“Oh come now—”
“Men have the control, sir.” She cut Hampton off. “Women have none, and men like it that way because if the opposite were true, they would not cope with the fact that women are in fact the superior species.”
Zach wanted to see her face and the fire that was now in her eyes. The woman was in a towering rage was his guess, and he was desperate to get close to her. He needed to know the color of those eyes and if her lips were bow-shaped or the top one heavy. What color was her hair?
Hampton laughed along with the other men at the table. Only Zach, Plunge and Madame Lucienne did not.
“You cannot be serious. Clearly a woman needs a man to direct her, or she will be lost,” Hampton said.
“Don’t you live with your parents, Hampton?” Zach asked.
“Of course,” he said, like that was obvious.
“So your mother runs your household. Your staff feed you and ensure your life flows smoothly, most of whom are women. What is it you actually do, Hampton?”
The silence that settled at the table after Zach’s words was so loud, others seated nearby looked their way.
“I am a man!” Hampton stated loudly. “As such it is a woman’s job to see to my needs.”
Madame Lucienne spat out a volley of French insults before rising. “Excuse me, I shall return shortly.”
Zach watched her leave. Back stiff, skirts of her dress swinging seductively.
“Hampton, you are an idiot,” Zach said as they continued playing. “Perhaps if I may suggest, in the future, you actually think before speaking, or I fear your mother will have to run your life until she is well into her dotage because no woman will have you.”
“I say, sir, that was harsh,” Plunge said. “Hampton—”
“Plunge.” Zach raised his hand. “Not now if you please. I came to play cards, not verbally spar with idiots.”
After a lot of muttering, they started to play again. Several hands later, Madame Lucienne had not returned.
“I’ll bid you good evening, gentleman!” Plunge roared. He then fell off his chair.
Zach got out of his to help him rise. “Need me to support you out to your carriage, Plunge?”
“No indeed! I am quite steady on my feet!” He tottered away, colliding into patrons as he went.
Zach stuck his finger in his ear and shook to stop the ringing. The man couldn’t speak in a normal tone if his life depended on it.
“I too will leave,” Zach said. He gave a short bow and followed Plunge.
Where was Madame Lucienne?
“Have you seen Madame Lucienne, Mr. Thompkins?” Zach asked as Plunge walked out the door.
“She has left, sir.”
Zach felt a stab of disappointment. He got his hat and coat and left too. There were no carriages on the street. No sign of either Plunge or Madame Lucienne.
Which was probably just as well. That woman was far too intriguing.
He decided on walking home. Yes, it was late, and yes, likely there were more nefarious people about lurking in dark corners. But Zach could look after himself, and he felt a need to ease some of the excess energy that consumed him.
“Madame Lucienne,” Zach said slowly. He hadn’t been that interested in a woman for quite some time. Smiling, he thought perhaps tomorrow he would investigate her and see if he could locate where she was staying. Then he’d find a way to lure her into his bed.
CHAPTERTWO
“Why is it you are still in your dressing gown at such an hour?”
