Page 23 of My Lord, Lady, and Gentleman

“It’s ready?” said Joseph eagerly.

Clayton nodded, but he looked a little a pale and grim-faced, and his hands were twisting in front of him. “Indeed.”

“Is something wrong?” asked Susanna anxiously.

“I am exceedingly nervous. I mean, I always hope my subjects are happy with the end result, and that others admire my work, but with you two…those emotions are tenfold.”

As one, he and Susanna stepped forward and wrapped their arms around him. Clayton sighed, a little of the tension leaving his muscles, and kissed them each on the lips. Then he moved away to stand beside the canvas that faced away from them, and turned it around.

Susanna gasped. Joseph just stared in awed silence.

For the painting wasn’t just of Susanna, but the three of them together, naked in bed. She lay in the middle, kissing Clayton while holding Joseph’s head to her breast as he licked her nipple. Her legs were spread, both men were stroking her quim, and their fully erect cocks jutted out from their groins, one golden and one so dark, anticipating the magnificent fucking about to take place. The art was exquisite, so true to life it was like being a voyeur to his own pleasure.

But more than that…at the bottom of the painting, words that made his eyes burn: Three thirds make a whole.

“Oh my,” said Susanna, choking out the words. “It’s…it’s…”

“Us,” breathed Joseph.

“Do you, uh, like it?” said Clayton in a low voice.

“It’s splendid.”

“The m-most splendid p-painting ever,” added Susanna with a teary smile.

“I didn’t want to just say how I feel,” Clayton said slowly. “I wanted to show you. So we’ll have something to remind us in the difficult times that we are best together. We love and cherish each other, which will always light our way. And in bed…”

“Perfection,” finished Joseph solemnly. “Absolute perfection. But how could it be otherwise with the woman I love and the man I love with me? I’m looking forward to having this framed and hanging it in our bedchamber. Although it probably needs a curtain to protect the servants’ delicate sensibilities.”

Clayton grinned and his shoulders finally relaxed. “True. I’d better do that. Don’t trust anyone else with my work but you and the other Society members.”

“You mean the Royal Academy?” asked Susanna.

“No, the Surrey Sexual Freedom Society. I can’t wait to introduce you to my friends there. We hold meetings each month at Lady Portia Butler’s home. That is why I couldn’t make the first date you suggested. The next meeting is in about a week’s time.”

Joseph nodded. “Lady Portia is very interesting. I can’t help but admire the way she tirelessly campaigns for the rights of women and children. She only has to raise an eyebrow at me, and I’m ready to write a draft.”

“That’s our Pistol Portia,” said Clayton affectionately. “A tempest with a heart of gold.

I quite adore her. You’ll love the others as well.”

“We’ll be pleased to attend with you. But in the meantime, you’re going to be busy. Especially once the Prince Regent commissions an erotic portrait from you.”

“As long as it’s not of himself,” he replied, his eyes gleaming. “Not sure I could stomach that.”

Susanna burst out laughing, and they joined together for another warm embrace. “I must concur. His Royal Highness is not nearly as svelte as he once was. If he continues to expand, it will cost us a fortune in fabric.”

Held against Clayton’s chest, his arm around Susanna’s waist, Joseph sighed in contentment. Never had he thought that such happiness would be possible, and now he had conquered his past demons and always spilled inside his wife, it seemed quite possible he would make her dearest wish come true. A wish that might actually be rather wonderful for them all.

But for now, he must be the luckiest man alive. To love and be loved by his wife, and their gentleman painter.

And that was the greatest miracle of all.

Epilogue

Guildford, Surrey, November 1814

There was nothing better than a Surrey Sexual Freedom Society meeting. Except perhaps attending the meeting with the woman and man you loved.