Chapter Eleven

October 18, 1819

Agape Spa

19 Brunswick Square

Brighton and Hove, England

When Gabriel and Mary arrived at the pleasure spa, he had serious doubts as to what the large and quite impressive townhouse hid behind its far too plain fa?ade—with the exception of a glass cupola on the roof that slightly resembled an onion. Set in a proper square on Hove Beach which was a bit removed from Brighton proper where tourists flocked, or where the Regent had set up his residence.

Perhaps that was the reason for the location, but the terraced townhouse in an idyllic ivory color reposed in unassuming splendor amidst the blue backdrop of the sea. In fact, it was large enough to have triple the space of a regular sized townhouse in London. Set back from the shore by nearly two hundred yards, it hosted a decorative wall about the property to give it privacy from the neighbors on either side yet the townhouses here weren't connected. Foliage thrived in an impressive garden area off the rear of the dwelling, and no doubt that oasis opened out onto a private pathway to the beach.

The butler who opened the door had been dressed in proper livery, and by looking at him, one would have no idea what the building held, but the man of indeterminate years led them into a parlor to await a tour guide, for they had only said they were Mr. and Mrs. Bright, a newlywed couple wishing for an escape from the everyday and that they had been given a calling card. At that point, he'd handed over the card they'd found in Miss Kessler's reticule, but he offered no further explanation.

Best to keep to the truth as they knew it.

He frowned at Mary. "I must say, I'm somewhat disappointed. Thus far, the building seems to be quite ordinary with nothing scandalous in the offing." There was a door at the other side of the small, ordinary parlor, with a small white plaque bearing only a silver drawing of a bunch of grapes, the same image that had been on the calling card.

"Perhaps all the secrets haven't yet been revealed," she said in a low whisper. "But you have to admit, this is thrilling even though I'm already missing Cassandra."

"She will be all right until we solve this case," he hastened to reassure her .

He'd managed to rent a townhouse in Regency Square, which was in Brighton proper, and since October was the height of the social Season at the seashore, he was fortunate to find anything to let. Instead of merely the planned fortnight, Gabriel had gone ahead and taken the property for a full month, for he figured Mary could use an extended period of relaxation and reflection once this case was solved, and they both would need some bonding time with each other as well as Cassandra. What was more, the whole staff at the London townhouse enthusiastically agreed to remove to Brighton for the duration, and it had been quite the feat transporting them and everyone's belongings to the holiday destination.

Had it been an expense? Damnation, yes, but his brother had gifted him with a few hundred pounds as a wedding gift, so most of that coin had gone into this endeavor. He didn't mind for it had made everyone happy, and it allowed him—as well as Mary—some peace of mind while they hopefully wrapped up this case.

"What I am currently concerned with is our inability to ferret out a solid suspect. We have many, and they each have a decent motive for killing Miss Kessler, but none of those motives is quite strong enough. Even if some of them have no clear alibi."

"Isn't that how every case is?" She shot him a grin that sent need shivering along his shaft. "People lie, even if they have no reason to, but every time, you manage to solve the case."

"No, we solve the cases." Before he could say more, the door with the grapes swung inward, and a woman, probably not more than two and twenty came in and he scrambled to his feet, but that was where anything ordinary ended.

Dressed in a toga-like dress that fell to her ankle, it was made of such a fine lawn that nothing was left to the imagination. Blue embroidery in the Greek style was embroidered along the bottom hem of the garment and a golden circlet lay on her upswept hair as if she were a Grecian goddess. Another slim band of gold rested on her left upper arm. Gold leather sandals were on her feet, whisper soft against the floor.

"Good afternoon. I am Aphrodite. Welcome to the Agape Pleasure Spa."

Gabriel tried not to gawk at her, but he didn't know where to focus his gaze except on her face, especially while his wife stood at his side. Not that he wanted to gape at this woman's form. He was a happily married man.

This is going to prove difficult.

"Hallo. Your name is Aphrodite?"

She nodded and gave him a disarming smile. "Not my real name, of course. Everyone who works here has assumed a name from the Greek pantheon."

"Ah." Which would make identification next to impossible. "I am Mr. Bright, and this is my wife." Under no circumstances did she need to know they were investigating two deaths.

"I know, and I have been told by the founder of this spa that you are newly married?" Her voice was melodious, and she smelled of honeysuckle.

"Yes." Mary nodded. It was clear from her rigid posture that she was either jealous or threatened by the younger woman, or annoyed at him for looking. Possibly all three. "We are looking to put some… adventure into our relationship and were told this was where to come to accomplish that."

"It absolutely is." Aphrodite nodded and smiled at her, but her gaze slid back to him. She blatantly raked her bright green gaze up and down his body. "Your luggage has already been delivered into your suite, and we have given you one of the six on the ground floor. Since our dress code focuses more on comfort and temptation, there is a toga for you both, and a pair of Turkish trousers for Mr. Bright should you wish to utilize them."

"Ah." Mary frowned. "Will we be expected to wear those clothes while exploring the spa?"

"Of course not." The younger woman smiled at her again. "It might take a couple of days, but once you see other guests in the attire, you'll wish to wear it as well. Everything goes more easier when there is less clothing to manipulate." Her laughter was like a tinkling bell. "However, only at our traditional dinners do we expect you to wear the traditional, proper clothing of society. We don't view the human body as a scandal nor what we do with it a sin."

"It is good to keep an open mind." Gabriel cleared his throat. "And the non-traditional dinners?" To his credit, he'd become rather skilled in keeping his gaze on a spot above her left shoulder.

"Every other night, you are invited to share in the feast of Dionysus-Bacchus—the god of wine, plant life, indulgence, revelry, folly, and wild passion, where anything is allowed and nothing is declared scandalous. That will be put on tonight, in fact." She smiled and ushered them through the door that she'd come in. "Togas are required to attend. As is sitting and eating with other people who aren't your spouses."

Mary stifled a sound. "I think for the time being I will stick with my husband."

"That is your choice, of course, but don't be surprised if after a couple of days here, you change your mind. There is plenty to occupy both the mind and the body. "

Once the door closed behind them, Gabriel and Mary followed their host through various corridors. As they walked the halls, they passed people wearing clothing much like Aphrodite's, and to be honest, even for his semi-progressive mind, he was shocked. Hardened nipples and erect shafts were apparently the order of the day. When he glanced at Mary, her rounded eyes and the faint blush in her cheeks told him she was struggling to accept this world they'd inadvertently entered.

"When you explore the facilities, the gardens, or the seashore, you may wear whatever clothing you feel most comfortable in. After midnight when the weather is fair, sea bathing in the nude is highly encouraged. It is quite invigorating."

He refused to think about that. "How many suites does the spa feature?"

"Twelve. Six on the ground floor and six on the third. On that level, there is also the reception area where you came in as well as a library, and a room devoted for clinic purposes in the event guests or anyone else falls ill. On the second level there is the main dining room, a study, a billiards room. On the fourth level is where the staff sleep."

"How far out do you book reservations?" he couldn't help but ask.

Her tinkling laughter sounded again as she paused before an oak door featuring carvings of Greek gods and goddesses frolicking naked lakeside. "One can only gain entry here if they have a card such as the one you surrendered upon arriving. To the outside world, this townhouse is merely the folly of a wealthy but eccentric earl."

So far, with the exception of the costumes and the rather raucous sounding dinner, nothing was so disturbing as hinted about. "What about the services the spa provides?"

"Oh, I know you are going to be quite the favorite here, Mr. Bright, for you are clever and curious," Aphrodite said as she pressed the door latch and swung the panel inward. "Please, come in and I will explain the rest."

As he and Mary came into the large room that resembled something from a book of Grecian tales, their guide spoke again.

"Each suite here at Agape has two unique features—a garden grotto and a spa pool set into the floor." She pointed out said feature as she walked them through the suite.

All around were low tables with cushions and pillows scattered about the tiled floor as if they'd entered a mythological place. Instead of a proper four-poster bed, there was a low pallet dressed in sumptuous fabrics in rich colors. A hint of steam curled up from the water in the spa pool, with a set of marble steps leading down into it .

"In your garden grotto, though there is copious plant life, the walls are all made of glass, which not only helps the plants to grow but also gives a couple a level of adventure and excitement. Your neighbors on all sides will be able to see within your grotto between the plants. There is a panel that slides open in the event you would like to experiment with your neighbors."

It was at that point Gabriel began to think going undercover had been a huge mistake. "Ah," was all he could think to say.

Taking the word as encouragement, Aphrodite moved to one of the walls of the suite. She tugged open a satin drapery to reveal glass windows that began midway up the wall. "Every suite has viewing windows into their neighbor's rooms, so if you are shy, you can watch couples have intercourse and they can watch you. When you grow bolder in the pursuit of passion and pleasure, you are more than welcome to form a menage a trois or even trade partners. There is no wrong way to find pleasure and fulfillment here."

"Oh, dear heavens," Mary whispered.

Gabriel's throat went dry, for on the other side of the wall, a couple was, indeed, wasting no time in having relations. With each other, thank goodness, but still. "What an… interesting co ncept."

"It is. Here at Agape, we believe everyone is entitled to all the love and affection available to us. From everywhere." Aphrodite drew the curtain closed, and he breathed a sigh of relief. She pointed to a set of what appeared to be restraints made from braided cloth that hung in one corner of the room. "If you are feeling particularly dominant or submissive and wish to explore that world, please feel free to make use of the restraints. They can be raised or lowered by the pulley system on the wall."

He had seen many things in his life as a Bow Street principal officer and as an investigator, but this was beyond anything he could have fathomed. "How… fascinating."

"I think so, and it is one of my favorite forms of entertainment and release." She gave him a wink. "Lord Copperfield is the director of the spa; he was one of the founders, and it is his vision that guests leave here with a greater appreciation for each other and open minds regarding pleasure."

From the near-rabid adoration in the woman's voice, it was clear she'd been "touched" by the peer's "vision" more than she wanted to admit. "If possible, I would like to meet with the director when it is convenient or not."

"I will put in the request."

Then Aphrodite went through the other, more mundane features of the suite such as the washbasin and chamber pot behind a decorated screen in one corner of the room, the wardrobe where they could unpack, the small adjoining sitting room should they wish to occupy "proper" furniture or entertain other guests without bringing sexual relations into the conversation, and an array of foodstuffs and spirits spread out on a low table near the spa pool. A couple of vases of hothouse flowers provided pops of color in an otherwise bland, marble-based room. The curtains and cushions were of muted blue hues.

"You can immediately begin settling in, and as you can see, your spa clothing is laid out for you on the side of the bed. Please ring if you have questions about the spa or need amenities. That would be the blue bell pull." Her gaze wandered back to him. "Only use the red one if either of you have enhanced needs you wish to have met here in your suite by either a member of the spa's staff or another guest." Then she winked as she bit her bottom lip. "For the time being, I will leave you here. Good afternoon."

Gabriel nodded. "Thank you for the information."

"Oh, Aphrodite?" Mary called as the woman reached the corridor door.

"Yes?"

"What is the room on the right used for?"

A slow, sensuous smile curved the younger woman's lips. "Once-a- week orgies that are held every Friday afternoon and go well into the night. They are quite popular." Then she left the suite, softly closing the door behind her.

"This, uh, wasn't exactly what I thought it would be," Mary admitted as she walked about the room, removing her bonnet and gloves as she went.

"My sentiments exactly." His brain didn't know how to process everything they'd been told let alone saw. In some distraction, he removed his greatcoat and top hat, dumping them on a low table. Next, he yanked off his gloves as well as his jacket of green superfine. They landed on the same table. "At least it's only Tuesday."

"Thank goodness." When Mary extricated herself from her pelisse, she draped it over the back of a chair, she then drifted toward the garden grotto room. "Can you believe people pay the exorbitant cost associated with staying here?"

"Those costs go well beyond the coin." He couldn't imagine cheating on his wife let alone doing such intimate things with someone else's wife… or another woman found beneath this roof, whatever her designation.

"In the event you wondered, I am not interested in any of the entertainments here, though I might try sea bathing… in the daylight hours. And I certainly don't wish to wear a di aphanous garment such as dear Aphrodite modeled."

Interest shivered along his shaft. "I don't know, you might look quite arresting in such a thing if you were to don it for me." As he glanced about their suite, he grinned. For the first time since he'd wed Mary, he had dedicated time alone with her, and he was damned randy.

After dinner on their wedding night, she'd fallen asleep, and he didn't wish to disturb her. The following two days had been busy with packing and such, so they hadn't had time to have a conversation let alone even attempt a quick coupling.

"Do hush, Bright." She opened the glass door and moved into the private—or not so private—garden grotto. "It is quite heated and moist out here, but with all the potted plants and flowers, it's lovely."

Bloody hell. Why did she need to say those specific words?

Tossing caution to the wind, he followed his wife out into the private garden. "Mary?" When she turned to face him, Gabriel pulled her roughly into his arms and then claimed her lips with his. Dear God, it had been so long—seemingly—that desire careened through his form like a drunken seagull.

"Oh!" Mary's utterance against his lips sent electric pulses through his blood. She peered up at him and smiled. "Now that is the man I've dreamed of and remembered."

"Ha. Shall I continue in this den of iniquity?"

"Most certainly."

"Good." His chest tightened with appreciation while his prick hardened in anticipation. With a half growl half chuckle, he slipped an arm about her waist and hauled her firmly against his body. When her eyebrows rose, he claimed her lips again, and as she rested her palms on his chest with a tiny sigh, he clasped his free hand to the enticing curve of her hip merely to hold her closer. Finally, alone with his wife and there was nothing to interrupt them.

Exactly what he'd been wanting since he'd spoken vows to her.

Her teasing lips were as soft as a rose petal and just as inviting. And, minx that his wife was, she returned his kiss with a skill of her own. Mary's fingers curled into his lapel the longer he teased the seam of her lips with the tip of his tongue, but she never opened for him. Oh, he was familiar with this tactic; she wanted him to work for that reward. Very well, he would wait her out. Besides, he was content to move over her mouth, licking and giving gentle nibbles to the corners as he primed her desire.

They had the whole afternoon ahead of them .

Minutes passed as they gave and took from that embrace. Hands went exploring. Tongues and lips became involved in the fun as various pieces of clothing were removed. Garments fell to the stone floor unheeded. Heat rose in his blood, and desire hardened his shaft. Never had he wanted her more.

"Mary…"

With a parting nip to his bottom lip, she pulled away and moved out of his arms. Her breathing had accelerated. Love lined her expression, but need darkened her eyes—the same emotions that rocked him to his soul. Desire caused his pulse to pound in his ears. When she eased her gaze down the length of his body to linger at the bulge between his thighs, he stifled a groan. His member pulsed with need as her highly addictive lips curved into a knowing smile as she met his gaze once more.

"Come inside, Bright." Grabbing his hand, she easily tugged him back into their suite and then made certain to draw the satin drapes across the glass panels and door. "I am not in the mood to share your body with anyone else and I don't want anyone watching me do unspeakable things to you."

He couldn't contain his grin, for when Mary was in an amorous mood, there was no stopping her. "In this, I quite agree, but for right now, it will be me doing wicked things to you ." And he intended to fully draw out this coupling until they both couldn't stand the teasing any longer.

It was time to consummate and consecrate his long-awaited marriage.