Narcotic Mask

Chapter II

She woke to the musky scent of his cologne, and she smiled, her eyes still shut as she inhaled the sensual smell.

"Good morning, darling." Georgiana purred, her tone as usual like silk. She propped herself up upon one elbow, her dark hair cascading in glossy sheets over her still nude form. Gently, she draped an arm over his tanned, muscular chest, as she leaned down to kiss his forehead.

His eyes opened slowly, and he grinned up at her. "Morning, beautiful."

Georgiana smiled triumphantly, but said nothing. She moved her arm ever so slightly, instead using her fingers to brush lightly over the blond hairs on his torso.

"Already trying to trap me again?" John arched an eyebrow, an amused smile on his face.

Georgiana sat up straight, flicking her hair so that it fell down her back. Sitting with her shoulders straight and her pert breasts in full view, she answered, "Perhaps." Slowly, she chewed upon her lower lip.

Sir Darnley smirked, also sitting up, leaning back against the headboard. "You are irresistible, Miss Ashford, and you know it." He chided, though his words were more like a tease of seduction, as his hands moved to her voluptuous hips.

Georgiana giggled, shifting forwards towards him. "You are a handsome man, John Darnley." She said boldly, letting her eyes purposefully rake over his body.

She smirked, watching him for a moment before sitting up and swinging her legs over the side of the bed. Georgiana took a green robbon off the bedside table, tying her long locks back with it and pulling on a silk robe. "I think I'd better return to my estate. Father won't wonder where I am, but the staff might begin to talk. You know what housemaids can be like." She rolled her eyes.

John sat up instantly, frowning, "Won't you stay a little longer?"

She laughed, "Darling, we've already made love three times."

Sir Darnley raised his eyebrows, "Perhaps we could meet again?"

Georgiana slipped her morning gown over her chemise, reaching behind her to lace the ties at the back of it. "Perhaps." She shrugged daintily, pulling on her jacket and lifting her hat. Georgiana threw Darnley a dazzling smile, before she walked to the door, leaving without another word.

~~~

But she didn't meet with him again.

In fact, she never even thought of him again. His face never crossed her mind, and memories of their brief tryst never disturbed her. Georgiana moved on, finding other men to tease and toy with.

The sun streamed through the bay windows of the dining room, leaving floating specks of dust visible within the rays. Georgiana buttered a slice of still warm toast, before tearing a little bit off and popping it into her mouth. "Mama, must I go into town with you?" She asked, pouting slightly, her dark eyes wide and imploring.

Lady Maria Ashford resisted the age old urge to roll her eyes at her eldest and only daughter, as she instead contented herself with a sigh. "Gina, darling, don't talk with your mouth full," The older woman chided gently, "And yes. We need to have a few new gowns measured and fitted to be made. You'll need more clothes when you're staying with cousin Susannah."

Georgiana took another small bite of toast, rolling her eyes, "It's not as if there's any decent men in London." She half whined, "They're all old or boring; too conservative. Rich, perhaps, but what fun is that? I hardly am in a hurry to wed, mama." The viscount's daughter reminded her mother.

Maria sighed, "You know that we can't all marry for love. You know that your father and I don't love each other very much." She shrugged elegantly, "I'm not saying that the same will bs true for yourself, but you must endeavour to face that possibility."

Her daughter huffed, lifting her teacup and taking a sip. "Grandmother and Grandfather were lovers, I've heard. And your sister loves her husband very much; James loves Miss Victoria Martin." She always used her brother and his wife as an example.

Lady Ashford raised an eyebrow, "Be that as it may," She said, with a tone of awful finality, "I've heard rumours. Rumours that you aren't entirely virtuous, that you've been with a man." She pursed her lips, giving Georgiana a pointed look. "And we can't let that ridiculous gossip spread."

Georgiana chose this moment to become rather interested in the picture on the wall opposite her, "Of course. Such things are nothing more than the idle gossip of jealous old ladies."

What she didn't tell her mother was that the rumours were absolutely truthful. And that she had indeed been with far more than one man.

Well, finally we have another chapter! I am so sorry for being so inactive and taking so long to update, but I should be updating more often from now on :)

- EJ