Did that mean it wasn't always just two people?
"Come," he told her. "I have more to show you."
He led her down the hallway until they spied a door left completely open, only then did he stop. He turned her to the door and she reddened seeing a couple in a passionate embrace.
They were kissing rather intensely and the man had his hands trailing up the lady's thigh. Her body warmed when she remembered how the duke's hand and lips had trailed up her thigh much the same way.
"This was what I wanted to show you, little mouse," he said, coming to stand close behind her.
"We should not be watching," she said trying to turn away but he held her still. "It is not proper."
"If you wanted proper, Cecilia, you would never have come here with me, never have begged to help you with your list or written your lips," he countered, smooth as silk yet decadent as the flush of the fabric against one's skin. "You have never wanted proper. You're as depraved as every single one of us here and even if you deny it to yourself, I know the truth of you. Now watch."
CHAPTER 15
Cecilia wished she could deny his accusation but she didn't answer and kept an eye on the couple tasting each other's mouths with an ardent passion. She didn't know why but the erotic scene had her blood warming.
The man's hand travelled higher on the girl's thighs and she gasped as she watched the girl squirm. She stiffened when she felt the duke step closer to her, a lone finger traveling up her thigh.
She felt her breasts get heavy, her nipples beading as desire flooded her, and pressed her knees together as heat bloomed between her thighs.
Heat travelled up her thigh as he touched her, his touch light but turning her insides. The woman gasped, head falling backwards as the man's hands began to move underneath her skirts and the man began to rain open mouthed kisses on her neck and shoulder.
The duke kissed her neck lightly then nipped her shoulder and the sensation shot to her toes and settled at her core where she felt the steady beat of a pulse. She felt liquid heat pool at her core and desire greater than anything she had ever felt assail her. her head fell back on his shoulder as his caresses grew bolder.
His teeth grazed her already sensitive skin and she bit her lip, worrying he would leave marks on her skin that would no doubt raise questions if her brother happened to see them. She felt his hands fist her dress as her back pushed into his front.
"Careful, little mouse," he warned. "Or I will forget you are not to be compromised."
She stiffened as she felt the prodding of something hard at her back and tried to move away but his hand moved to her neck just as the man they watched, wrapped his hand around the woman's throat.
It seemed he mirrored everything the man did to the girl on her and when the man pulled the front of the girl's dress down, she wondered if he would do the same to her.
"Come with me," he ordered, pulling her lightly.
She turned away from the couple and walked beside him until he led her into what looked like a drawing room. She looked around the room wondering why he had led her into such a space.
Music flitted through the walls and the wine flowing through her had her swaying to the rhythm. She heard the distinct sound of the door being locked and turned to him in surprise.
"I see you have predicted my purpose for bringing you here," he said with a smile.
"I have?" she asked, cocking her head.
"Indeed." He nodded, holding a hand out to her. "I brought you here to dance with me."
"Oh. Why did you have to lock the door then? We could have danced in the main hall.”
He sent her a look that seared her to her toes as she placed her hand in his.
"I do not intend for anyone to see what we're about to do," he answered.
His words gave her a sense of foreboding but she was also confused by his words.
"You said this was where people didn't care about depravity. We surely are allowed to dance without it sparking concern," she reasoned.
Excitement pooled in the pit of her belly but him being cautious about the next task had her worried. She pored over her list in her mind and wondered which of the items they could complete before the evening's end but was confused still.
"I did," he answered. "But I do not like to share. This will stay between us."
