Bounty Under the Table (The Baron and the Peasant Bride #2)

MALE POWER PLAY – JUS PRIMAE NOCTIS

WHEN THE BARON INVOKES HIS RIGHT TO THE BRIDE'S FIRST NIGHT...

On the first part of the series, the Baron, Laurent Fabian Deschamps, claimed his right to a simple peasant girl, Alaina Duvre's first night. He witnessed her husband's cruelty and wanted to give him a lesson.

But now they have arrived at his château and she was about to go out to dinner in the hall with him. Bringing with her the experience of her first sexual climax after teaching her a few things on the way, she anticipates about what it will be like for her first night with the Baron. Or will there be a few more lessons to follow before he enacts jus primae noctis – his right to her first night?

The truth is, she can't wait. She's also scared.

He is giving her a beautiful gift. Will it be the only beautiful thing in her life after this?

WARNING: erotic description of love scenes in the story... for mature readers only.

EXCERPT

He nodded, looking pensive. “And had my father been an unfair lord?”

She shook her head. “There had been some late payments, but I think it was because he was mostly absent. But as long as the peasants paid their due, he did not bother us nor took more than our yearly taxes.”

“Did he ever ask for a first night from any of the village maidens?”

She stared, but he was smiling, and she realized he was not serious about the question. She felt her cheeks coloring. “The Baron jests,” she said as she lowered her gaze to the table.

“Call me Laurent. Not my Lord or Baron.”

At first, she thought she was mistaken in what she had heard. But when she realized by his expression that she heard him right, she was stunned. “My Lord!” she exclaimed. “But that is improper!”

“Not when I say it isn’t.”

“B-But why?”

He thought for a minute. “I imagine that when I have a wife, I want her to treat me as an equal... someone she will not have to be afraid of. I want you to feel like that. I brought you here to give your husband a lesson and to teach you how it is like when a husband cares for a wife. Do you understand, ma bichette?”

She gulped, feeling a wave of bittersweet feelings at the realization that he was aware and was truly giving her a gift. “I understand,” she replied in a soft whisper. “Thank you very much, Laurent.”

“Why do you look sad?”

She was surprised by the question, but knowing the answer, she tried to hide her face. “I am not really sad, my Lord.”

“Look at me, ma bichette.”

“Yes, my— Lo-Laurent?” she stammered, correcting herself at the last minute.

He stared at her for a moment, not speaking. And then suddenly, he leaned. The distance allowed for his hand to reach for her face. He tilted her chin so their eyes could meet.

“Allow me to indulge on an exercise,” he said.

“Yes, my L-Laurent.” She was going to say ‘my lord’ again, but the last minute change made it ‘my Laurent’, again. It made her cheeks burn when he smiled at that, too, which meant he knew and was teasing her about it.

And then he sighed, lowered his head, and he kissed her open mouth.