Chapter Twenty-Three

L ady Eleanor, Duchess of Smythington

"During my lunches with Olivia, I always wondered what the rooms at the Stratham looked like." I sat at the breakfast table next to Rex in our hotel suite and plucked a grape from the bowl. Flynn had commandeered a chair on Rex's left, his long legs stretched out.

"They are very luxurious," Rex said, eyeing me in an odd manner. "You seem to dine here often. Perhaps we can venture downstairs for dinner some night."

"That would be lovely. The food is exceptional, as is the service." I settled the grape on my tongue, the juice bursting as I chewed. Our one night together at the Stratham had turned into two. Soon, the carriages would be ready, and we would return home. A part of me was reluctant to leave, however, I would be receiving a letter from the conservatory sometime in the next few days. I tried not to become too excited, yet it was difficult not to be.

"The service, yes. I have yet to meet this Guy fellow you are so enthusiastic about." Rex watched me carefully.

"He is exceptional." I hid a smile at his overt interest in Guy and my association with him. His show of jealousy was flattering, for he rarely, if ever, seemed to be aware of other men paying me any attention. "However, he is simply a waiter and nothing more. I enjoy his wit but he, well, he has no designs on me."

He leaned back in his seat, a scowl turning his lips down. "Why not? You are very lovely."

Flynn snorted at his comment. "Do you wish for the man to have designs on your wife?"

Rex shook his head. "No, of course not. I was simply stating a fact."

"I appreciate that you are insulted on my behalf." My smile broke through. I considered sharing what Olivia had speculated on, except it wasn't truly my affair, and spreading gossip wasn't my cup of tea.

"The wait staff aside," Flynn cast me a lazy wink, "the chef is topnotch and taught classes at the Cordon Bleu culinary school before coming to London."

"I hear the school is very prestigious." Rex shifted in his seat, looking more relaxed than I had seen him in ages. My anxiety over news from the conservatory made me wish to speed up time yet make it grind to a halt.

"Would you like more tea?" I leaned forward, my hand hovering over the pot.

"I think I am fine, thank you," Rex said.

The sound of rain pelting the windowpane was somewhat comforting. I had woken to rain, and after passion took us one more time, we slept until mid-morning. The lovely days spent in casual conversation peppered with lustful interludes were fulfilling and restful. What the future held between us was still up in the air. Today, we had each other, and that's all that mattered.

"It looks rather wet outside." Flynn looked at Rex and me, one eyebrow raised. Neither of us made an effort to comment. "Since it is barely noon, I propose we stay a bit longer."

He hadn't shaved, and the growth of his beard on his cheeks was quite appealing. I still couldn't believe Flynn had bedded me while Rex buggered him. Multiple times. Flynn had an insatiable appetite, which played well with my newfound freedom to explore my lust at leisure. For the first time in a long time, I felt liberated. However, thoughts of Harry continued to rest in the back of my mind. I couldn't always be there to safeguard him from life's challenges. He had to make his way in the world, and I had to trust that he would be safe.

A warm hand settled on my wrist, and Rex offered me a knowing smile. "He is fine."

"When did you learn to read my mind?" I lifted my porcelain cup to inhale the fragrant tea, determined to stifle the need to tell Rex I wanted to travel to Knutchester to check on Harry. I gave myself a mental shake. I couldn't do that even though everything inside me wanted to. If Rex and I showed up at the school, it would make it more difficult for Harry because he would want to return home with us. No, it was better to leave him to his own devices and let him make his way in the world. It tore at my heart, nonetheless.

"A few decades ago, I suppose." He gave me a reassuring squeeze. "Atticus had given us his sworn word that he will check on his brother at the end of the week. Harry isn't alone. His older brother is watching out for him."

"A few decades." Flynn shook his head and frowned. "That makes us sound ancient."

"No, a few millennia would make us old." Rex stretched his lithe body, his leg brushing against mine. Muscles jumped under my hand when I laid my palm on his thigh. With a sideways glance, he cast me a warm smile. My cunny flared to life, my need close to the forefront.

"I wish we could stay longer," Flynn said, true regret in his stare. "But my daughters will send out a search party if I am away for too long."

"Indeed, you are a fortunate father to have such loving daughters." My relationship with my own father had been strained until his death. I am ashamed to admit I didn't truly mourn his loss. We were never close, and even though I was married, he never lost the opportunity to criticize me.

"They are a vivacious bunch, to be sure." Flynn's fondness for the girls showed in his expressive eyes. He hadn't been disappointed to have girls, whereas my own father revered my brother and merely tolerated me. "I hope Nigel and Anne are enjoying their wedding trip."

"Anne promised to send a telegram from every port." I envied her adventure. It had been ages since we went on holiday. Our house would be empty save for Rex and me. The bright spot would be my acceptance letter from the conservatory and my newfound intimacies with Rex. Perhaps I would insist on a repeat of our encounter on the piano, with a few modifications.

Unless the conservatory rejected me. Goosebumps raced along my skin. If that happened, the days loomed empty ahead of me. I shifted in my seat, unwilling to let my mind drift on a sea of negativity. Even without the conservatory, Anne had recently married, and I anticipated Atticus would be looking for a bride soon. Once my eldest married, he and his bride would preside at Smythington House. Fates willing, grandchildren would soon follow, and the house would be full again.

"Nigel did as well, although I imagine they will send one together." Flynn stared out the window, his profile to me. The strength of his jaw and the slight tilt of his mouth held great appeal. If our affair were to continue, we would exchange intimacies again. A thrill of longing cut through me. We had yet to decide on our future. I agreed to one night, and it expanded into two wonderful, unforgettable nights. Reality had a way of cutting through fantasy.

"It would make the most sense." Flynn sipped at his own tea, his lips pursed. He habitually did the same thing when he was in the throes of passion's embrace. Rain continued to pelt the windows, making a sharp, pinging sound against the glass. "It is miserable out there."

"It is a good thing we are in no hurry to leave." I would never look at him again in the same light. Just the thought of the way his lips pleasured my cunny made my body ache for more.

"My day is blissfully free." Rex settled his hands behind his head and closed his eyes, leaning farther back in his seat.

"You and Eleanor are welcome to stay longer if that is your wish." Flynn exhaled a long breath and tapped his thumb on the tabletop. "I will be jealous, of course."

"Of course." Rex smiled but didn't open his eyes.

"As much as I would like to stay, we should get home. I am eager to look at my correspondence." I looked from Rex to Flynn, heat warming my cheeks. My mouth turning suddenly dry, I cupped the teacup and tapped my nail against the side. "I am supposed to hear back from the conservatory to see if I've been accepted to attend classes under some of the world's best musical talents."

Rex nearly toppled over in his chair and caught himself at the last moment. His alarmed gaze shot to Flynn, a telling flush on his cheeks.

My stomach dropped, and my elation faded in an instant. "Is something wrong?"

"No, of course not." Rex stood and tipped the chair onto two legs to inspect it. "This chair is wobbly."

Flynn merely shook his head. "We will need to inform Withers."

With a nod, Rex replaced the offending chair with a new one, his back to me.

Something was definitely off with him. His strange reaction put me on edge. We read each other well, and he was clearly uncomfortable with my news. He tended to be supportive of me in all my endeavors; thus, I couldn't shake the sense that the news did not thrill him, regardless of what he'd told me the night we made love on the piano.

"If you don't wish me to attend, please tell me now." I would be devastated if he wasn't supportive. My rebellious side was determined to do it no matter what he said.

He reached across the table to clasp my hand. "If you wish to attend, you have my blessing." Sincerity rested in his green gaze. "I will be on pins and needles until we return home."

The tension left me in a wave, and I nodded. "Thank you."

"You are very talented." Flynn laid his hand on my other one, and we sat thus for a long moment. The weight of his hand was a comfort. Those same hands had gripped my bottom while he slid his cock into my cunny. I had only bedded Rex, and being with another man was equally as invigorating as being with my husband. Flynn was a solicitous lover. I couldn't help wondering if I would have lost my inhibitions sooner had I married him. He had a way of bringing out the lustful side of me.

"It is amazing how one decision can change the course of an entire relationship," I said. "If you had asked me to have a ménage à trois when I was seventeen, I would have slapped you for your cheek before I fainted...well, pretended to anyway." It pained me to admit that I would have been shocked by my behavior.

"Imagine if we knew then what we knew now how our lives would have turned out. What would you do differently?" Rex asked.

"Nothing truly. There are some things I regret. I would be lying if I said that wasn't the case. I love being your wife and a mother. One day, I would like to play the violin in a concert hall."

"That is a possible goal for you to accomplish." Flynn nodded, a soothing presence in light of our heavy conversation. "You certainly are brilliant enough. One of Olivia's friends—Lady Winnie Parker—is a celebrated singer with the voice of an angel."

"Olivia has mentioned her," I said.

"I know her husband, Lord Parker, a nice bloke if not a bit impulsive." Flynn ran a hand through his hair. "I saw the lady perform. She is comely and a bit on the cheeky side. Rather like Olivia."

"Knowing both of you, I have come to the conclusion that you are the male version of Olivia. Or she is the female version of you, whichever you prefer." Personally I thought Flynn and Olivia complemented each other. My friend didn't want to admit he had feelings for her. It was obvious to everybody except him that they were well-suited.

Rex tilted his head and considered my comment, flashing a taunting smile at Flynn in the process. "I believe you are on the mark on that one, my love."

Flynn wrinkled his nose. "I don't believe you are. Olivia is pushy, arrogant, and, well, she and I are nothing alike."

Eyebrow cocked, Rex continued to stare at Flynn, laughter in his regard. "Perhaps a long look in the mirror might show you your true reflection."

"If I didn't have somewhere to be, I would make you pay for that remark." Flynn reddened at Rex's good-natured ribbing. "I have a long memory, remember that."

"Olivia also has a good memory," I said, winking at Rex.

Although I enjoyed our time together, and the intimacy was unforgettable, we had to be realistic. A relationship between three people would be difficult to keep secret for long. The biggest challenge to overcome was that all three of us were very vocal when it came to our physical pleasure, which could raise eyebrows. However, there was nothing stopping us from meeting secretly like we were right now.