"So Rotham, how goes married life?"
Maxwell, the Duke of Rotham, slowly turned in his seat and gave the man an insolent grin.
"It goes well, thus far. But, the honeymoon is just over."
"Never figured you'd ever take the plunge, to be blunt. Especially considering you're a man that kept a harem at one point in time." Steven Crowley cackled.
"It does seem strange, but I'll adapt."
A moment later, before the men could get into a deeper conversation, the new duchess appeared, devastatingly sexy in a low-cut gown of emerald green silk. Her dark hair was wound up, piled atop her head, and if Steven saw correctly, her eyes were darkened my kohl and rouge touched her cheeks and lips.
The woman was gorgeous, causing men's tongues to fall from their mouths. The male half of the ton fairly panted after her, and Steven suspected that's why Rotham married her. So he could say that she was his possession.
"Good evening, Crowley, how are you?"
"I'm well Duchess. You look divine."
"I aim to please." She sent him a smoldering smile, then turned her attention to her husband. "Darling, I'm going to head on home. I've had enough of this engagement."
"I won't be far behind. I've had almost enough myself." Rotham took a step forward and kissed his wife.
Steven couldn't help but watch- it was not a polite peck on the cheek, but a full mouth kiss, that included heavy tongue. It was almost pornographic. He finally glanced away, swallowing hard as the Duchess moaned in her throat. Apparently, Rotham had met his match.
"I see your wife has taken her leave."
"Good evening, Countess."
The Countess was as stunning as his wife, though on the other end of the spectrum. She was pale and light and blonde- the exact opposite of his exotic wife. They had carried on an affair for some time when they were young...they basically taught each other and learned the ways of lovemaking together. There would always be a bond between them.
"I'd love to spend some alone time with your wife, Roth. I think she and I should do some shopping."
"Countess, you'll not surprise her. She's almost as experienced as you are."
"Oh darling, I doubt it." She waggled her fingers a him and whisked away in a swirl of ice blue.
Liza, the new duchess, dismissed her maid and undressed herself. She was angry. The duke barely paid attention to her at all tonight, and it was one of their first appearances together since the wedding. It was high unfashionable to dote on your spouse overmuch, but he only danced with her once. Once!
She walked to the sideboard and poured herself a glass of brandy. That would help her sleep, or so she hoped. Maxwell better not mess with her, because she would get him back.
Tongues were wagging not a month later that the Duchess of Rotham had taken a lover. Maxwell mostly ignored the idle gossip; he was home most nights and she was always more than willing for him to be in her bed. He dismissed the rumor with a derisive laugh and a shake of his head.
"My wife is not being unfaithful, gentlemen. I can assure you of that."
Somewhere, deep inside his chest, he wasn't too sure. She did seem to be acting different...but maybe she was just unsettled and trying to adapt to her new life. Liza had not been a virgin when he married her, and he didn't care. She was like a mistress that didn't have to be hidden, and if she ended up with child, that was fine.
"The Countess of Edmon is here to see you, your grace."
"Show her in." Liza looked up in surprise. The Countess was her husbands friend, not hers.
A few moments later, the woman entered the room. She really was stunning. Her fair hair and blue eyes lent her an innocence, but one look into those eyes made you realize she was more experienced than you. Today she wore a pink rose colored gown, and she looked lovely.
"To what do I owe this pleasure?"
"I thought perhaps you'd like to go shopping. I know a wonderful little store that I would love to show you." The Countess sat down across from her.
"Do you think a friendship between us would be wise? Considering your history with my husband?" Liza set the book she had been reading aside.
"I think it would be very wise indeed. I can tell you all kinds of embarrassing stories from his childhood."
After a moment of thought, Liza decided to take the plunge and go with her.
"May I call you by your first name?"
"Of course. I shall do the same to you." The Countess, Rebecca, stated.
In the carriage, the women made idle small talk. It was unusual, because neither one typically did that. They were both strong, independent women that spoke their minds. Finally, Rebecca broke the chit chat.
"I will say...this store may surprise you."
"In what way?"
"It's a little...risqué."
"Hmm." Liza didn't quite know what to make of that comment, so she waited in silence.
The coach stopped and the women got out, and Rebecca led the way to the door. It was a tiny shop, nestled in between larger specialty stores, and Liza was fairly certain she had never noticed it before. As they stepped through the doorway, the door jangled and announced their entrance.
Oddly enough, no one paid them any notice, and the customers kept their eyes away from the newcomers. Liza felt her brows furrow. How curious. Rebecca led the way to the back of the store, and pushed aside a curtain made of wooden beads. An entire different world lay behind them; glass trays holding an array of oils of all colors, undergarments that could only be described as indecent, and a glass case covered with a piece of fabric.
"Hello, Countess. Good day, your grace."
Liza started as the man behind the counter greeted them. The fact he knew who she was concerned her...this didn't seem to be a store with a normal reputation.
"Good afternoon, Cuthers. Might I see the collection?"
Rebecca moved forward and Liza followed behind uncomfortably. The man- Cuthers- whisked away the material and Liza gasped, hoping she wasn't seeing what she thought she was seeing. The case held an array of items. Clamps, bells, clips, little metal balls, and things that looked very...phallic, of all shapes and sizes. Liza felt her face redden. Though she was no shrinking violet, she never dreamed this would be the result of their outing.
Gathering her skirts, she turned away and pushed back through the strands of beads. She tossed over her shoulder, "I'll be in the carriage." Liza's face burned as she made her way outside, breathing only when she was settled into the luxurious squabs of the seat. How dare that...that...whore, take her to such a place! She was a duchess, not a common doxy! Liza seethed, waiting for Rebecca to reappear.
"Darling! Why did you run out like that? Whatever shall Cuthers think?"
"I don't give a good godamn what he thinks. How dare you?" Liza's eyes were narrowed to slits. She had worked herself into a fine temper.
Rebecca looked genuinely surprised as she climbed onto her seat.
