“More,” she panted. “I want more.”

Julian quickly undid the flap of his trousers. When his aroused manhood sprang free, Mena bit her lip. She didn’t think she’d ever seen such an erotic sight, but she didn’t get long to admire his engorged length before he’d wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her on top of him. With one of her legs on either side of him, he gave a sharp thrust upward. Mena instantly cried out as he filled her completely, body and soul. She rode him until they were both damp with perspiration, until their passions erupted and Mena quivered around his shaft as he spent himself inside of her with a satisfied groan of completion.

Just as the carriage came to a halt.

“Oh, my God! What am I doing?” Mena gasped, although she couldn’t keep a giggle from escaping as she quickly righted herself. “I shouldn’t be acting in such a manner! I’m nearly forty-two years old—”

Julian stopped her with a single kiss on her lips. “You’re wonderful, Mena. Besides—” He shrugged. “—age is only a number.”

With that, he stepped out of the carriage but turned to offer a hand to help her down.

“There you are!”

Mena froze at the sound of her daughter’s voice by the front door. While she was normally excited for Marigold to stop by, it seemed a bit awkward at the moment. Not only because Julian was with her, but because of what they had just done.

“Mari. What a pleasant surprise.”

Her daughter crossed her arms. “Why do I get the feeling that greeting wasn’t entirely genuine?”

“Don’t be silly,” Mena waved her hand. “Of course I’m always glad to see you.”

After they moved into the foyer and exchanged an embrace, Mena pulled back and indicated Julian. “Mari, may I introduce an old friend from Kent, just returned to London, Mr. Julian Solomon?” She thought she heard Julian mutter something along the lines of ‘old friend’ before she added, “Julian, this is—”

“Lady Daniels.” He offered a brief bow. “How is Robert faring?”

“He is quite well, thank you.” Marigold replied with an easy smile. “Although he has been rather dejected by your lack of companionship lately.”

Mena glanced back in forth between her daughter and her lover as if she was in the midst of some sort of volleying match. “Excuse me, but—” She glanced at them both again. “Do you two know each other?”

Marigold turned rather silent, allowing Julian to answer. “Your daughter and I are acquainted, yes. Her husband has been assisting me with my…business since I arrived in town.”

Mena suddenly felt sick. “Indeed?”

“Oh, don’t look so wary, Mama,” Marigold said with a bright smile. “Besides, I know something that will brighten up your spirits. You will not believe the gift that arrived today!”

As Marigold practically skipped toward the front parlor, Mena put a hand on Julian’s arm when he would have followed suit. “Why didn’t you tell me that you knew my daughter?”

“Did it matter?”

“Of course!” Mena said in an urgent, but hushed manner. “It would have saved me quite a bit of anxiety!”

“Why? Because you didn’t know how to introduce me as your lover?”

“Precisely!” Mena huffed. “It’s not something one brings up in conversation with one’s offspring!”

Julian clenched his jaw. “I can’t say I understand the concept as I’ve never had any children myself.” With that parting remark, he turned on his heel.

Mena instantly felt ashamed. For a woman who was supposed to be mature, she had certainly not thought before she spoke. She had injured Julian’s feelings and likely brought up bad memories of his past.

A past she still knew so little about.

Mena withheld a sigh, but when she turned the corner and spied what had Marigold in such thrall, she quickly understood why.

“Isn’t it lovely?” Mari exclaimed.

Sitting on the table was a marvel of technology that Mena had only heard of in passing. “Is that…an automaton?” she breathed.

“Yes!” Mari practically squealed.

Mena watched as the robotic figurine of a woman, seated on a stool, gently plucked the strings of a harp. From her delicate fingers, to her eyes, every single bit of her moved, the slight whirring of her mechanics amazing the entire trio.

“I’ve heard of such a marvel some years ago,” Mena murmured. “I believe that Marie Antoinette was gifted with one before the Revolution.”

As the song came to an end, Mari used a key to wind it back up, where a different song started to play. She turned to Mena with a sheepish expression. “While I waited for you to return home, I might have played with it a bit.” Her brown eyes sparkled. “She plays four different tunes.”

Day nine, Mena thought. Of course.

Mari handed her the familiar card with the familiar script. “This was with it.”

Mena almost felt as if she was being unfaithful to Julian, reading a card from another man while he stood right next to her and waited to hear what her admirer had to say this time.

Lifting her chin, she broke the seal.

Another day has passed.

Soon we will be together, my love.

“What does it say?” Mari asked.

Mena tucked the card out of sight. “The usual drivel.”

She dared to risk a glance at Julian, only to find that he had disappeared.

Day 10

Mena’s red ball gown arrived in plenty of time for the Norrington Ball, but as Mena sat soaking in a lavender scented bath, she suddenly debated on whether or not she had the strength to attend. She certainly didn’t have the desire. Maybe she could plead a headache…

She shook her head. I’m not a coward who prefers to take the easy way out. Besides, she didn’t want to disappoint Mari so there was nothing for it but to start getting ready. In a few hours, she could make her excuses and be back home by midnight. If she was fortunate.

She was still wrapped in a towel, waiting for her hair to dry when there was a knock at her bedchamber door. It was Anders. “A delivery for you, my lady.”

Mena stared at the square box in his hand. “Just leave it on the dresser, if you please.” The butler did as she asked, before he took his leave.

For several minutes, Mena stared at the offending item before she finally forced herself to move forward. She took the box and sat down on the edge of the bed. Removing the red silken ribbon, she slowly opened the box to find a neat, white card on top of a black velvet inner box.

There is nothing that can compare to your loveliness.

You are beautiful inside and out.