Page 93 of Her Beast

“Where was your school?”

“In France, an old chateau in the country. Anyhow, we were the only two English girls whose family didn’t bring us home.” That was thanks to Nadine and set the trend for the entire three-and-a-half years she was away.

“Once there was nobody else looking on for us to entertain, we discovered we had a lot in common. Her mother had died when she was born and it was only Lily and her father, the Earl of Danforth. She rarely saw him and his only interest in her was keeping her out of trouble until she married. She was already betrothed to a man twice her age.” Julia cut him a quick glance to see his reaction to that information, but he was staring ahead. “They are married now and she is very happy. Extremely happy,” she amended.

He laughed softly. “That is reassuring to hear. So the two of you became lovers?” he persisted.

Why did the wordloversound so mature and taboo when he said it in his deep voice?

Julia was suddenly glad that he was staring ahead rather than at her. “Lily thought we should practice kissing for the day when we’d both be married. Both of us knew we’d have little enough time between school ending and getting married—oh look,” she blurted, “I’m skating!”

He stared down at her, a slight smile curving his lips. “You’ve been managing for several minutes now.”

Her hand still clutched his sleeve, but she was pushing herself along—true, with a bit of a wobble—but still moving on her own.

“Was kissing all you did?” he asked, taking her elbow and steadying her when she jolted at his question.

“Erm, no.”

“Tell me how you pleasured each other.”

Julia gasped.

“What?”

“The things you say! They’re—”

“Naughty?” he asked, smirking down at her.

“You do it on purpose, don’t you?” she asked, raising a cooling hand to her cheek, which was scalding hot.

He chuckled.

“Why are you laughing?”

“Because I’m charmed by you, Julia. Now tell me about the things you and Lily did to one another.”

It was her turn to laugh. “You are wicked!”

“Yes.”

“And shameless about it, to boot!”

He merely smiled.

Julia chewed over his demand for a moment, and then said, “I’ll tell you one thing if you tell me one thing.”

“Quite the little haggler, aren’t you?”

“I believe thatyouwere the one who initially decided we should make such bargains.”

“I believe you are right. It depends—what do you want to know? You tell me your question and I’ll decide if I wish to bargain.”

“That doesn’t seem—”

“Fair,” he finished for her. “I know. But that is the offer, take it or leave it.”

“I’ll take it,” she hastily said. “I want to know what sorts of things you p-paid women thousands of pounds to do.”

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