Mistress - Amanda Quick [16]
“I told you that my cousin and I have only recently returned from a most educational tour of the Continent,” Iphiginia said. “I purchased a great many antiquities during our journey.”
Marcus peered down at the jagged chunk of marble which had marred the glossy polish on the toe of his black Hessian boot. There was just enough light from Iphiginia’s candle to see that it was a portion of a statue of some mythical winged beast. “What the devil is this?”
“I bought it in a shop in Rome.” Iphiginia set the candle down on her desk. There was a scratching sound as she lit a lamp. “Fascinating, is it not? I made several other equally interesting purchases at the same shop. I’m especially fond of this Roman centurion.”
The centurion, Marcus saw, was nude, except for his helmet, sword, and shield.
“It looks as though you’ve transported a complete archaeological ruin into your library,” Marcus said.
“Yes, I am rather pleased with the effect.” Iphiginia glanced around with satisfaction. She drew her gloved fingertips lovingly along the arm of the naked centurion. “It both excites the senses and stimulates the intellectual faculties at the same time. Don’t you agree?”
Marcus could not take his eyes off her fingers as they glided over marble muscles. He felt an instant and dramatic effect on his already stirring manhood. Unlike the centurion, he reflected, he was not made of stone.
“What do you intend to do with all of this, Mrs. Bright?”
She leaned pensively against the statue, one elbow propped on the warrior’s shoulder. She rested her chin on the heel of her hand. “I’m not entirely certain yet. At the moment I am merely studying these items and making sketches.”
“Studying them?” Marcus watched her skirts drift over the statue’s bare thigh. He could almost feel the silk on his own skin.
“My goal is to produce a pattern book of ancient motifs and designs that can be used as a guide to decorate both the interior and exterior of houses,” she confided. Her eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. Oblivious to the effect she was having on Marcus, she nestled one hip intimately against the statue.
“I see.” An almost overpowering restlessness came over Marcus. In a vain attempt to alleviate it, he untied his cravat and inhaled deeply to clear his head.
He promptly caught a whiff of Iphiginia’s rose-scented perfume and his senses became more clouded than ever.
“So much of what passes for accurate archaeological design these days is quite misguided and frequently wrong,” she said.
“I’ve noticed.”
“Have you?” She gave him a pleased look.
“Yes.” His gaze slid over the gentle swell of Iphiginia’s thigh where it fit warmly against the cold marble of the statue. He had not been pushed this close to the edge of his control in years.
“My pattern book of classical designs will be inspired directly from actual observations and sketches of genuine ruins such as these.” Iphiginia waved a graceful hand to indicate the jumble of artifacts around the room. “That way fashionable people who wish to decorate in the antique manner will be assured that their architects and decorators adhere to the original version of whichever classical style they choose, whether it be Greek or Roman, Egyptian or Etruscan.”
“It sounds an ambitious project, Mrs. Bright.”
“Yes, it is. But I am quite looking forward to it. I have spent the past year collecting these items and as you can imagine, I am very eager to get to work on my pattern book.”
“Naturally.” He studied the creamy color of her skin in the lamplight and wondered how it would taste. He started toward her.
“But first things first.” Iphiginia straightened away from the centurion. “I must deal with my aunt’s blackmail problem before I can begin my project. You’re quite certain that my impersonation will not cause you any undue problems?”
“On the contrary. I’m certain it will cause me no end of trouble.” Marcus reached out and took hold of her bare shoulders. Her skin was incredibly warm and soft