Distractions

Pent pardoned himself from his (admittedly quite dull) conversation with the two elderly lords when he felt a light tap on his forearm, and turned to the welcoming sigh of his wife, draped in that sapphire gown he found so alluring.

“My lord? If I may have a moment?” A quick word of apology to the lords, and Pent allowed himself to be led away, smiling all the while.

“What is it, my darling? Have I told you that you look ravishing this evening?” Louise smiled, thought a sharpness to her eyes betrayed that less-than-ladylike personality with which Pent had fallen in love.

“But of course, my love.” Still smiling innocently, Louise placed her other hand upon her husband’s arm, looking for all the world to be the demure and respectable count’s wife she played in court. “I’ve been cornered again by all of those well-meaning lords and ladies who are desperate to know why we still don’t have any children.” Her eyes narrowed, only slightly.

Pent chuckled. “Oh dear. However did you manage to escape? They’ve become more and more persistent lately.” Unable to resist, he reached out to brush a stray lock of hair from his wife’s face, perhaps lingering a bit too long to be considered customary courtly married behavior.

“I begged their forgiveness, but insisted that I must consult with you before being able to give an answer.” Pent’s laugh was full-bodied this time, attracting the momentary gaze of nearby, startled dignitaries.

“Oh my darling Louise, sometimes you play your part so well, you surprise even me.” Covering her hands with his own, he pulled her close. “I could never hope to do so well as you.”

“My Lord Pent, you flatter me.” Regardless, Louise’s eyes continued to betray her true feelings—in this case, honest pleasure. “More to the point, whose turn is it to be barren?”

“Yours, surely; wasn’t it me at the Marquess’ birthday last month?”

“No, my darling, remember, you blew up a gelatin to avoid the question.” Louise considered. “On the Marquess himself, if I recall correctly.”

“Oh dear, you’re right.” Pent grinned. “And it was just the right shade of blue to match his cloak, if I may say so.”

“You always did have excellent taste, my love.” Louise peered up at her husband, purposefully lowering her eyelashes. “Regardless, I do believe that makes it your turn.”

Pent sighed in mock frustration. “It is such a bother, really. Perhaps we should avoid court functions until we’re both far too old to produce offspring. We’d make excellent nomads, don’t you think?”

Louise laughed, pretty and clear. “Oh, my love, I’d never dream of tearing you away from your court functions. I know how you love to dress for them.”

“Oh no my darling, you are mistaken…” Pent let his gaze drop, appreciatively eyeing the ample amount of cleavage exposed by Louise’s gown. “I love to dress you for them. Especially in these gowns so in fashion now, with their beautifully plunging necklines, and…” he placed a hand on his wife’s waist, letting his fingers dip just enough to caress the rise of Louise’s backside and yet not appear garish, an action Louise found very pleasing, if not quite satisfying. “How they hug your curves so perfectly.”

Louise all but purred. “Oh my lord, to hear you speak, one would think I did not satisfy you in all matters.” Sidling forward just slightly, Louise dropped on of her own hands to caress her husband’s tight stomach.

“My love, you satisfy me in ways that make me wonder if you’re truly as human as you claim to be.” Pent matched his wife’s smile with one of his own. “But my darling Louise, what you must know is that we men are all masochists, if only to a slight degree. We love to be… tempted. Having you before me all night, so close, so tantalizing...” Pent’s gaze was heated as it rested on his wife. “It’s sweet torture, my love, and I can’t get enough.”

“My darling, you sell yourself short. Surely you don’t think I haven’t spared you a thought all evening?” Louise’s hand curved around her husband’s waist, mirroring the hold he had on her. “Your loveliness has been distracting me since we arrived; it’s simply unfair, the way you walk about, exuding allure in such a way.” She paused for only a moment, returning her husband’s passionate gaze. “Perhaps… another distraction is in order, my love? I do so hate giving others a false impression…”

Pent laughed, taking care not to draw attention. “I love the way you think, dear Louise. Now, I don’t suppose you’ve managed to sneak your bow in? Only I’d be amazed if you’d managed to stow it under that amazing gown.” He squeezed lightly, and Louise countered with a seductive smirk.

“Oh my lord Pent, I’d wager that you’ll be pleasantly amazed with the contents of my gown before the night’s through, bow or no.” Pent squeezed again, appreciatively, and had to hold back a groan. “Regardless, I think this will have to be your doing, my love; I’d hate to kill nobility for such a selfish pursuit.”

“Of course, my darling. I brought a spell book for just this occasion.”

“I love you.”

“I love you too, darling. Now, what say we meet in the rose garden in, oh, five minutes?”

“My lord, your wish is my command.” Reaching down for a quick squeeze of her own of her husband’s posterior, Louise broke away, heading for the gardens and looking, once again, for all the world a respectable lady, simply stepping out for a breath of fresh air.

Pent chuckled softly to himself, thanking his lucky stars for the umpteenth time as his fingers moved subtly to form the spell that would explode the large chocolate pudding at the center of the buffet table.