Boss’s orders.Elizabeth rolled her eyes.She knew Matthew had given in too easily earlier when she had insisted he needn’t wait for her.She looked down at her watch fob.Five o’clock.He was probably already preparing the club for guests this evening or he would have been here himself.The man was so managing.“Alright, then.I hope you don’t mind a brisk pace.I don’t stroll.”
Back at the Blue Angel, she headed up the back stairs to Matthew’s wing.She could hear the noise of voices and the click of glasses drifting up from downstairs.She put away her hat and satchel and then made her way to the sitting room in search of Robert and Mrs.Todd.When she walked in, she found Robert sitting on the floor across from Stella.Three rows of cards lay face down between them.
Mrs.Todd sat in a chair nearby with her stitching in her lap.She rose to her feet.“Glad you’re back safe.”
“Mr.Reeves made sure of that by sending one of his men to walk me home,” she replied.
Mrs.Todd nodded with approval.“Well, now that you’re back, I will just go down to the kitchen and see about getting some supper for Robert.The two of them have been playing cards for a good hour now.”She set her stitching on the small side table and left to go find Big Ben.
“Hello there.”Elizabeth approached the pair on the floor with a smile.“What are you playing?You’re not teaching him to gamble, are you?”It was only partially a jest.Stella seemed like a sweet girl, but she didn’t know much about her.What had it been like to grow up in Lord Griffen’s house?What had made her come to find Matthew?She should be having her season out in society.Wasn’t that what all young girls of quality dreamt of?
“Hullo, mama.We are playing a matching game.”Robert gestured to the cards.“I am very good at it.”
Stella grinned.“You are a very clever boy.He knows all his numbers and has a keen memory.He would make an excellent sharp.”
“Don’t tease her, Stella.”Matthew’s deep voice came from across the room.
Elizabeth turned as he strolled into the room.He looked so handsome in his burgundy vest over a crisp white shirt.His black jacket lay folded over one arm.His curly dark hair fell over his brow, and she wished she could push her fingers through it.A small smile turned up his full lips.How often had she seen him grin?A real smile that would crack his expression wide open?Perhaps just once, when they’d both been naked.A blush warmed her cheeks.Did he ever laugh?Did she for that matter?There was not much time for frivolity in her busy days.Matthew worked as hard as she to run his successful business and she admired that.What a pair they made.No, not a pair.That couldn’t be.Could it?
She turned her attention back to the game on the floor.“What’s a sharp?”she asked.
Stella’s laugh rang out.Matthew’s sister certainly had no trouble finding joy in the small things.“I was just teasing.A sharp is a cheater.Someone who is clever enough to see the patterns and take advantage of the house.”
“Oh.”She crouched down next to Robert.“Show me how your game works.”
“You flip over two cards and see if the numbers match.If not, then it’s the other person’s turn.But you have to remember what numbers are where so that you can find pairs when it’s your turn again.I have found threes, sixes, and queens so far.The Q is for queen, Stella said.”
Stella nodded.“We have played several rounds, and he is very good at finding pairs.”
“Thank you for entertaining him this afternoon.”
“Oh, it’s been fun.”Stella’s expression sobered.She tilted her head toward Robert.“I heard all about the break-in at your place.”
“Did you?”She ran a hand over Robert’s hair.“Are you still feeling scared about last night, darling?”
He looked up from the cards.“A little.Was anything stolen from my room?”
“No, nothing was taken from your room.Mr.Reeves had a new strong lock put on the back door.We should be very safe again.”
“And I brought you some friends from your room.”Matthew crossed to the table in the corner and scooped up the bag of toy soldiers he’d brought from her house.He handed it to Robert, and the joy that lit her son’s face was priceless.
“My soldiers!And they were all there?”
“All accounted for, but I didn’t bring the lot.Some stayed behind to keep watch.”
“Good thinking.”Robert rooted through the bag.“Thank you, Mr.Reeves.”
Matthew’s eyes crinkled with mirth.“My pleasure.”
“Mama, will we go home already?I like it here.It’s very busy with lots of people around.Not quiet, like our place.”
“No.”She met Matthew’s gaze over her son’s head.“I think we will stay for a few days at least.”
His eyes warmed as he stared at her.She wished to see them melt.Her desire to be wrapped in his embrace, to feel his lips scorch her skin, flared low in her belly.She licked her lips and watched his gaze drop to her mouth.Her cheeks heated in response.She rose to her feet, breaking eye contact before she burst into flames.
“That’s wonderful!”Stella exclaimed.“Will you come to see my show tonight?You never got a chance to see me sing last time you were here.”
“Um, yes.I would be glad to.Did you have singing lessons growing up?”Elizabeth settled on the settee.
