Page 54 of To Ensnare a Duke

"Continue to be a good girl for me. Show me your contrition. You can wait for a few more days. Besides, if you busy yourself with the wedding, there won't be time to think about your… condition." Reaching over, I tap the base of the dilator. "Be sure to wear this throughout the day. With as tight as your bottom hole is, it will not fall out. So have no fear of that."

She turns a furious, tear-stained face to me, all trace of contrition gone. "And if I don't?"

"Then each night will be agony for you as I force the next size up into that disobedient bottom of yours."

At least that seems to get through to her. Augusta's eyes widen as she pulls herself upright and sits on the bed. For a moment, she squirms, as if trying to find a more comfortable position.

"I'd do your best to entertain where there are plush seats. You wouldn't want others to know what shameful device lies between your beautiful arse cheeks. Do you?" Without waiting for a reply, I kiss her firmly on the lips and pull away. Any longer in her presence, and I will ruin us both.

CHAPTER 25

AUGUSTA

Dark rings line my eyes as I stare at myself in the mirror. One more day until my wedding, and I look horrid. Despite what that bastard tells me every night, I can't ignore the need as it courses through my veins like fire threatening to consume me. As much as I throw myself into planning this wedding, it doesn't take my mind fully off the bulbous torture device lodged up my bottom. It doesn't keep my fingers from wanting to touch myself in secret.

Would he actually know? The blackguard seems to know so much about me. He knows more than I know of myself. It's simply not fair.

Squirming as I look toward the privy, I debate just how badly I need to relieve myself. Pulling the dilator out and shoving it back in is an exercise in agony. And not the kind I can just ignore. If it were actual pain, I could probably push past the discomfort to focus on what's more important.

No. Every bit is pleasurable. The fullness steals my breath, making it all the more difficult to dislodge. And when I shove it back in? That's even worse. The cad knew what he was doing when he gave me this 'gift'.

It wasn't a means to show me his affection. It was a means to control me. Even now as I think about what else I could be doing, I find myself distracted.

With a soft growl under my breath, I opt to using the privy now before my lady's maid wonders as to the length of time I'm taking with my morning routine. How easy it would be to just leave the blasted thing out. Unfortunately, as I'm learning, Portswell is true to his word.

Each night he steals into my room like a blasted thief. Only, it's not my possessions he steals, but my very sanity. Each night, the dilator he brings is, in fact, a far bit larger than the one before it. Even now, as I pull it from my bottom, I cannot believe the girth that comes out of me.

It's unseemly.

It's perverse.

Dear God in heaven, it feels divine.

I don't know how long I have between sessions for my body to reject the massive size, making the next one something I cannot handle. As much as I wish to try to find out, the fear of actual pain keeps me from disobeying him. So far, I've been able to take each size as he forces it deep into my body, and I wish to keep it that way.

Once I'm finished, I clean the damned object and hoist up my leg. Though the cad was kind enough to leave me some lubricant, the very idea of using my fingers down there is far too shocking for me to contemplate. Instead, I drag the smooth glass though the liquid dripping from my body.

With each pass, the tip nudges my clit, sending shards of exquisite sensation flooding through me. I'm playing with fire. I know this, and yet, I can't help myself from seeing just how far I can go before it's too much. Again and again, I graze the sensitive nerves until that familiar coil in my gut clenches tight and causes my eyes to nearly cross.

From the times I've pleasured myself in the past, I know beyond this point, I may not be able to come back. With my body buzzing from the stimulation and the dilator glossy and wet with my arousal, I prod my back entrance, biting down on my lower lip as I force the thick head past the tight ring.

Somehow, it always feels better when Portswell does it. Perhaps it's the intimacy of feeling him guide it in, coaxing me to take it. Closing my eyes, I picture the arse telling me what a good girl I am for taking it so well. In truth, it's almost as if he's in the room with me now.

My breath comes in a haggard gasp as I push it in further, stretching the ring out as far as it will go. From the other side of the door, I can hear Lydia bustle about, getting things ready for the morning. I must make this quick before she discovers my secret shame.

Baring down, I breathe out as I push in, firmly lodging the blasted thing up my backside. I wash my hands and splash my face with some cold water, hopefully drawing the heat from my cheeks. After a few more moments, I'm back to being presentable.

As I step out into the room, however, I stop short. It is not my morning gown waiting for me, but a promenade dress. It takes all my effort to bite back a groan.

"Am I not to enjoy my breakfast in peace?"

"Sorry, Miss. The house is to be full today. After breaking your fast, you are all set to peruse Hyde Park."

I stop short as I bring my mug of warmed chocolate to my lips. "Full?"

"Unfortunately, Miss." My friend and maid winks at me as she flits about the room. "I know your love of people early in the morning. Apparently, you are to be making the acquaintance of several of your intended's friends and their lovely wives."

"The man is insufferable," I mutter under my breath, easing down into the chair.