“She is.”
“And intelligent. This is rare in a woman.”
“It is.”
“Only a certain type of man will be able to truly appreciate her. Most won’t understand her. And some may try to break her spirit.”
“I agree entirely,” he said, staring into his glass.
“She won’t be a mistress, though.”
“No, she won’t.”
“And you won’t marry.”
“I never thought I would marry, yet she’s something so different. So elusive and feminine. Innocent yet educated.”
Suzanne smiled. Sebastian was in love. “You have time. She is not married yet. She is not even engaged.”
Sebastian nodded. He took a deep breath. No, she was not married or engaged. Yet.
Chapter 14
That final evening at the chateau progressed without the Comte de Buffon. He had departed as his cold had worsened and he wanted to be home to recuperate. Messieurs Marmontel and La Harpe had left as well, so the meal was subdued and quiet, with little lively conversation.
Leila pleaded a headache and retired early, for which Etienne was extremely grateful. Eugenie and Suzanne sat by the fire sipping sherry while Sebastian and Sophie played a game of chess. Etienne browsed the library shelves before he returned to a large chair with his brandy.
“Our last night together,” Sophie said, simply contemplating her next move.
“Shall we retire for the evening? I have many things I’d like to teach you upstairs.” Sebastian watched her move her knight.
Sophie laughed. “Playing the husband when it suits you.”
He leaned forward. “I’ve decided I like you best in the linen shift,” he moved and captured her knight, “or nothing at all.”
“Nothing at all? I’ll catch cold.”
“I’ll keep you very warm.”
She shook her head and smiled at the playful flirting. “Which half of you owns that silver tongue of yours?”
“The lower half.”
She blushed and turned to look at her grandmother. She was nodding off in her chair and Suzanne was reading. They were on the other side of the room and could not possibly hear the conversation.
“The lower half? Your knees?”
“A little higher.”
“Thighs?”
“Higher.”
“Stomach.”
“Exactly,” he said.
Sophie captured his bishop and Sebastian was taken off-guard.
“Flirting to win?” he said, amazed.
“I do what it takes.” She purposely pressed against the table, causing her breasts to swell above the neckline and Sebastian’s eyes to dilate.
“Your move,” he said.
She made a reckless move and lost her bishop to him.
“I liked it better when you were flirting,” he said lowly.
“It was silly of me.” She said, contrite.
“No. It’s just that the logical end cannot be, so why pursue it?”
“Logical end?”
“You on your back with something thick inside you.”
Sophie blushed darkly.
“Checkmate,” Sebastian said.
“Excuse me.” She left the table.
Sebastian watched her mix with Madame Necker, and he asked Etienne to join him for a game of billiards.
***
Later that evening, Etienne went into his room, locking the door as he went. He stripped naked and flopped into bed. He was not tired, just irritated. He had been teased by that little virgin and needed relief.
He would have to visit Juliette’s brothel when he returned to Paris. He would be sure to ask for a brown haired, blue-eyed beauty. One who looked like Leila, with sweet feminine curves and luscious lips.
He felt his cock swell and harden and he almost groaned. It had been almost an hour since he had returned to his room when he felt the bed shift with the weight of another person.
The light was so low from the fireplace that he had to adjust his eyes to the darkness. He saw the shimmering dark hair around her and the temptress smile.
“Leila?” he asked, confused.
“Yes, my darling.”
She was sleek and naked and he was sure this was a dream.
“I’ve been waiting for you.”
She had planned it perfectly. She had excused herself from the dinner with a headache and had gone upstairs. Once upstairs, she had changed into a simple shift, combed her hair and perfumed herself.
Then she had slipped into Etienne’s room and hidden herself away in the armoire until he had fallen asleep. She knew that sleep and the wine would make him agreeable.
“You have?” Etienne was confused.
He had locked the door. He remembered doing it, so this was a dream. A very real dream.
She was kissing his neck, his mouth and chest. It was an erotic dream. She was slender and suddenly on top of him. Straddling him, she smiled down at him while that dark brown hair was tumbling down her shoulders and back. He moved his hands along her thighs, hips, waist and breasts. She was delicious.