Hux groaned against the other man’s lips and then gently shifted Zara to lie between them, facing Richard. The world began to melt as both their hands smoothed over her naked flesh and each other’s, awakening her desire all over again, as if it hadn’t been slaked so recently. And as she sank into the pleasure of it all, she pushed away the soft confessions she had made about her past with Hux. And the nagging sense of discomfort that perhaps she was going to lose something if she didn’t change the dynamic between them.
CHAPTER11
Richard
The next week passed in a blur. Richard woke every morning to the sight of these two remarkable people in his bed. Often with one or both of them teasing him to completion or giving each other pleasure while he watched or joined. They fucked in every room in his house, loudly enough that the servants stopped making eye contact. They also shared meals and laughs, walks in the countryside around his estate and picnics by the lake where they fished.
He shook the memories from his head as he sat up straighter at his desk and stretched his back. He’d left Zara and Hux upstairs an hour before, sleeping off another night of endless passion, and come down to catch up on some estate work he’d pushed from his mind during their stay. But now the books were balanced and the bills were paid, as well as Peyton’s questions about some household matters answered. The butler was well-trained not to show emotion, but Richard had heard the lilt to his tone when he’d asked, “And how long will Mr. Huxley and Miss Cooper remain with us, sir?”
Richard hated that he didn’t know the answer. None of them ever brought up their staying even though their agreed upon time together had passed already. To Richard’s frustration none of them ever brought upanysubject that was too deep. He had already made his confessions about his past and Zara hers. But Hux remained closed off, slightly separated, at least emotionally, from Richard. Did he give of his body? Oh yes. But his heart remained unreachable.
It frustrated Richard, but he could see there were moments when ithurtZara. It was obvious that she longed for more, yet never reached for it. He could understand why, after what she’d been through, the life she’d led. But he was becoming very invested in her happiness. In her future.
He sighed and pushed to his feet. Perhaps it was time to stop being cowardly and simply speak to both of them about this. Peyton’s question left an open door to press and see where they all stood. See where the future might lay.
He was about to exit his study when there was a light knock on the door and then Peyton reappeared. “I beg your pardon, sir, but you have a caller.”
“A caller?” Richard repeated. “Who?”
Peyton handed over the card. It read,Gilbert Wren, Investigator. Richard’s brow wrinkled. “An investigator?”
Peyton inclined his head. “So he says, sir. He implies he has questions for you about a case he is involved in. I might have simply sent him away as you have been…er…busy the past few days, but he seems the kind of man who cannot be deterred.”
Richard came back around his desk and set the card down there. “Send him in. I’ll manage him.” He worried his lip as Peyton made his way out the door. “Peyton,” he called out, and the butler turned. “Are Zara and Huxley up yet?”
“I do not know for certain, sir,” Peyton said, again not revealing anything of his thoughts on the matter. “They do not often ring the bell for any of the servants. But I do believe I heard them moving around in your chamber a short time ago.”
Richard nodded. “Thank you. That will be all.”
Peyton left to get his guest and Richard sat down at his desk, staring at the investigator’s card yet again. He had a hard time believing that the man would be here over something Richard had done or seen. His life before Zara and Hux had been rather mundane. He had no enemies, he had witnessed no crimes.
But the two in his bed could certainly be the subject of an investigation. And a chill ran up his spine at that idea just as Peyton returned to his study, a tall, handsome man at his heels. A man with intelligent eyes that darted all around Richard’s study before settling on him, pinning him.
“Mr. Wren, sir.” Peyton inclined his head and left them.
Richard looked his new companion up and down. He did not rise, nor offer his hand in greeting before he said, “Good afternoon, Mr. Wren.”
“Mr. Fitzroy,” Wren said softly. “A pleasure to make your acquaintance.”
“As it is yours,” Richard said, and waved Wren to a chair across from his. Wren took it and leaned back, still observing in a most startling way. “I’m afraid I do not understand the purpose of your visit, sir. Your card says you are an investigator. Since we are not acquainted previously, one must assume you are here on some sort of official business. What are you investigating?”
“You are correct, sir. I do come to you in the capacity of my profession. As for my investigation, it is more about who I’m investigating rather than what.” Wren held his gaze evenly. “And who I am investigating are Peregrine Huxley and Zara Cooper.”
* * *
Hux
Hux and Zara came down the hallway together, his hand at her back, reveling in the warmth of her just as much when they walked as he had when he’d been buried balls deep in her flexing body not twenty minutes before. Being near her was the key pleasure of his life. And that was becoming a clearer and clearer reality in this house, with Richard involved.
Hux didn’t know how to handle that. He’d kept everyone in his life at arm’s length for such a long time. It was for protection of them as much as for himself. But now he felt the tug of longing toward her. Not for her body, but for her heart. For Richard’s heart. It could only end in tears, he knew. After all, he had never belonged with people like them. He wasn’t educated, he wasn’t posh. He was a trifle, and he’d built walls around himself for a long time so that that fact wouldn’t ever cause him pain.
But he ignored all that for now. For now they were simply coming down to find Richard. Perhaps they’d share a lazy, late meal and then go back to bed for more exploration of pleasure. Or they’d walk the grounds, hands tangling, laughter echoing, and he could pretend, if only for a while, that this was real, not some dreamy fantasy.
As they reached Richard’s study door, Hux noted it was partly open. He heard voices from within. Richard’s, which he knew so well now. But another man’s, too. At first he thought it might be the butler, Peyton, but as they got closer, he could tell from the tone that it wasn’t. It was someone who concerned Richard—Hux heard the strain in his voice.
He stopped, moving toward the wall as they came closer. He looked back and Zara and found she looked as concerned as he was.Who is that?she mouthed, nodding her head toward the study door.
He shook his head and lifted a finger to his lips, encouraging her silence. She rolled her eyes, a message to him that this wasn’t the first time she’d snuck around eavesdropping on people. He smiled at her, despite his increasing concern, and then edged up to the door so he could listen.
