Chapter 7
CHAPTER SEVEN
“Jasper, do you think it wise to manhandle Miss Winthrop this soon?”
Li poured the steaming liquid in a graceful arc above Milton’s bowl. She knelt on the mat across from him, her form as lithe as a cat. “I thought you’d wait until after the wedding to reveal your proclivities.”
“It is better she learn now how I expect my wife to behave.” Milton adjusted his position to match Li’s, bowing low over his bowl before he lifted the tea to his lips with both hands.
She reflected the motion back.
“I am testing her resolve, and so far she has proven up to task, resourceful even.”
“And did we not agree you’d offer for the younger daughter instead?” Her almond eyes flicked to his. “You surprised me when you showed up with the elder.”
“I had every intention of offering for Miss Annabelle, but when I met Elizabeth—”
“You let your prick think for you.” As usual, Li put him in his place. “It is bad enough I’ve lost Wellesley to that honey-haired duchess of his, but to lose you too…” She almost pouted.
Milton laughed, the sound ringing in the quiet of Li’s tearoom.
“Do not jest, sir.” She frowned, but her eyes returned his warmth.
“Li.” He took her hand. “You will never lose me or Wells. We are family.”
Li’s smile hid her pain. “You shall have a family of your own soon enough, Jasper—the heirs you long for—just as Wells now has his firstborn, with another on the way.”
“Another?” he asked. “Has he written to you? The damn fool can scarce pen me a note anymore now that he’s ensconced in his Cumberland castle.”
“He is currently in London, Jasper, with his wife, and staying with his mother. I saw them but two days past.”
“Bloody hell,” he swore. “And still he does not bother to write, the bastard.”
“I believe you are the bastard.” She looked amused. “Besides, it is likely Wellesley’s duchess who would rather not see Lord Redstocking again.” She smirked.
Milton bit his tongue. He’d not be made the butt of jokes for doing Wells a favor.
“Speaking of penning missives,” Li returned to business, “are you going to invite me to your wedding? I have yet to receive a formal invitation.”
“Blast,” he cursed again. “I’ll get them out today, and send Wells one too, since he’s here. And bring your girls, Li. I’d like the church packed, for appearances’ sake.”
“As you wish, Jasper.” Li bowed her head. “And as to the other preparations you spoke of regarding your intended?” She arched one elegant brow high upon her forehead.
“Tell your maids to be thorough.” He did not hesitate. “Prepare Elizabeth as you would your finest whore.”
To her utter mortification, Elizabeth had been stripped completely bare. She’d begged LeBrecht’s seamstresses to give her back her spectacles but was met with only laughter as the one named Rose guided Elizabeth’s naked body to a lady’s daybed replete with plush armrests.
Clearly, LeBrecht’s was no reputable dressmaker’s shop. Then again, with the man she was about to marry, nothing seemed reputable anymore.
Elizabeth’s arms and legs were quickly stretched at her sides and her breasts lightly caressed. She was about to protest when silk skirts swept into the room.
“Miss Winthrop.” Miss Li remained a blur in the distance. “As with all brides who visit my shop, you will be prepared for your wedding night in the manner desired by your groom.”
Elizabeth opened her mouth to speak but was promptly interrupted.
“You will submit to my maids’ ministrations”—those maids tittered behind their hands—“and after, I shall expect you again for tea, in order to educate you in other matters.”
Elizabeth was about to ask what matters those were, but Miss Li’s blur had already vanished. Then, to her utter humiliation, the maids systematically began to remove her body hair.
“Mark you already, did he?” Evie tsked when the three women helped Elizabeth flip onto her belly. “He’s a might heavy-handed, but knows well how t’ ease a body after.”
“Aye,” said Rose, “you’ll not lack fer pleasure, luv.” She laughed low in her throat.
Elizabeth started to speak when the third maid, Mae, whispered, “Biggest cock I e’er saw,” sending them all into giggles.
Elizabeth’s ears burned to hear them speak so intimately of her future husband. “Have you all had him then?” Hurt crept into her tone.
As one they fell silent.
“Well,” she insisted, “have you?”
“Miss.” Rose sighed. “We’re whores, o’ course we’ve all had ’im. And he’s had plenty others ’imself. There’s naught’ll change that.”
Elizabeth fought back tears. It shouldn’t matter one whit that the Baron had slept with all these women. It shouldn’t matter that he’d been paid to sleep with others too. None of it, absolutely none of it, ought to matter to her in the least, except for the threat of disease.
Fear lodged in her gut like a tapeworm beginning to feast.
Rose wiped a tear from Elizabeth’s cheek. “There now, ’tis not so bad as that. Why, a man like Jasper’s the finest catch a lady can nab! Handsome an’ wealthy an’ knows just how t’ please. Now you tell me how many other girls’re as lucky as you.”
“Lucky.” Elizabeth sniffed. “I’d have been luckier left a spinster than marry a man as base as—”
“Now look here.” Rose peeled a strip of hair from Elizabeth’s leg a little harshly; whatever poultice of wax they applied dried quickly.
“I’ll not have yer type speak ill o’ Jasp.
He’s done yer a great honor indeed, askin’ fer yer hand.
He treats us whores better’n any o’ them so-called gentlemen o’ yer own class what visit.
An’ he’ll treat you well too, long as you show ’im the respect he deserves. ”
“Respect?” Elizabeth raised herself on her elbows to frown at Rose’s blur.
“Is a man who tans a woman’s backside respectful?
Forcing her to submit to his every whim?
What of his respect for my desires, ladies?
What of my own free will and pleasure? What if I did not wish to be purchased for five thousand pounds, enslaved to his detestable—”
“Five?” Evie let out in a squeak. “He paid five thousand pounds fer yer ladyship?”
“Christ almighty.” Rose sucked in her breath.
“Why, the wealthy friggin’ bastard,” Mae ground out, then cried, “I wish t’ God a man’d offer so much fer me!”
The room chilled considerably as Elizabeth realized her error. “Forgive me, I should not—I should not have spoken as I just did. You have been most kind, to be so open with me about the Baron.” She swallowed. “I did not mean offense. I most sincerely beg your pardon.”
Elizabeth awaited their condemnation, only it did not come. Instead, a silk robe was laid across her shoulders and her spectacles placed back upon her nose. Three pairs of hands eased her from the daybed.
“Miss,” Rose softened, “you’ll have t’ do worse t’ offend the likes of us.” She smiled. “Though we’ll take yer apology with thanks.”
Elizabeth sighed her relief as they led her to the dais, disrobed her once again, and began to oil her skin.
Devoid of all hair but the locks on her head, her flesh felt alien to her, yet the process had not been too terrible.
The maids next worked her body with sweet-smelling salves, their hands confident and firm.
She imagined the Baron’s own firm hands, for he’d touched her enough to grant her an inkling of what awaited her on her wedding night.
Though he’d touched her in callous ways too.
Elizabeth was wrapped again in the cool silk of the robe when Miss Li returned, this time with a hulking fellow two steps behind her.
“Finished, Rose?”
“Yes’m.” Rose curtsied. “Cleaned up right nice.”
Miss Li threw Elizabeth a critical look and addressed her staff.
“Jasper will arrive in half an hour to fetch Miss Winthrop, girls, so we haven’t time for tea, alas.
Instead, I should like you to further her education, tactfully,” she stressed.
Her eyes flitted to the man she’d brought.
“And with consideration to the lady’s inexperience. ”
Evie giggled coyly at said fellow, who did not seem displeased by the attention.
“I look forward to congratulating you and Jasper on your nuptials, Elizabeth.” Miss Li glided from the room. “Until then, I leave you in good hands.”
By ‘good hands’ the lady apparently meant pure, debauched wickedness, for Evie unbuttoned the man’s fall and proceeded to do what the butcher had intended with Elizabeth.
“Lordy, Mr. Damon, you’ve a fine prick.” Evie licked her lips as she palmed the man’s increasingly erect member in her fist.
Try as she might, Elizabeth could not tear her gaze away from his formidable endowment.
“See here, miss, how it grows t’ me touch?” Evie grinned. “Nothin’ to it, long as y’ tease ’im nice’n steady.”
“Not too steady, mind,” Rose piped up, “else he’ll pop ’is cork too fast, which you’ll not want with Jasper, miss.” She winked at Elizabeth.
“Show ’er yer trick,” Mae urged Evie. “The one what gets ’em every time.”
Elizabeth watched Evie push the man’s trousers to his knees as Evie’s other hand reached to cup his bollocks, kneading them until a groan escaped his lips.
“An’ t’ other,” prodded Mae, making Evie grin more wickedly, the man jerking to her unexpected rear invasion.
“There, luv,” she crooned. “That’s it. Let Evie please you, just like Miss Li wants.”
“Whadya do, Damon, t’ deserve such fine service from our Evie?” Rose crossed her arms over her chest.
“I…” The man struggled to speak under Evie’s caresses. “I dunno,” he got out. “Said I’d been o’ service to ’er. Said I’d done me job well an’—”
“An’ what job might that be, sir?” Mae cocked her head.
“I don’t right … Jesus Mary Mother o’ God!” he let out in a roar of pleasure as Evie knelt to taste the man with her tongue.
Elizabeth’s loud gasp made all heads swivel.
“Watch close now, miss,” Rose instructed. “See how she uses lips an’ tongue an’ barely any teeth? Evie’s best there is at fellatin’.”
“Oi, better’n I’ll ever be,” piped Mae. “Though I’ve me own specialties.” She smiled coyly.