Page 42 of Seven Nights with the Wicked Duke
"Now you're ready."
She was surprised when he led her into his carriage instead of hailing a hansom to protect his identity. He wasn't even wearing a mask, she noted and asked him about it.
"My attendance of such scandalous affairs is no secret, Cecilia," he answered, helping her into the carriage. "Even then, the hosts know better than to lose my confidence."
She nodded even though the warning in her tone made her wary.
He was a powerful man even if the image he gave was of one unbothered by the weight of responsibility. She remembered the way men flocked to him at balls trying to gain credibility by associating with him. He was a man who wielded power easily even if he wasn't heady with it.
The ride to the nondescript house was short and soon he was helping out of the carriage into the house lit very dimly. It was much the same as the previous ball but there were less people milling about than the previous.
Once they had been given admittance, he turned to her with a serious look.
"You may take off your mask now, little mouse," he told her.
"My mask?" she asked, looking around. "I thought…"
"You will not need it here."
She looked around the room and true to his word, there were no other guests wearing masks. She was the odd one and that was what drew attention to her.
She reached to undo the ties and took off the mask.
Why had he suggested she wear the mask in the first place?
"Anyone could have seen your face when we left my estate," he answered as though he heard her thoughts. "It was to protect you but here… no one comes here to hide. Only the most thoroughly investigated guests are invited here to ensure that no one's reputation is harmed. Here one can chase whatever height of pleasure they desired without anyone calling it scandalous."
Cecilia knew she had crossed into dangerous waters then if a place existed where one could chase depravity without judgement.
She spied guests coming in and out of alcoves and doors she hadn't noticed before but from the sight of the states of undress of the pairs, she knew the purpose they served.
Did he intend to perhaps take her into one of those alcoves?
A server passed by her with a tray of drinks and she took one, downing the sweet wine quickly to calm her racing heart.
"I warned you about the drinks in these parties," he scolded, taking the cup from her. "They are meant to lower your inhibitions."
She raised a brow at him, snatching another cup from a passing server but this time taking a slower sip. She was already feeling the effects of the first one she had downed but she didn't want to admit it. A languid warmth seeped into her blood and the colors in the room seemed more vivid than before. A loose smile slipped on to her face as she looked at him.
"Isn't that the entire point of coming to a place such as this?" she asked, smiling wider as he frowned.
His nostrils flared and pulled her to him.
"You…"
"I would like to dance," she announced, interrupting him.
He cupped her chin to keep her eyes focused on him and from this proximity, his beautiful green eyes pulled her in. She eyed his full lips, her mouth growing dry when she remembered the pleasure his lips had brought her. she wanted to kiss him again.
"I didn't bring you here to dance today," he said, pulling away. "I wanted to show you what it was like to live without any restrictions."
He led her to the first floor of the house and passed by the alcoves. Some were shut and the curtains of others flitted open in a small breeze.
Her eyes went wide when she saw couples in various states of embrace, her cheeks flaming at the sensuality of it all.
"This was what I wanted to show you," he said. "No one comes here hiding. They want freedom to love and be loved. These rooms are not always locked and others… others are open for either viewing or as an invitation to join in on the activities."
Her eyes went wide at his explanation.
