Theo hesitated at the top of the stairs on her way down to the breakfast room. She ached everywhere—her knees, her thighs, and deep in her core, where she was sure Stone had left his brand on her body. The stairs were daunting, but she smiled and pushed through. Weakness was not to be tolerated. She’d loved every minute of her night with her husband. How he’d let her explore the terrain of his frame, then flipped her over, and finally shoved into her body. Her center heated and softened at the memory.

The first step down resulted in a medley of aches flickering to life. Her legs seized and her breath stalled. After that, each step got easier as she worked the kinks out of her muscles. Finally, at the bottom, she swept into the morning room to find it deserted. Double damn. She had been disappointed to wake in the dark of night alone. But she had cheered herself with the notion of sharing a cozy breakfast.

She had been thwarted, and it was not an experience she relished.

Her frustration had simmered as she sat down to breakfast, but by the time she ate and set out to run her errands, she had pushed her turmoil aside. And when she stood outside her pride and joy—the one thing in all her life that she she’d done right—nothing else mattered.

The children who were fortunate enough to have found their way to The Benevolent Foundling Home for Boys and Girls were those who had been thrown away by Society or otherwise forgotten. Usually, Mrs. Richter, her headmistress, got word of a child in need, but occasionally one simply appeared on their doorstep. Theo had once considered establishing a board to help fundraise and otherwise oversee the home, but every time she attended a function thrown by the women of Society, she knew it would be a mistake. So, she continued to sponsor the home herself, and thanks to a number of wise investments, she had more than enough to cover the home in addition to her other personal expenses.

A boy scampered across the paltry space they called a yard and tripped over a small bush he couldn’t see as he tried to catch a ball. Theo took a step toward him, worried he might have injured himself, when he popped up from the ground with the ball in hand. “I caught it, you blighter! You owe me half your dinner portions tonight.”

Mrs. Richter walked out in time to hear the boy’s announcement, and his foul language. “Jimmy, we’ll not have such talk here. And Harry will eat his own portions. Neither of you have need of more.”

The two boys looked at her, one with a smile and the other looking very put out. Theo had to work hard to curb her amusement.

“Lady Stonemere!” Mrs. Richter spotted her standing on the sidewalk and bustled over.

For a moment, Theo wasn’t sure to whom she was speaking. She was still adjusting to her new title, as well as to her new husband. “Good morning, Mrs. Richter. I see the children are doing well.”

“Indeed, they are. Quite well, in fact. Our younger class is inside having lessons while the older children are exercising off some energy.” She took Theo’s arm, and they started toward the front steps of the house.

But Theo stopped their progress. She couldn’t help but stare across the fence at the open land that remained unused. “Has Mr. Hafferty had any visitors by to look at his land, by chance?”

Mrs. Richter shook her head. “I and the staff have kept an eagle eye for visitors, but nobody comes by but the caretaker once a month.”

“I promise, Mrs. Richter. I will get that land for us. I am bound and determined those children will have an open area to run and play where there aren’t hazardous bushes and too little space.”

“I know you will, Lady Stonemere. Perhaps now with your new title, he’ll consider your offer?”

Theo grinned. “What a capital idea! I shall take another run at the old goat today. Now, tell me how the children are doing. Are the new clothes holding up better?”

---

As promised, on her way home, Theo made a point to stop by the Hafferty Brothers’ Mercantile. How two brothers who barely spoke could work together escaped her, but somehow they managed to do just that. She spotted the elder Hafferty brother directing the shop assistant on a ladder against the wall of shelves. He was assisting a customer, so she simply smiled and waved at him as she went in search of the younger Hafferty. Although she thought of them as older and younger, they were both ancient by anyone’s standards.

Determination pushed her forward as she approached the younger brother, the one she’d labeled an old goat. “Good afternoon, Mr. Hafferty.”

The old man looked up at her, a smile flitting about his lips until he recognized her. “You again. Lady Lawton——”

Drawing up to her haughtiest tone, one she’d heard her mother use with unruly staff, she stared the man down. “If you don’t mind, it is Lady Stonemere now.”

He frowned at her interruption. “Young lady, I would not care if you were the queen herself. I am not selling that land to you.”

Frustrated beyond good manners, Theo demanded, “Whyever not? I have made you a fair offer. Is my money not good enough for you?”

The old goat snorted. “Women have no business doing business. They belong at home. I will not sell to you or your man of affairs. My ridiculous brother may choose to encourage such hoydenish behavior, but I shall not. Besides, he had no business selling our family home.”

“Mr. Hafferty, it is not as if I tore your family home down. I have repurposed it, filled it with children, laughter, and love.”

The old man’s face turned beet red. “You have filled it with rabble.”

“Have you no heart? They are children!” Theo turned on her heel and stormed from the store, frustrated that he refused to sell to her for such heartless and chauvinistic reasons.

Furious that she would never be able to give her children the space to run and play, she stomped into her carriage and ordered the driver to take her home. She was in no mood to make social calls or shop.

---

Stone sat at his desk working his way through the stacks of correspondence that came with his duties in Parliament. Theo had been home only a few days, but her presence was often felt in the house. Today turned out to be no different. The front door slammed shut with a furious bang and then his wife barged into his study. For minutes, she said nothing directly to him. Instead, she simply paced the floor and muttered to herself until she stopped and drew a deep breath. “Why is it that men see women as little more than domestics?”

Stone stopped and considered his wife for a moment. “While I know some men treat women as though they have little intelligence and even less intrinsic value, I suggest that not all men treat women in that way. If you could offer a bit more detail as to your particular situation, perhaps I could offer more valuable insight into the male mind.”

Theo nodded and primly took a seat across from where he sat. “Very well. As you must be aware after the marriage contracts, I own a home and small piece of land that houses an orphanage. Next to the home is another plot of land that once was a single parcel. I was able to purchase the house and land at an excellent value; however, the owner of the other half of the land refuses to sell to me.”

“And I assume you are given to understand that the reason this person refuses to sell to you is because of your sex?”

“He has explicitly stated this as well as a family squabble as the reasons he will not sell.” Theo’s anger seemed to be fading with the sharing of her problem. The deep wrinkles in her forehead were smoothing out, and her jaw seemed to be less tense.

“In my experience, everyone has a price. Have you tried offering him an amount well above fair market price?” Stone would have certainly doubled the fair value if he wanted the land badly enough. From across the desk, the sound of a sniffle drew his attention. His wife dabbed at watery eyes that, while not filled outright with tears, proved she was far more emotional about this piece of business than he had initially suspected.

“I cannot afford to offer him such an amount. If I were to do so, there would be nothing left to fund the orphanage for the rest of the year. And, on general principle, I shouldn’t have to pay more merely because I am a woman.”

“I would suggest you have to pay more merely because you do not possess the land in question. Can you not fundraise for the monies needed for the annual budget of the orphanage?”

“I do not wish to have a bunch of pinch-faced Society women making my orphans unhappy. Inevitably, when boards are formed and Society ladies take over, the object of their charity suffers from an overwhelming barrage of rules and expectations. By sponsoring the home myself, I can ensure it is run with love and care and the children are allowed to be what they are: children.”

“I see. Well, it seems you and the land owner are at an impasse. I could certainly offer to help make up the difference in cost if you were willing to accept my assistance.”

She paused for a moment or two, most likely considering his offer, but then shook her head. “I shall find another way to accomplish this. I do appreciate your offer, Stonemere. But this is an endeavor I began on my own, and I shall finish it that way.”

“As you wish, but should you change your mind, the offer stands.” Stone found himself curious to see how she might turn the rather hopeless situation in her favor. He sincerely doubted the man who had refused her offer knew the lengths his wife might go to in order to accomplish a thing.

In fact, he truly didn’t know, and now his curiosity bade him to watch the situation more closely. Perhaps it would be good if he knew exactly what his wife was up against. He assumed she was dealing with an old-timer who did not share his more modern views of the world and women. But just to be safe, he decided to have his man of affairs poke about a bit. Ensure Theodora wasn’t dealing with a more sinister character.

“Thank you, again, for the offer, and for listening. I’m not normally so easily thwarted, but that man seems to be able to twist me up just so.” She glanced at the clock on the shelf nearby. “It is getting late. I should go check on dinner and change. I shall see you then.”

“Indeed.” He rose as his wife departed. Who would have known that the woman who seemed so retiring initially would turn out to be such…a brick? He couldn’t think of another term that fit his wife so aptly. Every day she offered him a new facet to her, a new piece to the puzzle. A strange sense of contentment settled over him.

---

Stone arrived at Carlisle House early Friday morning. Morning visits were not due to start for another hour, but he harbored little concern. The question of his wife’s adventures and the possibility she might discover more about his licentious past gnawed at him. He and Carlisle had been acquainted prior to their connection by marriage, and as embarrassing as the whole scenario might be, he needed to lean on his brother-in-law’s ability to compel his wife to reveal what occurred at Lady Heartfield’s home the day before.

He was shown into the library and left to stew for half an hour. His own fault, of course. He could have sent a note over warning of his visit, but something told him his quarry would slip away if he did so. Instead, he waited, until finally, the Marquess of Carlisle appeared. “Good morning, Stonemere. To what do I owe the pleasure of this early-morning visit?” One black brow rose toward his hairline, adding an edge to Carlisle’s already stern features. The man barely topped six feet in height, but his barrel chest and thick arms lent him a menacing quality that Stone was sure his tailors worked very hard to counteract, though with little success.

Stone drew a calming breath. “My apologies for the hour, but I have need of your assistance in eliciting some information from your wife about her whereabouts yesterday while in my wife’s company. I fear without your help, I shall be shut out of some pertinent details.” Stone eyed the decanter of scotch. Just a sip might ease his nerves.

“Well, I am sure Lizzy will be happy to assist if there is something of concern. I’ll have her join us.” He tugged on the bell pull and, once a footman appeared, sent him off to retrieve the lady of the house.

She appeared dressed for an outing, her paletot and bonnet on. He’d been spot-on; she was looking to escape.

“Yes, Carlisle.” She stepped inside the door but did not cross to join them. “I was just on my way out.”

“Lord Stonemere had a question or two for you. Could you stay a moment?” Carlisle gestured at the companion chair to the one Stone occupied.

Theo’s sister stood in the doorway for a moment before resignation wiped the smile from her face. “Of course. How may I be of assistance?” She removed her bonnet while she took the seat and peered at Stone with a daunting innocence considering his intended line of questioning.

“I believe you accompanied my wife to call on Lady Heartfield yesterday. I wanted to know who else attended your visit.” He decided to drill right to the heart of the matter.

Lady Carlisle blushed and stared at her hands. The silence stretched out until Carlisle had enough. “Lizzy, whom did you see yesterday?”

Theo’s sister gasped and glanced up to lock gazes with her husband. Stone recognized the unspoken command he had given his wife. The immediate shift of power was both electrifying and heady to watch. It made him wonder if Lizzy’s sister might be as susceptible. He had seen inklings of such obedience, but he had not dared to believe it a real response. It seemed far more likely he’d imagined that which he wanted to see.

“Carlisle.” She paled. “Please.” Her plea was a mere whisper.

“Dear, it will be best if you answer now.” The unspoken discussion of the punishment to come settled heavy in the silence.

“Yes, my lord.” She turned to face Stonemere. “We met with Madame du Pompadour.”

Carlisle emitted an outraged gasp as Stone’s breath caught in his chest. Good God, he was doomed. “About, what?”

The woman blushed profusely and dropped her gaze. “Th-Theo arranged to have a tutorial i-in all things erotic.”

Carlisle groaned as Stone continued his attempts to breathe.

Carlisle asked the next obvious question. “Lizzy, when and where is this tutorial to occur?”

“Tonight, at The Market.” Her murmur stabbed Stone deep in the heart, deep in that soft core he tried to protect.

“What is this lesson to consist of?” Stone managed to rasp the question out from between clenched teeth.

“Oh, she is only planning to watch, my lord. She specifically insisted she would not want to engage in anything…physical.”

“And what is the purpose of all this? Why is she having a tutorial?” Stone wanted the answer, and yet terror of the truth stole his breath and made his heart gallop.

Lady Carlisle stared at him, her brow creased with confusion. “Why else would a married woman wish to learn such things?” She glanced from one man to the other, and Carlisle looked as lost as he felt. “To seduce her husband.”

And with that simple statement, air returned to his lungs, blood returned to his extremities with a tingling rush of sensation, and the wheels of his brain clicked back into working order. To seduce him? Priceless.

He grappled to find a reasonable response. On one hand, the fury that she would go into such an establishment alone scorched the pain of the perceived betrayal. On the other, it was a heady experience to realize she wished to seduce him. That his wife desired him so much, she would put forth such an effort. Should he paddle her or reward her? Perhaps both before the night concluded. “Thank you, Carlisle, Lady Carlisle. I believe I have intruded enough on your morning.”

“I’m sure you can find the way out.” Carlisle rose from his seat behind his desk, circled around to where his wife sat, and placed a hand on her shoulder to keep her from rising or fleeing, Stone surmised.

“Quite. One last thing… Can you please ensure your wife does not inform my own of this meeting?”

“Consider it done.” Carlisle turned to the diminutive woman who sat with strength and pride radiating from her, defiant to the end, much like her sister.

“Good day.” Stone turned to leave.

As he departed, he caught the steely order from man to woman. “Bend over the desk and lift your skirts, Lizzy.”

Stone imagined having an identical conversation with his own wife in the near future. But first, he needed to visit Madame Celeste du Pompadour.

It took a mere twenty minutes to reach The Market due to its convenient location. Settled near Maple Park, slightly north of Oxford Street, it was quite easy for its clientele to reach. Stone had his driver drop him around back and then knocked on the kitchen door.

A maid opened the door and promptly let her jaw flop open upon finding a gentleman and not a delivery boy. “My lord?”

“I need to see Madame du Pompadour immediately.” He stepped inside, pushing past the dumbstruck wench.

“But she’s asleep, my lord.”

“Wake her. This is of the utmost urgency.” Stone started toward the front of the house. “I shall await her in the main salon.”

“Yes, my lord.” The girl scurried off to find her mistress as he went in the direction of said room.

Twenty minutes later, in elegant dishabille, Celeste appeared. “Lord Stonemere. I should have guessed it was you.” She grinned and sat down on the chaise across from him.

“Celeste, I am here about my wife.”

She chuckled. “Quite a little hoyden you married yourself to.”

Stone ground his teeth. “Be that as it may, you must call this evening off.”

“No, I do believe she—and you—will benefit from tonight’s lessons.”

“This is unacceptable. I cannot have my wife parading around an establishment such as this. She would be ruined.” Stone rose from where he sat and paced the length of the room.

“Please, Stone, do give me some credit for protecting the innocent when possible. Your wife will arrive masked, in a hack, and then enter through the back door. She will be escorted through the private hallways and provided a view via the various windows we have for such pleasures.” She paused, drew a breath.

“I was going to give her the option of watching in person in the Bacchanalian room, but I can see from your rather piercing glare that I should rethink such an offer.”

“You’re bloody right you will rethink such an option. I shall not allow her to be here unescorted. I shall act as her guard.”

“Good heavens, do you think she will be ravaged upon entering my establishment? I assure you, I only allow such games with known participants who are willing and eager for aforesaid play. As I recall, you should know this since you have participated in the ravishing of similar participants.” She raised a brow.

“You know too much for my own good.”

“When you join The Market, you are assured confidentiality in your private business. Even had your wife asked me about your past liaisons—and she did not—I would not tell her anything I knew.”

Stone sighed. He’d not meant to question Celeste’s integrity.

“But I would strongly recommend you consider revealing the nature of your past in relation to this establishment. It is not uncommon knowledge, and were she to hear it from someone else or see something that might raise questions, you would not appreciate the outcome, I think.”

“I’ll consider your counsel. Now, about tonight. I shall come dressed for the role, masked and all. What time should I arrive?”

“No later than half past midnight. She will be here a quarter hour after that.”

“I intend to take my wife home to deal with her. However, nothing ever goes as planned where she is concerned. Can you have the blue room with the spanking bench available should I need a private place?”

“Of course, my lord. The Market would be happy to accommodate you and your wife this evening.” Celeste gave a regal tilt of her head, no simpering miss there. No, she had blossomed into a stunning woman, and wore the mantle of madame with panache.

“I shall see you tonight, then.” He nodded and departed The Market. He loathed the deception required, but refused to allow Theo to venture down this path without some protection. Certainly, he could lock her in her room tonight, confront her, and forbid her attendance. But then his lovely wife would not speak to him. And he damned well liked hearing her talk. He liked the things she said, he liked the things she did with her mouth, and he wasn’t ready to give all those up in a single idiotic move.

No, far better to indulge her curiosity while being able to control the situation. Then at home, he could raise the issue of her lack of trust in discussing such things with him. Of course, that would make him a brilliant hypocrite, but there you had it. He should confess his sordid past, yet he wasn’t sure he could. Perhaps after tonight, he might find the stones to do so.