Free Mistress in the Making by Lynne Silver

simple panels and turned the knob with a flourish. He gestured for everyone to enter, with Charlotte entering on Lucas’ heels and Whiting last, closing the door with a snick.
    A low bed dominated most of the space and there was no other furniture apart from a sofa. Charlotte clung to Lucas’ side, hesitant over their next step. He slung an arm over her shoulder and walked them over to the sofa. After they were seated, Lucas leaned against the back cushion.
    “What is this, Whiting?” he asked as if he were merely watching a play.
    “Judging from your behavior in the hall, I thought you’d like to join us. I confess to rabid curiosity to the many talents your acquisition learned at the hands of Madame Bella,” Whiting said.
    Ice filled Charlotte’s stomach and she prayed she’d judged Lucas’ character correctly. He wouldn’t make her touch Whiting, would he? Trust me , he’d ordered, so she would. For now. But she eyed the number of steps to the door just in case.
    “I find I’m too selfish to share her just yet. Come see me in six months or a year,” Lucas drawled, as he hoisted her onto his lap and wrapped his arms around her. She relaxed into the protective armor of his body and tried to school her expression into passivity. Whiting would expect her to not hesitate at joining him in bed. After all, she was trained to be a lady of pleasure. She eyed him for any sign of anger at Lucas’ rebuff, but he didn’t seem offended.
    “Very well. It was worth a try. It would’ve been marvelous to taunt your brother over having her for free when he can’t.”
    Lucas’ lips curled upward, but he said nothing.
    “I’ll stick with my girls then. Stay to watch or join us,” Whiting said generously as his hands began to unwind his cream lacy cravat from his neck.
    “Are you okay to stay and watch?” Lucas whispered in her ear, taking advantage of the position to nibble her lobe causing shivers.
    She nodded, unable to find the correct words to give permission for her to watch three men engage in lewd acts she’d never even imagined. Did it make her a horrible person, because nothing could tear her away from the spectacle?
    * * * * *
     
    “Who are you?”
    Bellamy followed the tall blonde down the hall into a private dressing room after watching a scintillating dance designed to arouse every audience member. It had worked. He adjusted himself in his trousers and shut the door behind him so as not to lose the infamous Georgina to the hordes of fans.
    “My name is William Bellamy. Bell to my friends.” He stepped forward with an outstretched hand after hesitating a scant second. Perhaps he should’ve gone with his instincts and bowed over Georgina’s hand as he would a lady.
    Georgina ignored his proffered hand, eyeing it as though it held a dead rat. “And are we going to be friends?”
    He straightened grinning up at the other male. “I hope so.” If he hadn’t seen certain body parts revealed in the recent dance, he’d never have guessed the creature in front of him was, in fact, a man, not a woman. Long, golden hair spilled down his back, and it was no wig. Georgina’s face was one every debutante would pray to her maker for. Big blue eyes, pouty pink lips, and thin arched brows created a feminine beauty. “I’m told I make a good friend.”
    Georgina turned to the mirror and sat on a stool in front. He leaned forward to examine his reflection. “Why did you follow me? You don’t seem the type to want me in your bed.”
    “You’re beautiful,” Bell said honestly. When Georgina didn’t respond, he continued. “You’re correct, I’m here for you, but not in the way the other men are.”
    “Why are you here, then? I’m a busy girl, my adoring public expects another performance in half an hour.”
    “I’ll be quick then.”
    “Oh no, darling. Never brag about being quick. You’ll lose all interest.”
    Bell laughed at the double meaning. “I’m here on behalf of a friend. Lucas