Free Prelude to a Scandal by Delilah Marvelle

unaffected by the sins of humans, feels no shame when it pleasures another female chimpanzee, then what shame should exist if two men or two women choose to pleasure each other in a consensual manner? Oui?”
    Justine’s breath hitched as she slowly turned to Henri. No one had ever professed to her they had actually read her father’s observations, let alone confessed finding any value in his work.
    Catching Henri’s soft, large hand, she squeezed it lovingly. “So you have read his observations?”
    Henri let out an impish laugh and leaned closer, his shaven, boyish face lingering. “Mais, oui. It was well worth every shilling of the ten. My respect knows no bounds.”
    Justine’s chest tightened as she brought Henri’s hand to her lips and kissed it. “I thank you for your kind words. As does my father who dedicated eleven years of his life to it. It means the world to me. To us.”
    Henri yanked his hand away from hers and tsked. “Tut. I should be kissing your hand.” He made a circle above her head with a finger. “Turn. We must finish or His Grace will toss me and it is back to France for me.”
    Justine grinned and turned back to the mirror. “His Grace would never dare.”
    CLEAN AND COIFFED and more than ready for her husband, Justine nestled back against the verdant embroidered pillows set atop her massive mahogany bed. Though everything in Bradford’s home was needlessly large, expensive and imposing, she was grateful for all the male servants who made her feel welcome and at home.
    Knowing there wasn’t much time left before Bradford visited, Justine snatched up her book, How To Avoid A Scandal, from beneath her pillow and hurriedly paged through it remembering there had been something pertaining to the subject of the bedchamber. Albeit brief.
    She paused and stared blankly at what was indeed a disappointing single page. With no illustrations to assist, she prayed the author would mention something about the position in which the wife was to present herself. Because she really didn’t want to do it bent over and rear out, like a waiting sheep or goat or horse or cattle as had been illustrated in her father’s book over and over and over again. She knew what went where, and that it resulted in pleasure for both the male and female, but there had to be a better position than that.
    Justine shifted beneath the coverlet and squinted at the lettering, determined to memorize whatever she possibly could.
    As a new wife, various duties await. Especially duties involving the siring of children. By having no expectations, this author can assure you, those duties will lead to far less disappointment. Whilst some men do understand the needs of a woman, sadly, many do not. The likelihood is that your husband has the sensitivity of a brick. All you can do is encourage him to be gentle. I also recommend you only allow for him to lift what little of your night clothing is necessary. Nudity, after all, will only rile more aggression, which can be very tedious depending upon his stamina and level of experience. You will know when he is done, when he shows no further interest. Apply a cool, moistened cloth against the affected area as it will ensure less irritation and soreness and prepare you for the next encounter. Each encounter should become less tedious, although this author cannot readily promise that. It was a good thing animals didn’t know how to read, or extinction would have been imminent for all. She shook her head side to side. Useless was what this book was. Absolutely useless. She should have asked her father about more creative positions to assume when she’d had the chance.
    Exasperated, Justine slapped the book shut and shoved it beneath her pillow. She yanked the thick coverlet further up her body, covering up more of her chemise, and shivered. Her skin was still moist from the rosewater bath Henri had earlier drawn.
    Footsteps echoed from outside her door. She froze, knowing they were