Mastering The Marquess (Bound and Determined #1)(5)

Ruby stood in a single movement, refusing to be cowed. He had always liked that about her.

“If you had any sense, you’d be begging me to help you find a wife when the time came. I know what you like and how you like it. Don’t you ever forget that. I’d be much more successful in finding you a wife you’d be happy with than any society matron will ever be. If I wanted to find you a wife, she’d be the best wife you could ever dream of. Lady Perse and her famous matrimonial teas could not do a better job than I. She’d have you married to a sweet young chit who’d bore you silly within a month, if not a week.”

“I believe Lady Perse is looking for suitable husbands for the ladies. I’ve never heard that she cares what the gentleman thinks, although they are rumored to be love matches. Heaven forbid.” Swanston’s anger abated. He’d always enjoyed a good argument—the winning of it most of all.

“Never mind that. You have me distracted from the purpose.” Ruby returned to the chaise. “I said nothing about a wedding—only a wedding night.”

Relaxing his shoulders, Swanston also retook his seat. It did not do to be standing when a lady was not, even a lady such as Ruby. “A wedding night without a wedding? However does that work?”

“Men.” Ruby looked up at the ceiling in disgust. “No imagination.”

“I rather think I’ve plenty of imagination.” He gave her a sizzling stare.

She laughed. “Really, Geoffrey, if you’d ever had a thought like that about me I’d have known long before this. Now pull your chair over and I’ll explain everything.”

“You’re giving orders again. You know I don’t like orders.”

“Unless you are the one giving them. Yes, I do know that. Now, would you please be ever so kind and help me by moving your chair closer so I don’t have to yell.”

It was his turn to laugh. He thought of pointing out that she could have chosen the seat across from him—he had been sitting first. He also refrained from mentioning that the heavy chair, clearly designed for a man—as was all her furniture, except the chaise—probably weighed as much as a draft horse. Instead, without a word, and with considerable ease, he lifted the chair and set it beside her.

“Begin.” It was an order.

Her low laugh sent shivers down his spine. “Ah, Geoffrey, it is a good thing you were born to be a duke and not a farmer. Now, where to start? A lady seeking a favor of her own approached me recently. She finds herself needing to lose her virginity.”

“And you come to me? You know that is not my style. I prefer an experienced woman, one who wants what I want. I’ve never had a taste for children.”

“Oh no. You have me wrong. She is definitely not a child. I do not know her exact age, but unless she married as a wee babe—and I know she did not—she is at least twenty-five.”

“Married and a virgin? The two words do not go together. And I do prefer not to become involved with married women—much too complicated.”

Ruby leaned forward, raising an eyebrow. She knew as well as he that the Countess was married—and she was not the only such liaison he’d enjoyed. Allowing her breath to brush across his cheek, she answered, “I have said more than I meant. But that is the crux of the woman’s problem. Her husband is dead, for several years now. She wishes to remarry, but does not wish to disgrace his memory with her unplucked status. She is a true lady and so she sought my help. I daresay she thought I would send her to some midwife with a carved stick to take care of the matter, but I think she deserves more.”

Swanston had known several men who he doubted had ever bedded their wives, either because of age or a marked preference for male company. He did not doubt the story, although why this lady would want to cover up for such a man he did not know. “You think she deserves more and so you chose me? I thought you said you knew what I liked—innocence is definitely not it. Find some man who enjoys defiling virgins. I am sure you have plenty in your little book.”

“I won’t ask how you know about my little book. And I don’t want her defiled. That is why I chose you. You keep referring to your tastes, Geoffrey. I know that what you most often indulge in is not always considered normal—not that I think a little bondage and the occasional crop is beyond the pale. But the one thing I do know about you is that you always consider your partner and her pleasure. It is why I choose to indulge you here and why you have no trouble finding partners. And I also know how gentle you are with teaching a willing woman what you like. I know the patience such lessons can require and I know that you have it. I think that you are the perfect choice for my guest. You will give her exactly what she needs.”

“And why would I indulge in this—besides as a favor to you?” He sat back in his chair. Ruby leaned forward, allowing him a perfect view down her dress should he have had any interest. He did not.

Well, perhaps there had been the slightest of glances. He was a man, and what man could resist a good breast? And they were quite fine.

“Listen to me, Geoffrey, and consider. What do you really like? I think you like the teaching, the giving of lessons, but beyond that it is all about the control. Can you imagine a willing woman who knows nothing, a woman who knows only what you teach her, a woman who doesn’t even know that pleasure exists? Can you imagine the control you would have over her? What you could make her do?”