House of Pleasure, Deborah Court [great books of all time TXT] 📗

Afterwards, he leaned back in the warm water, his eyes closed. He hardly noticed when Jeanette climbed out of the tub, wrapped a towel around her naked body and silently left the room.

*****

"Did she tell you she was a virgin and to be married to an older man soon? Well, I fell for it, too." The handsome servant grinned at Luke. "She is very eager to learn, isn't she?" Sean quickly dropped his gaze. "I am sorry, Sir, I overstepped my boundaries. Forgive me, and please don't tell my Mistress. I could not live with the shame if she knew about my one time ... weakness. I would rather die than do something that could hurt her." His broad shoulders sagged.

Luke felt angry for a moment, but then he grinned, too. This "virgin" had indeed been very skillful pleasing him, more than she should. And he thought he had felt that virginal barrier with his fingers. In this house, anything seemed to be possible. Had he been with the real Jane, or just with an impersonation of her fantasy, and was she aware that he had loved her? But he had enjoyed their little encounter, anyway. He couldn't seem to get enough of her.

Then he watched the young manservant, who seemed to be close to tears. He was tall and strong, his muscles bulging under the tight gold-and-blue livery. Sean had the face of an angel, huge green eyes with dark lashes, a straight nose and full, sensuous lips. His dark hair was long and bound together at his neck. Luke was sure that women must throw themselves at his feet. He must have a very good reason to serve his Mistress with such devotion.

"Are you in love with Lady Jane, Sean?" Luke asked directly. The younger man blushed deeply. He hesitated, then nodded.

"Since I laid eyes on her for the very first time, My Lord. She called me to the breakfast parlor to help her ease the hurting muscles of her back. From this moment on I knew that I could never love another woman but Lady Jane, even if I could not have her for myself. Seeing her happy, serving her in every way I can, is enough for me, as long I can be near her. My heart sings every time she looks at me.”

Luke cleared his throat and sent the younger man a warning look. A sudden wave of jealousy washed over him. “Now, lad, I am sure that everything will be fine. Surely, in a year or two, you will meet a pretty girl who …“

“No!” Sean’s eyes turned a darker shade of green, burning with passion and determination. “I will never leave my Mistress. I would rather die than …” He stared angrily at Luke, before seeming to remember his position and fell silent.

Sean paused for a moment, then he squared his shoulders and gestured to the dressing chamber. “Sir, My Lady has ordered me to help you getting dressed for the ball. Please allow me to show you your costume. I hope it is to your liking."

*****

Outside, Jeanette stepped away from the door where she had been eavesdropping, smiling sweetly to herself. Then she murmured a few words, and her outer form changed, blurring at first, then transforming like molten wax. The delicate French maid vanished, and in her place a taller woman stood, her long dark hair flowing freely over her back.

Jane looked down at herself. She was already clad in an alluring white dress made of a fine white fabric that enhanced every curve of her body. A golden band was crossed between her breasts, ending at her back where it held a quiver and arrows. It was her costume for tonight’s ball.

Jane smiled again, her heart beating faster with anticipation. She was dressed as Diana, the Roman goddess of the hunt. This was most fitting indeed.

*****

Chapter Five

"Tell her, Sean, never! There is no way I am going to wear this!"

Luke stood before the large, gold-framed mirror in his bedroom and looked up and down at his image.

“I am a grown man and won’t let myself be seen in this ridiculous costume!” Luke thundered. The manservant struggled not to grin, but he managed, clearing his throat.

“Sir, My Lady chose that costume for you herself. The instructions she gave her seamstress were quite clear. She said she could not think of any other attire for you tonight. She … well, she said that you had … a fine pair of legs and should be proud to show them, My Lord. I am sure she would be devastated if you decided not to wear it, after all her efforts to get this costume finished in time for the ball.” He coughed, averting his face.

“Oh well, I will wear the damn costume,” Luke growled after a last look into the mirror. “But she will pay for this, I swear. Now show me the way to this … ball. I can’t wait to see her. There are a few things I wish to tell Lady Jane.”

*****

Two servants opened the doors to the ballroom, one of them loudly announcing his name. Luke stood before a large crowd of guests, all of them unrecognizable in their lavish costumes. Venetian masks, costumes from every historical period imaginable, animals and figures from literature. They were dancing to the merry music of the small orchestra, drinking and flirting. Some of the women turned their heads as Luke went by, ogling him from head to toe with obvious desire in their eyes. Their curious faces were hidden behind masks. Luke asked himself which of them Jane was.

Then he saw her. She stood apart from every other woman. Despite the mask that covered half her face, he easily recognized her regal posture, the graceful curve of her slender neck, enhanced by her upswept hair. Her lavish curves were barely covered beneath the Greek-style costume