Saffina's Season by Flora Dain Read Free Book Online Page B

perhaps.” His smile faded. “This afternoon you should rest. We’ll be making a night of it. And right now I have business to see to.”
    Excitement tingled in my groin. In our private code, essential in a place so full of watchful servants, rest meant something very different—far more vigorous and usually immensely satisfying. In the peace and quiet of my rooms later this afternoon, he’d expect my detailed and energetic attention.
    I smiled demurely while the footmen cleared our plates and placed a dish of tiny biscuits and a bowl of cherries between us.
    I dangled a loop of cherries over my lips and teased them with the tip of my tongue, eyeing him from under my lashes.
    “And at what hour can I expect you, sir?”
    He watched my antics in silence, his dark look sending new shivers through me. My punished breasts tingled anew, smarting afresh under his steady gaze. I thrust forward their swollen fullness, hoping it showed under the muslin of my modest fichu .
    I guessed right. He gazed at them, his expression thoughtful.
    “Around two, shall we say? For a couple of hours?”
    His low murmur sent a ripple of excitement all the way to my belly. I felt my nipples stiffen against the fabric.
    “Long enough to tot up your losses, my lord?”
    His smile vanished.
    Oh no, I was right. How much has he lost?
    “I’ll leave around four. That should give us time to dress. I’ll order the carriage for seven.” He flung down his napkin, pushed back his chair then strode from the room before the startled footman could dart forward.
    What have I said? Dismay crept through me.
     
    * * * *
     
    After lunch, I took extra care over my toilette, dismissing my maid as soon as I could. Some preparations would be needed before Jacquard’s arrival, and I’d no wish to reveal the marks on my breasts to my servant.
    My regular maids knew me well. I cared little what they thought. But Annie was young, new and easily shocked.
    By the time I dismissed her, I was seething with impatience.
    Will he still be angry? Will he forbid me to go out?
    Until now our marriage had been idyllic, our union all I could wish. Now he was treating me to my first ever Season here in the capital and all felt sour.
    I lay back on the silk-draped daybed to wait, artfully tweaking my lace to form a saucy tableau. I thought about Jacquard, the dark look in his eyes whenever he caught my eye with some wicked new plan of his own.
    Slowly I slipped my hand down to my thighs…
    “Wake up.”
    I snapped my eyes open. Inches from my face, I saw a pair of man’s breeches. Below, a pair of powerful legs, proudly astride. Above, a naked chest sprinkled with dark, curling hair.
    Jacquard.
    “You pleasure yourself so soon, milady? Without me ?”
    The twinkle in his eyes hinted he was funning. The bulge in his breeches, so close to my face, hinted his impatience.
    “Your pleasures come before mine?”
    He sat beside me, running his hand along my throat and farther down, tracing the swell of my breasts, still rosy with punishment.
    “You never objected before,” I giggled. “You like to see me come. You… oh .”
    With a lunge, he rolled me over, bent me down and had me over his lap. Pinning my legs with one of his, he slipped his hand into my skirts and inched the fine linen ruffles up my thighs to where my quivering ass now curved over his knees.
    Laughing, I wriggled to try to work free, all in vain. I felt his arm press on my back as he leaned down to kiss my nape. I felt a shimmer of warm breath on my skin as he murmured softly between kisses.
    “I’m going to give you a hiding. You’ve no right to pleasure yourself without me to watch. And you’re going to have one very sore ass unless you tell me where you went today.”
    “Loose me, sir, I beg you. Let me pleasure myself in peace. And I go where I please. Oh. ”
    His hand landed with a crash on my bare backside, the sting of the blow stopping my breath. I felt his lips on my neck again, this time in