Wicked Desires (Wicked Affairs, Book One) by Eliza Lloyd

flopped down in one of the chairs on the fidget-side of the desk. Michael stood beside his chair with his hands behind his back, waiting for the bad news.
    “No sir. Not exactly.”
    “Explain yourself.”
    “It was a bet. I lost. It involved the dean’s daughter.”
    “How much do you owe and does recompense involve marriage?” The boy was too young to be using his wag for anything other than basic bodily functions, and certainly not attempting to bed an ineligible girl with a powerful father. As if Michael didn’t have enough of his own issues to worry over.
    “It was nothing like that, except for the money part. I bet one hundred pounds that I could convince Rebecca to fuck me. The dean found out.”
    “So you lost the bet and the dean will see to it you never set foot at the college again?”
    “It’s worse than that.”
    Michael sighed, almost wishing Clarissa had handled the situation. She’d take no nonsense from the boy and have him straightened out by afternoon tea.
    “The bet involved the loss of…” William lowered his eyes, color pinkening his cheeks.
    “Yes, I know. One hundred pounds. Which, by the way, you will be working off this summer.”
    “No. It’s not that.”
    “Then what? Speak up, boy.”
    “The bet involved the loss of my virginity.”
    Michael fought back a smile. No wonder William didn’t want his mother to know about the goings-on. He relaxed a bit as he realized the damage was more toward his son’s pride than actual harm to an innocent. Had he been the dean, Michael might have punished the offender with physical damage.
    “I’ll take care of the wager. Time will cure everything else that ails you.”
    “I want you to take me to a whore. I’m tired of this damned curse and jealous of every boy my age who’s been shagged.”
    Michael stiffened, a bit fearful, a bit worried as they trod along dangerous but familiar ground. Was this his punishment for cheating? To be so soon accosted with the hypocritical nature of his being? He’d made vows he hadn’t kept. He’d promised his wife fidelity. Not only did he rebuff the woman, he’d pleasured himself in ways unheard of for her.
    Now he would advise his son of the folly of that vice. The temptations were beyond a young man’s ability to resist. Even old men succumbed to the intoxication of the new and untamed and debauched. Even men who knew better.
    William wouldn’t stand a chance if he started down that path now.
    “No.”
    “No? I’m sixteen. I’m a man now.”
    “Son, there’s more than one kind of man. You need to be the kind of man who controls his passions until the right situation comes along.” Michael glanced outside. The sun was still shining. No imminent threat of lightning bolts.
    “I’ll be the only virgin in my class.”
    “Knowing how boys boast, I doubt that, but since you won’t be returning to class anytime soon, I don’t see that will be a problem.”
    “So you want me to wait until I’m married?”
    “What can it hurt?”
    “Did you?”
    “We’re not talking about me. Nor will we be talking about your mother and me. Besides, whores costs money and as I recall, you don’t have any.”
    “So what am I to do now?”
    “You’ll be going to York early. Once Dudley receives my note, he will put you to work on the estate.”
    “Work?”
    “Oh, and I’ll hire a tutor to fill up the rest of your time while you contemplate the pure state of virginity. You’ll be leaving in a few days.”
    “I should have talked to Mother.”
    Michael chuckled. “Your mother would have had you on the next coach to York with a new governess and instructions for servitude until you were twenty-one. Be thankful you’re getting off so easy.”
    “You’ll talk to the dean though?”
    “I’ll have a word, yes.”
    * * * * *
     
    Tonight Michael felt near to bursting with unrestrained urges as he waited for the French whore.
    Clarissa had departed with Anne VanLandingham after breakfast. He missed her