She knew what would happen before it happened. She heard the tone of Marius' voice change even so slightly as he took charge and felt the shift in Pandora's mind in response as surely as a spark ignites a pitch-laden torch. She was giggling already when Pandora uttered her remark, as if she had expected or desired any other response from Marius.
Β«And will you be the one to humble him?Β» she replied to Pandora's mind, yet she was as thrilled by her plan as by the whole situation, and this, too, her sister would see in her thoughts. Pandora pulled her away, and she gave Marius a longing gaze as she was snatched from him, holding on to his hand until the grasp snapped and stretching her hand towards him as she was taken away in a swirl of movement.
The bed bounced slightly under her, and she giggled again. It was Marius' bedchamber, she noted, feeling giddy. A scent lingered in the room, something like candlewax and amber, an aroma she associated with him. The bedding was soft and luscious under her fingers. She felt the touch of Pandora's voice and her hands as she removed her shoes.
She prompted herself on her elbows, looking at her from under her eyelashes, and purred, "But if he proves himself honourable, will you let him lie with me?"
The way her sister lifted her leg made her silk dress slide down her thigh; that, along with the image of Pandora kissing her feet, should be tempting enough to lure Marius into their game, if he wasn't on board already.
"My lord, I yearn for you," she proclaimed, speaking to Marius on the other side of the door when she heard him close. "Will you brave the trials of my guardian, as you promised?"