Double Trouble

It\'s short, REALLY short, but more is coming I promise. Chapters 3 and 4 were combined once, I think, but I\'m re-writting the lovin\' stuff, so please check back and look for updates. :)

Chapter 3

Sarah blinked curiously at the two men standing before her. She’d been called to the room only moments ago, by a maid, telling her that a man was asking her father for her hand in marriage. It wasn’t an uncommon occurrence, as it had happened approximately twenty times before, but the number of her suitors had dwindled to almost nothing lately. To say she was surprised to see both Drake and Quinn would be a gross understatement. “My Lords…what a surprise. My maid just informed me that a gentleman was asking my father for my hand in marriage. Was she mistaken?”

Drake and Quinn both smiled and shook their heads in unison from where they were sitting in the parlor. Her father was sitting in his usual seat across from them. Drake stood, “I am asking for your hand in marriage Lady Sarah…if you will have me that is. I would not rush you into this.”

Sarah barely managed not to gape like a fish at the words coming out of the Duke’s mouth…they’d only just met the week before. How could he wish to marry her now? It’s not that he wasn’t handsome and rich and well titled. Her eyes narrowed suddenly and she frowned, “Father, would you mind if I spoke with both Dukes for a moment please…alone?”

Her father looked a bit startled but nodded, “Of course my dear. This is most unusual after all.” He stood and turned to the two men. “Do keep your hands to yourselves while I’m out, please.” Both men smiled and nodded. They stood as he left and then looked at Sarah expectantly.

The door shut with a light click…and Sarah began her incensed attack. “I don’t know what you two were thinking, coming here and mocking me like this…but I won’t have it.”

Drake’s smile faded and he frowned lightly, “Pardon? We are not here to make fun of you. I do not propose to a woman lightly…I’ve never proposed to woman.” Quinn nodded his agreement, “It’s true, he hasn’t.”

“Then what is this? We met only last week, once, and now you come to me, friend in tow, to suddenly propose marriage? It is very suspicious to a woman who has likely received more fortune hunting proposals than any other woman alive,” she snorted. She paced around the two gentlemen, eyeing them critically, like a lioness waiting to strike out at her prey. Why had they come together? Why was this happening so soon? “Tell me why you are here and do not lie,” she said firmly, her suspicious anger showing clearly in her voice.

“We saw you last week at the ball, after many nights of watching you and saw an opportunity to meet you. After meeting you we decided that we must have you…always,” Drake said softly, and very seriously.

“WE? Are you speaking of yourself only or do you also have a mouse in your pocket, Lord Derbyshire?” she asked in stark annoyance. Quinn coughed a bit uncomfortably and flushed. She abruptly paused in her circling and stared at them in sudden comprehension, “Tell me that the crazy thought I’m having is wrong…tell me that the two of you aren’t BOTH proposing….”

Quinn shrugged, “We’re both proposing. Drake will give you his name, but we would be a trio.” Quinn smiled slightly and looked down into her lovely eyes. “You must admit that it’s an intriguing idea Lady Sarah.”

Sarah felt her knees giving out and was grateful for the presence of a chair behind her. They would BOTH be her husbands? The idea was so frighteningly foreign she didn’t even know how to begin to process it. She’d hoped to determine, between the two gentlemen, who would be the best for her, not actually acquire both men. Was that even legal or moral? Would they both share her bed? She flushed furiously at the mere thought.

“You’re blushing…are you embarrassed by the situation or are you angry with us?” Drake asked softly.

She shook her head. “N-no…it’s just that…how will we…be intimate? Will I be expected to trade beds…whose heir will I bear…?” she whispered. “I don’t understand what will happen in a relationship like this. It’s simple between one man and one woman. They share one bed, one life and the same children. With two men, it becomes very complicated…though, admittedly, a bit more interesting.”

Quinn quirked a brow at her, “Are you thinking of accepting then?”

Sarah immediately smiled and blushed, “I’m certainly thinking about it…you’re both very good catches…but there are many questions that will need to be answered for me to understand this.” The more she considered it the nicer it sounded. Even when one was away on business, the other would very likely be at home. She wouldn’t be lonely and neglected like nearly every noble wife in her circle of peers. She’d have two handsome men…two handsome and entertaining men around all of the time. Two men to warm her bed…which brought her back to her question again.

Drake saw that Sarah’s blush had suddenly return and sighed, “To answer your question, since you look like you’re about to ask it again, yes, we’d share your bed. If things go well, we will be in your bed at the same time.”

Her eyes widened in shock and her blush flared vividly, “All of us…is that possible? Do men…do that…make love…together?” At Drake’s confirming nod, she shook her head. Truly, she had clearly been sheltered from a few interesting facts in life. “Have you two…you know…shared a bed?” She blushed furiously at such a bold question, but if they were to live with her intimately, she needed to understand them better.

“Never a bed,” Quinn responded dryly, thinking of the encounter earlier in the week. “We’ve had a few minor encounters…but this will be a rather new experience for me as well. Drake has been with other men…and women…so we’ll depend on him to guide us through.”

She shook her head in disbelief. It was amazing to even be considering this…but for the first time she knew that she truly wanted to flaunt the rules of society. She’d taken only a brief step down that path by not marrying the first suitable male to cross her path. Now a life with TWO handsome, decadent men…it held its appeal. After a moment of hesitation she looked up, “Very well gentlemen, I’ll be your bride.” She grinned suddenly, “Don’t disappoint me.”

Drake grinned in response, “Splendid.” The charming smile melted into one that Quinn recognized all too painfully. It was predatory and seductive. Quinn was grateful he wasn’t the target this time, but his body began to stir nonetheless. He hated how traitorous his body could be. “Fuck, why do you have to do that Drake?” he muttered.

Sarah flushed first at the alluring gazed Drake had centered on her then deeper at the startling word that slid from Quinn’s mouth. At the moment, Quinn looked as flustered as she felt. Did Drake affect him so easily as well? Did heat rush suddenly to his belly; did his body feel heavy under that gaze? However, she couldn’t really think along that line for very long. Drake had suddenly stepped very close and without a single word, swept her up from her seat and kissed her seductively. She would have gasped if his full lips hadn’t covered her mouth so completely, so deeply. Sarah hadn’t ever been kissed like this before and she was more than a little pleased with the experience. She shyly kissed him back, drawing on her limited experience, trying to respond as she thought she should. He murmured his approval against her mouth and gently swept her bottom lip with his tongue, before sliding it between and into her mouth.

As Drake slowly drew back she took a deep breath and tried to gather herself enough to face the two gentlemen with some dignity. However, Quinn however didn’t give her a chance to gain her composure. He gathered her gently against him and treated her to a slow kiss that was different from Drake’s but altogether very pleasant. When he released her she sank, boneless, into her chair again and touched her lips with a shaking hand. “Oh my,” she murmured. This would be interesting…very interesting.