mixed for me according to his specifications. He feels I should have them as I’m about to begin Her Grace’s portrait.” Georgina put the letter down and opened the box. Inside was a great number of small items wrapped carefully in paper. Georgina opened each item carefully yet with great relish.

“What the devil are those?”

“The pre-mixed paint is stored in these small pieces of cleaned and prepared pig bladder—”

“Bloody hell, pig bladder?”

“Yes, to avoid the loss of the paint to drying. Pre-mixed paint is a new innovation. I shall store them in earthenware containers as he’d instructed me to keep them fresh as long as possible. We had discussed this at length before he left for London. He was very keen to see these colours with his own eyes.”

“That was most thoughtful and generous of him to send you a selection.”

“Yes, very,” she murmured as she picked up her tutor’s letter once more and read. “He’s gotten me several palettes and a new set of brushes too.” Georgina opened another polished casket within the large box and took out a number of long-handled brushes, a grin on her face. “Ah…the textures differ…”

“Very generous indeed.”

“What’s this? There’s something attached to the inside lid…” Georgina worked her fingers inside the lid and produced a folded paper.

“Another letter?”

“A secret one, it would seem.” She turned over the folded paper and there was a red wax seal emblazoned with the letter O.

“The Duke and Duchess,” said Charles.

She brought it to him. “There must be a very good reason for this secrecy, only I’m not sure if it’s good or bad.”

Charles broke the seal and opened the letter, and they read it together.

Dearest Charles and Georgina,

I have undertaken the writing of this letter for there is news I must share with you both.

Upon her arrival at the estate, the lady was not at all pleased when she found her bedchamber was neither sizeable nor luxurious as she had thought befitted her new station in life.

But of course, she was wrong about her new station. She would not be the particular favourite of her master, but only one of many who are permanent residents at the house, there to do their master’s bidding.

At a party given by the master for his special friends to enjoy the many delights on offer, her being one, she was most obstinate which was enjoyed by the guests. Her quarrelsome attitude led to her punishment, special punishments that for many of us have their own rewards. Thus her instruction in the arts of pleasure began.

However, the lady’s fervent attachment to laudanum proved to be overwhelming and her undoing.

---