Sin and Sensibility

Valentine Corbett, the Marquis of Deverill, lifted his glass. "I see trouble," he murmured, taking a swallow of whiskey.

"Not my husband," Lydia, Lady Franch said, lifting her head.

"No, he's still ogling Genevieve DuMer." Shifting a little, Valentine could make out Lord Franch's profile near the entrance to the gaming room. The elderly Franch's attention remained steadily on young Miss DuMer's ample bosom as they chatted.

"The oaf." Lydia lowered her head again.

Half closing his eyes, Valentine cupped the back of the viscountess's neck, encouraging her ministrations. His gaze, though, returned to the more significant little drama unfolding beyond the gauze of curtains.

Lydia paused again. "What trouble do you see, then " she asked.

"John Priestley is offering Lady Eleanor Griffin a bracelet of pearls, and she's allowing him to fasten them around her wrist."

Lady Franch's next comment was muffled and tickled a little, but Valentine assumed it to be a request for more information. Setting aside the whiskey, he slid his fingers along the edge of the curtain.

"The two of them are standing in plain view of everyone," he continued, "including all three of her brothers." He sighed, firming his grip on Lydia's head as her bobbing became more enthusiastic. "I very much doubt that the Duke of Melbourne, at the least, approves of his sister accepting gifts from a gentleman ' especially in public, and especially from an idiot not deemed worthy to be a suitor."

He tilted his own head back, the antics of his fellows becoming less interesting as the motions of Lydia's mouth upon his cock began to produce results. Even as he allowed himself to go over the edge, though, Valentine kept his eyes open and his attention on the crowded ballroom beyond their cozy little hideaway. He never closed his eyes; with the games he enjoyed playing, that would be both stupid and suicidal.

As Lydia straightened again, he handed her the glass of whiskey. "I do enjoy waltzing with you, my dear," he said, standing and helping her off her knees.

"Yes, but you enjoy dancing with everyone, Valentine," she returned, finishing off the whiskey as he buttoned his trousers.

"A fact about which I have always been honest."

"One of your few positive qualities."

Valentine returned his attention from the room long enough to lift an eyebrow. "I have at least two positive qualities. And the bosom has found a dance partner, which, I believe, means Franch will be looking for his wife."