"I shall allow the lady to choose."
She noted Dare hadn't mentioned her name, and he answered her silent question without prompti
ng.
"The staff here is highly discreet," he murmured as he escorted her from the entrance hall, "but there is no need to advertise your identity."
"They seem to have expected us."
"I sent a messenger last night with my orders."
Julienne raised an eyebrow, even as she bit back a wry smile. Dare had certainly been sure of himself- and of her. But she wouldn't allow it to intimidate her.
She intended to use this time together to implement her own plan of ensnaring his heart.
He gave her a tour of the mansion. The furnishings were elegant and tasteful if rather decadent, with erotic statues and paintings of nude orgies adorning the corridors and main rooms.
There were nearly two dozen bedchambers whose purpose seemed blatantly obvious: sheer debauchery. One suite on the first floor was made up to resemble a Turkish harem, while another chamber seemed designed more for pain than pleasure.
Julienne was actually a bit shocked by the accoutrements she saw there-leather whips and steel shackles and ominous contraptions that looked like medieval torture devices.
"Some guests prefer more unique forms of entertainment," Dare explained.
"And you?"
"I've never found pain to be arousing, although bondage can be interesting." A sensual glint warmed his eyes as he looked at her. "For years I fantasized about having you spread-eagle on a bed, at my mercy. Even now the notion is vastly appealing, and not just for the purpose of revenge."
Feeling herself flushing, Julienne turned away.
"Truthfully," Dare added in a provocative whisper as she proceeded him to the next room, "I thought I might have to tie you up to keep you from escaping."
"I have no intention of escaping."
In yet another chamber she was surprised to find mirrors hung from every inch of wall and even on the ceiling.
"I think we will make use of this room tonight," Dare said.
"Why this one?"
"So you can see from every viewpoint who your lover is. Here you won't confuse me with any other man."
The barb stung, but Julienne refrained from comment, not wishing to revisit that argument again.
For her own use, she chose a bedchamber done in lovely peach and ivory and gold shades on the second floor, primarily because its erotic embellishments were the least noticeable.
"I will send a maid to you so you can refresh yourself," Dare said. "Shall we meet in the lower drawing room in, say, an hour?"
"That will suit me perfectly."
"Until then, cherie."
He gave her a polite bow and lingeringly kissed the tips of her fingers. Julienne felt her breath catch at the warm feel of his tongue on the sensitive pads, but she promised herself she would get even with Dare later.
She was glad for the time to bathe and change her gown. A quiet, self-effacing maid assisted her, and soon Julienne was making her way to the drawing room. She hadn't bothered to arrange her hair in anything but a simple chignon, for she doubted any coiffure would be safe for long in Dare's company.
In that respect, however, he surprised her. The evening began rather tamely, with sherry and desultory conversation in the drawing room. Dinner was of the usual excellent quality, served by almost invisible servants.
Dare spent much of the evening telling her about the history of the estate, which had been a minor site of conflict during Cromwell's bloody reign. Julienne listened politely, but all the while a sense of feverish anticipation was welling inside her. If Dare was deliberately prolonging the moment, his tactics were proving effective. By the time he finally pushed back his chair, her nerves were screaming.