Claimed By Chaos (16 page)

Chapter 31

A few hours later, Alastair was leaning against the wall in the music room as Mirabelle and Giselle had their first piano lesson. He reminded himself that it was Giselle’s first since childhood and that she would improve with time. His eye twitched and he cringed as he pushed away from the wall. Once in the hall, he smiled. It had only taken him a week to learn to play well but no one knew he could. Alastair didn't want to deny Mirabelle the pleasure of Giselle’s budding talents.

Alastair found Lucien in the study and decided to take advantage of the ladies’ preoccupation and shut the door behind him. Lucien looked up in relief.

“Thank God! Giselle may be brilliant at many things, but the piano is not one of them.” Lucien laughed as he came around the desk.

“Actually, I was wondering if I might discuss a private matter with you and ask for a bit of advice.” Alastair settled into one of the armchairs and Lucien pulled the other closer as he sat.

“Certainly. After this morning, I believe I owe you for your assistance.”

“Don't mention it. Honestly, I'd like to forget the whole incident.” Alastair said flatly. He looked at the door and waited until he heard a tortured cry from the piano. Lucien chuckled.

“I assume this is about Giselle. Are things going well between the two of you?” Lucien asked softly. Alastair nodded and his eyes returned to Lucien.

“I believe so. As you and Gilles suggested, I have taken things slowly despite her objections. I don't think it will be necessary to wait much longer. That is to say, I have learned a great deal about Giselle and I am confident that she cares very deeply for me. If she is not fully in love with me already, further intimacy between us will only aid my purpose.” Alastair finished and watched Lucien, waiting. Lucien’s brows fell and he steepled his fingers as he sat back.

“Right… Well, put like that, I can imagine she's quite keen. If I'm understanding you correctly, you think it's time you made love to Giselle.” Lucien looked to Alastair and he nodded stiffly. “Wonderful! I can't imagine what advice I could give you. If you've made love to three and sixty women, I'm sure you know how everything works.” Lucien teased as he winked playfully. Alastair frowned and shook his head.

“I've been with three and sixty women but I didn't make love to any of them. It was always in pursuit of experience or to take care of my physical needs.” Alastair looked at the door nervously. Lucien tugged at his cravat and looked toward the sideboard.

“Experience. Well, that helps.” Lucien nodded. “I would think it would be the same but more romantic. Kiss her more and say prettier things?” He offered. Alastair blinked at him for several moments.

“I don't have a problem with the actual intimacy, Lucien. Giselle and I are very compatible and if anything, I feel too much with her.” Alastair mumbled as he began to consider the sideboard as well. Lucien relaxed and laughed.

“What can I help you with, then?” He asked as he rested his boot on his knee. Alastair frowned as he leaned in close. He looked at the door briefly before he dropped his voice.

“Giselle has never actually… with a man. Or a woman. I mean, she's just never… with anyone.” Alastair knew he was flustered and acting like an idiot but he was comforted by Lucien’s expression. His jaw hung open and his eyes were wide, he barely breathed for several moments. Alastair had to clear his throat loudly and push Lucien to get him to focus. Once he did, he leaned forward.

“Are you telling me she's a virgin?” Lucien asked incredulously. “She's killed men with her breasts and was the Crown’s most successful spy and assassin. And she's a virgin?” Lucien whispered as he looked toward the music room. “How is that possible?” He looked to Alastair who could only shrug and shake his head. Both looked at the sideboard and then nodded in agreement. Lucien rose, poured two drinks and handed Alastair his scotch as he returned to his seat. “Though I can't imagine anyone forcing her.” Lucien said thoughtfully. Alastair could only frown and nod as he raised his glass. He took a long swallow.

“As you can imagine, I have no experience with virgins.” Alastair stated as he wished for a much larger glass. Lucien looked pained.

“I understand your predicament. But as I've only been with the one, I'm afraid I can't offer too much in the way of experience.” Lucien explained. “Given Giselle’s temperament, I would warn you to avoid making the mistake that I made.” He paused when he noticed Alastair becoming hostile. Lucien held up his hand to calm him. “I was far, far too cautious for much longer than I should have been. Mirabelle almost left me for being too gentle.” Lucien smiled sheepishly and Alastair relaxed.

“Thank you for that.” He said softly. “I say this in all seriousness, not to be boastful, but I am very well endowed and as you know, Giselle is a small woman. I have noticed that she is extremely… tight.” Alastair had to shift in his seat as Lucien wrestled with his composure. “I'm afraid I'll hurt her if I'm not careful. I don't know which position would be best when I… breach her.” Alastair could feel his shoulders tightening as he imagined the pain he might cause Giselle. Lucien appeared to give the matter great thought before he grinned.

“Let her do it.” Lucien suggested. Alastair raised his brow, waiting for an explanation. “Have her on top and she can take as much of you, as quickly as she would like.” Lucien sat back, quite pleased with his advice. Alastair considered it and found it to be rather sound. He nodded as he relaxed.

“Thank you. I think that would actually be the ideal solution.” Alastair took another swallow of his scotch and found his mind drifting, imagining, when Lucien cleared his throat and nudged him.

“You might want to give some thought to the bedding, as you're not yet married. You’ll remember the difficulty Gilles faced after he… breached Elise.” A playful smile hung from Lucien’s lips but Alastair was troubled.

“Do you think there will be a lot of blood?” Alastair whispered as he felt his own drain from his face. Lucien’s lips pulled back and he shook his head.

“There's no way of knowing, I think. I haven't studied the matter myself but I believe all women are different. Gilles had to create an elaborate scene but Mirabelle barely blinked and there was almost nothing.” Lucien offered carefully. Alastair nodded despite being uncomfortable knowing that about his sister. “Perhaps you could take a coverlet from one of the unused rooms and dispose of it after, so that there isn't any evidence on your bedding.” Lucien suggested. Alastair was grateful for the advice. He hadn't considered that Giselle would bleed, he'd been so focused on her pain. He was once again disappointed at how effected his brain was.

Both were content to remain in silence for several minutes until Lucien went to the sideboard and returned with the crystal decanter. He smiled mischievously.

“I think that after this day, a drink or two won't suffice. And your lady’s playing seems to improve with scotch.” He teased as he poured another round. Alastair smiled as he raised his glass.

An hour later, Alastair knew he and Lucien were thoroughly foxed. He rarely over imbibed but it seemed like the appropriate thing to do that afternoon.

“I find it very disturbing, how stupid love has made me, Lucien. I’m a complete idiot!” He laughed as he slouched in his seat.
I should sit like this every day.
He decided as he crossed his legs clumsily. Lucien snorted and held up his glass.

“In this moment, while you are drunk on love and very, very fine scotch, you are experiencing what it is like for the rest of us, very mortal men.” Lucien chuckled as he slapped Alastair’s knee. Alastair let his head flop in Lucien’s direction.

“I used to feel sorry for you and Gilles, you were so at the mercy of your hearts and cocks. Now, I feel closer to the two of you than I ever have before. I can finally understand and sympathize.” Alastair made a sound that he was certain qualified as a giggle. Lucien exploded with laughter.

“Because we’re idiots! And you… you just giggled, like an idiot!” Lucien gasped as he tried to catch his breath. “God, how I wish Gilles was here right now!” He slipped from his chair and was on his knees laughing. Alastair giggled again.

“But I like it. I've always wished I was more like the two of you and we had more in common.” He admitted. For a moment, Lucien appeared serious.

“No.” He used the chair to pull himself up until he was on his feet. He pointed at Alastair as he swayed. “You… you should never wish to be like us. You have a gift. If anything, you should wish we were more like you.” Lucien dropped back into his chair and poured the last of the scotch into their glasses. “I think this will hurt later.” He mused.

“I wouldn't wish this on you, Lucien.” Alastair was suddenly overcome with emotion. He loved Lucien so much and the thought of him suffering as he did was very upsetting. “Sometimes, it's quite painful when people touch me and loud sounds and bright things hurt as well.” He whispered. For a moment Lucien looked sad, his eyes filled with tears and his lip trembled.

“I had no idea. That's terrible!” He whispered. Lucien gulped his drink and then smiled. “But you've got a bloody large cock!” He raised his glass in salute. “I suppose that could make up for some of it.” He slurred and Alastair felt the obnoxious laugh itching in his throat and he sat up as he tried to stifle it.

“Women do seem to enjoy it. If I'm honest, we are similarly endowed, I'm just a bit girthier.” He felt his brows pull together. “I don't think that's a word. Girthier. More girthful? See? I'm a complete simpleton.” Then, there was no way to stop the giggle. Lucien joined him and Alastair was certain they sounded like girls.

“Well, then… congratulations to the both of us!” Lucien touched his glass to Alastair’s and they drank. Alastair felt a question tickling his brain and he was helpless to stop it.

“I've never experimented with pain during sex. It always seemed counterintuitive. Do you enjoy getting beaten with a crop?” Alastair was surprised at Lucien’s emphatic nodding.

“God, yes! Haven't you ever felt like you needed someone to punch you?” Lucien asked. Alastair considered for a moment and then nodded. “It's very similar. It's not something I'd want every day but now and then, it's… relaxing. Not in the moment, while Mirabelle is whipping me. That just heightens everything. But after, it's as if the tension has been worked out of me. I feel a little weak but in a good way. Purged. I feel purged.” Lucien decided and then drained his glass. He repeated the word “purged” several times. “Puuuuuurged. That's a strange word. Did I use that correctly?” Alastair stared for a few moments before he shrugged.

“I suppose it makes sense. I wonder if I could benefit from that.” Alastair mused as he looked at the door. Lucien became serious again.

“Do be careful. Giselle could get carried away and do some permanent damage. Or kill you.” Lucien kept his face straight for all of ten seconds before he fell apart. He laughed so hard he slid from the chair again and melted onto the floor. Alastair was lost as well. He was slouched in his chair, hugging his stomach as he giggled like a lunatic. Lucien grabbed Alastair’s leg and hugged it as if he was afraid he'd fall off the floor, still laughing uncontrollably.

It was then that the study door opened and Mirabelle’s head peeked around it. Her jaw dropped as she swung it wide.

“What in the… What did you two do?” She gasped. Alastair and Lucien looked up, Giselle was standing next to Mirabelle and both looked equally shocked. Both men attempted to look contrite for a moment before they roared with laughter. Lucien flopped onto his back and Alastair felt himself slipping out of his seat.

“Mirabelle, my love! I think you should take me to bed. I doubt I'll be of any use to you this evening but if you don't move me now, I'm probably going to have to sleep here.” Lucien admitted. Mirabelle sighed and crossed the room.

“Get up, I can't lift you!” She demanded and tugged on his arm. Once he was on his feet she began guiding him from the room. “It looks like it will be just the two of us at dinner.” Mirabelle said to Giselle as she angled Lucien through the door. Giselle laughed and nodded.

“I think that sounds lovely!” Once Mirabelle and Lucien cleared the room, Giselle turned to Alastair and placed her hands on her hips. “Let’s get you upstairs as well.” She stated as she offered Alastair her hand. He took it and tugged, nearly pulling Giselle on top of him. She adjusted her feet and pulled again. “You're going to have to cooperate, or I'll leave you here.” She threatened.

Alastair smiled dreamily and pushed himself up out of the chair. He teetered before Giselle as he lifted his hands to her face. He cradled her jaw with one hand as the other slid around her neck and pulled her closer. His lips descended and brushed hers. She sighed and opened for him as his tongue slid in and found hers. Alastair groaned lazily as his hand slid down her back until it cupped her bottom and he pulled her against him.

“I think I'm going to have to have you soon.” He mumbled the words against her lips. “Not tonight. I'd make an absolute mess of it if I tried. But very soon. If that's alright?” He looked down at Giselle to find her eyes wide and blinking rapidly. She nodded when she realized he was waiting for approval. “Excellent! Do you think you could kill me with a riding crop?” He slurred. Giselle’s brows fell and her head jerked back.

“I'm sure I could but I would never hurt you, Alastair.” She said softly and Alastair laughed.

“What if I wanted you to hurt me?” He asked. Her head snapped up and she stared at him in confusion. “Lucien and Mirabelle keep a crop in the bedroom and apparently, he enjoys it. Says it’s relaxing.” His voice fell to a whisper as he realized they were in the hall.
How did we
get here?
He wondered as he looked toward the stairs. Giselle smiled knowingly.

“That is an entirely different matter. I suppose I could, if you truly wanted me to but I think that would be too overwhelming for you.” She said softly as she turned them down the hall. Alastair saw his door and admired how Giselle had made it appear. It was almost miraculous.
We were just downstairs a moment ago. She’s very clever.
Alastair decided.