The Seduction (Notorious 1)
“You must prove,” Clune explained, “that you possess the stamina to service the entire court before dawn. They then pass judgment on your performance and score how well you bring them to pleasure.”
“We’ve all been through it,” Thornhill commented, “with varying degrees of success.”
Cheatham laughed. “Devil a bit. The year Penny was inducted he nearly expired, the queen drained him so dry.”
“By Jove, so did I. I’ve never fucked so hard in my life.”
Ribald laughter was followed by several admiring remarks about Sin holding the record for most accolades of any court. Damien modestly acknowledged their praise by lifting his glass.
“If your cock passes inspection,” Penny added, “you become a full-fledged member in the Hellfire League-pun intended.”
Nicholas Sabine smiled wryly at the strained humor.
Another lewd joke or two ensued before Chine regained control of the conversation. “Since Lambton couldn’t be here, and I am acting as host, I’ve begun arrangements for an induction ceremony later in the week. I’m pleased to report, gentlemen, that I’ve found the perfect queen to reign over the proceedings. But I should like Sin’s approval before I make the final decision.” He glanced at Damien. “Will you accompany me upstairs to inspect my choice?”
“You have her here?” someone asked.
Clune nodded. “Yes. And you will be hard-pressed to imagine a lovelier queen. But as Sin is the noted expert, his blessing is warranted.”
“By all means show him this beauty you promised us,” Cheatham said.
A chorus of male voices indicated agreement with the suggestion.
Something in Clune’s tone made Damien suddenly wary, but he reluctantly acceded to the plan. Rising, he accompanied the earl up the stairs and along the hall.
Clune rapped gently on the door and unlocked it. Then, with a grin at Damien like a cream-fed cat, he swung open the door.
A woman stood at the window, her back to them, yet her silhouette was heart familiar. When she turned slowly to face him, Damien went rigid.
Vanessa returned his gaze levelly, her lustrous midnight eyes cool and unwavering.
His gaze shot to Clune, who maintained an owl-eyed look of innocence. “What the devil is the meaning of this? What is she doing here?”
“She will make a perfect queen, don’t you think?” Clune queried in a silken tone.
Damien clenched his fists at the thought of Vanessa being the prime attraction of an orgiastic ritual. “You intend her to rule the ceremony?” His eyes narrowed with disbelief. “And you agreed?” he demanded of Vanessa.
Clune replied for her. “She hasn’t yet consented to be our queen, though I tried to persuade her.” He cast Damien a probing glance. “Truthfully, Sin, I brought her here merely to see your reaction.”
“My reaction?” Staring at him, Damien recalled the locked door and Clune’s speculative glances earlier. Vanessa wasn’t here willingly then. A quiet, poisonous rage surged through him.
“You bastard…” Lunging unexpectedly, he grabbed Clune’s cravat and pushed him from the room, forcing him against the hall’s far wall with a resounding thud. “Is this reactive enough for you?”
The earl gave a triumphant laugh, despite his friend’s ferocity. “Quite. I never expected you to permit anyone to touch her.”
“By the blazes,” Damien gritted out through clenched teeth.
Chine bared his own teeth in a taunting grin. “I thought you claimed indifference, Sin. If you aren’t besotted, then why does the prospect of her becoming our queen upset you so?”
Tight-lipped with fury, Damien increased the vise of his hand. “She is under my protection, damn you!”
Clune had difficulty speaking with the grip on his throat. “You… are still… deluding yourself, my friend.”
Damien’s fist tightened further in the silk. When Clune made a choking sound, Vanessa protested behind him, “Damien, stop… you’re hurting him!”
Just then almost a dozen Hellfire League members appeared at the far end of the hall, apparently alerted by the commotion.
“What the devil is going on?” Thornhill exclaimed.