Arabella ignored the compliment. “Ididapproach him, sleek cat or not, and we…there was an encounter.”
“Ah!” Julia straightened up and set her teacup down. “And how was the man who has starred in every fantasy?”
“Spectacular,” Arabella admitted on a sigh. “Oh, Lord, Julia, I haven’t felt something like that in a long time. That spark, you know? When you want something so much and then you have it and it’s so perfect.”
Her sister’s expression shifted slightly and she nodded. “I see. So is the man your protector now?”
Arabella got up and went back to the sideboard. She didn’t actually need more tea, but she shuffled around like she did so she wouldn’t have to look at her sister when she said, “Er…no. Just a lover.”
“Oh, so just a night.”
“No.” Arabella still didn’t turn. “I think I’ll play with him a while longer.”
“Arabella!”
She had to face Julia now and found her sister on her feet, hand clutched around a fistful of robe, dark blue eyes that were so like Arabella’s own wide with surprise.
“Youare the one who ground the rules of engagement into Evelina and me,” Julia said. “Who told us both that it was a risk to play without protection. That it could reduce your value on the courtesan’s market and set a poor precedent. And now you’re considering taking a lover for more than just a night of fun? One who isn’t in an arrangement with you?”
Hearing it said out loud in that tone with that shocked and slightly judgmental expression was like cold water on the heat of her night. Arabella folded her arms. “I have never been without a protector since the first few months after I started in the life. I have a sterling reputation that I’ve worked hard to cultivate amongst the courtesans and the gentlemen. Since I’m between gentlemen at present, why shouldn’t I have a little something for me? A treat.”
Julia rubbed a hand over her face. “I think you deserve all the treats in the world. All the fun and pleasure and anything else you want. And I know this man has captivated you for years. I just worry, Arabella. Our lives are on a knife’s edge. One wrong step and the entire thing can come down around us. You’ve worked too hard and sacrificed too much to deserve that to happen to you. Even if he has the nicest cock in all of England.”
Arabella choked out a laugh at her younger sister’s rare foray into the vulgar. “Itisa very nice cock.” She shook her head. “I know what you’re saying. I understand the worry. But I…I want him, Julia. And he says he won’t be here long, so I think I need to do this. Just have something for me for a little while. What could it be? A few days, a few weeks? Before the Season is half-over I’ll be back beckoning them to my side, deciding whose company will best provide for me. For us.”
Julia was quiet a moment and then she nodded. “You always know best, Arabella. I know you’ll be careful.”
“I will. And now I’m going to bed because I’m exhausted.” She stepped to her sister and enveloped her in a hard hug. “You are a darling love for reminding me of the rules. I know I need to follow them and I will again. I promise I know my path.”
But as she parted from Julia and slipped away to go up to her chamber, Arabella ignored the nagging voice that told her her sister’s fears were correct. That she might know the rules but that she was thwarting them. And that it could end in heartbreak and ruin for her if she wasn’t very, very careful.
CHAPTER6
Silas rolled over in his bed and opened one eye. Apparently he hadn’t closed the curtains when he staggered home at dawn and the bright afternoon sunshine was flooding in. He lifted a hand to block it with a curse. He felt hungover even though he had hardly drunk a drop. No, it was something else that made him feel like he’d been addled last night.
It was her.Arabella.
He moved to his back and stared up at the ceiling as he propped a hand behind his head. God, but she had been magnificent. He could still feel the grip of her, hear the sweet, husky sound when she came. That had been magic and he didn’t want to be let loose from the spell. Not yet.
There was a light knock at his door and he groaned as he thew the covers more fully over himself to hide the half-erection that had begun to bloom at thoughts of her.
“What is it?” he barked out.
The door opened to reveal the household butler, Poole. Silas hardly knew him, for he’d only just let the place upon his arrival back in London. The man always looked at him like he was something he barely tolerated and there was little different about him now as he sniffed at Silas’s state and then said, “My apologies, sir, but you’ve received a missive from the Marquess of Pentaghast.”
The servant arched a brow and Silas grunted. The message was clear. One of his betters had called for him and he had best get in line.
“Mybrother, you mean,” he said sharply. “The marquess, mybrother.”
“Yes, sir,” Poole said with a slight incline of his head. He continued to stand at the door with his little silver tray and his judgmental face.
Silas threw the covers back and strode, fully naked, to the man. Poole made a little sound of surprise and threw his gaze toward the ceiling. Good, at least he could shock the bastard.
He snatched the note and broke the seal to read the message.
Join me for supper. Eight tonight.
That was all there was to the note aside from his brother’s mark. The mark of the title, not the man. Silas was put to mind of being summoned by his father years ago and only barely controlled a full-body shudder.
