“Does he orgasm?”
Sabrina blinked at her. “Does he what?”
“Orgasm. Come. Find his release.”
“Oh, yes, he releases his seed.”
“Men generally find pleasure when that occurs, to varying degrees. I’m assuming you don’t realize there is a feminine version of that where you feel pleasure?”
Frowning, Sabrina tried to understand. “I don’t have any seed to spill.”
“No, but you can still find pleasure—astonishing pleasure—and any good husband will ensure you do. I’ve half a mind to knock some sense into Aldington.” Her brows knitted angrily as the muscles in her jaw clenched.
“Can that still happen if their wife is shaking in fear?” Or if the husband has no desire for the act?
Mrs. Renshaw grimaced. “Perhaps not. In that instance, he may just do what he must in order to get things over with. This is a conundrum.”
“Why? Is pleasure necessary to have a child?” Perhaps that was why she hadn’t conceived.
“Sadly, no, but it’s better, is it not? Otherwise, it’s just a dull and terrible duty.”
Yes, that was precisely what it was.
Mrs. Renshaw straightened. “You only need to show your husband that you are no longer afraid, that you welcome his advances—that you desire him.”
Did she though? Sabrina had always found him attractive. She recalled the sensation that had stolen through her when she’d smelled his scent the night before. Was that akin to desire? “I’m not sure I know what that feels like,” she whispered, hating to admit it but somehow knowing this woman wouldn’t shame her.
Mrs. Renshaw’s gaze shone with understanding and warmth. “Oh, Lady Aldington, we shall ensure that you do.”
“Please, call me Sabrina. This is such an intimate conversation.” Again, her cheeks flamed. “Surely only friends can speak in this manner.”
Smiling, Mrs. Renshaw nodded in agreement. “Just so. You must call me Evie.”
“Assuming I can feel desire for him, what will I do if he is still reluctant? What if he doesn’t desire me in return?”
“I’m willing to bet that he will. However, his behavior is puzzling. There could be any number of reasons for his reluctance, including your fear.” She pressed her palm to her jawline and glanced away. When she pulled her focus back to Sabrina, she returned her hand to her lap. “There is one possibility regarding his reluctance, and if that’s the case, there is not much that can be done about it, I’m afraid.”
“This doesn’t sound good. What is it?”
“Perhaps Lord Aldington prefers a male partner in bed.”
Sabrina clapped her hand over her mouth. “I hadn’t considered that.” And likely wouldn’t have if she lived five hundred years. How she loathed her naïveté. “I believe he has a mistress. Perhaps it’s not a woman.”
“It’s more common than you realize.” Evie said this with a certainty that made Sabrina incredibly curious. Despite that, she couldn’t bring herself to ask how Evie knew. Perhaps when they became closer friends, she might summon the nerve. “How do you know about his mistress?”
“I asked if he had one and he immediately denied it. Too immediately to be believed. You can confirm it?”
Evie shook her head. “This is the first I’ve heard—there are no rumors that he has a mistress. Aldington is an extremely private person. Does it concern you?”
Sabrina leaned back. “Not particularly. I know men like him usually have mistresses. Given the state of our marriage, I think I’d be more surprised if he didn’t have one. However, if it’s a man, I’m not at all sure how to proceed.”
Perhaps she would have to do what she’d brazenly—and without thought—threatened the night before: have a child without him. The thought of that only filled her with more anxiety, which she absolutely did not need. She considered retreating to Hampton Lodge to perhaps hide under a blanket.
No, the old Sabrina would do that. New Sabrina wasn’t going to sit by and let life happen to her. “What can I do to feel less apprehensive?”
“It doesn’t sound as if you know each other at all,” Evie said.
“We don’t,” Sabrina whispered, feeling as though she faced an insurmountable obstacle.
“Perhaps that should be your primary objective before you can get to the pleasurable creating of a child. Get to know him and make him get to know you. Then, you’ll seduce him. Assuming he doesn’t prefer men and can be seduced by you, are you up to the challenge?”
“Of seduction?” Sabrina feared she’d ended the word on a squeak. “I suppose I shall have to bluntly ask if he is aroused by men or women.” The thought of doing so made her feel as if she were riding a runaway horse, but she worked to rein in her nerves. “I think I must. The time for prevarication and avoidance is past. I am on a mission.”
Evie laughed and reached over to briefly clasp Sabrina’s hand. “You aren’t at all what you think, at least not what I’ve seen today. You possess a steel inside you, Sabrina. I hope you realize that. I also hope you never forget it,” she added with a soft smile.
Sabrina hadn’t realized that, and of everything Evie had said today, it might be the thing that stuck in her mind the longest. She’d certainly be thinking about it for some time—whether it was actually true and how she could learn to use that steel.
“Let us discuss the fun part of this, shall we?” Evie’s gaze held a mischievous sparkle. “In order to conduct a successful seduction, you should experience an orgasm—or several.”
“How do I do that before seducing him?” Sabrina feared her naïveté was once again rearing its head.
“By pleasuring yourself.”
Sabrina gaped at her. “How on earth would I do that?”
“You’ll have an orgasm,” Evie explained. “What I was telling you about before. You don’t need a man to give you one. You can do all this by touching yourself—your breasts, your sex, whatever feels good.”
Sabrina brushed her hand over her forehead. “Please forgive my ignorance. It’s quite maddening, if I’m to be honest. Why would I touch my breasts?”
Evie exhaled and pinched the bridge of her nose. “Aldington has never touched your breasts.”
“Why would he?”
“Because it feels lovely.” Evie resituated herself on the settee, turning even more toward Sabrina and bringing her thigh slightly onto the cushion in the process. “You definitely need to have an orgasm—or three—before you attempt seduction. Tonight, I want you to touch yourself until you find release. It will take some effort, but I promise you’ll enjoy it.”
Sabrina didn’t understand any of this. “How do I do this?”
“I’m going to explain, and I’m going to give you a book from my library. It has drawings and descriptions.” Evie gave her a wicked smile. “They will, hopefully, arouse you.”
“Oh.” Sabrina remained skeptical.
“Trust me. You are going to be amazed at what you have been missing. And when you learn to find and experience pleasure you will wield a power that will give you a singular confidence when dealing with your husband. When he comes to your bed, you will know what you want and what to ask him for. Rather, what to demand from him.”