Read Online The Unknown Mistress - An Erotica and Romance Paranormal/Historical Novella by Dorian Mayfair - Free Book Online Page A

her glass and finally put it down. “What is required,” she said carefully, “is physical love. I mean to say, the act of love. In a carnal way, if you excuse my language.”
    Jany felt as if the room started to spin slowly around her. A distant crack of thunder made the table vibrate. Of all the surprises she had had up until now, this one surpassed them all.
    She turned to watch the maid. Making love to her could save her? That was shocking, even bizarre. Then again, it was no stranger than many other things she had encountered this evening. And there was a kind of logic to it. A twisted and frightening logic, but a trace of reason nevertheless.
    Most of all, the idea was tantalizing. The large-eyed, nimble maid had sparked forbidden thoughts almost as quickly and strongly as the baroness, and even thinking about her made Jany breathe faster. Not that those thoughts ever would be realized. The baroness would not have invited Jany to her room just to tell her this, unless –
    Mouth open, she spun back to face the baroness.
    “I can tell from your expression,” the baroness said softly, “that you have guessed the reason I asked to you come here.” Looking crestfallen, she put her hand on Jany’s arm. “Please don’t think me a monster,” she begged. “But I – you see, I think we have something in common.”
    Jany had to hold on to the table to stay upright. The baroness knew. That meant anyone could be aware of her secret. So much for Jany’s careful facade. It was too late to deny what the baroness had suggested; the evening’s many turns had thrown Jany so much she could barely form a coherent sentence. The truth was written on her own face.
    And the baroness now said that they had something in common. It could mean only one thing. Had Jany been alone, she would have slapped herself. How could she have missed to see this? There had probably been a hundred signs, and she had overlooked them all.
    Seeing Jany’s distress, the baroness moved her hand from Jany’s arm to her cheek and looked Jany in her eyes. “Do not worry,” she said quietly but sternly. “I will tell no one.”
    “How – how did you know?“ Jany stammered, but the baroness waved her to silence and smiled coyly.
    “My dear, innocent girl,” the baroness said. “I have played the games of politics longer than you can imagine. I could tell the nature of your heart at a glance.”
    Jany buried her face in her hands. So it was true. Her real desires had been on display for the world all this time. It was a wonder she had not been scorned by everyone around her.
    “Stop that,” the baroness said with compassion in her voice. Reaching up, she raised Jany’s chin until Jany met the baroness’s eyes. “As I said, I am like you. Should we be ashamed of who we are? Can we be judged for how we feel?”
    “But it’s wrong,” Jany said weakly. “Everyone says – ”
    “Do you agree with them?” the baroness demanded. “Are we responsible for our lust? Never. What people say about us are lies, spread by jealous people who never will have our attention. Or know our affection.” The baroness let one of her fingers slide down Jany’s cheek, onto her shoulder and along the side of her chest.
    “It’s envy,” the baroness whispered. “We know each others’ secrets, our untold wishes and demands. Or so I like to think.” The baroness’s fingertips rested lightly against Jany’s thigh before she withdrew her hand and smiled.
    Jany snapped her mouth shut. The storm lashed the windows while she tried to think, but her thoughts disintegrated as quickly as the raindrops that struck the window. Her body trembled so much she had to sit down on one of the chairs. She knew that she was being taunted, but she was too mesmerized by the baroness to care. This night was turning both terrifying and magical.
    She longed for the baroness to put her hand on her again. Even though the caress had been meant consoling rather than sensual, it had