He drew his brows together, and she finally understood. Relief filled her that he didn’t regret making love to her; he felt guilty about the Hellfire Club. She wished she could tell him that she knew about Cherise Foxton and understood why he’d done what he’d done, but she had to talk to Charlie first.
If I have to keep up the pretense to protect the man I love, I will,she vowed.
“Did you have a bad night?” she ventured.
He gave a tight nod. “It was bloody awful. It reminded me of who I used to be, and I…I am ashamed of that man. He is not good enough for you.”
“You are not that man any longer. You’ve changed,” she argued. “And it doesn’t matter anyway because I love the man that you’ve always been when you’re with me. I love your strength, your good heart, the way you protect me and order me around.”
Wonder glittered in his gaze.
Clearing his throat, he said, “Like being ordered around, do you?”
“Only when we’re making love,” she clarified. “In bed, I do not mind being the novice. In life, however, I want us to be partners.”
“You are not the only novice, you know.”
She tilted her head.
“It is true that I have more experience in bedroom matters than you. But when it comes to love,reallove, the kind that owns and completes you, that perseveres and never fails…” He tucked a tress behind her ear, his knuckles brushing tenderly against her cheek. “It turns out that I am a novice too.”
33
Later that afternoon, Livy convened with Charlie and the other Angels in the study. Charlie was sitting at her desk, the Angels clustered in the chairs on the other side. They were discussing the information Charlie’s surveillance had yielded last night.
“Stamford may be the weakest link,” Charlie said. “He was not at the club last eve, and Edgecombe, Thorne, and Bollinger seem to think he has developed cold feet. They whispered amongst themselves that one of Stamford’s clients, a rising opera singer, died a few days ago.”
“Because of the Devil’s Bliss?” Livy asked with a shudder.
Charlie nodded. “Edgecombe, Thorne, and Bollinger did not admit it, of course. Greed is the North Star of their moral compass, and they’ve convinced themselves that it is not the drug that is the killer, but some ‘unfortunate predisposition’ possessed by their dead clients.”
“They are blaming the victims?” Glory said in appalled tones.
“Rather convenient for them,” Fiona remarked. “Should we approach Stamford?”
“We could, but he will likely not tell us much.” Charlie looked at Livy.
Before leaving this morning, Ben had given Livy a brief summary of what he’d learned, and she shared it now with the group.
“When I, um, was with Hadleigh last night,” Livy said, fighting back a blush, “he told me that the Horsemen are afraid of Fong and treat him like some all-knowing deity. Longmere’s death served as a warning, and I doubt Stamford would dare to betray Fong.”
Fi tilted her head. “Was Hadleigh able to discover how the supply of Devil’s Bliss is delivered to the group?”
“There hasn’t been a delivery since he’s been back in the fold.” Livy chewed on her lip, her worry for Ben surfacing. “He says he has not yet won the men’s trust. They are tolerating him because he knows too much, but they are keeping their secrets.”
A knock interrupted them. It was Hawker.
Charlie tilted her head. “Yes, what is it?”
“A guest has arrived, my lady.” The butler’s gaze shifted to Livy. “Mrs. Beatrice Murray.”
“I hope the others will not think me rude for requesting a moment alone with you,” Aunt Bea said.
“My friends are not easily offended,” Livy assured her. “Why don’t you tell me what is on your mind, Aunt Bea?”
She could tell something was bothering her aunt-in-name-only. Aunt Bea shared Ben’s exceptional looks, hers being a fair and feminine version. She was tall, willowy, and elegantly attired in a mauve carriage dress that was a perfect foil for her white-gold hair and lavender eyes that, at present, were shadowed with concern. Her smile had an edge of tautness, as did the delicate pink scar that curved over her right cheek.
“You were always perceptive, even as a little girl,” Aunt Bea said ruefully. “I shan’t shilly-shally: I am concerned about my brother and hope you can help.”
