Page 20 of Pleasure Lessons

Yes, this is actually happening. It’s sundown. It’s time. My life is about to change forever. And despite the fact that I’m starting to tremble, I can’t wait to get out of here. I never thought my life would go any other way. An arranged marriage was my only future.

But then Rhett came into my life, and everything changed.

The door creaks as I open it. It’s quiet but too loud for tonight. My footsteps are soft as I slip out into the hallway, my heartbeat hot and heavy in my ears. I move quickly to the servants’ wing and am almost to the outside door when Clarisse appears, arms full of laundry.

She pauses and looks at me–at my bag–her expression bland as my heart skips a beat. Guilt seizes my chest. Does she know? Has she figured out what I’m up to?

No, of course she hasn’t. How could she? She’s not a private investigator. For all she knows, I’m just out for a little evening stroll around the estate…with a bag…

“Good evening,” I say as I walk past her.

“Yes, it is,” she replies, nodding her head.

My eyes blink quickly on their own as anxiety pulses through me. My heart feels unsteady now as I grip the knob to the outside door and twist.

A cold breeze hits me, and I step out into the welcoming dark, leaving the manor behind me. I glance once over my shoulder to make sure I’m not being followed, then pick up the pace.

By the time I reach the gardens, a smile has started to creep across my face. I can feel the dew on my shoes and follow the path that splits off to the tennis court where Rhett and I first met.

I’m smiling now, remembering our lesson. How it felt as my crush on him grew and grew, so quickly. I’m sure we’ll find another court to play on. A place to relive those memories.

I’m just about to hop a low fence when I’m blinded. Floodlights snap on in front of me like some screaming danger, ready to pounce on me.

I shield my eyes and squint at a man’s silhouette. It’s unmistakable.

Arthur.

Two men flank him. Rough looking guys in dark suits. I recognize them as men who sometimes escort him to and from the office. Bodyguards.

All breath escapes my lungs. My legs cease to work.

Another, smaller figure steps into view from the blinding light. A female figure. Clarisse. She stands by Arthur like a statue, her lips a thin, unreadable line. She’s not smiling or sympathizing with me. And then I get it.

She did figure it out. And she betrayed me.

“You think I wouldn’t notice?” Arthur asks, his voice pompous and kingly. “You’re not as subtle as you think you are,Cassandra. Fawning over the help, taking a late-night drive like you’re some covert operative.”

I can barely speak. “Arthur, I–”

The bodyguards step forward, causing my breath to catch in my throat. Their boots crunch on the gravel as they approach. I’m shaking. I try to speak, but nothing comes out.

“Thought you’d run away withhim, did you?” Arthur smiles cruelly. “Brave but stupid.”

My heart stutters, skips, and beats hard like a drumroll leading to a heart attack.

His bodyguards reach me, each taking hold of one of my arms. Arthur steps forward casually, menacingly, his face stony and threatening. He reaches out, smelling like cigar smoke, and places a hand on my shoulder. For a moment, he simply leaves it there, like an affectionate caress. Then, without warning, he snatches my hair and yanks my face right up to his.

“This charade endstonight.” He grimaces, whiskey on his breath. “You think you can leaveme?” He shakes his head. “You’re not going anywhere.”

My knees are ready to buckle. Tears well up in my eyes, but I blink them back. He’s not going to make me cry. Not in front of him. I glance at Clarisse, whose eyes narrow on me.

“Why?” I ask, nearly sobbing. “Why would you do this?”

She looks like she wants to say something, but she can’t answer. But the longer I look at her face, I realize she doesn’t have to.

Jealousy. It’s written all over her. She has a thing for Rhett, and she hates me for being with him.

“Yeah,” I hiss through tight lips. “He’smine.”

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