Free His Dark Obsession by Zoe Blake

Despite their outrageous subject matter, they were actually quite beautiful…artistic even. Nothing like the overt French postcards of nude women they sold on Haymarket Street in the tobacco shops. Mrs. Needham was forever warning her girls not to fall for someone wanting to take a lewd photo for that purpose.
    Finally, Parker stopped at an imposing set of double doors. After a discreet knock, he opened it and motioned for Sarah to enter, quickly closing it behind her without announcing her presence.
    It was a large, open room painted a pleasing cream color. There were only three pieces of furniture. A table with his various photographic equipment upon it and an odd looking upholstered bench of sorts. It was square and low to the ground with one side raised at an angle like a chaise and covered in a beautiful royal blue velvet. What made it odd was the short wooden bed posters, sticking up from each corner. It was like it was a combination of a chaise and a small child’s bed. Finally, there was a large cherry cabinet with lots of doors and drawers with brass handles. There was no other adornment in the room. No paintings or other photographs. A blank canvas.
    The door opened suddenly behind her, giving Sarah a start.
    Raising a hand to her beating heart, she exclaimed, “Dang it! You frightened me! I mean of course not dang it but dash it or rather uh…uh…I…” Sarah was beyond flustered at her first sight of him.
    As with the day before, he was only in a linen shirt and waistcoat. This time with black, tight fitting trousers tucked into high polished boots. He looked as if he had been out riding. His wavy, chestnut brown hair slightly ruffled from the wind. And as always, those ice blue eyes looking bright and intense.
    Without saying a word, Pierce paused to study her. His astute gaze did not miss a detail. She looked so adorably afraid, like a schoolgirl who just got caught stealing a sweet. Once again, her hair was a delightful mess about her shoulders. Her bonnet only precariously perched on top her head. His little minx was running through the streets of London again. He would have to put a stop to that. She was going to get herself hurt, either by running into a cart or being accosted by a street vendor. Pierce made a mental note to instruct Parker to arrange for the carriage each day.
    Sarah nervously twisted her hands in the fabric of her skirt. Unwilling to break the silence. She could feel her heart pounding as she waited to learn if he would chastise her…or worse…for being late.
    When he finally spoke, the empty room seemed to echo his voice, giving it a harder, more thunderous edge. “There is a suite of rooms down the hall with fresh water and a brush. Do go and freshen yourself while I finish getting my equipment ready.”
    Sarah bolted out of the room.
    ~*~
    She found the room easily enough. It was sparingly furnished. A bed, wash stand, wardrobe and dressing screen. Curious she opened the wardrobe. It was filled with lovely Grecian drapes, reams of sheer fabric and several beautiful dressing gowns. This must be what those women in the photographs wore. Sarah reached out to touch the rich looking silks and brocades. Foolishly, she was more than a little jealous. She should have learned her lesson yesterday about the ruin of that particular emotion but apparently not so. It stung more than a little bit that she was so obviously nervous on greeting him again after their intimate encounter while he barely spared her a glance. She found herself almost wishing he had noticed she was late!
    Sarah looked down at her wrinkled skirt and damp blouse and thought of how graceful and beautiful the women in the photographs looked. All Mrs. Needham’s warnings about men and French postcards rang in her head. Lord Warrington was not that sort of man she was certain of it. Besides, it was not as if the other girls didn’t occasionally appear nude at a session…with Mrs. Needham’s blessing at that. Florence