“William. You are barely more than half my age.”
He scoffed at her blatant exaggeration. She’d have to be nearly forty to be twice as old as him, and he’d bet she wasn’t yet close to thirty.
She narrowed her eyes at the sound he made and persisted. “This cannot continue. I very much appreciate your gifts. However, you must return to university. Enjoy your opportunity to learn all the fascinating facts you have access to that not everyone does. Take your time and savor your youth. Then meet a girl your own age, who can give you babies and be your partner.”
“Mistress, if I may be so bold, I am not asking you to wed me. I simply want to spend time with you. Clothed or not, preferably both.” His response was solemn; he meant every word. She was correct in her statement about Oxford, but he needed more time with her to explore her mind and provide a welcome focus other than his endless responsibilities at home.
Silent, she bit her lip, appearing torn.
“Please. We’ve only just met, however unconventional the circumstances. I should love to learn about your investments. In return, I could share more of my reading with you, beyond these?” He nodded to the books she pressed under one hand.
“If you only wished to discuss investments, you would not have climbed the trellis to my bedroom.”
“I did not say I only wanted that, now, did I?” He smiled. “Let us just say I should love to learn from you, whatever you’re willing to teach me.”
Her inhale was audible, her nostrils flaring.
He shifted his hand on her ankle and knelt up to give his cock room in his breeches before it strangled itself.
His movement drew her gaze downward, and his cock leaped to be the focus of her attention. Stifling a moan, he reached for words. “Mistress, I am not above begging. Or whatever other appeasement you direct. And I could still use practice at implementing your teachings of the other night.”
“Hmph.” The sound she made was a cross between a sniff and a grunt.
He smiled.
“’Tis your choice. I am at your service.”
She bit her lip.
“Read a bit of Chaucer. I’ll return within a few days and we can discuss it. In return, I should like to hear your thoughts and plans on investing in the steam-powered ships, if I may?”
She nodded, as though unwilling to acquiesce vocally.
He’d take it as a win. Bowing over her hand, ungloved at home, he smoothed his thumb over the back of her hand, relishing the softness of her skin.
Brushing it with parted lips, he forced himself not to lick, to taste. Raising his head, he peered up at her, focusing on her lips. “’Twas our first kiss. May it not be our last.”
She sucked in another breath as he stood to depart, a promising sign if ever there was one.
* * * *
William arrived at Charlotte’s house at the same time two afternoons later, after observing etiquette and sending a note first asking to call.
In a slate-colored dress so dark the folds of her skirt shone navy, she poured tea in the parlor.
He noted the tiniest of tremors as she did and hoped it was a sign of excitement rather than nerves.
He sat back, slinging an ankle across his other knee. His confidence rose when he caught her glance down to his lap exposed by the wide-legged pose.
“Shall we discuss Chaucer?” Not one to waste an opportunity, he shifted to draw her attention to his body again, then picked an imaginary piece of lint off his breeches, perilously close to his groin. Flicking a glance up at her through his lashes, he verified that she’d followed the motion. Stifling a grin, he kept his face neutral as he raised his head to wait for her answer.
Charlotte sighed. “William, please behave, or this arrangement will end.”
“Mistress, if you’d be kind enough as to point out my transgression, I shall remedy it immediately.” He could not help provoking her and barely refrained from laughing outright.
She sent him a withering look, pressing her lips together.
He tried another tack. “Perhaps we can focus our discussion of behavior about this summer?”For now, his inner voice added, and he jolted, surprised at that thought. “You yourself pointed out that I could learn from you. I would value that very much.”
