Read Online Prelude to a Scandal by Delilah Marvelle - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Delilah Marvelle
Tags: Historical
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side room.
The bishop rounded the table he’d been loitering behind and eyed her, his full, round face visibly flushed to the tips of his ears touching his dome cap. Setting his wobbling chin high, he wordlessly breezed out of the room, his robes rustling as he tucked the registrar beneath his arm.
Justine released the breath she’d been holding and steadied her shaky limbs by gripping the oak table behind her. Bradford was already taking her home. For heaven’s sake, even in the Lord’s house, it seemed all her new husband could think about was, as he had so crudely put it, sex.
May the Lord have mercy upon more than her soul, for she had a bizarre inkling that being married to him was going to be like keeping a rhinoceros for a pet. A rhinoceros in heat, that was.
SCANDAL FIVE
Refrain from ever questioning a man’s intentions toward you or any other lady, because most of the time, the poor dear doesn’t even understand what those intentions are himself. — How to Avoid a Scandal, Author Unknown
The Bradford House. That evening
JUSTINE STOOD STIFFLY, lingering beside the hip bath she’d just emerged from, whilst her lady’s maid, Henri, patted her naked limbs dry with soft towels. With pursed lips, the man turned and plucked up an ivory chemise, then turned back and pulled it over her head and down the length of her body.
Although Henri was young, very pleasant, and moved and spoke like a refined lady in male clothing, she confessed it was still rather awkward having him for a lady’s maid. Her mother, not to mention all of England, would have been appalled knowing a man who wasn’t her husband was tending to her naked body.
Henri shoved the curling ends of his blond hair away from his large blue eyes and stepped back, scanning the length of her. “I suggest we not fuss, Your Grace. A chemise is elegant and will put less between you and His Grace. Oui?”
“Uh…oui.”
“Bien.” Henri whisked toward the vanity in the far corner of her new bedchamber and enthusiastically patted the verdant cushioned seat before it. “Come. His Grace has asked that you be ready within the hour.”
Justine let out a shaky breath and made her way over to the backless chair. She sat, and her eyes visibly widened at seeing her own reflection. Her chestnut hair was piled high onto her head, her round breasts and darkened nipples, along with everything else belonging to her nude body, were fully visible through the sheer mulsin chemise Henri had chosen. With some curiosity, she realized that she barely had the urge to cover said breasts with both hands in front of Henri. He projected a friendly, businesslike air, as if performing a great duty to humanity.
So Justine opted to bite her lip instead and purposefully stared up toward the ceiling as Henri pulled out the ivory pins from her hair one by one. Her hair slid and all tumbled down.
Henri moved behind her and swept up her silver-handled brush from the vanity before her. He gathered her hair in sections, brushing those sections one by one. “Might Henri confess something bold, Your Grace?” he asked between brush strokes. “Something I hope will not offend you.”
Justine set her chin and continued to stare blankly toward the ceiling, hoping he wasn’t going to point out how small her breasts were. “I don’t easily offend, Henri. Feel free to say or ask me anything.”
Henri released her hair and leaned toward her from behind. “Tell Lord Marwood Henri spits upon those who do not appreciate his genius.”
Justine snapped her gaze down to the mirror and stared at the reflection of the slender man hovering behind her. “Pardon?”
Henri’s sparkling blue eyes caught hers in the mirror. As if afraid someone might hear, he leaned in even closer and whispered, “His observations give hope. Perhaps one glorious day men will not be unjustly hanged for the desires they are born with. After all, if a female chimpanzee, created by God and
The bishop rounded the table he’d been loitering behind and eyed her, his full, round face visibly flushed to the tips of his ears touching his dome cap. Setting his wobbling chin high, he wordlessly breezed out of the room, his robes rustling as he tucked the registrar beneath his arm.
Justine released the breath she’d been holding and steadied her shaky limbs by gripping the oak table behind her. Bradford was already taking her home. For heaven’s sake, even in the Lord’s house, it seemed all her new husband could think about was, as he had so crudely put it, sex.
May the Lord have mercy upon more than her soul, for she had a bizarre inkling that being married to him was going to be like keeping a rhinoceros for a pet. A rhinoceros in heat, that was.
SCANDAL FIVE
Refrain from ever questioning a man’s intentions toward you or any other lady, because most of the time, the poor dear doesn’t even understand what those intentions are himself. — How to Avoid a Scandal, Author Unknown
The Bradford House. That evening
JUSTINE STOOD STIFFLY, lingering beside the hip bath she’d just emerged from, whilst her lady’s maid, Henri, patted her naked limbs dry with soft towels. With pursed lips, the man turned and plucked up an ivory chemise, then turned back and pulled it over her head and down the length of her body.
Although Henri was young, very pleasant, and moved and spoke like a refined lady in male clothing, she confessed it was still rather awkward having him for a lady’s maid. Her mother, not to mention all of England, would have been appalled knowing a man who wasn’t her husband was tending to her naked body.
Henri shoved the curling ends of his blond hair away from his large blue eyes and stepped back, scanning the length of her. “I suggest we not fuss, Your Grace. A chemise is elegant and will put less between you and His Grace. Oui?”
“Uh…oui.”
“Bien.” Henri whisked toward the vanity in the far corner of her new bedchamber and enthusiastically patted the verdant cushioned seat before it. “Come. His Grace has asked that you be ready within the hour.”
Justine let out a shaky breath and made her way over to the backless chair. She sat, and her eyes visibly widened at seeing her own reflection. Her chestnut hair was piled high onto her head, her round breasts and darkened nipples, along with everything else belonging to her nude body, were fully visible through the sheer mulsin chemise Henri had chosen. With some curiosity, she realized that she barely had the urge to cover said breasts with both hands in front of Henri. He projected a friendly, businesslike air, as if performing a great duty to humanity.
So Justine opted to bite her lip instead and purposefully stared up toward the ceiling as Henri pulled out the ivory pins from her hair one by one. Her hair slid and all tumbled down.
Henri moved behind her and swept up her silver-handled brush from the vanity before her. He gathered her hair in sections, brushing those sections one by one. “Might Henri confess something bold, Your Grace?” he asked between brush strokes. “Something I hope will not offend you.”
Justine set her chin and continued to stare blankly toward the ceiling, hoping he wasn’t going to point out how small her breasts were. “I don’t easily offend, Henri. Feel free to say or ask me anything.”
Henri released her hair and leaned toward her from behind. “Tell Lord Marwood Henri spits upon those who do not appreciate his genius.”
Justine snapped her gaze down to the mirror and stared at the reflection of the slender man hovering behind her. “Pardon?”
Henri’s sparkling blue eyes caught hers in the mirror. As if afraid someone might hear, he leaned in even closer and whispered, “His observations give hope. Perhaps one glorious day men will not be unjustly hanged for the desires they are born with. After all, if a female chimpanzee, created by God and
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