Page 15 of Impassioned
“We don’t,” Sabrina whispered, feeling as though she faced an insurmountable obstacle.
“Perhaps that should be your primary objective before you can get to the pleasurable creating of a child. Get to know him and make him get to know you. Then, you’ll seduce him. Assuming he doesn’t prefer men and can be seduced by you, are you up to the challenge?”
“Of seduction?” Sabrina feared she’d ended the word on a squeak. “I suppose I shall have to bluntly ask if he is aroused by men or women.” The thought of doing so made her feel as if she were riding a runaway horse, but she worked to rein in her nerves. “I think I must. The time for prevarication and avoidance is past. I am on a mission.”
Evie laughed and reached over to briefly clasp Sabrina’s hand. “You aren’t at all what you think, at least not what I’ve seen today. You possess a steel inside you, Sabrina. I hope you realize that. I also hope you never forget it,” she added with a soft smile.
Sabrinahadn’trealized that, and of everything Evie had said today, it might be the thing that stuck in her mind the longest. She’d certainly be thinking about it for some time—whether it was actually true and how she could learn to use that steel.
“Let us discuss the fun part of this, shall we?” Evie’s gaze held a mischievous sparkle. “In order to conduct a successful seduction, you should experience an orgasm—or several.”
“How do I do that before seducing him?” Sabrina feared her naïveté was once again rearing its head.
“By pleasuring yourself.”
Sabrina gaped at her. “How on earth would I do that?”
“You’ll have an orgasm,” Evie explained. “What I was telling you about before. You don’t need a man to give you one. You can do all this by touching yourself—your breasts, your sex, whatever feels good.”
Sabrina brushed her hand over her forehead. “Please forgive my ignorance. It’s quite maddening, if I’m to be honest. Why would I touch my breasts?”
Evie exhaled and pinched the bridge of her nose. “Aldington has never touched your breasts.”
“Why would he?”
“Because it feels lovely.” Evie resituated herself on the settee, turning even more toward Sabrina and bringing her thigh slightly onto the cushion in the process. “You definitely need to have an orgasm—or three—before you attempt seduction. Tonight, I want you to touch yourself until you find release. It will take some effort, but I promise you’ll enjoy it.”
Sabrina didn’t understand any of this. “How do I do this?”
“I’m going to explain, and I’m going to give you a book from my library. It has drawings and descriptions.” Evie gave her a wicked smile. “They will, hopefully, arouse you.”
“Oh.” Sabrina remained skeptical.
“Trust me. You are going to be amazed at what you have been missing. And when you learn to find and experience pleasure you will wield a power that will give you a singular confidence when dealing with your husband. When he comes to your bed, you will know what you want and what to ask him for. Rather, what todemandfrom him.”
Sabrina put her fingers to her lips, imagining this power and using it to demand…pleasure from Aldington. It almost seemed impossible, but she’d already demanded he visit her bed. This would be easy after that, wouldn’t it?
Evie abruptly rose. “I’m going to fetch the book so we can have a nice, in-depth discussion. I’ll also have Foster bring sherry—you’ll thank me for it. Then, after we have finished your education, we’ll go shopping.” Eyes glowing with enthusiasm, she took herself from the drawing room, leaving Sabrina to stare after her in wonder and perhaps a bit of mental paralysis.
This was not at all what she’d imagined when she’d gone to Lucien for help. She’d never considered all that she was missing. How could she? It seemed, however, this was precisely what she needed.
She only hoped she was up to the challenge of seduction, especially in the face of a man who didn’t want to be seduced.
Chapter 5
Constantine didn’t stay out quite as late as he’d planned. Through the course of the day, he’d convinced himself that he needed to visit his wife tonight. The sooner he got her with child, the better. Perhaps they might even enjoy it. But to do that, she’d need to be open to such a thing,ifher newfound courage actually extended to the bedchamber.
There was only one way to find out.
Garbed in loose-fitting breeches and a banyan, he went to her chamber and rapped lightly on the door.
“Come in,” she called.
Every muscle in his body tightened as he opened the door and stepped inside. She rose from the single chair in front of the hearth, and Constantine nearly choked.
Her slender frame was draped in a dark pink dressing gown that hugged her…curves? Yes, she had curves—a rather lush flare from her narrow waist to her rounded hip and a surprisingly full bosom. How had he never noticed this before?
Because she’d never dressed like this before. The gown formed a deep vee leading into her cleavage. His mouth went dry as his gaze followed the trail, and he realized he could just detect her nipples through the thin silk.
