Free A Ladys Pleasure by Jolie Cain

ma’am.”

    * * * *
The next several days followed a similar pattern. She and Richard rode every morning. She’d come to treasure that time because it was during their rides that she felt like she was really coming to know the man rather than the passionate lover or the honorable duke. They explored the estate and one another, finding many areas of common interests and beliefs, and even enjoying those areas of difference. Both had wicked senses of humor, and they both felt close to the land, preferring the outdoors to sitting around and wasting time on frivolous indoor activities. The duke, she learned, had a hands-on approach to managing his estates. He told her that, though it hadn’t always been the case, these days he much preferred the time he spent in the country to the endless rounds of balls and card parties to be found in the capital. He did spend plenty of time in London during the season and periodically throughout the year because he took his seat in the House of Lords very seriously.
    Lily had never been to London, and she enjoyed his stories of the antics members of the ton got up to. Some of the things he told her she accused him of making up just to make her laugh, but he kept assuring her that he didn’t need to make up stories. The members of the ton could always be counted on to do something shocking or ridiculous without any need for embellishment on his part. She also teased him about his reputation as a rake, which he didn’t bother to deny, though he assured her that it was impossibly exaggerated. She told him she doubted it.
    They also spent some time socializing with Stephen and Caroline’s other guests, joining in the afternoon teas and evening card games. She ignored the speculative glances from both the men and women as they noted the marked attention that Richard paid to her. She and the duke were very careful to give the gossips nothing upon which to remark unfavorably.
    And every night they spent wrapped in one another’s arms. Richard patiently introduced her to things she’d never before imagined, and she blossomed under his tutelage. He was a creative and generous lover, pushing her to try new experiences and praising her lavishly for her passionate responses. She explored his body and came to know it nearly as well as she knew her own.
    The last day of the house party found her unaccountably depressed. She had known the end of the week would signify the end of their affair, so she wasn’t sure why she was so miserable at the idea of leaving Richard. Yet she was. On their morning ride she was unable to conceal her melancholy from the duke.
    “Is something bothering you this morning, Lily?”
    She tried to shrug off her preoccupation. “No. Of course not, Richard.”
    “Not sorry to see the week come to an end?”
    She glanced over, surprised by his comment. “What do you mean?”
    He met her gaze candidly. “I’m going to miss you, Lily, and the time we’ve spent together. I was hoping you felt the same.”
    Refusing to prevaricate in the face of his honesty, she answered, “I do. I must confess, I hate for our time together to end. Is that too shameful of me?” She saw a smile light up his features at her answer
    “It doesn’t have to end, you know, Lily.”
    She raised a brow. “Oh, have you plans for coming and spending time in Melksham soon, then?”
    He laughed softly. “No, but I was hoping you might be persuaded to come to London.”
    “London?” she echoed, as if she’d never heard of the place.
    “Yes, my little country mouse. London. You know…big city, lots of people, center of government. Perhaps you’ve heard of it?”
    “Why ever would I go to London?”
    “Well, it’s still the season, you know. There will be lots of people there. Stephen and Caroline are planning to go up next week. I’m sure she told me that she’s asked you to join them.”
    That was true. Caroline always invited Lily to visit her in London, but she’d always refused. It had