“Fucking hell,” he cursed, and dragged a shaking hand down to the placard of his trousers. He was to meet Barber before the gathering so they could strategize, but there was going to be none of that until he took care of this pulsing desire the only way he could, or should.
He unfastened himself with a flick of his wrist and his cock pushed free of the confines of the fabric. He was already hard, at attention, and he let out a breath of relief at no longer being constricted. He stroked a thumb over his head, wetting himself a little with precome. The sensation of skin on skin forced a hissing breath from his throat, and he scooted lower in his chair so that he was slouched. He spit on his hand and reached for himself again.
He began to stroke, trying to focus on the pleasure, not let his mind wander. He didn’t want to think about Selina and her warm body rubbing against his, seeking release. Seeking exactly what was hard in his hand right now. He didn’t want to think about dragging her down onto the floor of the orangery and shoving her skirts around her waist. He didn’t want to think about holding her down with one hand while he licked her until she screamed and twitched.
He didn’t want to think about gliding his hard cock deep inside her body, grinding deep inside of her until she spasmed around him and milked him dry.
“Fuck,” he muttered, because of course he was already thinking all those things. Pleasure grew, spreading up his cock, through his balls, making him weightless and effortless as he jerked harder, harder, imagining Selina Oliver in the most depraved positions. Imagining her pleasure as he took her, claimed her, made her say his name before she could come.
And then the pleasure peaked, swift and powerful, and he groaned outhername as he came, covering the tip of himself so that he didn’t stain his trousers.
He sat there for what felt like a lifetime, too sluggish from pleasure to get up and put himself back together. At least that was done. It would mute whatever desire still burned in his veins for this unexpected woman he could not want. Should not pursue. Certainly shouldn’t kiss.
He would be focused now. And that would be the end of it.
He pushed to his feet at last and tucked himself back in. He washed his hands in the small basin and then smoothed his hair and straightened his jacket. With a sigh, he headed out of the chamber and downstairs to the parlor where the party would gather shortly. He found Barber waiting for him, and he turned as Derrick entered.
“You are never late,” Barber said with a laugh. “I was going to send out a search party.”
“It was five minutes,” Derrick muttered, perhaps with less good nature than his friend’s teasing required. He hadn’t told Barber about the kiss. He had no intention of doing so.
Barber wrinkled his brow at the sharp response, then shrugged. “The others will be here soon. Should we discuss our strategy?”
Derrick shook off his ill humor and nodded. “Yes. But one moment.” He moved back to the door and checked the hallway. As Barber watched him, he crossed to the window and checked it, as well. Once burned, twice shy, after all.
“You can never be too careful,” Barber said.
Derrick shrugged. “Apparently not. But we seem to be in the clear.” He did not addthis time, though those words rang in his head and reminded him, once again, of Selina. He cleared his throat and returned to business. “With Lord and Lady Winford’s arrival tomorrow, the investigation will take on a more urgent tenor. We need to be organized. What are your thoughts on the party so far? Do you have any suspicions?”
“Based on our guidelines that the thief must have some level of access to Society, some way to move within their circles without being suspected and someone who is also here…” Barber pulled a notebook from his pocket. “I still think Mr. Grimes is a potential.”
“I agree,” Derrick said, pleased to be back in the game. “When I sat beside him at supper last night, he was…well, he wasn’t my favorite person. Now he might have been rude because of my station in comparison to his own…”
“You’re both grandsons of earls,” Barber said with a shrug. “He has little room to judge.”
“Perhaps, but that never stops them,” Derrick said. “You know that more than most.”
Barber gave a wry smile. “I’ll give you that. We’ll keep a closer look on Mr. Grimes, and perhaps we can have Roseford give a little nudge to make him friendlier.”
Derrick shifted. “The next name on my list is going to be more complicated, especially when it comes to our host.” He lowered his voice a little and whispered, “I wonder if we must look closer at the Duke of Sheffield.”
“I thought the same thing, though I hate it,” Barber said with a shake of his head. “I sat near the duke and duchess at supper last night, as you know, and they are charming companions. They’re kind and clearly in love with each other.”
“But Sheffield’s financial problems are at least somewhat well-known. I’ve heard whispers that Lord and Lady Winford were invited here because Sheffield wanted to discuss an investment with the earl.”
“That is the saving grace,” Barber said. “Sheffield was very open about how he’s working with Grayson Danford on a number of projects. Danford’s canals made a good deal of money in the last few years, Sheffield was in with him from the start.”
Derrick nodded slowly. “So he’s rebuilding his fortune by what appears to be legitimate means.”
“That seems to be the case,” Barber agreed. “So while I wouldn’t remove him from our list of suspects, he has exactly the access the Fox would need and a motive for taking jewels of value. But I’d move him lower on the list.”
“I spoke to some of the staff, as well,” Derrick said. “With a little persuasion…”
“Payment?” Barber teased.
Derrick laughed. “It’s the client’s money, not mine. But yes, greasing a few palms never hurt anyone. A few seemed uncertain about the footman of Squire Barton Filligrew. I had the impression, without pushing so hard that I aroused suspicion of my own, that he has some odd habits and movements.”
Barber wrinkled his brow. “A squire could very well have been invited to the events where items were stolen. And his footman would certainly be able to sneak in without much notice. I have the guest lists we compiled from the previous events where items were taken. I’ll cross check, though you know it isn’t perfect.”
