The Accidental Courtesan Read Free Page A

fondling and peered into his red-rimmed blue eyes. It was then she realized he’d had more than a few drinks this evening; enough to explain why he sounded and appeared slightly off-kilter to her. Not drunk enough to wobble or topple over, but enough for her to use to her advantage and extricate herself from the situation.
    Noelle grinned. She’d found her opening. “The first time I saw your face in Hyde Park, I knew I had to have you, My Lord.” She pressed lightly on his chest with both hands, and he shuffled slowly backward toward the bed. He cupped her hips and they walked in a bumbling synchronization, locked together.
    â€œWhen I discovered through gossip that your courtesan had flown your nest, I knew I had to get to you before the other women discovered her flight.” Noelle spoke in a hopeful, breathless tone. He stared down at her breasts and groaned. “Tonight, I plan to give you a taste of my many talents. Then tomorrow we shall come to an arrangement.”
    Her seductive smile drew his eyes. He stared hungrily at her mouth and grinned. “I shall need to see everything.”
    â€œOf course, My Lord,” she purred. This adventuress was relying solely on instinct and snippets of conversations she’d overheard from Bliss and the other courtesans on how to please men. Now was not the time to show her inexperience. Thankfully, the man was not a warty toad.
    His knees hit the back of the bed and he stopped. He slid his hands from her hips to cup her buttocks. “Where would you like to start, Milady? We have all night.” He leaned to press his lips against her neck, and whiskers tickled her skin.
    Noelle sighed seductively. “Here?” She lowered her hand to cup the large erection beneath his trousers. Her face flamed at her boldness. She suspected he would be considered well endowed and required no padding to make it so.
    Her virgin sensibilities were replaced by pure curiosity as she caressed the bulge. What did an erect male member look like up close? Did it hurt the first time a man put it inside a woman? Would she eventually become used to having such a large thing inside her?
    The earl’s second groan was deeper than his first. “Thus far, you have moved to the top of my list of potential mistresses.”
    The flush on her face was a clear indication of her innocence, but she hoped he was too deep in his cups to notice.
    â€œI have learned my craft well, My Lord.” Her shocking curiosity led her onward. With anonymity a perfect mask to hide behind, Noelle felt positively wicked, truly scandalous.
    She would do anything to save herself from Newgate, even fondle the earl if it kept him from summoning the Bow Street Runners. His lids drooped, and for the first time he wavered on his bare feet. He pressed a kiss to the corner of her mouth, and it was all she could do not to turn her face to accept his kiss. It was proving hard enough to keep him upright.
    Noelle splayed both hands on his chest, pushing gently so he fell limply back on the bed. She’d waste no time waiting for his drunken snores before she made her escape. The necklace was on the dressing table, and the dim light, mixed with his inebriation, would keep him from putting the Lady Seymour and the thief-courtesan together as one person.
    â€œGood night, My Lord,” she said softly with one last look at his handsome face as his lids began to droop over unfocused eyes. She shivered with regret.
    And then she was gone.

Chapter Two

    G avin Blackwell woke up the next morning with wool in his mouth and daggers piercing his brain. When he dragged open his eyes, bright rays of sunlight were streaming through the window and over his face, torturing him for his folly. He turned away with a parched groan and swore under his breath.
    Tormented by his indulgences, he reached for the glass and its remaining splash of whiskey to wash some of the dreadful dryness off his tongue. Once he was