“You still do not trust me,” the other woman noted stiffly. “My dear, it is rather vital to my business to ensure that my clients and guests are provided with their greatest desires. Their most secret, covert,unexploreddesires. In truth, your gentleman may not yet be aware of his darkest needs. ButIknow. You see…I watch people. Study them. I can detect what they most desperately try to deny themselves.” There was only a hint of smugness in her voice as she added, “It is a rare gift that—over the years—I’ve cultivated to a fine art. I am very rarely wrong about such things.”
For some reason, the woman’s explanation sent a trickle of trepidation down Charlotte’s spine. “So… I would be giving him what he needs?” she asked. “That is not exactly what I had in mind.”
The Black Widow laughed softly but richly. “You want him brought low before you, do you not?”
Charlotte recalled the vitriol in his eyes and the firm grasp of his hands as he so rudely set her aside at the ball. She also recalled the hot rush of physical awareness which had claimed her body before embarrassment had chased it away.
“Is it so terrible that you might bring him some satisfaction in the process of claiming your own?”
Charlotte considered that question carefully. The idea that he might enjoy being under her command was even more stirring than the prospect of revenge alone. Could she have both?
“I’m not exactly sure I know what I’m expected to do,” Charlotte confessed.
“You will,” Mrs. Dove-Lyon assured softly. “You are bold. Intuitive. I wouldn’t have arranged this if I didn’t believe you capable. The next hour will be what you make of it, darling. There are no requirements of you beyond that which you desire. You will never be in danger. I will not allow you to be hurt in any way.” She tilted her head. “You will be in command of every experience that occurs in that room, but you must be sensitive to his limits. Do you understand?”
Charlotte was quite sure she didn’t. But as she eyed herself in the mirror once again, something elemental rushed through her. Starting as a tingle in her toes and fingertips, it whooshed through her blood, igniting a deep visceral anticipation. She could do this.
Chapter Six
Ralston stood inthe center of a small salon. Waiting. Impatiently.
After spending an inordinate amount of time arguing with the bouncer in the gaming hall, he’d finally been shown to this small salon. Jarret had not accompanied him. His presence was unnecessary anyway, since the fool had no way to cover his ridiculous debt.
Stunned at how deep his cousin had managed to dig himself in such a short time, Ralston briefly considered leaving the man to his fate. But he knew his duty to the family. His father had made sure of it. He had no choice but to rescue Jarret from his mischief yet again.
Finally, the salon door opened and Mrs. Dove-Lyon entered. He’d heard enough about the Lyon’s Den owner to know it was her even though he’d never met her. Dressed in black from head to toe, a veil carefully concealing her face, she approached him in a purposeful stride.
“Good evening, Lord Redington. I’ve had the young Lord Balcomb ejected from the club,” she continued without further preamble. “A reliable escort will ensure your cousin’s safe return home, but he shall no longer be welcome at the Lyon’s Den.”
Ralston frowned. He would’ve preferred to see to Jarret himself. The subtle tilt of the woman’s head suggested that he was expected to be grateful for the interference. Instead of uttering a thank you, he asked, “Exactly how much was he indebted to you?”
There was a stretched moment of silence as Mrs. Dove-Lyon stared back at him. Then she issued a soft sound that may have been a sigh and slowly walked past him to take a seat in one of the four chairs set around a small gaming table.
Turning to face her more squarely, Ralston was about to repeat the question when she spoke first. “You are frequently required to intervene and manage the concerns of your family,” she stated simply. “Not only for Lord Balcomb, but for your many other cousins, as well.”
Ralston frowned. How did she know that? He was also careful to handle family issues discreetly. The whole point was to keep such things from becoming common knowledge. He’d have to do better.
Since her words had not been offered as a question, he did not feel obliged to answer, though he was unclear why she’d brought up the issue.
“It must be…tiresome,” the lady continued gently, “to be the one they all rely on. To be forced into such a role where you must always be the one in control. The responsible one always at the mercy of your obligations to others. The one with the answers. The one everyone expects to take action on their behalf.”
Her words held an odd, soothing intonation and he felt himself becoming mesmerized by the flow of her voice. With a sharp clearing of his throat, he broke free.
“It is my responsibility,” he replied stiffly, wishing to move the conversation along so he could pay the woman and be gone.
“Yes, of course,” she agreed with a wave of her hand. “Your loyalty and respect for your family is clearly inexhaustible, mylord. But I wonder if you offer yourself the same freedom you provide your family.”
Ralston cleared his throat. The conversation was not making any sense. “I don’t—”
“I’m talking about the freedom to let go. The freedom to simply hand over their troubles. To offer complete trust in someone else’s ability to take care of matters.”
Though her comments triggered a discomfiting resonance inside him, he shook his head. It was late and he was tired. The lady was clearly having trouble staying focused on the matter at hand. “Mrs. Dove-Lyon, I’d like to see this matter concluded, if you don’t mind. How much do I owe?”
Though he couldn’t see it, he got the distinct impression that the lady smiled. Then she rose to her feet. “I have decided not to accept a monetary payment. Instead, you shall settle your cousin’s debt by giving me an hour of your time.”
“That is not—”
“That is exactly what you agreed to, my lord,” she interrupted as she started for the door. “The contract you signed upon entering this club gave me sole authority to decide how debts incurred within these walls are settled.” She stopped with her hand in the door and turned back to him, as if waiting for an acknowledgment of his compliance.
