Chapter 10

10

Agatha was doing her best to avoid her friend’s gaze. She wanted to discuss what had happened last night with Violet, but she wasn’t certain how to bring up the subject. Especially whilst they sat breaking their fast. It didn’t seem to be the sort of conversation two women should have over eggs and toast.

Violet stirred her tea, the clink, clink of her spoon on the side of her teacup and their unusually quiet morning only amplified the noise.

“It would seem that your gentleman caller stayed well into the evening,” Violet finally said. She sipped her tea and eyed Agatha casually over her cup. As if she’d merely mentioned the newest fabric trends to come out of Paris.

Agatha felt her cheeks heat and knew they must be stained bright red. She stared down into her own cup of tea before venturing a glance at her friend. “My sincerest apologies if you’d prefer I not entertain guests at such late hour, I can refrain.”

Violet rolled her eyes heavenward. “Don’t be daft, Agatha.” She leaned forward closing the distance between them at the table. “Now, you must tell me everything this instant. According to some gossip I overheard between the maids, there were some unique and rather carnal noises coming from your bedchamber.”

Agatha’s cheeks flamed anew. She dropped her face into her hand. “Oh my goodness, how humiliating.”

“Oh nonsense. My aunt had many lovers. The staff here is discreet and quite accustomed to such behavior.”

“Perhaps, but I am not accustomed to that behavior. And I do not have lovers,” she said the last word as if it tasted poorly on her tongue.

“I take it things were pleasant then? Considering the noises?”

Agatha peeked at her friend through her fingers. “Yes, it was quite pleasant. He’s rather skilled at…” she waved her hand, “whatever you want to call it.”

“Intimate concourse?”

“Among other things.”

“Honestly, Agatha, if you intend to be a mistress, you truly must be able to speak of such things without blushing. And you’re barely even speaking, you’re merely listening to me.”

“You’re right. I know you’re right.” She exhaled slowly. “I think I need to make a list of well, physical activities, then perhaps I shall repeat them aloud several times until I become immune to them.”

“That’s an interesting option. I do think it’s time to pay a visit to my Aunt Felicity’s friend though. She should be able to help you.”

Agatha nodded, and wondered what she should ask the former mistress because certainly she was a treasure trove of useful information.

“When will you see your gentleman caller again?” Violet asked.

“Oh,” Agatha frowned. “I don’t believe I will see him again. We came to an arrangement for him to merely provide me with an evening of pleasure. Only that one evening.”

Violet’s features furrowed. “Why would you not continue to learn from him? Was that his offer? Only one night?”

They had previously spoken about how Agatha had come out of her marriage untouched. Whereas Violet was a self-proclaimed spinster who had had a brief tryst with a poet a few years before.

But Agatha had never asked her friend what she and the poet had done together specifically. Though she couldn’t be certain, she didn’t believe that every coupling provided as much pleasure for the woman as she’d received under Sebastian’s touch. And his mouth. And his…well, she supposed she was a bit tender in her most intimate places. The skin between her thighs was pink and irritated from his beard, but the mere thought of his face down there made her face flame and moisture flood her core.

Good heavens, he was a most dangerous man. Did Agatha dare tell her closest friend that everything about Sebastian made her nervous? That being near him made her want for things she had no business wanting?

“I’m not certain what you’re thinking about over there, but it does appear to be blush-inducing,” Violet said with a grin. “If it was that pleasurable, why would you not want to entertain him again?”

Agatha shook her head. “He served his purpose. He deflowered me so now I will not have that embarrassment hanging over my head. And he properly introduced me to carnal delights, as it were. Now, I need to learn as much as I can from your aunt’s friend, then set about finding my first…” she frowned.

“I believe the word you’re searching for is lover,” Violet said.

Agatha swallowed. “Yes, well, my first one of those.”

“Good gracious, Aggie, if you can’t say the word, how on earth do you intend to seduce a man?”

Agatha opened her mouth, then closed it again. “I don’t suppose I considered it as such. I merely thought that you make it known that you’re looking for a lover,” there she said it and barely tripped over the word, “and the men would come to you.”

Violet sighed. “Perhaps you should bring something to take notes with. I believe Felicity will have much to share with you.”