ᴛʜᴇ ᴄᴏᴜɴᴛᴇꜱꜱ ᴀɴᴅ ᴛʜᴇ ʀᴀᴄᴋᴇᴛᴇᴇʀ

Twenty-Six | ᴇɴꜱᴇᴍʙʟᴇ

The rich emerald green of the dress accentuated Kitty's eyes in the most alluring of ways. Her irises seemed to glow with radiance as she gazed at herself in the vanity mirror.

“Yes, that will do,” she murmured to her reflection as she smoothed the green taffeta down her hips. “Pretty as a picture. Let's see Princess Rose top this.”

The floor-length skirt was comprised of multiple yards of flowing fabric, ideal for dancing — or any other physical activity that required unobstructed access to one's legs. The bodice was snug, the neckline low, the straps wide and off-the-shoulder, displaying her enviable long neck and sharp collarbone.

Yes. Thirty pounds well spent. Just as she'd told Liam.

Liam. Just imagining his reaction to her in this dress caused a swell of arousal between Kitty's thighs. The memory of his hands and mouth on her body the other night still lingered in the forefront of her mind, so strong that her skin hummed with anticipation for another romp. He had taken such time with her, such care. He'd made certain she was as satisfied with their office encounter as he was. Twice. Other men had never bothered themselves over her pleasure. It had always been take, take, take. Now. Hurry. Quick. Before the Missus comes back.

Of course, her performance with all the others had been exactly that: a performance. And completely lacking in sincerity to boot.

With Liam it was different.

Kitty smirked at her reflection as she donned her pearl earrings. A gift from Liam. Every beautiful thing she had was given to her by Liam. Every sordid thing, too. But such was the way of things for any woman who knew William Mercer in an intimate capacity. Kitty knew the risks involved. She'd always known them. And she accepted them.

A bit of red lip color and a dash of rouge to her cheeks completed the visual temptation. Now to the olfactory. Every bit as important.

Taking her bottle of perfume, she spritzed the inside of her wrists, rubbed them together, and dabbed them delicately against the sides of her neck. One of Liam's favorite areas of her body. After a moment's consideration, she lifted the skirt of her gown and spritzed the perfume on the skin of her thighs, just above the hem of her stockings. Another of Liam's favorite areas.

With a coy smile, Kitty released her skirt and gave herself a final appraisal in the mirror. Yes. T'would serve. Let the party begin.

【♖】