Miss Simpkins School: Flora Read online

  Molly laughed. “Well, it comes from France, and of course all duty is paid.” She winked, and then smiled. It lit up her face, and Flora saw just how she’d captivated Ashley Addersley.

  “May I call you Flora? If I’m to help you, we need to feel comfortable, both of us. And in your own time, tell me what you want.”

  Flora took a deep breath. “Call me Flora, please. And as to what I want? Now there’s the difficulty. I’m not sure what I want, but I do know what I don’t. I don’t want to be the sort of wife who only sees her husband in the bedchamber when he decides it is time to exercise his conjugal rights in order to begat an heir and nothing else. I do not want to be left to molder on whichever estate my husband decrees whilst he jaunts all over the country following his own pursuits. I don’t want that sort of marriage. Neither do I want the sort where once the heir and the spare are safe, both parties stray. I saw that with my parents, and it was agony. Neither was ever happy, and that is not for me. I want my husband to want only me, need only me. To buck the trend and be a couple who enjoy each other’s company.” She paused and smiled. “And enjoy each other as well.” Flora swallowed as her mouth went dry. She could feel the pulse in her neck beat irregularly, and her headache increase as she waited for Molly to reply. She’d practiced that speech so often it was a wonder it wasn’t imprinted on her forehead.

  “Do you know what that entails?” Molly asked.

  This was the difficult part. Flora was sure her cheeks were the color of the wine she was drinking much too fast. “Sort of. Fraser, the Earl of Kinfron, is paying court to me, as I’m sure you are aware. Perhaps that’s not exactly correct. The esteemed earl has approached my brother to ask for my hand in marriage. John has told him I’m agreeable and John approves. Ha, I’m agreeable? What John means is he thinks it a good match, and as he is now head of the family, his word is law. I told him I wished to meet the earl for more than one dance and a supper at Almacks before I made any decision. The bastard, oh sorry.” Flora put her hand to her cheek as Molly laughed. “I love my brother, but he rides roughshod over anyone and everyone if he deems something to be in their best interest. So, my beloved brother told me not to worry, and other such ridiculous platitudes. He is a man and thus knows best. Fustian. He may be a man, but this is my life. To be told I will be betrothed at our ball next week, and that my husband will then know what’s best for me is not acceptable. I want more.”

  She stood up and began to pace. Each step made her more determined to do her best for herself. It was her life she had to determine, and she hoped there were many years of that life left. She wanted them to be happy ones, not full of misery.

  “We’re both at the Markham Ball tonight, and Tilly has found me a nice private room. I want to seduce Fraser. I want to show him what he’ll be missing if he follows the course he has set out to my brother. That I will live at Kilfron. I have nothing against Kilfron; indeed I spent most of my childhood nearby, and I’m happy to spend time there—as long as he is with me. Lud knows it is an open secret in the ton that he has a mistress in Lady Senton, and I have nothing against her per se. But she’s not going to have what I can’t. I will not marry someone who brings his staff from one home to seat it in me. Either he wants me to the exclusion of all others, or he has the others and I’ll decline his not so generous offer.” She stood in front of Molly, well aware her hands were shaking, and her breath was choppy. It mattered, oh how it mattered.

  “Could you?”

  Flora sighed. “Probably not, but I’d do my best. The trouble is I’ve loved Fraser since I was a child. I vowed to marry him when I was seven, and when I was eleven asked him to wait for me. He assured me, from his advanced age of two and twenty, that if I was still of a like mind when I came out, he would offer for me and I would be his wife. Both he and John therefore think it’s a done deal. I may still love him, but times change and I’m no longer eleven with the eyes of a child. I’m nineteen, and according to my brother, well ready to be wed. When I reach the age of five and twenty, I will have money of my own. Until then, John had to support me and look after my welfare. This is his misguided way of doing so. He doesn’t realize that women have needs and desires as well as men. Am I in the minority when I say, I’ve touched myself? That I know what delicious tingles and sensations I feel when I stroke my skin both inside and out?”

  Molly shook her head. “More women than anyone thinks do so. It’s normal, and needed. Sadly too often, it’s the only way a woman can be satisfied. In my profession as a seamstress, not a mistress, I heard that many times, and decided it was wrong. Thus when I was given this opportunity, I took it. There are plenty of young, unattached men, for whom a mistress is necessary. I agree that once married, a wife can be both that and a mistress. The expression ‘a wife at the dinner table, a whore in the bedroom’ sums it up.”

  “Then can you, will you help me?” Flora’s heart raced, and her skin felt too small for her frame. What if Molly said no? Don’t think of it; stay positive. It was hard when you knew the rest of your life was at stake.

  Molly nodded, and Flora let out her breath in a whoosh. “When?”

  With a smile, Molly took Flora’s glass from her unresisting hand and set it on the table. “Now.”

  Chapter Three

  Flora smoothed her dress over her hips and took as deep a breath as her undergarments allowed. Molly had been more than explicit, and Flora was both excited and nervous. The clever lace and silk corset skimmed under her breasts and lifted them into two rounded globes, nipped in her waist, and left her newly shaved quim bare. To Flora’s surprise it didn’t make her feel confined, just confident. The silk stockings that were held up by red ribbon garters caressed her legs as she walked. Over those arousing scraps of material, Molly had decided she should wear a dress of a very pale rose pink, which was so very fine it looked almost transparent. Her brother had frowned when he saw it, but for once hadn’t commented. Perhaps it was the way she stared at him, daring him to do so, that had given him pause for thought. Instead, he’d firmed his lips and put her cloak over her shoulders.

  The color should have done nothing for Flora’s Celtic coloring, but somehow it enhanced her looks. Her red hair looked shot with strands of gold, and according to Tilly who had winked when she saw her, made her green eyes appear deeper and more mysterious.

  Now she stood with her brother at the edge of the ballroom, and looked around with interest. John must have seen where she glanced because he pinched her cheek.

  “He’ll be here soon; he promised, and Fraser always keeps his word.”

  That was what Flora hoped. Now it was almost time to put her plan into action, she wanted to get it over and done with. “I wish to dance, and if you keep glaring at anyone who approaches, I’ll be with the wallflowers for the evening.” Not that she really minded; the conversation in the chairs along the wall, where those unfortunates who didn’t have a dance partner sat, was often much more interesting than anywhere else.

  John glared at her. “I stay until Fraser arrives.”

  “Fraser has arrived,” a new voice announced. “I hereby absolve you of your chaperone duties. Go forth and f…find a card game.”

  And if that was what he meant to say, I’m the Prince Regent.

  John laughed and punched the newcomer on the arm. “I intend to.” He bowed to Flora who smiled. She couldn’t stay annoyed at her brother for long. He truly did love her and wanted what he thought was best for her. It was a just pity he didn’t listen to her point of view.

  “May I say, how,” Fraser hesitated and Flora grinned. She hadn’t missed the flash of surprise, and the gleam of what she rather thought was sexual awareness in his eyes when he saw the way she was dressed, even though he had masked it. That brief glimpse of what she hoped was interest boded well. Now it was time to put her plan into action. Over by the window, Tilly nodded and fanned herself, a signal the coast was clear.

  “How?” she asked. She moved her shoulders slightly, and her dre
ss slid across her breasts, drawing his glance there. Flora took a deep breath so they swelled above the low neckline.

  “Pardon?” He sounded distracted.

  Good, now to move. “You said ‘how’, and stopped,” Flora replied in what she hoped was a playful voice. “How many eggs in the basket? How am I? How long have I been waiting?” She leaned toward him, and made sure her neckline gaped just enough to hint at the rest of her creamy skinned breasts, and showed the barest hint of a dusky nipple. “Or, how does this dress stay across my bosom and not reveal more?”

  “All of those,” Fraser said, and took her arm. “What are you playing at, Flora? That dress is almost indecent.”

  She laughed and began to walk across the room toward a door on the far side. He caught up to walk by her side, and tucked her arm firmly into his. Most people were in the main ballroom, and they were able to make good progress. The predatory look she’d spied in his eyes on more than one occasion directed at someone else was focused on her. It sent the most delicious shivers along her spine. At least she’d engaged his interest. Now all she had to do was keep it.

  “Only almost, my lord? How sad, I was aiming for totally.” She kept her voice light. “Next time perhaps.” She held her breath. Pfft, I seem to be doing a lot of this silly, second-guessing, waiting and scarcely breathing rubbish. I hope it isn’t needed for long. Trying to be a femme fatale was wearying. Would he continue with what Molly had described as sex-banter? Flora had never been so bold before, and had no idea how Fraser would respond.

  “What game are you playing?” Fraser stopped next to the door Flora had aimed for.

  “Game?” She did her best to look innocent. By the way his eyes narrowed and gleamed, Flora wasn’t sure she’d succeeded. “No game, my lord, I assure you.” She moved her legs to make the gown fall in the way Molly had described. It showed a flash of leg and garter through one very fine layer of cloth.

  Fraser’s grip on her arm tightened and he laughed softly. “Playing with fire, Flora. Are you sure you want to carry on? I don’t know why you’re doing this or what your aim is, but for now, let’s see? Perhaps we should adjourn elsewhere for a while?” He opened the door next to them, and propelled her forward along a short corridor toward an exit at the far end. “Through here.”

  Once more Flora found her arm held in an iron grip as he opened this door, walked them into a small and comfortably furnished parlor, and turned the key in the lock. “It’s to be hoped no one else has the same ideas, but at least they won’t come in and surprise us.” He walked to the windows, checked the bolts, and drew the curtains. The room was in shadow, but Flora could see enough to watch him light the lamp and adjust the wick so a soft glow bathed the area.

  Even though it had been her intention to end up in the spot they occupied, Flora’s hands were clammy. What on earth made her think she could seduce a man of such experience?

  “Now, where were we?” He leaned against the wall and looked at her. “Did you say something, my dear?”

  She shook her head. “Nothing at all. Why are we here? Won’t we be missed?” She couldn’t do it. Fraser was so worldly, so blatantly male, and such a virile looking man that her mouth was dry. She wanted him, and wished she did have the courage to act. What if he laughed, and turned her offers down? What then? Flora didn’t think she’d be able to bear it.

  “Who knows?” He shrugged. “We’re about to be wed, people will talk until something else takes their attention. As you won’t be in London that often, it matters little. Tonnish news doesn’t hold much sway at Kilfron, and the Glasgow assemblies are not that inspiring to make me desire to attend. So, my dear, I dare you to finish what you almost started.”

  His almost uninterested indifference stung, as did his blatant words saying she wouldn’t be in the capital often, but didn’t say the same thing about himself.

  “That is just what is not going to happen,” she said with a snap. “Not in my marriage.” Flora paced across the room. “I want it all.” She stopped in front of Fraser, who was staring at her as if she had sprouted horns. “What?” she said abruptly, amazed at her temerity. Being open and forthright wasn’t something she had practiced with him before. “Why are you staring at me?”

  He grinned. “You make no sense, my dear. What isn’t going to happen? That we live in Kilfron? Of course it will. It’s my family seat, somewhere we both know and love. Somewhere for our children to grow up and learn their heritage. You’ll be happy there, and I won’t worry about you.”

  He sounded so definite that Flora’s ire increased. How dare he? Yes, it may be the way of their world, but she couldn’t accept it. Now she had to try and show Fraser that. However he hadn’t finished. Before she had a chance to comment he continued.

  “Or do you mean that you won’t finish what you started? Such a pity, I never knew you had fire in your blood. I wonder how it will show itself, or if it had been doused at the first hint of a challenge?” His eyes sparkled and mocked her, and he smiled in a way designed to make her itch to slap him.

  She balled her hands into fists and bit her tongue. It wasn’t the time to act like a fishwife, but really, she could shout and scream at his attitude. All of a sudden Flora decided enough was enough. He spoke as if everything was cut and dried. Not to her it wasn’t.

  “Oh never that, my lord, never that. You really have no idea of who I am, do you? I will not be dismissed to molder in Scotland whilst you live the high life in other places. I have no taste for cast offs, and if your cock is welcomed elsewhere, it will not then return to me to plant its seed. I’m worth more than that.” She was on a roll now; proud of how she hadn’t stumbled or stuttered over the crude expression, and gloried in the feeling of freedom as she spoke. Who knew that to utter such words could be so liberating? “I’ve discovered I don’t back away from a challenge, but do you know? I have also discovered I’m capable of issuing one. So I’m declining your kind proposal of marriage.”

  She watched as his eyes widened and his lips quirked in what she hoped was appreciation of her words. As elegant as a cat, he walked over to her and stood, his body just brushing hers. She gulped. His scent surrounded her and his breath was warm on her neck. It almost made her lose her train of thought. “Until you show me why marriage to you is better than a cottage in the country, and cats,” she finished in a rush.

  Flora swallowed hard, and wondered where that impassioned speech had come from? As she clenched her hands in her skirts, Fraser’s eyes narrowed. “And what exactly do you mean by all that?” he asked in a soft tone, and ran his finger from her neck to the top of her gown. His nail scraped her skin and set off a chain of tingles through her. “Elucidate.” One finger skimmed under the very low neckline, stroked the top of her areolae, and brushed over her nipple. The jolt to her senses made her gasp. It felt so very different from when she did that to herself.

  A thump in the corridor outside the door, and a giggle made her jump. The petulant tones of a debutante came clearly through the wood as she protested the corridor was narrow, and the library in the other direction. It was followed by the deeper tones of a man, and then a scratching noise as the door latch was moved.

  “Locked,” said the male voice again. “We need to go elsewhere.”

  The interruption brought Flora up short. What on earth was she doing? To try and seduce a man of the world was bad enough, but at a ball? What if the door hadn’t been fastened? It was all well and good, being brave and bold, but not foolhardy. If things went her way, the last thing she needed was to be ruined. She looked up at Fraser, who stood quiet and still, just watching her. He added a second finger to his first and pinched her nipple gently. The extra pressure made her pant, and her channel muscles clench.

  There was another assault on the door, and then the sound of footsteps as whoever it was moved away. Fraser withdrew his digits and took her chin in his hand to hold her face at an angle where she was staring straight into his glittering eyes. “Well?”

 
Flora lost her intrepidity. “No,” she said baldly, and with a wild glance at the door, turned toward the long glass windows that opened into the garden. “I can’t.”

  Chapter Four

  “I lost my nerve,” Flora said as she held a glass of wine in hands that trembled and sent the liquid dangerously near the rim of the goblet. “I told him I wouldn’t marry him on his terms, and then didn’t rise to the challenge, in either stating my intentions or showing them, even though I said I would. I’m a mouse. I was so sure of what I wanted and how I would go about it, and then he looked just so, and I couldn’t do it. I ran. How pitiful am I? The moment he challenged me I backed down.”

  She took a gulp of her wine. The warmth of its rich flavor was perfect for her mood. Flora realized it would take little to make her bosky. “I ran. Into the garden, and then to the ladies’ withdrawing room, where I fabricated a headache and went home. Goodness knows what happened, except I expect he went to Lady Senton for release.” She giggled unexpectedly. “I did notice his staff was somewhat, well, staff like. For all the good it did me. He will think me a silly woman who can’t make up her mind what she wants. One minute bold and confident, the next cowering and pathetic. Now he’ll never take me seriously.” She shook her head. “Molly, how could I be so brainless? To have such an opportunity, and not take it? He was interested, I know he was, but when push came to shove, I couldn’t carry through. I felt stupid. And you know, added to it all was the fear of being found. It seems I’m not as bold and daring as I thought. Now I’m truly at a loss to make him understand how I feel. I failed at seduction, and he probably thinks of me as a nonentity.” She sighed.

  Flora had been excited when Fraser had looked at her with that predatory gleam in his eye. She’d never seen it directed at herself before and it had sent all sorts of new and interesting sensations through her body. She remembered how her quim had rippled with tiny stings across it, and her inner muscles clenched and relaxed in wave after wave of something just out of reach that she knew would be overwhelming. To her amazement, that one look had stayed with her, and Flora had given herself release once she reached the privacy of her bedchamber later that night.