The Devil's Bargain by Allegra Gray

Author:Allegra Gray [Gray, Allegra]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 2013-11-24T14:00:00+00:00

Hours later, Celia finally turned to the pile of clothing Alisoun had brought, much of which had tumbled to the floor as a result of her and Nicolas’s impassioned use of the bed.

She gasped as she picked up the first garment that caught her eye. Apparently Alisoun had taken her master’s instructions to “treat her as a princess” to heart. The dress she’d retrieved was finer than any she’d ever seen—any she’d even imagined. Crimson silk with heavy gold brocading spilled over her arms. Matching gold trim at the edges of the wide sleeves and the hem of the gown completed the effect. To dye a garment that vivid color of crimson was an expense few but the nobles could afford—let alone all the brocade and trim. She noticed the gleam of metal among the remaining clothes in the pile and reverently extracted a linked gold belt. She’d never seen such finery in her life.

In total, the pile contained two fine linen chemises, a lovely saffron kirtle, stockings and garters, and a veil that matched the crimson gown. Her eyes welled with tears as she raised them to Nicolas.“I couldn’t possibly wear these. They were intended for someone else—maybe a queen—but certainly not me.”

“You can wear them, and you will,” he stated emphatically.

“But, Nicolas—”

“I like it when you say my given name,” he interrupted as he came forward to seize her mouth in a swift but thorough kiss, reminding her vividly of when she’d first spoken his name earlier that evening. “No more protests. You will be beautiful in these gowns, and it will give me pleasure to see you in them.”

How could she argue with him? Or deny him the pleasure of seeing her so adorned? She smiled helplessly as she allowed him to help her on with a chemise and the beautiful dress, giggling when he struggled with the laces at her back.

“I’m a bit relieved you’re not too accustomed to playing ladies’ maid,” she laughed.

He spun her around, silencing her laughter with a hungry kiss. “I am more adept at undoing laces than tying them,” he suggested with a little tug. Celia felt her body tighten in response to the implied promise and wondered wildly how he could still have this effect on her when they’d so recently satiated themselves. He deepened the kiss as if sensing her desire. When he finally released her, he looked down and said solemnly, “I shall have to practice more.”

“More?” She quirked a brow at him.

“I wouldn’t want you thinking of my skills in that area as a shortcoming.”

“Well, if you insist upon practicing, I suppose I could volunteer myself as a target for your endeavors.” She was flirting shamelessly and was surprised at how easily it came. And by how much she was enjoying it! She twisted her hair into a quick bun, securing it with a pin Alisoun had thoughtfully brought with the clothing. She took the veil, as well, placing it over her hair and holding it in place with a headpiece of gold fabric that fit on her head like a crown.

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