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Wandering through the hallways, she found herself in the back parlor that overlooked the gardens outside. Staring blankly at the colorfully arrayed flower beds, she found her mind turning to the Society. Not to the possible traitor among them, but to everything she had witnessed during her evening—their carousing, their pleasures, and more pertinently, the punishments.
Like the one he had given her for sneaking into the masquerade.
Rex
Leaning back in his armchair in an unhabitual slump, boots on his desk—which he rarely indulged in—Rex was sulking. There was no other word for it. He was a sulky, disillusioned lion, brooding in his lair, unwilling to leave because he would have to face the woman who had so enthralled him, only to discover her actions had been entirely misleading.
Now, fully enlightened on all the facts, so much of Mary’s previous incomprehensible behavior made perfect sense. That he could not have possibly surmised the correct answer from her actions was also clear. What gentleman in his right mind would believe a small group of ladies—debutantes, no less—had inserted themselves into matters of treason? The very notion was ridiculous. Which, of course, made it not only completely plausible but rather brilliant if looked at from a certain angle.
Wrestling with his own personal upset against possible treason and an assassination attempt on one of the closest heirs to the throne made him feel rather selfish. The ladies had moved faster than White Hall, if Elijah’s request to join the Society was indeed motivated by a similar plan, which Rex now assumed it was. That was a disappointment as well, yet he could view Elijah’s deceit far more dispassionately than his wife’s, despite having a much longer history with the man, and even knowing Mary’s behavior this Season had been increasingly odd.
Truthfully, until today, he had not even considered Mary might be able to hurt him emotionally. While he had felt possessive and jealous, both new emotions for him, he had ascribed that to her unprecedented role in his life. Now, his eyes had been fully opened to how emotionally tangled he truly was.
She is faultlessly loyal.
That she had been. Even going so far as to marry him rather than betray her friends and their undertaking. Not just because she loved her country, but because she loved her friends.
Therefore, in order to secure her loyalty, he had to gain her love as well.
But how to do so?
Rex had been a master of seduction from the time he was a young man. He knew how to charm, how to seduce, how to beguile, but he had never attempted to make a woman fall in love with him, the very opposite in fact. He had not wished unnecessary emotional entanglements with any of his previous liaisons. He had not even had a mistress, all his needs being met by the Society and other various bored matrons among theton.There had been multitudes of lovers, but not a single love.
How much of a difference could there be? Perhaps he should seek advice from Arabella as well. She was in a loving marriage and knew Mary besides. While she would also tease him, it would be no worse than any of his other friends would do. Seeking advice elsewhere did not appeal. Rex already hated feeling so unsure of himself, the idea of any of the Society knowing his insecurity was intolerable. They considered him their leader, looked up to him, and trusted him. None of them would be the right confidant for this. Indeed, he was not sure Arabella was, either, but his options were few, and she seemed the best of them.
A soft rapping at his door had him frowning. Certainly, not Cormack or Mrs. Maple. Mary perhaps? Sitting up straight, setting his feet on the floor where they belonged, he took a moment to compose himself.
“Come in.”
The door opened, and Mary slipped into the room, pausing and leaving the door half-open. Good manners had him rising to his feet. Now that he was looking at her properly, in a way he had not done on their ride home, he could see penitence expressed in every line of her body—hands clasped in front of her, resting on the green muslin of her skirt, shoulders slightly hunched, face pinched with worry and regret. Rex tapped one finger against his desk as he contemplated the picture she made, hovering just inside his door.
“I said, come in, Mary.” He nodded to one of the chairs in front of his desk.
Eyes still downcast, she closed the door behind her before coming forward and sitting down in the chair on the right, and Rex found his seat again. Elbows on the desk, he leaned forward, contemplating her appearance. That she had come to him boded well, did it not? Perhaps the connection, the emotions he had felt between them were not entirely of his own making.
If she had truly only interacted with him because she had to, because Miss Stuart had asked her to, would she be so repentant now? It would make more sense if she was relieved to no longer have to playact, or if she were mildly apologetic but expecting him to understand her motives, given they were dealing with possible treason. He was hurt because his emotions were engaged, so it only made sense she was so remorseful because hers were as well.
Though she did not love him yet, it seemed a promising sign, did it not?
“I need to apologize to you,” she said the words formally, like a rehearsed speech. Had she been planning her apology ever since they returned home? That was certainly not the act of someone who did not care. Raising her eyes to his, he could see the misery in her guileless gaze. “While it was not my secret to share, through my actions, you became involved without knowing. I should have spoken to Evie sooner about including you. I felt you could be trusted, but I said nothing, even after my actions resulted in our marriage.”
Rex silently studied her, though his heart was beginning to race. That was certainly a comprehensive apology.
Mary took a deep breath.
“Therefore, I am here to request a punishment.”
Blinking, Rex stared at her for a moment before realizing he had heard correctly.
“A punishment?” he repeated.Thatwas certainly unexpected. Anticipation rose and roused his ardor along with it. Surely, she would not be requesting a punishment from him, knowing full well what that meant if she did not truly want to make reparations to him. Still, he had to be sure. “You want me to spank you?”
Color rose in her cheeks, turning them pink with embarrassment, but she nodded firmly.
“I have wronged you, and I would like to make amends.” Sincerity rang out in her voice, and his blood rushed southward, heating his desire.
Yes. Not a punishment, but atonement, allowing them to move forward from this with a new start. That was how the Society handled such things, though Rex had never had a woman bound to him in a manner which would require such an act.
“Very well.” He pushed back his chair, so there would be enough space for her between himself and the desk and patted his thigh. “Come here and put yourself over my lap.”
