Kate Pearce - Simply Wicked

She made her way back to the door and crept out into the deserted hallway beyond. This had all happened too fast. She’d known him only a few short weeks. After the disaster of her first marriage, she was right to be cautious, wasn’t she? She stared out of the window. Anthony would be halfway to his father’s house now, ready to start his new life—without her. Oh God, what had she done?

Marguerite knocked hard on the door to Captain David Gray’s lodgings and tried to look more confident than she felt. She hoped he was home but knew from experience that naval officers were at the mercy of the tide and the winds and sometimes had to leave far too promptly.

“Lady Justin?”

She fixed a smile on her face.

“Captain Gray, may I come in?”

“Of course, my lady.”

To her relief, he managed to conceal his understandable surprise behind a mask of calm courtesy she could only envy. She walked into his sitting room, noticing again how clean it was and how empty of personal belongings.

“How may I help you?”

Marguerite sat down. She’d spent the last three days trying to decide what to do about Anthony and had finally found the courage to act. It was time to forget her notions of ever being conventional and of fitting in. Her family might be unusual, but at least they loved and supported her. The least she could do was to be proud of them and embrace her unusual heritage. She could only hope Captain Gray would be amenable to her remarkable request.

She cleared her throat. “I need your advice about Anthony Sokorvsky.”

“Mine? I’m not sure if I’m the best person to ask.” He relaxed back in his chair, one leg crossed over the other. “Have you spoken to his brother or Mr. Peter Howard? They know him far better than I do.”

“I need a very particular kind of advice, the kind that you are an expert in.”

His eyebrows rose. “I’m not quite sure I understand you.”

“May I be honest with you, sir?”

“Of course, and please, call me David.”

“I’m trying to understand Anthony’s sexual needs.”

“Ah.”

“He says he doesn’t know what he likes, that his tastes have been formed for him and that he needs to experiment to find out his own desires.”

David nodded. “I can see how he might feel like that. Minshom tried to control him, and as far as I am aware, it wasn’t until quite recently that Anthony realized there were other ways to gain sexual release without subjecting himself to pain, humiliation and complete domination.”

“He wanted me to help him.”

“But you are afraid you won’t be able to provide what he needs?”

“I’m afraid to let him down, to prove unworthy of him.” And why hadn’t she said that to Anthony’s face instead of appearing to simply give up on him?

David studied her, his expression considering. “And how can I help you with this dilemma? Are you also afraid that he will hurt you or make you hurt him?”

“Yes.” Marguerite bowed her head. “He called me a coward, and he might just be right.”

“I don’t think you are a coward. You have a right to protect yourself and him.” He leaned forward, his large capable hands clasped together. “But if it helps, I don’t believe Anthony will miss the extremes Lord Minshom put him through.” He shivered. “I’ve met men who need to be dominated, and Anthony isn’t one of them. He wouldn’t inflict pain on you either; it’s just not in his nature.”

Marguerite nodded as relief shuddered through her. She already knew in her heart that Anthony would never harm her, but it didn’t hurt to have her thoughts confirmed.

“Do you think it would help if I experienced some of the things he likes? He asked me if I would do that for him.”

“Well, you certainly might understand him better. Is that why you came to me?” David smiled. “I did offer to teach you how to tie Anthony up, and I’m more than happy to do that.”

“Actually, I was hoping you might tie us both up.”

David’s smile was slow and full of respect. “You, as well?”

“Do you think Anthony would like that? I want to help him, I really want to try, and I trust you. My mother said you were the perfect man to help me.”

“She would know. What is it with the Delornay family needing my services?” David stood up and grinned at her. “Thank you, my lady, I’ll strive to be worthy of your expectations. And I think Anthony will be in heaven.”

Anthony took off his hat and knocked on the door of David’s lodgings, trying to shake off the slight sensation of a headache lodged deep in his temples. He hadn’t realized what managing a complex estate required and was still struggling to keep up with his father’s immense knowledge. In the last few days, his respect for his father had increased tenfold. He could only hope he hadn’t displayed his lamentable ignorance too often.

“Anthony, come in.” David welcomed him inside with a bow and a friendly pat on his shoulder. Anthony took off his hat and gloves then slowed as he saw a familiar bonnet and cloak draped over the same chair.

“You invited me over, didn’t you, David?”

“I did.”

David was in his shirtsleeves and breeches, his hair tied neatly back from his face, as usual. Anthony gestured at the bonnet.

“But you already have company.”

“I know.”

Anthony gave his friend a quizzical look. “Is this some kind of game? Am I missing something?”

“It’s not so much of a game as the beginnings of your tuition. Why don’t you come into the bedroom, get undressed and then we can start?”

Anthony followed David down the narrow hallway to the bedroom. “I don’t know what you are talking about, and I’m not in the mood for riddles. Perhaps I should go.”

He abruptly stopped speaking as he saw Marguerite sitting on the side of David’s bed. She wore her muslin shift, and her hair hung down her back in a single braid.

“What is going on?” He stared at Marguerite and tried to disguise his shock behind a dismissive smile. “Have you decided to take David as a lover?”

“No, she hasn’t. Now get undressed so that I can begin.”

Anthony remained in the doorway, one hand braced on the door frame. “I’m not doing anything until Marguerite tells me what is going on.”

“But I told her not to speak unless I allowed it.”

“You told her?” Anthony swung around to look at David, who was taking something out of the tallboy drawer. “What in damnation are you talking about?”

David straightened up, two sets of shibari ropes in his hands. “A lesson, a shared experience—if you would shut up and take your clothes off.”

Anthony stopped talking and obediently started to strip, his mind a tumult of chaotic emotions. He still wasn’t quite clear what was going on, but he wasn’t a complete fool. And if Marguerite was willing to try this for his sake, he was not going to disappoint her.

David gestured at the bed. “Anthony, go and sit on the bed, cross-legged, your back against the headboard.”

Anthony walked over to Marguerite, climbed on the bed and took up his position in the center of the bed. His cock was already erect, his body humming with anticipation. David brought the red shibari rope over and trailed it over Anthony’s shoulder and chest allowing it to pool on his stomach.

“We’ll start with you, Anthony. Lean forward.”

David anchored the rope through the back of the headboard and brought it over Anthony’s shoulders and around his torso. Marguerite watched intently, her hands gripped together in her lap, her nipples already showing through the delicate muslin of her shift. Anthony exhaled as David crossed the rope over his chest in an X and brought the ends around his waist.