My Three Lords Page 12

  “Yes.” I clasped my hands together to stop their trembling. “Love it is. And shall be forevermore. So you see, you can’t kill him in a duel, because then I should hate you forevermore, and we shan’t be happy together at all.”

  He scratched his ear. “Warrington in love.” He eyed his older cousin. “Is it true?”

  The Duke evaded the question. “My boy, don’t allow yourself to be swayed from your righteous indignation.”

  “Is it true?”

  I held my breath. What if I had imagined he had feelings for me? I teetered on a dark, unknown precipice.

  “Yes, it’s true.” At his anguished words, my world righted itself. “I didn’t intend such a thing, I promise. You know I’ve sworn not to succumb to such feelings. And yet I love her. When I’m in her presence, I feel young and hopeful. I believe there might be some joy and purpose to life.” He met my husband’s eyes with a level gaze. “I’ve done you wrong and must make amends. If my death is what you require, that you shall have.”

  The Earl recoiled at such a blunt statement. He took a turn or two around the room. Little gilt chairs kept appearing in his path, only to be kicked aside, drawing frequent winces from the Marquis. I tried to meet the Duke’s eyes, but he kept his gaze fixed on his perambulatory friend. Finally my husband threw up his hands.

  “My thoughts lead nowhere. I have no desire to slay Warrington, but now I learn my wife loves another. Barely married, and she’s already bedded three men. What can be done?”

  Phrased in such a way, my recent history certainly sounded quite disgraceful. Fortunately the Marquis stepped smoothly into the breach. “If I may, I believe the solution lies before our very noses. Dorchester, you and I had a wager. A shameful one, but I believe its terms still hold.” He turned to me. “Countess, you must tell us which style of lovemaking you prefer, a strong prick or artful caresses.”

  Why must he bring up such a topic at this moment? My face became as red as the damask wall coverings.

  The Duke stepped to my side. “Are you not ashamed to badger her so?”

  “No. I am not. My Lady Alicia, you are always and ever truthful, ever since you were a lass. Answer the question. You have experienced the forceful thrustings of young Dorch, and the wicked delights offered by myself. Which do you prefer?”

  I would have preferred to expire that very moment—or perhaps faint—but no matter how hard I wished, a faint refused to occur. “I cannot answer that question.”

  “Come, come, don’t be coy.”

  “I can’t answer because—”

  “She should not be obliged to.” The Duke moved to shield me from my tormentor. He put one hand behind him and I grasped it gratefully. “Haven’t you done enough?”

  But the Marquis kept his black eyes fixed on me. “Trust me, Alicia. Answer the question.”

  I saw the urgent command in his eyes. I remembered how he’d kept my secret all those years. But still I could not answer. “I cannot because I don’t prefer one or the other.”

  The Earl paused in his restless pacing. “You seemed to enjoy yourself with me.”

  “Yes, I did indeed. And with the Marquis. And the Duke, of course. I enjoy the act of lovemaking in all its forms. That is my true nature, I find. But it’s impossible to choose one method over another.”

  There, the truth was out.

  The three lords gazed on me in fascination. No doubt my confession ran counter to every rule of protocol.

  “Then no one wins the wager,” said the Earl.

  “Not so,” answered the Marquis quickly. “Lady Alicia, ma chérie, will you be content with Dorch’s lusty member alone?”

  I hesitated, unwilling to hurt my husband. But I cannot tell a lie. “No.”

  The Marquis turned to the Earl. “Do you not remember the terms? If she chose you, I promised to leave you two alone. If not, our little Countess can decide what arrangement will make her the most happy.”

  Of a sudden, their wager seemed not such a dreadful thing after all. Would I really be allowed to choose for myself what would make me most happy? This was an unbelievable turn of events, and yet it seemed to be the case, as all three lords looked on me as though waiting for the oracle to speak. To give proper formality to the occasion, I stepped away from the Duke and stood in the center of their triad.

  “I wish for very little, really,” I told them. “Nothing beyond the pale. I wish the Duke to live happy for those days that are left to him. You’re ill, aren’t you, Your Grace? That’s what you tried to tell me on the lake.”

  The Duke bowed his head. “There seems to exist no explanation for my ailment, and thus no cure.”

  “It causes you to faint?”

  “On occasion. Those occasions becoming more frequent.”

  “And that’s the reason you’ve never married.”

  “I will leave no widow behind. I will force no child to be fatherless.” His tone of quiet resolve spoke of sleepless nights and painful decisions.

  I swallowed hard so I could continue without giving in to my tears. “I wish our beloved Duke to be surrounded by his friends and by a woman who shall love him with all her heart until she dies.”

  I looked at the Earl. “I wish to be a devoted wife to my husband, to give him children who will carry on the Warrington line.”

  I gazed from one to the other, the Earl jiggling one leg, the Marquis’ black eyes continually straying to the Duke, and the Duke, oh my Duke, watching me with his heart full in his eyes. “And finally, I wish to enjoy all the pleasures of life in the company of my three lords.”

  Chapter Nine

  Warrington Manor, six months later

  And so it came to be that the three cousins took a wife. The world knew nothing of such an unusual arrangement. When the Countess of Dorchester became with child, it was assumed, naturally, that the Earl’s seed had taken root. But Lady Alicia herself had no doubt that the child was the Duke’s, and that a part of him would live on and eventually inherit his rightful estate. The Earl did his duty enthusiastically and frequently, but was burdened with no obligations beyond his ken. For more imaginative delights, the Marquis was always willing to oblige. When the Marquis came to visit, the Countess of Dorchester swam in a sea of sensual pleasure.

  And, first and foremost, there was the Duke and the passion they shared as the days ticked away. The increase in sensual activity appeared to improve his condition. The fainting spells grew less frequent. It comforted the Duke greatly to know that his love would have two lords to look after her upon his passing. They did not speak of that inevitable day, but it shadowed their love and made it shine all the brighter, the way the setting sun makes every leaf sharp and clear.

  One morning they lay cuddled together after a passionate night of lovemaking.

  “My love, the Marquis arrives today,” murmured the Duke. “It is his natal day, I do believe.”

  “Then we must celebrate.” The Countess wriggled against the warm body of her Duke. “Shall we invite a house party?”

  “At such short notice?”

  “Very true. Well, no matter, we always enjoy ourselves most when it’s just the four of us. But James…”

  “Yes, darling?”

  “I know the one gift that would make the Marquis the most happy.”

  The Duke grew quiet.

  “Would it be so very uncomfortable?”

  “Will you take part alongside me?”

  “Naturally. It would be the three of us. It would mean so much to him. You know he’s been in love with you for years.” Alicia spoke softly so as not to unsettle him overmuch.

  “No more than with you.”

  “To the contrary. When we’re together, the only way he attains arousal is through mention of you, or through penetration of that rear orifice to which he claims exclusive rights.”

  “And you would not mind? Both of us, in your bed?”

  Alicia ran a hand across her breasts. “Do you see how my nipples peak at the mere mention of it?
”

  “Oh my darling, how I do love you.”

  * * * * *

  That’s how I talked him into it, as the Marquis, that master of manipulation, had instructed me. And when I found myself, later that night, sandwiched between the two men, the experience outmatched my anticipation. Both men knew my body intimately, but somehow being naked before both of them brought a fresh piquancy to the experience. My nipples puckered at the very feel of their eyes on my exposed form.

  In most all things, the Duke was in charge. In this, the Marquis took the lead. His plan was to make me the center of attention, although I knew he awaited the moment when he could touch the Duke. He stretched me out on the featherbed and stroked his hand across my belly.

  “Still flat, I find.”

  “It’s still early, my lord.” Only eight weeks earlier had I determined I was with child. But all three lords were eager for the new addition to our family.

  He stood and removed his own clothing. After a moment’s hesitation, the Duke did the same. I gazed with relish on their naked bodies. The Marquis’ slenderness masked his wiry strength, while the Duke, in my eyes, was perfection itself. His member, even when soft, was of a stature and elegance that made the Marquis’ eyes gleam.

  Moving past the awkward moment, the Marquis turned his attention to me. He lifted my foot and nibbled on my big toe. He danced his fingers along my calf and into the tender hollow behind my knee. The devil knew very well which spots made me lose my composure. My hips came off the bed as I clutched at the coverlet. The Duke’s eye flared with desire as he watched me twist under another man’s touch.

  “Hold her arms to the bed,” the Marquis instructed the Duke. “She has a bad habit of squirming out of my grasp.”

  The Duke roused himself from his trance and came near my head to pin my arms. What the Marquis didn’t tell the Duke was that such restraints made my fever run twice as hot. In the Duke’s strong grip, I twisted shamelessly as the Marquis opened my legs and put his tongue to its devilish work on my quim. The Marquis had achieved a mastery of my body’s responses over the past months, so after only a few moments I was begging for release.

  “Foolish girl,” scolded the Marquis. “I intend this to last awhile. Suck her nipples, Warrington.”

  The Duke leaned over me and put his mouth to one nipple. He gave it a long, luxurious stroking with his tongue. I knew how much he enjoyed the greater fullness of my breasts resulting from my expectant state. Each swirl of his tongue, each tug with his loving mouth told me so in the most delicious manner.

  I closed my eyes and soared into a world of ecstasy. Two mouths sucked on me, from above and below, two tongues licked me into a frenzy, two strong men worshipped my body. It was beyond anything I could have imagined.

  I wondered if my Duke was aroused by the sight of me as a feast for two men. I wanted to reach my hand back to feel his member, but he still had my arms immobilized. “Are you hot?” I whispered to him.

  A strangled groan was his only answer. As if to get my attention, the Marquis tugged on my clitoris with a hint of teeth. “Oh!” I gasped as a spasm arched my back.

  I fought to hold back my release, but it was no use. With my Duke’s lips teasing my nipples, my cunt at the mercy of the Marquis’ relentless licking, I lost myself in a torrent of sensation. My body bucked against the two men as I rode out my frenzied release.

  When it was over, I knew it was just the beginning. The Marquis flipped me over so I knelt on hands and knees. I still panted and quivered. In this new position, I welcomed the breath of air against my heated flesh.

  “Come,” the Marquis told the Duke, who quickly disappeared from my view. The Marquis’ cock took his place before my still hazy eyes. It was fully engorged. I knew his excitement was due to the sight of the Duke behind me. I felt the Duke’s hands on my hips as he prepared to plunge his rod into my waiting entrance.

  “Suck me, ma petite,” said the Marquis, pulling my head to his prick.

  As I took him into my mouth, I felt my Duke ease into me from behind. His member felt larger than usual. His first deep stroke pushed me against the Marquis, who immediately swelled within my mouth. My womb clutched at my beloved Duke’s manhood, which seemed aroused to a hardness I had never felt. Again, I had one man at each end of me. Through my lusty fever I wondered if the Marquis would get the contact he craved with my Duke.

  As their strokes increased in speed, the two men steadied me. The Marquis held my head still so I shouldn’t be slammed into him. The Duke gripped my hips tight, the better to bury himself within me. My body rocked between the two. The Marquis’ cock filled my mouth. I knew he must be gorging his eyes on the sight of the Duke fucking me from behind. I heard harsh breathing and grunts above and behind me. A yeasty smell rose around us, different from the scent of me with the Duke, or me with the Marquis. This was the perfume of our blissful trio.

  I knew from the Duke’s rhythm that he was close to completion. His strokes became deeper and more urgent. Cries spilled from my lips as I worked the Marquis’ organ. And then, just as I thought I could bear no more, the Duke wrenched himself out of me. The Marquis withdrew from my mouth. I turned over to crouch on the bed and watch what was about to occur.

  The Duke stood naked and proud at the foot of the bed. His massive shaft stood out straight from his body. I heard the Marquis’ breath catch at the sight. The Duke beckoned to the Marquis, who, eyes fiery points of black, moved to the foot of the bed and crouched down to take my Duke into his mouth. The Duke threw his head back as the Marquis worked his cock with great, greedy suckings.

  The sight aroused me a hundredfold. But I wanted to participate, not sit idle. I scooted over behind the Marquis and wormed my hand between his thighs to take his prick into my hand. It jumped at my touch.

  I stroked the Marquis while he sucked on the Duke’s cock. The Duke’s body was beautiful, tense as a bow, his hands on his hips, head thrown back. The Marquis was ravenous, insatiable. His hands roamed the Duke’s sac and even probed the crevice of his buttocks. I could see the Duke resist at first, then give in to the pleasure. He spread his legs apart for the Marquis.

  When he did that, the member in my hand gave a great twitch of excitement. I felt so tender for them both. Delight in their enjoyment made me smile. I adored watching their muscular bodies throb and sweat. I loved watching the Duke’s eyes close halfway as he succumbed to the hard mouth on his prick. I loved seeing the Marquis come alive. How long had he dreamed of tasting the Duke’s flesh, of filling his mouth with that stiffened member? I stroked the Marquis’ cock the way I knew he liked. I felt hot liquid spill onto my hand. The Marquis gave a muffled roar of release, and then the Duke jutted his hips forward. He pumped his seed into the Marquis’ mouth and that eager lord swallowed every drop.

  A time of near-slumber followed, as the three of us lay twined together on the bed. Their cocks were depleted, but I had nearly reached the peak earlier, on hands and knees, only to have my release snatched away. But I was so happy for my two lords that I determined not to mention it.

  Our dear abigail Annie had left us a basin of water. The Marquis dipped a soft cloth into the refreshing rose-scented water and cleaned first himself, then the Duke’s softening member and powerful thighs. The Duke, head pillowed on my thigh, legs akimbo, submitted to his ministrations quite readily.

  “If I mistake not,” the Marquis said, “our darling Alicia has been left hanging on the edge of a cliff.”

  “No, no,” I demurred. But I cannot lie. “Yes,” I admitted, “it’s true.”

  “I will soon be recovered enough to breach your lovely backside. Would you like that?”

  “Oh, yes.” This was an act I shared only with the Marquis, one that felt so forbidden I found it utterly entrancing.

  “But wait,” said the Duke. “My sweet darling, perhaps you’d like to be joined with me in the more usual manner. My cock is rapidly regaining its senses.”

  “Oh, yes, I’d like that very muc
h.”

  “But which would you prefer?” The two lords spoke at once.

  Why were they forever making me choose? “I cannot say.”

  My lords chuckled and with one mind set to work with hands and tongues to bring me to a sobbing, shrieking peak of desire. I lost track of where I was, and which direction I faced, so many times was I turned around and opened up for a mouth or a thumb or a delicious nibble. The hands and mouths seemed to multiply so I kissed one pair of lips while another latched itself to my nipple and yet a third delved into my quim.

  A third mouth? In my delirium it took me quite some time to understand that my husband had joined our happy party. Now three men caressed me and pressed their hard flesh into me. Everywhere I looked I saw naked skin, muscular limbs, and burgeoning cocks. I heard the slick slap of flesh on flesh, the harsh panting of lusty men and my own moans.

  Soon the craving inside me grew so I thought I would die if I found no release. I was belly down on the bed. Someone, I knew not who, had thrust their thumb deep inside me and I worked myself against it, but it wasn’t enough. Sobs of despair mingled with my tears of arousal. “Please, my lords, please…” I begged.

  The Marquis turned me on my side. “I’ll take her from behind. Someone else must claim her cunt.”

  The Earl stepped eagerly to the task. He lay facing me, his bright blue eyes gazing into mine. His first thrust was divine. How I did love my husband’s lively cock. I kissed him tenderly on the lips. After all, it was thanks to him that we were able to enjoy such enchantments.

  Then a hard pole probed my bottom hole. The Marquis used my own juices to moisten the rim of the hole. Oh, what exquisite pleasure as he eased his prick within me. Oh, what a wonder to feel two cocks fill me to bursting. And the third cock, where was it? I looked over my shoulder to see a shocking sight. The Duke was working his member into the Marquis’ bottom hole. And the Marquis looked utterly transported.

  I might have felt envious of my Duke’s evident enjoyment of the Marquis’ buttocks, since he refrained from taking me in that way. But every stroke he took pressed the Marquis’ body against mine, and the Marquis’ cock deeper into my bottom hole. I felt the rhythm of his thrusts and heard his message. He was fucking me through the Marquis. But soon I forgot to think about anything, as the two cocks embedded within me fought a duel with each other. Thrust, parry, touché. Joy, madness, need.