Friday came much faster than Theo had expected. If her choice of gowns for tea with two madames had been difficult, it was absolutely unnerving to select a gown to wear to a brothel.

After considering her options, she decided to go with a frock of deep red, almost a maroon, trimmed with black edging and bearing a simple pleated hem of organza. The gown offered a delicious dip into a vee above her breasts and pretended at modesty with a matching organza fichu, a bit of fabric she could easily remove with a precise yank before entering The Market.

Satisfied with her choice, she rang for Mary and gave her directions for her evening wear, which included the deep-hooded cloak she usually wore in late fall. Mary simply curtsied and took off to see to her duties.

Theo sipped her tea and worked to quash the flare of guilt that attempted to rear its head. Despite her husband’s enthusiastic activity two nights prior, she remained certain something wasn’t quite right. Why had he disappeared after their intimacy? Why was she always left with the sensation she was on the cusp of discovering something truly wonderful?

There was no room for doubt. Doubt would not ensure her husband’s undying love and fidelity. Doubt was a dream killer, and she refused to let her dream of marital bliss die.

Resolved to follow through on her plan for the evening, she rose and prepared for the evening to come. By the next day, she would be ready to launch her campaign of seduction. Stone remained unaware, but a war would be waged, and she would be the victor.

After a flurry of activity to get ready, she found Stone waiting at the bottom of the stairs. He watched her with an eagle eye as she descended to his side.

“You look particularly enchanting this evening.” He bowed over her hand.

“As do you, Stone. Well, I should say—you do look dashing this evening.” Goodness, she needed to pull herself together. She hadn’t fumbled so badly in front of him since they were practically strangers. Why should she now?

“Shall we?” He held out his arm, and they departed for the Rawley ball. It was mid-Season, and the balls came fast and furious. Everyone tried to outdo one another with the biggest crush of the Season. It was all rather silly, and yet here they were dressed to attend yet another such attempt.

At least she only needed to endure until Stone decamped for his club. After his departure, she could slip away to learn all the things she needed to seduce her husband. Or at least some of the things she needed. She couldn’t possibly arrange to disappear like this more than once. Stone was far too observant not to notice such absences.

They rode quietly in the carriage until their turn came to arrive. As each ball became bigger, the lines to arrive grew longer. The long wait made one consider a more pedestrian mode of arrival, if only walking were not so unfashionable and the venues so far. They entered the grand town house and climbed the stairs to the ballroom. After being announced, they entered the ball with enough time to join the first waltz.

Stone took her into his arms and swept her into the dance. She loved to dance with him. He rarely spoke, but led with a firm hand. However, tonight he dispelled the notion that he might not chat.

“And what are your plans for this evening, wife?” A distinct air of speculation tinged his question.

Had he felt her flinch? Damn, could he know of her post-ball plans? “I would imagine they are much as usual.”

He smiled at her. “I shall be departing for my club a little later. Should I send the carriage round to pick you up after?”

“No need to trouble yourself. I am sure I can manage a ride home with Lizzy and Carlisle, or someone else if they are unavailable.”

“Very well. Do be careful as you flit about this evening.” The music ended, and Stone escorted her off the floor and deposited her with her sister.

Theo was deuced glad to be rid of her husband for the evening. He disappeared into the cardroom, and she knew he would head out shortly from there. As he departed, she turned to see Lizzy looking a bit pale. “Are you unwell, Lizzy?”

“Not at all. How are you tonight?” Lizzy bit her lip, as though nervous.

“Much calmer than I ought to be. I am curious, mostly. I do hope I can glean something useful without having to make multiple visits.”

Lizzy gasped. “Theo! I thought this would be just the once.”

“As did I, but the more I think on it, the more doubtful I grow about that thought. Honestly, Lizzy, did you learn to dance in one session? To knit in one go? How can I expect to learn”—Theo glanced about them—“all that I need to know in one night?”

Lizzy groaned and pressed her fingers to her temples.

“I shall, of course, do my best, and perhaps it will be enough. But, I reserve the right to continue my studies if needed to accomplish my goal.”

“Oh, Theo. I would dare to venture that one trip will be sufficient. Your husband will be quite capable of answering any questions you might have. At least, based on what Carlisle told me, I would expect that to hold true.” Lizzy blushed, and Theo was certain it had nothing to do with the warmth of the room.

“What precisely did Carlisle tell you about my husband?”

Lizzy slashed a furtive glance about them, “We had best step onto the balcony, where we aren’t likely to be heard—or seen, for that matter.”

They made their way through the crowd and stepped into the cool night air. It was brisk but refreshing after the oven-like temperatures of the ballroom. Theo was desperate to know what her sister had to share. “Come on, then. Spill the beans. What did your husband tell you?”

“Well, as you know, Stone was a member of the Lustful Lords. It turns out he was the founder of the wicked little band of men. And it would seem he led them into all things debauched.”

Theo wanted to growl at her sister for dragging out the telling of the details. “And?”

“And they all engaged in very naughty things. They have participated in orgies and shared women. Some of them treat the women like slaves, and they make them service them in every way imaginable. Carlisle wouldn’t tell me everything, but he did indicate that they often play at The Market. I imagine you might see some of them tonight.”

“Oh my. Sharing? Orgies?” Theo whispered the naughty notions and felt the blood drain from her face. To her great mortification, it all rushed to her loins, where it gathered to pulse and throb. Such unspeakable acts, and yet her blood heated at the notion of such behavior.

“Carlisle even mentioned that one of the group was a-a”—Lizzy glanced around again and lowered her voice to a whisper—“sodomite.”

“Oh, well. That couldn’t be Stone.” Despite the cool air, Theo’s cheeks heated. But she was certain her husband could not be him. And yet, her curiosity was piqued. What would it look like, two men together? Would she find the vignette stimulating or off-putting? Perhaps she’d find out soon.

“Either way, I would think you will discover quite a lot with this night’s business.”

“Hmm…it does sound like that would be true.” And damn her soul, she looked forward to it all.

---

Stone arrived at The Market in the nick of time. It seemed as if every man in the cardroom wanted a word with him as he tried to make good his escape. He had just slipped inside the back door and stepped into the shadows when his lovely lady wife appeared.

He could hear voices pitched to a low murmur, and then her cloak was removed. The deep red gown he had deemed lovely earlier suddenly looked indecent as her breasts all but spilled from the neckline. He thought back to when they danced and distinctly recalled a bit of fabric across the vee of the neckline that no longer veiled her cleavage.

While the gown was still conservative for a brothel, he struggled to control his outrage at her wanton display. Her body belonged to him. It was his to bare or cover as he saw fit. And he did not see fit at the moment. She would need to learn that such decisions belonged to him. With a steadying breath, he reminded himself he would be able to intervene should it be necessary.

“Miss Fanny Hill, may I introduce you to Miranda? She will be your guide tonight, and Thor here shall be your protection.” Celeste waved at him where he lurked in the shadows.

“Protection? I had not realized I might need such a thing in this place.” Theo sounded worried.

“Merely a precaution. You truly have nothing to fear from The Market.” Celeste darted a glance at him, and he could almost hear her thoughts about what his wife should fear in terms of him.

“Very well. It is nice to meet you both.” She inclined her head. “Please lead the way.”

Miranda took her arm, and they entered the bowels of The Market, Stone trailed a few steps behind. Their first stop was a window onto the main salon. “This is where the ladies and gents might meet before retiring upstairs. If you’ll watch, you can see the art of flirtation. The bat of the lashes, a deeper lean in that allows a better view of her breasts.”

“I’m afraid I don’t fully understand. He’s my husband; do I need to do such things?” Theo sounded curious and a bit surprised.

“Women often forget that sex, even for men, starts well outside the bedroom. Men enjoy the art of flirtation as much as women do, and in particular when they know where it will lead.” Miranda smiled at Theo.

“Ah, so despite all that we are taught by Society, as a wife, I should be teasing my husband. How very enlightening.”

The ladies watched, while Stone hovered over them, as women continued to flirt and preen for the men. Soon one gentleman had his hand diving down the bodice of a woman who merely winked at him and seemed to coo as he groped her. Stone watched, indifferent to such blatant displays in what was meant to be a civilized setting.

“We should move on.” Miranda led Theo upstairs, and then they exited the back passages to enter the hall of windows. It was the hall set aside for the voyeurs. They went to the first room’s viewing area and took a seat. Inside, Stone watched as a man and a woman kissed.

Theo seemed equally as unaffected as he was by the tame display. Even as the man pushed the woman’s bodice down and suckled her breasts, it was basic play. He had shown her more adventure in their few couplings.

“This will be the most familiar view tonight. A straightforward display of sexual activity between a man and a woman,” Miranda murmured.

They watched on as he moved quickly to thrusting his prick inside her as her legs were tossed up around her ears. “Perhaps we could move on? I believe I am in search of a more advanced education,” Theo ventured, and Miranda nodded her agreement.

He resisted the urge to growl at his precocious wife. Next, Stone followed them to a room that revealed a man with two women. This stirred his juices. As they watched, one woman slipped down over his shaft and the other straddled his head. The two faced each other and leaned forward to kiss while the man serviced them from below.

Theo’s breath hitched and grew labored as she watched the women kiss and then fondle each other. It was, in fact, affecting Stone in a soon-to-be obvious way. He considered bringing his cloak back over his shoulders to hide the ridge of his erection from her, but then decided it was better she learn how such things affected men.