The Harlot (Taskill Witches 1)
When had she gained her title as the Harlot of Dundee? he wondered, and how long had she pleasured men in order to keep herself from starving? These were not things he had thought about before, but Jessie had kept hidden the unhappiness he had witnessed tonight. Even when she was in a fury with him she was neither afraid nor dispirited.
What had happened to her, and when had Jessie Taskill lost her innocence? Had it been stolen, or had she given it freely? She did not talk about her beginnings. As time went by, Gregor began to wonder about them.
ELEVEN
THE FOLLOWING MORNING THEY WENT ABOUT their ablutions and dressing in a cautious silence. Gregor saw that she was humbled and perhaps left somewhat tender by what had happened the night before, and he let her be. After they had breakfasted, she tidied the things and then stood up.
“How may I assist you today, Mister Ramsay? Have you a lesson in mind for me?”
Her demeanor was so different that he found himself amused by her efforts. But she had reverted to addressing him formally. He reached out his hand and drew her nearer to where he was sitting. She looked at him cautiously from under her eyelashes, as if she half expected to be admonished again. That was the last thing on his mind.
“I know I have been hard on you, Jessie, and that you are not used to being kept this way. But you have shown yourself willing, and you were a fast learner. I have great faith in you, and am sure that you will help me in my quest for retribution and justice.”
Her chin lifted.
“You had begun to call me by my given name. That was a liberty you took, but I have grown used to hearing it on your lips, and you may continue to do so.”
A smile lifted the corners of her mouth. “Yes, Gregor.”
“That’s better. Now, I have business to attend to today. But you are right. We should make use of the situation. There is little time to waste. Bring my boots and assist.”
With neither argument nor question, she darted off.
Gregor shook his head. She was a puzzle indeed.
When she returned, he instructed, “Your master has asked you to put on his boots and polish them. I want you to show me that you would do so willingly, eager to please, and that you will be devoted to your task. But you must find a way to lure his eye all the same.”
Jessie went about the job eagerly. She knelt at his feet and straightened his stockings. When she reached for the boots, her hips dipped and swayed and their curve was displayed to good effect.
“Please be lifting your foot now, sire,” she whispered, and looked at him from beneath her lashes as she did so.
Gregor restrained his amusement. With some vigorous tugging and no small amount of panting and wriggling, she got both boots on. Gregor stood up.
She remained kneeling at his feet, with her hands on her thighs, and stared directly up at him. Her face was close to the front of his breeches and he was reminded of their first encounter.
“I shall put a shine to them, sire, before you step out, if that pleases you.”
Gregor noticed how her eyes gleamed in the morning light. Her lips were dark this morning, the lower one damp and inviting. His cock hardened, and he quickly gestured for her to continue, lest he request she do something else instead.
She is ready. The thought occurred to him as he looked down at her. Yes, if he had been her master it would have been far too tempting to redirect the course of events. Or have I lost all sense of judgment on the matter?
Gregor frowned at the waywardness of his thoughts.
Meanwhile, she hurried away and returned with a cloth, then set about pr
oducing a high gloss on his riding boots. Her breasts jiggled and she arched her neck, sweeping her hair back when it trailed down across the pale skin of her throat and collarbone. Gregor could think of nothing he wanted to do more than carry her back to the bed and lose himself between her thighs.
When she stood up, he mustered an appropriate response. “Very good, you have developed an appropriate and pleasing manner.”
“Thank you, Gregor,” she replied, with a demure smile. “I am so pleased that you believe I can seduce a man in the appropriate manner now.”
Gregor’s attention hitched. Was there a teasing note in her voice? If so, he decided to ignore it. “I will be collecting your new garments today. Tomorrow, I want you to be ready to come out with me.”
“Come out?” she repeated, her expression delighted.
“Yes, tomorrow we will travel to my enemy’s abode. We will not approach, but I want you to see it in order to be prepared for what lies ahead.”
She nodded, and he could see how much she longed to be out of these quarters. Yes, that is what she wants, he reflected. To be done with this and on her way, as did he.