Submitting to His Lordship by Em Brown Page A

no intention of resolving the tension? Was it his intention to build anticipation or merely to tease her to prove his power?
    She would have to take matters into her own hands. She crawled into the luxurious bed and pulled up her skirts underneath the covers. Finding the nub of flesh between her thighs, she sighed and sank into the pillows. As she stroked herself, she wondered why she desired this exasperating man? The Baron was handsome, but she had known men of superior countenance who had not affected her so.
    Compared to her experience at the posting inn earlier today, her own fingers felt slight and unsatisfactory against her clitoris. After a few minutes, she relented. She wanted him and him alone. She watched the simmering fire in the fireplace until she fell into a deep slumber with hopes that her patience would be rewarded tomorrow.
     
    * * * * *
     
    The brightness of the sun slipping through the curtains informed Deana that it was late in the morning. She stretched her arms above her. The travels of yesterday had tired her more than she expected, but having spent one of the most comfortable nights, she felt quite rested and refreshed. She stared at the designs in the canopy above her. Her body surrounded by soft and sumptuous fabrics, she felt as if she had awoken in the chamber of a princess. With a contented sigh, she threw back the covers and walked over to the sideboard. Bhadra must have come in at one point for Deana found a towel, a brush for cleaning teeth, a pitcher filled with water, and other accoutrements of hygiene.
    Just as she had finished cleansing her face, Bhadra entered with a tray. “Good afternoon, m’lady.”
    “Afternoon?”
    After setting the tray on a small table, Bhadra opened the curtains. “It is past the noon hour.”
    Drawn to the coffee she smelled, Deana sat down at the table and helped herself to the delicious meal of eggs, ham, beans, and bread. Bhadra busied herself with laying out the clothes that she must have unpacked from the portmanteau.
    “My clothes will never feel as pleasant after having worn a sari,” Deana remarked.
    Bhadra gave her a small smile.
    “Do you...service many guests?”
    “There are many patrons of the Chateau.”
    “Do they all wear attire such as this?”
    “No. His lordship requested it specially for you.”
    She was unsure if she should be pleased that he had singled out the garment for her. She decided to take advantage of the opportunity that Bhadra was less reserved than the prior night.
    “Does his lordship come here often?”
    Bhadra paused. “It has been some time.”
    Deana mulled over the information. “Are there many other guests presently at the Chateau?”
    “Not more than usual. Shall I brush your hair, m’lady?”
    Deana went to sit at the vanity. Bhadra uncoiled her hair and removed it from its braid. As the maid brushed her hair, she considered which question she wanted to ask next and how to phrase it to solicit the best answer possible.
    “You may return later, Bhadra.”
    Lord Rockwell stood at the door. Dressed in a dark blue double-breasted tailcoat and spotless white trousers, he presented as smart a vision as any pink of the ton. In one arm he held his hat and riding crop. The other arm was at his back.
    Bhadra curtsied. “Yes, m’lord.”
    He watched her leave—with some tenderness, Deana thought but could not determine with certainty. She remained seated at the vanity, not knowing quite what to do. She was not in her element here at Chateau Follet.
    “I trust you slept well?” he inquired as he strode over to her.
    “Yes, thank you. Are you often in the habit of entering a woman’s boudoir unannounced?”
    He smiled, a little, but did not answer her question. Instead he produced a large velvet box.
    “To complete the ensemble,” he explained and opened the box.
    Deana gasped at the jewelry she beheld. The little diamonds and rubies were laced together with gold in the most intricate and elaborate designs.