Jane Feather - Charade by Unknown (howl and other poems .TXT) 📕

to makeit in the prime minister's company. Pitt's attention was for a momentdistracted by a paper on his desk and Justin smacked her bottom.Danielle danced away from his hand with a mischievous grin, her tonguepeeping provocatively between her lips. Almack's could go to the devil,her husband decided. When Danielle was in the mood for play, there wasnothing this town could offer in competition. His

loins stirred at thethought.

"We will bid you farewell then, Pitt," he said, moving Danny in frontof him and pushing her with a concealed hand toward the door.

"Yes, yes, indeed." Pitt was frowning over the paper. "You will pardonme if I do not see you out . . . there is something here . . ." Hisvoice faded as the powerful mind switched tracks fromthe affairs of Paris to a domestic matter of some moment.

"Au revoir,

Chatham," Dannythrew over her shoulder, receiving mumbledthanks for her time and information.

"Wretch," Linton said with satisfaction, tossing her indecorously intothe curricle. "No, you may not

drive. I am in somewhat of a hurry andprefer the reins in my own hands."

"Oui,

milord," Daniellemurmured, the picture of docility as she handedover the reins. "Make all speed,

I beg of you."

*  *  *

They arrived in Grosvenor Square in record time, Tomas clinging on withgrim resignation.

"No, you don't," Justin hissed asDanny stepped sideways in thedirection of the salon and the sound of raised voices.

"But I am sure that I hear the Comte de St. Estephe," she protested."What is he doing here?"

"I have not the slightest interest in St. Estephe's movements, only inyours. And I know exactly how I wish you to move."

"La, Husband, but you are so importunate." Danielle fluttered hereyelashes and received a hooded look of clear intention in return. Shescampered down the corridor to her own bedchamber where Lintonfollowed, closing the door with a decisive click.

"You issued a challenge, madam," he declared. "Something to do withswords, as I recall."

"You have the sword," she said softly, "and I have its sheath."

"Exactly so." He tossed off his clothes, Danielle watching all thewhile, making no attempt to undress herself.

Naked, he strode toward her. "We will have these off, I think." Herouter garments were removed with swift but deft fingers and she stoodin chemise and petticoats. "Brace yourself against the wall." Theinstruction was strengthened by his hands, pushing her until she stoodas required. Her breath came swiftly now as her body prepared itselffor what was to come. His hands slipped beneath the petticoats, foundthe drawstring of her pantalettes, pulled, and the lace-edged garmentrustled to her ankles. His fingers moved delicately b'ut with theunerring skill and the knowledge born of three years of this sharedglory. Playfully she resisted his deeper intrusion until he demandedwith voice and hands that she part her thighs and be taken as thelonging wanton that she was. Holding her petticoats high at her waist,he drove deep within her and Danielle maintained her balance with thewall at her back and her hands on his shoulders until the shudderingaftermath brought her to her knees.

Justin looked down at her and nodded contentedly. "That will teach youto make blatantly suggestive remarks in public." Catching her under thearms, he pulled her upright, sliding one hand beneath her petticoatsagain to grasp her buttocks, pressing her against him as his other handheld her chin and he kissed her with a hard soundness that indicatedthat what they had just had was merely a preliminary.

While the earl and his countess were taking their pleasure, Roland,Comte de St. Estephe, sat in their salon making himself agreeable tothe chevalier and the gathering of emigre nobles. Their conversationsickened him with its futile oratory as much as it did Danielle, butnot a sign of this showed on the long, lean face or in the cold eyesany more than did his impatience as he waited for one or both of hishosts to appear. He had a clear brief from the Brissotin ministry, tobecome accepted as one of the emigres at the British court, gatherinformation as to their plots, learn the names of those still in Pariswho would constitute a threat to the revolution, and foil what plans hecould without jeopardizing his cover.

That cover was perfect for his own plans. What better way to winDanielle's confidence than by offering to help the cause? She wasclearly a prime mover in this business and since her house appeared tobe open to all involved, he could come and go as he pleased, becomefamiliar with the routines of the household, and keep track of hermovements. As yet the

comte

had developed no strategy and haddeliberately refrained from forming one. The opportunity would presentitself for an elegant revenge and he would wait in patience andpreparation for that time.

None of the guests at Linton House that evening were vouchsafed even aglimpse of their hosts. They were kept well supplied with refreshmentsby Bedford and his staff who were resigned to the presence

of what thebutler privately referred to as "the club." The earl and his countesswere served dinner in the private parlor, although the footman who laidout the dishes saw neither of them before he left discreetly. Justinhad some difficulty concentrating on his dinner since Danielle was inthe mood to play harlot and sat at the table in nothing but her skin,moving provocatively as she served them both, deposited herself on hislap to taste the food on his plate and the wine in his glass.

"Danny, please put on a wrapper," he pleaded through a mouthful ofquail. "It isn't that I object to your sitting on my knee, but bits ofyou keep getting in the way."

Danielle merely smiled and diverted his fork into her own mouth. "Youtook me like a whore, milord,

up against the wall with my skirts aroundmy waist. I have a mind to continue the play."

"Oh, do you indeed." He pushed her off