He smiled a beautifully wicked smile and tucked her hand in his. Dragging her behind in his haste to be off.
“I’m delighted you accepted my invitation and will endeavor to make it an unforgettable night. Where to, my sweet?”
“The Black Swan.”
CHAPTER 3
HE STUMBLED TO A STOPon the last step from the terrace into the gardens. “I beg your pardon?”
“I said I want to go to The Black Swan. You promised to take me to any place I wished to visit, but could never go on my own.” The impudent baggage reminded him.
“I think I had in mind something like Cremorne Gardens, or maybe a private dinner. Not the most exclusive and notorious pleasure club in London.”
“Exclusive, uh? Are you saying you don’t have access to it?” She heaved an exaggerated sigh. “How disappointing.”
He felt his indignation rise at the implication. “For your information, I’m practically a founding member of the club. But that is not the reason I can’t take you there. You are a sheltered young lady. Do you have any idea what goes on in there?”
“I do, actually. But I’ve never experienced it. That’s why I want to go.”
He had never met a woman more capable of perplexing him. “I thought you said you didn’t want a dalliance.”
“I don’t. I just want to watch.”
A wicked smile stretched his lips as they reached the street, and he ordered his carriage to be brought around. “A little voyeur, are you? That can be enjoyable as well. Fine, let’s go, but I don’t want any maidenly vapors.”
Now she was the one indignant. “I’ve never had the vapors in my life!”
“I bet neither have you ever seen what you are about to witness,” he said as he handed her into his coach and they were off.
THE CLUB WAS NOT WHATshe had imagined. When the carriage stopped in front of an elegant house in Soho, she thought he had brought her to the wrong place. Surely this was a respectable townhouse and not a house of sin? Maybe he had tricked her and simply brought her to another ball. Or... a darker thought obscured her mind. What if he had brought her to his home, to have his wicked way with her? He had promised not to take advantage, but maybe she had been a fool to believe him. A fool to leave the ball with an unknown man.
“We are here, sweet. Having second thoughts?”
“This doesn’t look like the place,” she informed him with a frown.
“I assure you it is.”
“This looks like an elegant and thoroughly respectable residence. Is this your home? I won’t go in with you.”
He laughed. A full belly laugh, as if she had said something hilarious.
“I’m amused that you think my house would be respectable.”
“It’s not?” she asked, her eyes wide.
His laughter subsided, but he still studied her with amusement. “I’m sure it appears respectable. What goes on inside is another matter altogether. Just like this house. Trust me, once you have crossed the threshold, the impression of respectability won’t last long. Which reminds me, you need a mask and domino. Half the Ton frequents this place. If people recognize you inside, it won’t do your reputation any favors.”
She frowned and looked down at her ballgown. She had not even brought her cloak. That’s what happens when you exit a ball through the gardens instead of by the front door. “I don’t have a mask with me. And I left my cloak in Maxwell House.”
“Not a problem. The club lends those articles to the ladies who wish to remain anonymous but lacked the fore planning to bring their own. If you’ll allow me, I’ll descend, procure a mask and hooded cloak, and bring them to you.”
At her nod of approval, he jumped from the coach with athletic grace and skipped up the steps of the townhouse. From behind the curtains of the coach, she watched as he talked briefly to a burly footman who opened the door and then admitted him inside. Not two minutes later, he came back out with a beautifully decorated mask that would conceal most of her face, leaving only her mouth visible, and a dark, hooded cloak that would cover her from head to toe.
Back in the coach, he helped her put it on and then handed her down. “Ready for your adventure, princess?”
“Why do you call me that?” she asked, genuinely puzzled.
He shrugged. “You have the imperiousness of a royal princess. And I still don’t know your name.”
