Page 55 of Wicked Games

“Richard, I think we should have Dr. Swede and Mrs. Higgs look in on Parker.”

Richard approached me. “Don’t worry, my love. I will have her taken care of. Now, let me see my beautiful ward.”

Lifting my one arm, he spun me in a circle so I could display my elegant yet modest evening gown. The bodice was made of emerald silk to match my eyes. It was decorated with raised embroidery and trimmed with black sequined net. It had a full and draped sleeve above the elbow but tight at the forearm, helping give me a slender waist silhouette that was all the fashion according to The Ladies Magazine, August 1894 edition that only just arrived so you knew it was of the very latest fashions all the way from Paris.

The best part was it was of my own design! Richard took one of my drawings with him when he had to leave on a business trip all the way to London and had it sewn by a dressmaker there. He said that perhaps one day he will show me the sights of London.

I was nervous at the prospect. I heard the city was quite cluttered with noisy carriages and big buildings over four stories high and people shouting at one another. Richard also told me there was a madman running about someplace called White Chapel, killing women. The newspapers have started calling him Jack the Ripper. I told Richard until that man was caught, I wasn’t stepping foot anywhere near London. He just smiled.

“You look stunning as always, my love.” Then he raised his eyebrow and gave me another once-over. “But I think something is missing.”

Upset that he didn’t find complete pleasure in my dress, I quickly turned back to the mirror to see if there was a button missed, or perhaps a curl out of place. I didn’t want to look slovenly like Hester, “The Slovenly Wife” from The Ladies’ Garland. Hester did not show enough concern for her appearance and pleasing her husband and it led to both of their ruin. It was a cautionary tale I always tried to keep in mind.

Richard reached into his dinner jacket and pulled free a small black velvet case. I began to bounce up and down and clap my hands. I did so love when he gave me presents. Opening the case, I saw a stunning emerald and gold brooch. It was almost the size of my palm. The clover-shaped pin was an intricate design of delicate gold filigree dotted with tiny emeralds. Suspended from the brooch was one large emerald the size of which I had never seen before.

“Oh, Richard!” I breathed.

Taking the brooch out of its case, Richard took a step closer to me. I inhaled the familiar scent of his cologne. As always, I felt a little lightheaded when he was close. I had long stopped wondering if it was from fear or desire. Confusing thoughts like that only led to unhappiness and pain. It was much more agreeable to push all those thoughts away and focus on Richard and what he wanted me to think and do.

His warm hands reached past the delicate lace fichu of my bodice. The backs of his fingers brushed my skin as he secured the pin in place but not before the sharp end briefly stuck me. I hissed through my teeth at the pain, which was quickly followed by a tingling sensation between my legs. I couldn’t remember a time when pain didn’t arouse me.

Richard said it was one of the things that will make me the perfect wife one day.

Turning back to the mirror, I admired my reflection.

Everything was in its place.

Everything was as it should be.

I took Richard’s offered arm and we went down to dinner.

“Lord Radfoot, I’d like to introduce you to my lovely ward, Lady Elizabeth Larkin.”

The gentleman took my hand as he bowed low. He looked vaguely familiar but I wasn’t sure from where and quickly put it out of my mind. I’ve learned that thoughts like that only lead to severe punishments.

“It is a pleasure to meet you, Lord Radfoot. Thank you for dining with us this evening,” I responded, making sure to keep my voice light and pleasing as the books instructed. Men did not like shrill or loud women.

“The pleasure is all mine. It’s good to see you again,” said Lord Radfoot as he gave me a wink.

I turned my head up to Richard, confused.

“I believe Hutley is giving us the nod to go into dinner,” said Richard evenly as he walked in front of Lord Radfoot with me in tow. Richard was a duke. Lord Radfoot was only a marquis, as I understood it. So it was only fitting Richard go into dinner first.

“Why did he say, good to see you again?” I whispered to Richard as we walked a few steps ahead.

“Pay him no attention.”

I knew better than to continue questioning him.

Dinner was a strenuous affair.

It was a shame because Cook really put out a magnificent selection of lovely dishes. I thought my favorite was the spinach and nettle soufflé but Richard told me that my favorite was actually the veal escalope with mushrooms in a cream and sherry sauce. It seemed odd to me because I couldn’t recall actually ever eating veal before but I must defer to Richard on these things because my mind could not be trusted. If he said it was my favorite it must be so.

While I tried to focus on cutting my food up into tiny bites and to slowly pace how I chewed, a necessity because of my tight corset, I couldn’t get Lord Radfoot to stop trying to engage in conversation with me.

He kept sending me knowing looks and speaking in riddles as if we were both in on some private joke. I was a little surprised his disgraceful behavior wasn’t agitating Richard’s quick temper but rather quite the opposite; he seemed to look pleased. In fact, if I wasn’t mistaken, it was almost as if Richard was goading him on.

I couldn’t shake the feeling that this whole evening was some kind of test.

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