Free Manor of Pleasure: An Erotic Historical Romance by Debra Sheridan Page B

is my business." He looked at her. "You and I are friends. But I cannot suffer any disrespect towards her."
    Rebecca looked at Louisa and Desmond in conversation. Desmond looked displeased. She wondered what had transpired. He was so far away and this dinner service was interminable. She stared at him from across the wide expanse of the table. She hated this distance between them. She watched him as he brought a piece of food to his mouth. She remembered a time not so long ago when she had to stop herself staring at him, from even looking in his general direction.
    Now she was able to eye him as much as she pleased without guilt or censure. And he was so very pleasing to look at. His blue eyes were her primary weakness. Often when he stared at her, she felt naked, laid bare and she could see his appetite for her. She could not deny him anything when he looked at her like that.
    Right then, it came to her that she must hatch a plan before the end of the evening. There had to be some foolproof method of getting him to and from her room without discovery. Nora knew what it was to crave after a lover. Surely she would help her.
    "The ring looks lovely on you, my dear." Mrs. Baines broke into her thoughts. "I see that it fits perfectly."
    "Mrs. Baines, it is truly a perfect fit, a perfect ring." Rebecca answered and looked at it. "I can't tell you how much it pleases me to know its origin. Will you tell me more about it?" Rebecca asked her.
    The Countess peered from Rebecca's left. "My, my, that is lovely. A present from Desmond?" she queried.
    Rebecca answered, "Yes, but it is much more than that. It has been passed to me from Mrs. Baines." She smiled at her.
    "My late husband gave it to me many years ago upon our promise to marry," Mrs. Baines explained. "We were young and very much in love, much like you and Desmond. Luckily, we had fewer obstacles."
    "I think we can safely say that no other couple has weathered the intensity of storms that you have, Rebecca, my dear," ventured the Countess.
    Mrs. Baines continued, "I met Richard Baines in London. He was still an intern and I was already working at the laundry." Mrs. Baines looked down at her wedding ring. "He made quite a handsome figure. I fell for him instantly. I see so much of him in Desmond." She looked at Rebecca and continued, "I don't think that Richard ever dreamed that his son would be dining at the table of the Earl of Delafield."
    "Or that he would be engaged to his daughter, I imagine," added the Countess blithely.
    "Grandmother, make no mistake," Rebecca reproached her. "It is I who has won the prize."
    "I hardly think that Desmond sees it that way, Rebecca," Mrs. Baines countered.
    "Well then, we're perfect for each other," Rebecca replied, smiling coyly.
    Following the lead of Lady Garway, the three ladies rose and headed into the drawing room. Rebecca fell back and drew the attention of Abbott with a wave of her hand. "Abbott, would you send for Nora for me, please? I shall wait for her in the hallway."
    "Right away, ma'am."
    Rebecca stood outside of the drawing room waiting for Nora to appear. Nora soon emerged from the servants' passageway. "Ma'am, you sent for me?"
    "Yes, Nora. I have a favor to ask of you," started Rebecca.
    "A favor?" Nora was curious. This was not a request in the ordinary course of business between a mistress and her servant.
    "I know that's rather mysterious." Rebecca hesitated. "I hope you don't think that I'm taking advantage."
    Nora smiled. "As long as it not illegal, ma'am, I am fairly certain that I can be of some assistance."
    "Illegal, no." Rebecca smiled back. "Perhaps not quite within the straight and narrow course, I'm afraid."
    Nora did not reply. Lady Rebecca was without her usual coolness and it was unsettling.
    "The thing is, Nora, I would like to see Mr. Baines tonight privately...in my room. It is after all the only venue that affords us any privacy." In low tones, she added, "Before you say anything, I am well aware