Page 95 of The Duke and the Disciple

“Not my fault we had to change all our plans at the last minute.”

“Or maybe no onecareslike you do?”

Nyssa stuck out her tongue, glaring.

“Oh, yes, the coming out,” Aesylt muttered as she carefully settled between Imryll and Rahn. Her sister-in-law’s gaze lingered upon her for an extra moment. “Soon, isn’t it?”

She squeezed her legs tight when a fresh tingle lit her up. Rahn cleared his throat and made a show of folding his napkin.

And so it begins.

“Not to worry, cub. Everyone in attendance will be searched thoroughly before entering the keep,” Rustan said and slurped from his bowl. “We’ve cut the list down considerably, just to those closest to us.”

“You haven’t forgotten our fitting is tomorrow.” Nyssa’s spoon hovered midair, matching the offense in her expression.

Aesylt had absolutely forgotten. “I’ll be there.” She winced in delicious agony.

“Is something the matter, dear?” Lady Dereham asked without looking up. “You seem restless. Is it the nasty hunting business my husband won’t stop talking about?”

“Felice.” Rustan grumbled. He glanced at Aesylt. “Were you able to rest?”

“Yes, I am much more rested now, my lord. I appreciate everyone’s patience with me as I—” She bowled forward from the latest bolt of pleasure. Imryll touched her leg, and Aesylt jumped in her seat.

“Aes?” Imryll’s tone was all concern.

Rahn made a small but guttural sound and plastered on a polite smile. “We see no point in lingering on what happened now that she’s better.” He seemed to be doing his best not to look her way. “What is this, boar?” He waved his fork. “It’s quite good.”

“The very one your disciple took down.” Rustan was looking directly at Aesylt, but so was everyone else. All except Rahn.

She squeezed her legs tighter, but the result had her nearly scaling out of her chair from the force of the building pleasure. But she could not—not—let it go that far at the table. The whole reason she’d done it was to prove shehadn’tlost her self-control.

“Your face is as red as an apple, Aesylt,” Nyssa declared. “Are you coming down with something?”

Aesylt shook her head, biting down so hard on her tongue, she drew blood. In their weeks of experimentation, she still hadn’t learned to temper her fulfillment, to draw it out. Even when Rahn had insisted on a delayed gratification exercise, her body had had other ideas. “Fine,” she squeaked.

“You are not fine,” Imryll whispered from the side of her mouth. She passed a hand over Aesylt’s leg, transferring calm to her.

Aesylt breathed deep in relief. It wouldn’t last. “I just woke from a deep rest. Forgive my rudeness, my lord, my lady.”

“Think nothing of it,” Felice said. “We’re only worried about you. The tales of yesterday have already grown quite tall, enough that it’s hard to knowwhatthe truth is.”

Aesylt caught Pieter wearing an oversized, knowing grin, which unsettled her. She quickly looked away, catching Nyssa’s suspicious stare as she returned her attention to Lord and Lady Dereham.

“Mother, I don’t justwantloads of lace; Ineedloads of lace. At least twice as much as any other woman in attendance,” Nyssa said with a pointed glance at Aesylt. “Please tell me you invited the laceworker and not just the velveteer?”

“You’ll outshine every woman in the Great Hall, regardless of whether you’re wearing lace or a flour sack.” Felice sipped her wine, watching Aesylt battle another wave. “It would not hurt, Aesylt dear, for you to see our healer. Just to be certain.”

“I appreciate the offer, my lady, but Imryll already helped. I promise I’m fine.”

The next jolt sent her straight out of her chair, with an awkward gulp full of regret and shame. How had she not seen how terrible an idea it had been? No amount of control could outsmart her own biology.

Rahn focused his fractured breaths through his nose. Everyone else watched in bewilderment.

“You do not seem fine, dear,” Felice remarked. “At all.”

“She seems perfectly fine to me, Mother,” Pieter said, with the same smarmy grin.

Rahn’s hand subtly brushed the outside edge of Aesylt’s leg through her dress, grounding her momentarily.

---