In fact, early this summer she’d come into possession of a manuscript written by one of her ancestresses, an Oliphant lady from the distant past. It was a sort of anthology of sexual positions, complete with descriptions and handy illustrations, some of which werequiteenlightening, and all intended for the female reader to find pleasure.
Athena had paid rather a lot of money for the treasure, and always enjoyed reading it. She hoped to be able to arrange for its discreet publication sometime soon, so others might enjoy such a delight.
The point was: with books likeA Harlot’s Guide to the Forbidden and Delightful Artsand a set of perfectly functioning fingers, Athena would have said there was nothing more a man could bring to the bed that a woman couldn’t provide herself.
And then she’d fallen into bed with Cash.
And Cash’stongue. And his fingers, and his—oh my—his cock. His magnificent cock, which had filled her ache in ways that polished ivory never could. Just the memory of what he’d done to her—forher—had Athena dropping the blue ball gown to the bed with a happy sigh, her core aching deliciously.
“’Thena, lassie?”
Well, a sure-fire way to kill any and all arousal was for one’s father to poke his head into one’s room.
She forced a smile as she pretended to fuss over the silk of the blue gown, smoothing it over the bed. “Come in, Da.”
Her father, for all his blustering and general jolliness, always seemed a bit uncomfortable in her chambers, andtoday was no exception. Possibly it was because of all the dainty flowers on the wallpaper.
Or the fact that your drawers and chemise are draped over the mirror.
Yes, that too.
So he was blushing slightly as he bumbled his way over to one of the chairs in her reading nook before the window, and lowered himself into it, very clearly not looking in the direction of the mirror.
“Came to see if ye were getting ready for Melanie’s shin-dig.” He nodded to the gowns spread over the bed. “Would’ve thought ye were in here doing up ye hair or some such.”
Athena cocked a brow at him, then turned back to her closet, patting her simple bun as she went. “I bathed, Da. My hair is fine like this.” Clean hair and a bun—that’s the most she was willing to do for this dance.
As she stepped into her dressing area, she heard her father sigh. “He’s aduke, ‘Thena! Melanie’s crowing to all who’ll listen that he choseherhouse party to find himself another wife, and she’s determined to match him.”
“No’ with me, she’s no’,” Athena muttered, eyeing the gowns hanging innocently before her.
She’d had them all made before her original introduction to Society, five years before, and most of them still fit, despite the pregnancy and breastfeeding. They’d spent five years unused, and she had her choice of colors tonight…
“Wear green, lassie,” Da called unhelpfully. “It always makes yer eyes pop.”
Makes my eyes pop? What does that even mean?
With a scowl, Athena pulled down the orange gown. Her maid would cluck in despair, claiming the color clashed horribly with Athena’s red hair…but that was the point. No need to looktoonice for tonight’s unwanted dance with a duke.
Part of her felt guilty, just for a moment, for trying to sabotage the Countess’s event. Lady Dumpkins reallydidhave everyone’s best interest at heart, and Da seemed well on the way to making her the next Lady Oliphant. Athena shouldtry, at least, to humor the woman’s matchmaking.
But then she remembered the way Cash’s blue eyes had gleamed possessively as he’d knelt between her thighs, watching her come apart, and Athena knew she had to be truthful to herself.
She didn’t want a duke. She wantedCash.
For as long as he’d have her.
Not for the first time, she wondered if she was falling in love with the man. Aye, almost certainly. She’d enjoyed his kisses and caresses, of course, but more than that, she liked spending time with him. She looked forward to their hours together, even if they were spent sharing stories of parenting and helping their lads learn together. She even loved watching Cash playing with Callan, or teaching her son a new trick.
Aye, she loved him.
With a sigh, Athena crushed the orange silk to her chest and turned back toward her father. She would go to tonight’s party because she was obligated, but thentomorrow she would sit down and have a good think over how to share this information with Cash.
Would it matter to him?
Years of holding her own confidences had made this a strange summer—new friends, thanks to the Dumpkins house party, Matthew’s insightful questions, and above allCash. For the first time in a long while, she found herself yearning to share her feelings and thoughts with someone who could wipe his own arse when he shat and didn’t think nose-picking was the height of humor.
“Thena?” Da’s quiet rumble broke through her thoughts. “Ye’re just staring at the bed. Are ye choosing gowns? Do I get a say?”
