Aphrodite's Necklace Read online

  The necklace’s hiding place was in Mrs. Rogers’ pearl necklace casket. The pearls did not fill the box. William’s lip curled as he remembered the Rogers were too newly prosperous to have many important jewels and if he wasn’t mistaken, their fingers were at risk of coming free from the upper ledge. He knew the housekeeping money, while delivered on time, wasn’t the thick packet it usually was. Economies would have to be made.

  Fingering the pearls, he remembered his grandmother, Lady Coxe, had a similar string of pearls. He played with it in her lap as a young child, before his father, Sir Albert’s second son by his second marriage, had turned to gambling and drink, ruining his relationship with his father and leading them down such a degrading path that obtaining the post of butler had become a step up for William himself.

  Would he lose his position if the Rogers’ fortunes fell much further? How completely were Emily’s marital prospects tied into their hopes? The mere thought of nubile, enchanting Emily in someone else’s arms made his jaw hurt. Thank God virginity could be feigned, as she no longer had it to offer. He only wanted her happiness, no matter the cost to him. If his time with her was erased for her betterment, it must be so.

  The pearls were loosed back into the casket. He then grasped the emerald and pentacle necklace. A shock ran the length of his arm as his fingers touched it and sparked an extreme, not to mention immediate thickening of his cock, so much that he had to reach down and adjust himself. He couldn’t stop the intense urge to stroke himself and leaned over the safe, one hand clutching the jewels and the other holding his fabric-covered cock. Just touching himself through the layers of clothing made his body quiver and lightning-hot pleasure sizzled through his body.

  Images of Emily writhing underneath him flashed through his mind and his excitement quickly grew to the explosion point. One half of his brain made him wonder how he could let such a base thing happen, but the other half told him to get on with the business at hand or he would go mad. He dropped the necklace onto the desk and quickly unbuttoned himself, placing his handkerchief at the ready. Shudders wracked his body as he relived Emily’s innocent yet passionate suckling of his cock. He ran his fist from root to tip, remembering the way her hot lips had moved on him, taking all of him in that dainty orifice. In moments, the handkerchief received its thick outpouring of cum.

  As he leaned over his master’s safe, wiping his still turgid member, he knew he’d never be free of Miss Emily Rogers.

  When he was calm, though still swallowing hard, he put the necklace back into the box and closed the safe. The jewel casket would forever be a reminder of the passion they had shared.

  Tucking his handkerchief away, he straightened his clothing and squared his shoulders, assuming the austere role of butler yet again. As much as he’d love to see the necklace on Emily’s white throat again, he really must find the owner before Mrs. Rogers called for her pearls.

  William resolved to send a note around the neighborhood. Someone must know who had lost such a fanciful piece of jewelry at the Rogers’ ball. After all, it had only been three days before.

  * * * * *

  Next evening at dinner, William did more of the serving than usual as one of the maids was in bed with a fever. He was pouring a sauce for mutton cutlets when the family began to speak of the ladies’ visits out of the home that day.

  “Did you find Mrs. O— well?” asked the master of the house.

  “A stout lady,” said Mrs. Rogers.

  “Not well,” Emily interjected, looking stunning in a lemon-colored gown William hadn’t seen before.

  Clearly the Rogers were going to keep up appearances where their daughter was involved. He approved this plan, wanting her free from worry and full of confidence.

  “She is not a healthy woman, Papa,” Emily said. “In fact, I think the entire family is a bit consumptive.”

  “Not healthy stock?”

  “Perhaps not,” Mrs. Rogers agreed.

  “Well then. Mrs. S—?”

  “Charming,” Mrs. Rogers said amiably.

  William didn’t want to hear that. If they liked a family, Emily might soon go to them. He rather hoped all the S’s developed warts. Of course he wanted her happy, but so soon? Before he had enjoyed her company again? It was all very well to be noble, but he was only a man, with a man’s desire.

  “I wouldn’t bother with them,” Mr. Rogers said again.

  Emily’s face held a mask of civility, but William fancied he could see despair underneath. Was there no man good enough for her in London?

  “Why ever not?” Mrs. Rogers asked. In a stronger woman it would have been a shout, but for her, a mildly raised voice was all she could muster. “You suggested we make the visit.”

  “Yes, but that was before I knew her son was under suspicion of theft at his bank.”

  “Oh dear,” Emily said faintly, but William could see a hint of a smile in the curve of her lips. He rejoiced.

  “I saw Mrs. G—’s card in the front hall when I arrived home,” Mr. Rogers said.

  “Yes,” Emily agreed.

  William came back around to her with a curry sauce for lamb.

  “Perhaps Davina isn’t making such an impression after all?” Mr. Rogers mused.

  The barrister was back in the running? In despair, he bent over Emily to pour the sauce. His hand shook and a droplet touched her white arm. He drew back in horror.

  “There’s always that doctor fellow,” Mr. Rogers continued, “as a last resort.”

  Emily clasped fingers to her arm.

  “What is it, my girl?” her father demanded.

  “Nothing,” Emily lifted her hand and quite indelicately placed her fingertips in her mouth.

  William watched from the side as her dainty pink tongue lapped at the sauce on her fingers and remembered how it had lapped at his cock. He pulled his arms toward his crotch to hide the burgeoning erection, not hidden by his evening tails, forgetting he held the sauce bowl.

  It tipped, pouring hot yellow curry down his trousers.

  Emily leapt to her feet, eyes wide with shock at his error. Their eyes met for a moment and he fancied he saw pity in them.

  “Coxe! Attend to that!” Mr. Rogers waved his hands. “Emily, be seated.”

  Emily began to giggle as she sat down.

  William stood as if turned to stone. Was the chit laughing at him?

  “You aren’t injured, my boy, are you?” Mr. Rogers inquired.

  William swallowed, his pride affronted. “No sir. I’ll just go clean this up, sir. My apologies.”

  Mr. Rogers waved him away. “No harm done. Just call in someone to finish serving and have done with it.”

  William bowed and ran for the kitchen, unable to wipe his mind of that image of Emily’s pink tongue. He sighed. If he couldn’t be her lover, at least he could play the fool for her and make her laugh.

  He was in his pantry, wiping the sauce off himself, when the scullery maid dashed in to tell him there was a stable boy at the door with word of the necklace’s owner.

  * * * * *

  William stood at the end of the upstairs hall. Emily lifted her skirts to rush toward him, ignoring the way her nipples hardened to tight peaks at the mere sight of his austere form.

  “Have you discovered anything about the lady in red?” she whispered. “Our calls yesterday didn’t yield any clues.”

  He took her arm. “Let’s talk in your room.”

  She brushed against him and felt his cock stand to attention at the mere idea of entering her chamber again. His passion was still as fierce as hers! “We can’t. The upstairs maid is mending a hem on one of my gowns there.”

  He grimaced and let go, but the silk encasing her upper arm felt warm now with his touch. Her cunny tingled in response, though his cock was nestled above against her stomach.

  “The carriage the lady left in was once owned by the Viscount V—. I’ve sent word to his house to find who it was sold to.”

  “Do you know what it l
ooks like?”

  “I would recognize the model and unusual coloring,” he admitted. “But we’re unlikely to see it on the street. That would take too much luck.”

  Emily took a quick look around to make sure no one was coming, then took his hand and placed it over her heart. His fingers were warm against hers. She sighed with pleasure. “It’s the strangest thing, William, but ever since we coupled I’ve had this feeling that I must visit a certain house in Mayfair.”

  He looked uneasy. “Indeed?”

  “Yes, like it’s calling to me.”

  His fingers tightened on hers. “I had a strange dream last night myself. That necklace is powerful and so is the lady in red.”

  Emily couldn’t deny the truth of his words. “Then you think she might be at in Mayfair?”

  “It sounds quite mad.”

  “No more so than us being together,” she reminded him. “Could you leave the house this afternoon? Mother is resting and I don’t think anyone would notice if I left as long as I return before Papa.”

  “Very well. I’ll hire a carriage. Meet me outside in a little while.”

  “Don’t forget the necklace.” She wished again that she could keep it. Perhaps Papa wouldn’t be in such a hurry to marry her off if their financial situation were better. How could she leave William?

  “As if I could,” he said in an ironical tone.

  Emily grinned and dashed off before they could be discovered. Luckily her dress was suitable for calls. She put on a bonnet of pale blue satin, telling the maid she was going out for some fresh air and grabbed her paisley shawl, quite worn now as it had served her all winter, then changed her shoes.

  William was waiting for her on the street. She walked past the butcher and his assistant, cheerful in blue as they delivered the evening roasts. William opened the carriage door for her and stepped in behind, then they were off to Mayfair.

  Emily clung to the seat during the jolting start to their ride. “Do you have the necklace?” she asked.

  He pulled the chain from his breast pocket. She reached out to touch it and it sparked her hand. Her eyes met his, then his features went vague as her mind fogged with lust. She reached her arm around his neck then clung to him, lips meeting in a torrid kiss of lips, then tongue and teeth. Reason fled her mind.

  His hands grasped her head, sending her bonnet askew and tangling her curls, but she didn’t care. She turned in the seat, wishing her stays didn’t inhibit her so. If she could, she’d straddle his lap so as to have better access to his enticingly full lower lip.

  The necklace slipped from his grasp when he closed his hand over her breast and the clinking noise it made on the carriage floor brought them both back to their senses.

  “It’s so dirty,” Emily gasped, tearing her lips from his. “Pick it up!”

  William bent to pick up the necklace, then wiped it with a crisp white handkerchief. “No harm done.”

  Emily fought for control. Winning the battle, she turned and placed her hands firmly in her lap. “Where is the carriage going?”

  He shrugged. “I told the driver to drive around the more prosperous neighborhoods of London. Someone who keeps their own carriage must have means.”

  “Yes.” She considered. “Tell the driver to go east. I think that’s right.” She felt the tug in that direction, as if wind was taking her ear and pulling her that way.

  His hand crept into her lap and she allowed him to take her hand as they drove through the crowded streets. It felt so wonderful just to be alone with him, after the frustration of only meeting in her parents’ presence for the past day and a half. How could they continue like this? Someone would discover them, even if it were only another servant. They could be bribed to remain quiet, but she had little money for bribes.

  She gazed at the necklace William held in his free hand. It sparkled despite the dimness of the carriage and once again, she wished she could have kept it. But she was sure they were now on a final approach to its owner, though she couldn’t understand how she knew this. On the other hand, so much had changed since she’d seen the lady in red for the first time. Why not believe in a supernatural sense?

  The carriage turned to the left and she was forced to lean against William’s arm. She felt his strength under his coat. He’d protect her from whatever happened, she knew that much at least.

  Feeling better about their prospects, she leaned back and closed her eyes, willing the tug of the lady in red to strengthen. After a couple more turns, she opened her eyes. It was as if some unseen force had palpated her breasts and womanflesh. She gasped with the force of it and tiny tremors fluttered between her legs.

  “Stop!”

  William glanced at her curiously, though she noticed sweat at his brow, then tapped the roof of the carriage. It came to a stop.

  Emily breathed hard as she looked through the window. Clearly, they were on a prosperous street. In front of them was a large stone townhouse. She bit back a moan as the sense of palpations intensified, like something had thumbed that tiny nub of pleasure between her legs.

  “We’re here,” she told William, wondering if he also felt the wild sensations. “Put the necklace away. We don’t want any of the tradesmen to see it in the street.”

  He nodded and tucked it into his coat. Emily stepped out of the carriage, then took William’s offered arm. She pulled him resolutely up the stairs to the door, though he was walking slowly, as if it were hard for him to move. Her own limbs were weakened by the strange pleasure.

  The brass knocker was in the shape of a heart. William grasped it and let it rap sharply twice against the door.

  After a few moments, the door slowly opened. A petite maid opened it, her bright blue eyes peeping underneath a neat starched cap. “Yes?”

  Emily glanced at William, unsure of what to do. They didn’t know the name of the lady and it was only her extra sense that had led them here.

  “Miss Rogers?” he prompted, even more confused than she.

  “We’d like to see the lady of the house,” she told the maid.

  “Your business?” the maid asked in a thick Cockney accent.

  “I believe she came to a ball at my house on Saturday past. We’re paying a call.” Emily handed the girl her card.

  The maid glanced at it and said, “Of course, miss. Come in, you’re very welcome, I’m sure.”

  She took William’s hat and Emily’s shawl then led them down the hall into a deep parlor. Though it was early afternoon, heavy burgundy curtains were pulled across the windows. At the far end flames danced across a grate and gas lights pooled vague yellow circles on each side of the fireplace.

  Emily saw dark shapes just outside of the light, but they faded through the door as the maid lit candles on their end of the room. A shadow rocking back and forth on the wall was revealed to be a swing, just abandoned by its inhabitants. A rich musky scent hung in the air.

  “Who would have thought it? An indoor swing,” she murmured. Her nub twitched again.

  William stepped further into the long room and Emily moved toward him when she heard his muttered oath. She clapped a hand to his shoulder when she saw what he was looking at—twin manacles, dangling on the wall on long iron chains. He dipped a finger into a dark stain on one cuff.

  “Blood,” he reported.

  She felt an icy clutch on her breast, as if something had grabbed her there, but it was only fear. “Perhaps we should leave. But it’s odd. It smells like my bed after we were together.”

  “Like sex?” he inquired.

  “Yes,” she murmured and almost despite herself, stepped closer to the manacles. She stood very close to the wall and spread out her arms like they were in the cuffs. “It would be strange, don’t you think, for you to be able to touch me but me not able to touch you?”

  Her breast tingled with the strange idea.

  “Someone was hurt here and recently.”

  “Not necessarily on purpose.” She touched the cuff. “Look, it’s a li
ttle rough here at the edge. Someone might have been cut quite by accident.”

  He moved along the wall. “What about this?” he asked, pointing to the swing in the corner, just out of gaslight range. “What would your imagination do with this for your pleasure?”

  She smiled and took his hand as she left the manacles. It was as if the unseen hands on her body had palpated her mind as well, opening her to new ideas, new urgings of the flesh. Now she understood. “Can’t you imagine swinging with me, intertwined in a most intimate embrace? Think how deeply you would plunge into me.”

  He shook his head, but she saw a hint of humor play on his lips. “What an amazing creature you are, Emily.” He put out a hand to touch her face.

  She lifted her chin to him and he bent to take her in a kiss. Just before his lips touched hers, he drew back as the door the shapes had exited from reopened behind them. She made a little involuntary moan in protest.

  “Don’t stop on my account,” said a husky feminine voice. It eased through the room, taking possession of Emily’s hearing.

  She peeped over William’s shoulder. Was it the lady in red? This woman’s pale hair hung down to her waist and her strange garment was little more than a chemise. She wore a long necklace of gold coins around her neck, however and on her finger was a flashing emerald and diamond ring of incalculable value.

  The woman stepped toward them, her hips swaying. William turned and stood in front of Emily, as if to protect her, but the woman merely smiled and lifted a finger to his cheek.

  “You are awakened,” she said, with wise woman’s smile. “This pleases me.”

  Emily moved to William’s side, feeling her mouth drop open in shock as the other woman placed both of her slender hands on his face and kissed him, in an open-mouthed way that caused tingling at the tips of Emily’s breasts. This must be how she’d kissed William that afternoon in her room. She felt a sense of outrage. How dare this woman step in where she belonged?

  She would have intervened in some fashion, but the woman ended her kiss and turned to Emily. Her lips were shiny and red. Emily was mesmerized by the woman’s strange pale green eyes as she stepped toward her.