“If you hurry now, Miss,” Bessie said, pulling her toward the door, “the bath is free.”
Angelica wore a high-collared dressing gown over her silk combinations. Although covered from throat to toes, she felt odd and uncomfortable walking the halls in little more than her underclothes. But, that’s how it was done in houses with more occupants than bathrooms. Captain Neill had not lied when he’d said there would be a queue for the tub.
She was beginning to learn her way around the house. Angelica no longer needed an escort to and from the toilet, but the faithful maid led the way, carrying her sea-sponge, soap, and shampoo, as well as towels. It felt nice to be fussed over. She liked having the girl around to bathe, dress, and look after her.
The corridor outside Angelica’s bedroom was twenty paces long. The bathroom sat exactly in the middle, on the right side. She counted the length as she walked, and then reached for the door. As soon as her fingers touched the knob, it jerked from her grasp.
Angelica stumbled forward into the space. For a moment, she was disoriented by the blast of warm, steaming air, and an overwhelming scent of shaving lotion. A man’s hands grabbed her shoulders, steadying her.
He laughed. Angelica’s blood went cold.
Peter Lawton held her firmly in his grip. “Why, Miss Grey. How clumsy of me.” His fingertips dug into the padded sleeve of her dressing gown. “Did you enjoy your stroll with Brody? I say, he’s turned into quite the gentleman! One would almost think him in love with you.”
“Is that so impossible?” she asked, trying to wrench herself free of his grasp.
“Oh, I don’t know. Certainly makes a chap wonder… You put up such a fight, yet I’m sure you’re no blushing virgin. Knowing Brody, that’s not his style at all—he’s rather depraved. I can’t count the times I’ve seen the poor chap with a needle in his arm and a whore’s finger up his arse.” He laughed, cruelly. “Tell me, Miss Grey, what do you think of your tender protector now?”
He’d tried to shock her. If she hadn’t already been intimate with Captain Neill, Mr. Lawton’s words might have scared her, but Angelica didn’t blink. She knew enough about sex and pleasure not to be deterred. Besides, it was none of her business what Captain Neill had done in the past. Only his future concerned her.
“Do you think by putting him down, it will make me want you?”
Peter Lawton pinned her to the back of the door, idly toying with the sash of her dressing gown. “I see the way Brody looks at you. Judging from your lack of response to my news, I know he’s already had you. He wasn’t even your first, was he? Not by a long shot.”
The man tugged open her dressing gown, letting the heavy fabric hang from her shoulders. Angelica stiffened. She expected him to fight her, to hurt her—like Mother said men would. Instead, he pressed his lips to her throat in an almost reverent kiss. While he worshipped her neck, his hands roamed her body, cupping her backside, and squeezing her breasts through the soft silk of her combinations.
“You are exquisite, Miss Grey.” His hot breath heated her skin.
She did not want this man. She didn’t want his touch or his kisses, yet her body responded to his every caress. Perhaps she truly was a whore, craving the attention of any man who would have her. “Mr. Lawton, please…”
Angelica felt her legs slacken. She opened for him as his fingers danced on her inner thigh. Thoughtlessly, he touched the place where he’d pinched her. She lurched, and pushed his roaming hands away.
Peter Lawton stepped back. “You’re quite the little tease.”
“I love Brody. I want to be true to him.”
“No, you don’t.” He laughed, softly. “Pull your drawers to the side, and let me show you what you really want.”
Without waiting for her cooperation, he slipped his hand beneath the silk, probing her with two slender fingers. His nails were sharp, and she winced as he worked them in and out of her. She didn’t want him there. This wasn’t right. But when his thumb pressed against her—oh, God, there!—Angelica couldn’t help herself. She began to ride his hand.
“Oh, you are a dirty little whore. Has Brody seen you like this? Somehow, I doubt it.” Mr. Lawton licked up her neck to flick his tongue in her ear. “He’s not very good at this sort of thing, is he? Try as he might, he can’t quite get you there.”
Mr. Lawton was wrong. Captain Neill was the only one who’d ever…gotten her there. The only one she ever wanted to. Now, this man was trying to take that from her. She could not let him!