She would not consider him, especially if it was because of his family that she fled. Then again, if anything, his family had proven that when there was love then rank and professions mean little. At least, it hadn’t mattered for his sisters. They had married wealthy men who supported them. As for his older brother, Demetrius, the solicitor, well he had inherited a home in Seaford from a former client, therefore he and Lavinia would live quite comfortably. Orlando could not offer the same, even if she did not mind being associated with the Valentines. His home had two bedrooms, parlor, dining room and kitchen, above his medical practice in Covent Garden. Hardly the place for a wife who had been raised by a duke.
Then again, it was better than living in a tent while she followed the drum.
Except, that had been a temporary situation, his home was not.
Blythe had taken up residence in her brother’s home in Mayfair, a neighborhood that he could never afford so it was unlikely she would…
Blythe lived in her brother’s home, then why had she remained at Athena’s Salon after it closed?
Was there work that she needed to see completed before she could leave?
Orlando stopped on the walk, turned and marched back. How could he have left her there to make her way home alone at this time of night?
What if she had already left? Did he follow to make certain that she arrived safely?
As he neared the former home where Athena’s Salon now stood, he slowed his steps, noting that every room on the ground floor was dark.
She had already left.
Had she taken a hackney? Or maybe a trusted driver had waited for her.
Uncertain what to do, he looked down the street. Should he hire a hackney to make certain that she made it home safe?
At the squeak of a gate, Orlando became even more alert and turned to find George, the footman, exiting Athena’s Salon from the lower level.
“Dr. Valentine, did you forget something inside?” he asked.
“I was concerned for Lady Blythe,” he answered. “It just occurred to me that there was no one to see her home at this hour.”
“It is not necessary,” George answered. “When Lady Blythe is the manager for the night, she stays in the set of rooms above stairs and I can assure you that there are enough guards and servants to see to her safety.”
Orlando stepped back and looked up at the house to note that one corner room on the first floor did indeed have lamps or candles burning inside.
“Thank you, George. I will rest easier knowing she is safe.” He then tipped his hat and turned to again make his way home.
If Blythe slept at Athena’s Salon, it would make it much easier to remain until everyone had left then find a way into her bedchamber where he had every intention of seducing her.
As for his other intentions, he would give them further thought at a later time.
Chapter Twenty-One
The hour was late when Blythe awakened from her slumber. Of course, she had crawled into bed late and then lay there for the longest amount of time thinking over her conversation with Orlando.
It was as if they’d been transported back in time to when they had shared many evening conversations until they both grew tired.
So much had been forgotten and she supposed she had done that on purpose because remembering filled her with longing and regret and guilt. She had loved a man while married to another and that is just not done. It wasn’t right and it was a shame she kept to herself.
Except, she was no longer married and while Orlando had not voiced his intentions, he had nearly kissed her last night and she would have welcomed it. She also hoped that there was more that he would claim and anticipated him doing so.
You do belong to me!
Those words echoed in her mind as she recalled the intensity of his grey eyes looking into hers.
Yes, she did belong to him and had since the day he had purchased her.
As anticipation for the night to come filled her, Blythe went about preparing for her day. She saw to it that the servants were preparing Athena’s Salon for the evening, reviewed the menus for what would be laid out on the buffet with the cook, and reviewed the supply of wine and other beverages they had to offer, then supervised the cleaning of the gambling room, including fresh candles in the sconces in every room and oil in the lamps.
Tonight was going to be glorious and if all went as planned, at the end of the evening, after all had left and the servants retired, she would take Orlando by the hand and lead him to her chamber.
