God help him, he wished he'd been a better man.
Evangeline's darkened lashes lowered. When she raised them, her eyes were as hard and cold as jade. "I need blunt, lover, an' I'll do whate'er it takes to get it." Reaching to the bar, she picked up her bag and untied the strings. "Anything you want, Hunt. For old time's sake."
25
Holdingup the veil that covered her bonnet, Percy made a polite curtsy and said, "'Tis a pleasure to see you again, Mr. Stewart."
"Back again, are you?" Hunt's partner, a giant of a man, looked her up and down and grunted. She'd met him in passing at her previous visits to the club, and he hadn't been any friendlier then. "What are you wantin' this time?"
So much for niceties. "I'd like to see Mr. Hunt, if I may," she said. "I shan't bother him long. My chaperone thinks I'm on an errand at the apothecary's."
"As a matter o' fact, nowisa good time to see Hunt," the man said suddenly. "I'll show you the way myself."
She smiled at him. Perhaps she'd misread his reaction to her—Gavin had said that his mentor tended toward surliness. "I'd appreciate that ever so much, sir."
He led her through the club. When they reached a closed door at the end of the hall, something close to a smile curved his lips. "Seein' as you're old friends, there's no need to knock. Go ahead an' show yourself in."
"Thank you, Mr. Stewart—" she began.
But his long strides had taken him halfway down the hall.What an odd man.Pursing her lips, she reached for the brass knob and pushed the door open.
She saw Gavin standing by the bar. He was casually dressed in shirtsleeves, without a cravat... and he was not alone. A woman in a scandalous red gown sat on a stool next to him. The two were so absorbed in conversation that they did not notice her standing there. As Percy watched, blood rushing in her ears, the doxy upended a bag, raining an assortment of objects onto the polished wood. Chains, rope... a pair of cuffs?
"I've brought your favorite toys, lover," the woman said, running her bare fingertips over his chest. "What say we 'ave ourselves a l'il game?"
Gavin took the hand—and removed it. A look of distaste crossed his features. "If it's money you need, Evangeline, say so," he said curtly.
The woman—Evangeline—tossed her brassy curls. "I won't be indebted to you or any man. 'Tis an exchange I'm after... and you want what I 'ave to offer." Leaning forward, she reached between his thighs.
"Get your hands off of him."
The words exploded from Percy. Both Gavin and the other woman jerked in surprise as she marched toward them. Unfamiliar fury boiled in her veins, and she could scarcely think.
"Who the bloody 'ell are you?" Evangeline said with narrowed eyes.
"I. Am. With. Him." Percy stabbed a gloved finger in Gavin's direction. He was staring at her, wariness edging his blunt features.
"You and 'im?" Snorting, the tart had the temerity to eye her up and down. "Hunt needs more than a milk-faced miss to satisfy 'is particular appetites."
"That's enough," Gavin said in a taut voice. "Get out, Evangeline."
Percy glowered at him. "What appetites?"
With a superior smile, the trollop waved toward the counter. "See for yourself." She slid from her stool, sauntering toward the door. "Oh, and a word o' advice, luvie,"—she flung the words over her shoulder—"give 'im a struggle before 'e ties you up. The gent likes 'is wenches with a bit o' sauce."
The door slammed behind Evangeline, and Percy rounded on Gavin. Her breath rushed in and out of her lungs, unaccustomed rage pounding in her heart. All her life, she'd been known for her sunny nature; at the moment, she felt like thunderclouds ripe for a storm.
Hunt eyed her, rubbing the back of his neck. "That wasn't what it looked like."
Of all theasininethings to say. "So thatwasn'ta strumpet hanging all over you?" she said through clenched teeth.Who is she? You're supposed to be mine.
He took a step toward her, but she moved out of his reach. "She is no one to concern yourself over," he said in stark tones. "Percy, come here."
"I willnot. Not until you tell me what is going on." Her throat tight, she said, "Don't lie to me—are you… involved with her?"
He cursed. In the next moment, he moved quick as lightning and snatched her up. A squeak left her as he hauled her onto the bar, his hands planting on either side of her hips. Face-to-face, his gaze bored into hers.
"Evangeline and I had an arrangement at one time. But that is over," he said. "It has been over ever since I met you."
