Lord of Pleasure by Delilah Marvelle

myself. It appeared he had written a letter to his solicitor, a few weeks before his own death, claiming that because I refused to perform my marital duties, I was to be removed from his will. It was as if he knew he was going to be popped off.”
    Alexander shook his head in disgust. To leave a woman uncared for was downright evil. “Don’t allow yourself to be gulled. You have rights. Having only recently gone through my father’s estate, I know for a fact that a spouse is entitled to at least a third of it.”
    She studied him for a brief moment, as if trying to decipher what his intentions were. “I’ve already hired a lawyer to contest the will. And it has cost me everything I have. Despite all of my visits to the Lord Chancellor pleading for my situation and lack of funds, I am but a name on an excruciatingly long list.”
    She shook her head and released a bitter laugh. “Do you realize that there are those who have waited an entire decade for their case to be heard? Unlike all the others, I have no family to financially support me whilst I await that decision. This school, that you and so many others choose to mock, is my only form of income. Which brings me to the point of this conversation. I have no intention of jeopardizing my future here at the school by involving myself with you. Is that understood?”
    Alexander ran a heavy hand through his hair, feeling rather humbled by her confession. “Forgive me. I didn’t know the specifics.”
    “Well, now you do.”
    He dropped his hand back to his side and didn’t know what he was supposed to say. “Do you require further monetary assistance?”
    “Yes. In return for a good swive, I am sure.”
    He let out a genuine laugh. “As I’ve already mentioned before, Lady Charlotte, I don’t pay for my pleasure. Furthermore, your approach to all of this is rather simplistic. I have a much better idea. Why not allow me to call upon Madame de Maitenon and ask for permission to engage you? That way, you get everything. My assistance, retaining your position here at the school, and best of all, sex. With me.” He grinned.
    She stared at him. Then had the audacity to laugh. “After Chartwell, I can assure you, I am done tending to the needs of a man. More than done, actually.” She swept a hand toward the door behind him. “If you please. I have another client, and I shan’t be so rude as to keep him waiting.”
    Alexander’s grin slowly faded. This certainly didn’t bode well for him. Did it? Hell, when a beautiful woman said such horrible things, it was a man’s inherent responsibility to set it right. To see to those neglected needs in a way no other man ever had. “I assure you, Chartwell does not represent the majority of the male population. I hope that you are not judging me based upon his complete inability to please you.”
    Her expression grew taut. “No, I am not judging you. I simply have my own personal needs to oversee without concerning myself with yours . I’m certain a worldly man such as yourself can understand.”
    Amen to a woman who spoke her mind.
    Though he wasn’t overly fond of being grouped together with Chartwell, her strong sense of bravado was maddeningly admirable. Not to mention erotic. For a woman who knew exactly what she wanted in the day, also knew what she wanted at night. “Surely your personal needs must involve an orgasm or two,” he gruffly pointed out, taking another step toward her.
    She gasped and dropped her hands back to her sides. “No. They do not.”
    “I don’t believe you. Not after the way you kissed me.”
    “Leave.” She sounded fully aware that her excuses held no substance. “Before I have Harold escort you out of the school.”
    He held up a hand, asking for her patience. “Obviously, neither of us is looking to complicate our lives by submitting to anything serious. Which is why I suggest we keep this simple. Allow me to talk to Madame so that I may ensure that your position here is not