Free ThePleasureDevice by Regina Kammer Page A

hoping against hope that it would
somehow relieve the tension building in his trousers. He tried to remind
himself, to no avail, that he was a professional. “Really, that is quite
impressive,” he choked out. “I’m not sure what more I can do for you. I am so
sorry, Mrs. Phillips.”
    She offered her hand upon taking her leave, her fingers cold
and trembling even through her gloves, sending shock waves of desire pulsing
through him. When she looked at him, her eyes held a touch of despair, a touch
of regret and a touch of pleading.
    After Mrs. Phillips left, Julius sank into his chair,
cradling his head in his hands. The woman missed her husband, the husband who
could give her the one thing she could not give herself. Were his theories
utterly devoid of merit? Was it true women could only feel ultimate release
with male penetration?
    Sophia Phillips had just presented to him some most
interesting challenges. Women were indeed the more mysterious of the sexes.
    * * * * *
    When he had gone out on the terrace during the Roxtons’
musicale, Nicholas could not believe the screeching noises he had just fled
from were meant to be mating calls to all the available men in the audience. It
was a shame Viscount and Lady Roxton had not thought to display other, more
obvious talents of their two daughters.
    But when he had finally been introduced to the lovely Miss
Helena Phillips, it all seemed rather bearable.
    He remained on the terrace after she had left, leaning
against the railing, turning his hat in his hand, looking out at the garden,
thinking of her. How absolutely lovely she was, with her form-fitting dress of
orange and olive that set off her hair and eyes perfectly. How wonderfully
agreeable she was, their instant rapport indicative of a meeting of minds. How
positively interesting she was, being more fascinated than appalled by an
erotic novel.
    How absolutely unobtainable she was given his recent choice
to give up his titled heritage and try to succeed on his own. It was the first
time he felt a pang of regret for his decision. But would Helena Phillips be
worth the shameful groveling and possible violence he would be subjected to by
his brother and father? And even if he did debase himself before Jack and the
earl, would they accept him back into the fold?
    Besides, he wouldn’t really be the direct heir to his father
anyway, and Miss Phillips was meant to marry someone with a definite claim on a
title. Someone, Lavinia had said, like his brother.
    Nicholas sighed. He would have to simply content himself
with dreaming of gazing into her mossy eyes, running his fingers through her
brilliant coppery hair, wrapping his hands around her tightly cinched waist,
nibbling on a delicate earlobe. He closed his eyes and lifted his face to the
warm sun, breathing in her delicate fragrance lingering in his memory.
    “Dr. Ramsay, sir. You’re still here.”
    Her mellifluous voice drifted from behind him. He turned
around perhaps a bit too quickly, hoping the action did not seem overly
anxious.
    “Yes. My employer generously gave me the afternoon off. I
had thought I would enjoy the sunshine and view a bit longer before I returned
to my office.”
    “So you are a working man.” She seemed slightly
disappointed.
    “Yes, I am in the professions,” he acknowledged
apologetically. “A bit odd for a man like me to be at such an event. But I find
myself in similar circumstances as yourself. Apparently, I’m here to find a
wife.”
    “And have you found one yet?” she teased.
    He grinned at her. “I haven’t seen enough talent flaunted in
my direction.”
    She giggled and colored an alluring shade of pink, then let
him gaze into her green eyes probably a bit too long for propriety’s sake.
Feeling a touch of discomfiture, Nicholas glanced around the terrace. Except
for a few furtive couples, they were quite alone.
    “Miss Phillips, aren’t you supposed to be chaperoned?
Whatever would Lady Banbury think of you speaking to