An Experienced Mistress by Bryn Donovan

decided to confide in her. She trusted Flory. The woman had been with her almost since the time Adam abandoned her. She’d always been loyal.
    “It’s from Will Creighton’s banker,” she told Flory. “He says after this they’ll come every month, starting on the first of April. April Fool’s Day,” she added in a murmur.
    “Well, ma’am, that’s what the gentleman said he’d do. He ain’t stingy, I’ll say that much for him.” Flory extended a hand toward the bank-notes. “If you want, I’ll put the money on top of the cupboard, till you can return it to him.”
    “Perhaps I won’t return it.”
    “What?” Flory gaped at her. Then her eyes narrowed. “Miss Genny, are you trying to tease me? I know you too well for that.”
    “Yes, I’m just joking. How could I teach anyone about such things?” She gave a rueful laugh. “Mr. Creighton seems to be under the impression that I’m quite sophisticated in these matters.”
    “Yes.” Flory’s voice held a hint of a question, but she didn’t ask it.
    Genevieve answered it anyway. “And I am not. Not in the least.” She knew she shouldn’t discuss such things, but she was tired, and it was Flory, after all.
    She lowered her voice to confide, “I was only with a man three times, and each time it was a thoroughly disagreeable experience. Thank goodness it only lasted a minute or two. But if I understand right, it can be more pleasant than that.”
    “Oh, Miss Genny. It can be far more pleasant.” She blushed and ducked her head. “If you don’t mind my saying, ma’am.”
    Genevieve recalled that Flory had been married for more than thirty years. Her husband died just a few years before. Still, she was surprised by the wistful look that passed across her maid’s face. A look of remembered pleasure.
    What had she missed out on? Genevieve cast aside that depressing thought.
    “Well, at any rate, I could never give Mr. Creighton lessons. For a ruined woman, I am woefully ignorant. I have no idea what sorts of things an experienced mistress might do.”
    “I don’t suppose you would do it, even if you could, ma’am.”
    “I’ll be damned if I wouldn’t,” Genevieve said bitterly.
    Flory looked shocked, both at the language and the sentiment. “Now, Miss Genny.”
    “What?” With her booted foot, Genevieve kicked a log farther into the fire, sending up sparks. “You know, there are rewards for women who always behave well. But there are no rewards for behaving well after behaving badly. That’s what I’m finding out.”
    She was already a ruined woman. Why did she continue this self-imposed, joyless imitation of propriety? Even if she were barred from the nuptial feast, might she not taste a few stolen bites of the dessert?
    Genevieve leaned over to unlace her boots. The fire felt warm on her wool-stockinged feet.
    She couldn’t truly accept Mr. Creighton’s thoroughly wicked proposal. Why even indulge in such nonsensical thoughts? Only because money was tight would she muse idly of such things.
    It had nothing to do with Will Creighton’s powerful, lean body, or his intelligent dark eyes.
    Of course not.
    Lessons. She wondered how a mistress gave instructions? The only kinds of subjects she knew of were the kind a governess taught. First the ABCs, and all that, and then on to the advanced lessons.
    An idea dawned on her. Could a mistress do that? Begin with rudimentary lessons, and then on to more advanced ones? Perhaps she could start with kissing!
    Why not, if a gentleman wanted to learn things properly? Genevieve had heard about men who were deplorable kissers.
    Though she doubted this would be the case with Will Creighton.
    She always liked kissing. Even with Adam, she’d enjoyed that. And she was sure she would enjoy it with Mr. Creighton more.
    But surely a man wouldn’t be content with kissing, even for one lesson? Unless he was convinced that she was an expert...
    She imagined herself playing the worldly woman with Mr.