Dark Passions

25.

As the coach bounced along the road, Derek closed his eyes, and conjured up the image of Meredith as she had looked in bed that morning. Hair tumbling around her face, soft green eyes peeking at him from beneath her lashes, and her luminous skin warm and inviting. He smiled to himself, realizing he was totally under her spell, and he missed her already.

He thought for a moment, that Marcus would surely have laughed at him, if he knew how hard Derek had fallen for Meredith. Then he frowned, thinking that he no longer had Marcus to talk to. The rift between them bothered him, and he thought maybe his mother was right. He should talk to him while he was in London. At least give the man a chance to explain his actions, after all. After seeing Addison's deplorable behavior while she had been at Gracewood, he realized that Marcus had likely just been a pawn in her games. Having settled that in his mind, his thoughts returned to Meredith, and he settled back against the cushions, letting sleep overtake him.

⚜️⚜️⚜️

Meanwhile, in London, Addison was busy plotting, trying to find out something in Meredith's past that would make Derek change his mind about her. She paced back and forth in her bedroom, finally glaring at Marcus, who lounged lazily in the chair by the fireplace. His long legs were stretched out, crossed at the ankles, as he watched her. His strongly muscled body was dressed in the latest fashion - the brocade waistcoat was one of his favorites, the cut emphasizing his trim waist. The sleek tan breeches were tucked into riding boots, and hugged his legs. His neat beard and moustache were closely trimmed, his hair cropped shorter than most men.

"Addison, just let it go," he finally said, puzzled at her obvious jealousy of Derek's new love. "It's not as if you loved the man, after all." He poured another shot of brandy into the cut crystal snifter, and inhaled the rich aroma before tasting it.

"That's not the point," she replied, stopping in front of him. "I should be the next Duchess of Gracewood, not some pasty, skinny girl from the country!" She threw her arms up in the air, starting to pace again.

Marcus sighed, and contemplated the amber liquid in the glass. He felt bad about what happened to his friendship with Derek, despite having enjoyed the sexual dalliances with Addison. He was weak; he knew that - when it came to women and their charms, he was weak. Sexual pleasure won out every time. When Addison cried to him that Derek was being distant, and avoiding her, he fell for the story she fed him. They were in her bed before he knew it, comforting her, or so he thought at the time. Soon he realized he had been used, but he kept coming back for more. She had him wrapped around her finger when it came to sexual favors. She did know more tricks than any other woman he had known, including several courtesans. Lust stirred in his veins again now, just watching the sway of her hips, and the heave of her bosom as she paced.

"You know people around London, Marcus, some not very nice people," Addison said. "Find out something about this girl - there must be something dirty and nasty in her past. Do it for me, Marcus.." Her sly voice cut into his reverie.

"Addi..."

"Please...just for me..." Then she was in front of him again, her hands on his thighs, staring into his eyes. The low gown displayed her ample charms, and he groaned. She kissed him seductively, her hands stroking the large bulge of his cock beneath the tight breeches. His hand shot out and freed one breast from her dress. She squeezed him harder as he fondled her, both of them breathing faster. Then without warning, she backed away and he fell forward, pitching out of the chair.

She walked away from him, fully knowing that he was going to follow her. "I missed you, Addi," he said, as she dropped down onto the bed, looking up at him.

"Good, now promise me you'll do as I ask?" she purred, holding him off when he would have fallen onto her.

"Yes, fine...whatever..." he muttered, intent on her body. He would promise anything at the moment, his cock was so hard and throbbing.