Matthew's Mask [Lords of Hawksfell Manor 3] (Siren Publishing Menage Amour) (11 page)

She came then, pushing back against Matthew as he rode her to his own climax a few strokes after.

He pulled out and kissed her cheek. “That was just what I needed.”

“Likewise,” William said.

Posy stood, her legs a bit wobbly. “And here I thought to simply tease the two of you into paying me some attention again.”

“You like to play these games, don’t you?” William asked.

“No games, William.” She looked at Matthew. “Tell him, Matthew. I’m very serious about pleasure.”

“Don’t ask me to figure out what you mean by that, love. I can barely think straight after that orgasm.”

She grinned. “Then I suppose I’ll go downstairs and ready for service.”

She left the room and closed the door behind her. William stared at the door for a moment then looked at Matthew. He wore confusion on his face.

“What did you mean about games?” he asked.

William shrugged. “She used to tease me to get my attention. At the time I thought she was up to those games with everyone, but now I know better.”

“She only wanted to play with you.”

William nodded. “And now, with you, too.”

Matthew rubbed his hands together. “I believe I can come up with one or two games to delight our girl at the masked ball. What do you say, William? Are you up to it?”

“Up to teasing Posy for a change? Damn right I am.”

Matthew smiled.

* * * *

“What do you mean, you have a headache?” Lily asked Posy.

Posy just looked at the lady’s maid. She smoothed her coverlet over her legs. “How many meanings can that have, precisely?”

Lily frowned. “But I’d have to do your work at the party.”

“Yes. And I served her ladyship when you were under the weather. The staff of a great house does things for each other, Lily.”

“I know.” Lily sighed. “I guess I’ll tell Mrs. Holmes to use me in the ballroom tonight.”

Posy hid her smile. “Thank you, Lily. I daresay a night of rest will have me set to rights in the morning.”

“No doubt.” Lily crossed to the door. “I wanted to see the guests tonight, anyway. I guess I can pilfer some of the goodies Mrs. Padmont has made.”

Posy knew the cook’s food would be beyond wonderful tonight. She didn’t begrudge Lily a bit of it, though. She’d have her own as a mysterious guest. And have an even more delectable treat with her men afterward.

Once she was certain Lily was long gone and no one else would bother her, she went behind the screen. Mary had sent over some things for her once she’d learned Posy was going to be at the ball. A gown and proper shoes and even fancy undergarments.

“Life as a viscountess,” she mused aloud.

She begrudged Mary none of it, not her viscount husband or her happiness with him and Mr. Grantley. It was a pity that she didn’t get the chance to spend any time with her, though. Mary couldn’t exactly visit the manor and sit downstairs in the servants’ hall with the rest of them.

As she dressed, she thought about the last time she’d been with her men. It was that shamefully short interlude in Matthew’s room nearly a week ago. How naughty she’d felt going to his room without her drawers! The risk was well worth the reward, however. Matthew’s mouth had worked its magic, and then the two of them were so aroused they’d had to both come with her. Matthew in her pussy and William in her mouth. Her body tingled, and her mouth watered for whatever awaited her tonight.

She had to wear her own corset under the gown, as Mary’s required lacing up the back and she couldn’t manage that without help.

“Imagine, Mary with her own lady’s maid!” she marveled aloud. “How delightful that would be.”

She slipped into the gown, a gorgeous thing of pale-blue silk, and unwrapped a parcel tucked into the satchel. It was a silk mask in the same fabric, covered with beads and feathers. It would all but cover her face, leaving only her mouth and chin visible beneath the beaded trim.

She dressed her hair in the fancy style she’d given the countess that one time and turned to regard her reflection. She almost looked like a fine lady in the dress and with her hair like that.

She pulled on the dark, satin gloves, relieved that they would hide her working-girl hands from notice. The real trouble would be getting out of the attics without being spotted.

Matthew had told her he would meet her at the carriage house. It was a good plan as Mr. Grantley no longer lived there now that he was with Mary and Lord Eyrdale. William was to beg off service early tonight as well, after seeing to the guests’ arrival. Then the three of them would play.

Giggling to herself, she reached for the cloak Mary had included. It was a rich, blue velvet, but the lining was dark linen. Turned inside out, it would serve to hide her in the dark as she hurried to the carriage house. She waited until the attic rooms grew quiet and she knew all the other servants had vacated. They would be all the way downstairs by now, so she would go to the main floor and out through the library onto the grounds. She grabbed her mask and left her room.

She made it down the stairs without anyone seeing her. With her heart pounding, she rushed through the library and out into the night. Her breath came fast, and her footsteps sounded loud on the gravel as she ran toward the carriage house. As she rounded the corner, two hands grabbed her and pulled her close. She breathed in that familiar hot fresh scent.

“Matthew,” she said.

“Yes, love.” He kissed her then tilted his head to one side. “I can hardly see you in this light.”

“You’ll see me plenty later tonight.”

He chuckled. “Ah, there’s our cheeky girl. I admit, William told me a bit of the games you’ve played with him.”

“Games?”

“Teasing. Enticing.” He smiled, and she caught a flash of it in the near dark. “I’m intrigued, as it seems you are both those things without even trying. Heaven help us if you put your mind to such torture.”

She felt her worries ease. “You and William will just have to wait until after the ball for those games.”

He shook his head. “No. We’ll be in disguise, though I imagine everyone will know who I am. They won’t be able to guess the identity of the lovely girl I met in the village, however. Or the handsome man who made my acquaintance recently as well.”

The sounds of motor cars came from beyond the manor, on the drive in front. She removed her cloak and reversed it. She handed it to him. “Hold this.”

She donned her mask and stepped back, then stilled when he let out a low whistle. His dark gaze was on her breasts, showed to advantage in the stylish gown.

“Do you like what you see?” she asked.

He put on his own black, satin mask and grinned. “Let the games begin.”

Chapter 11

William stood at the entry, his eyes on every guest as they arrived. He was to collect their wraps and direct them to the ballroom where the earl and his family were waiting. This was the largest party the manor had ever hosted in his time, and it seemed that the local gentry were all delighted to be included in the invitation to welcome Matthew. He hadn’t seen him yet, not since he’d helped him dress in the sinful, black suit. He couldn’t wait to see what Posy would be wearing. He knew they were to arrive together, to give the impression that Matthew went into the village to retrieve her. He’d borrowed one of the earl’s cars earlier today to bear out that explanation.

He nodded as Mr. Carstairs recited yet another rule and warning. William didn’t mind. The butler was undoubtedly nervous about this party, and William would do his duty, if only as long as he had to. Then he would go up to Matthew’s room and change his white shirt and collar for the black one he’d laid out. With the mask Matthew had procured for him, no one would guess who he was.

He nodded at the arriving guests, old and young, very rich and moderately wealthy. They didn’t pay him much attention, other than handing him their wraps for him to give to one of the maids. That was a good thing. If they met him later, they wouldn’t equate him with the footman from the entry.

“Well, well. Quite the turn out.”

William held his composure as Matthew stepped up to the doorway. “My lord.”

He looked devilishly handsome in his black. His sculpted lips tilted at the corners beneath his mask. “Is all this for me, you suppose?”

“Yes, my lord,” Mr. Carstairs answered. “The earl and family are in the ballroom.”

“Very good, Carstairs.”

Matthew reached behind him and came forward with a beauty wrapped in a blue velvet cloak. William caught her eyes behind her pale-blue mask. They twinkled with mischief, and he felt his heart swell. She removed her cloak, and William took it with shaking hands. Their girl looked amazing in her low-cut gown.

She inclined her head—apparently she wasn’t speaking tonight—and followed Matthew into the house. He forced himself to continue in his duty as her flowery scent trailed behind her.

“Apparently the viscount made the young lady’s acquaintance in the village, William.”

For abhorring gossip, Mr. Carstairs loved being the bearer of information others might not know.

“Is that so?” he asked.

The butler nodded. “And the countess had so hoped to introduce him around to the ladies she’d invited.”

“It would seem his heart is already engaged,” William said.

“Just so, just so.”

William hid his smile. He didn’t know about Matthew’s heart, really. He knew his own, however. He loved Posy. That was certain. He planned to tell her so tonight. He’d share his feelings for Matthew as well, no matter the consequences. They might be playing at disguises tonight, but he wouldn’t conceal his heart any longer.

At long last the guests were happily in the ballroom and Carstairs was about his business. He went toward the main staircase.

“Where are you going, William?” Lily asked.

“What?”

The lady’s maid smiled. “Your favorite is ill tonight. Perhaps you would like some company?”

He looked into Lily’s green eyes and felt a touch of panic. How could he get out of this?

“I have to see to a matter for the viscount, Lily.”

She nodded. “All right. Thanks to Posy I have to serve at this blasted party.” She picked up a glass of wine and turned, sipping it on the sly. “At least I’m going to enjoy myself a little bit.”

She left him, and he let out a breath as he hurried up the stairs. Making his way toward Matthew’s room wouldn’t seem suspicious, nor would descending the stairs as if he’d been a bored guest out exploring the manor. He went into Matthew’s room and quickly changed his clothes. He eyed the low dresser, reliving in his mind the naughty things they’d done to Posy on its polished surface. Matthew said they would both take her tonight. That should be amazing.

He brushed his hair back and donned his black mask. It was larger than Matthew’s, as his identity didn’t need concealment like his and Posy’s. He checked his appearance in the cheval mirror.
Good.

“Let the games begin,” he said to himself.

* * * *

Matthew drew Posy closer, tucking her hand into the crook of his elbow. “I’m so very glad you could come tonight.”

She just nodded, her eyes sparkling. They’d agreed that she shouldn’t speak much, as her sweet, husky voice would be a dead giveaway. He missed her cheeky comments, though.

“Whom do we have here?” the earl asked.

Matthew felt her stiffen beside him. His brother was eyeing her closely.

“This is Rose, Gabriel.” He heard her choke a bit at the false name he’d guessed that first night in the library. “I met her in the village.”

“When would that have been?” Michael asked.

Matthew smiled. “Some time ago, I’m afraid. We’ve only just reconnected.”

Gabriel’s eyes narrowed. Posy’s tongue came out to lick her full lips, and for a heart-stopping moment he thought both men would recognize her. When the countess joined them, Matthew managed to sneak her away. There was no way Lady Hawksfell would mistake Posy if she spent much time near her.

“That was close,” he whispered in her ear.

She trembled, but he saw the kick of her pulse in the delicate skin of her throat. She was enjoying the masquerade, and she had him nearly as randy as a goat already.

As they neared the back of the ballroom near the bank of doors to the terrace, they were joined by a mysterious, black-masked gentleman. He knew the fit body beneath that austere suit, however. And so did his female companion.

He nodded his head as William bowed. He held out his hand for Posy’s, and Matthew relinquished her claim. A number was starting, and he didn’t want to dance anyway. Crossing his arms, he smiled as he watched William gracefully turn Posy about the floor.

“You’re the new Hawk,” a man said to his left.

Matthew turned to find eyes much like his own looking out of a black, satin mask. The man’s hair was a burnished blond, but there was no denying his parentage.