Constance didn’t knock as she let herself into Drennan’s temporary room. It wasn’t as grand as some of the other guest chambers, but it was modest and cozy, and most importantly, safe.
A bedside lamp had been kept lit for a modest amount of light and as Constance drew closer to the bed, she thought perhaps Drennan might be asleep. Instead, she was surprised to find he was staring at the ceiling, his mouth turned down grimly.
No doubt he had a lot on his mind.
He didn’t look at her, although he spoke quietly. “Are you here to tell me how you wish you would have sold the gaming hell to anyone but me?”
Constance sank down in a chair near the bed. “Not at all,” she chided. “I thought you would have known me better than to believe I would kick a man when he’s already down.”
His lips twitched and he finally turned his brilliant blue gaze on her. Her heart cracked when she saw the sheen of tears there and fought the urge to wince at his bruised face. At least the swelling had gone down. “If it’s any consolation, I regret it all.” He sighed. “Unfortunately, I suppose there’s no turning back now.”
“The best thing is to press forward, but first you have to get better,” she advised.
“What about Granelli?” He swallowed hard. “He won’t leave me in peace until he gets what I owe him.”
“Let me worry about him,” she returned evenly.
He almost looked pained. “What can you do except become another target?”
She lifted a brow. “You mean, because I’m a woman?” When he adopted a sheepish expression, she sat forward. “You’ll find that I don’t deal well with bullies, which is all Granelli is. I wouldn’t even be surprised if he tricked you into playing his game of greed. I won’t be as easily deceived.”
He looked at her steadily. “That may have been true at one time, but it has been five years since you traversed the London underground. You don’t have the resources you once did and Granelli has become known as a rather lethal adversary.”
She smiled. “Oh, I doubt that Madame Corressa’s reputation has completely faded with time. While I may not have Bull by my side, rest assured I can still find ways of dealing with problems that might arise.”
This time a single drop of moisture trailed down Drennan’s cheek. “I’m sorry that I failed you, Constance.”
She reached forward and brushed a stray strand of his light-colored hair away from his forehead. “Don’t you worry about anything. People like us are resilient. We face the censure of society, and yet, still we rise. Don’t ever forget that.”
He took a deep breath and swiped a hand across his eyes. Finally, he offered a hint of that charming smile. “If it wasn’t for my certain proclivities, I might just be tempted to fall in love with you. As it stands, you are the only woman who shall ever hold my heart.”
“So you’ve told me on countless occasions,” she teased. “And I hope it will stay that way.”
His eyes twinkled. “On that, my lady, you have my word.”
Chapter 19
By the time Constance left Drennan’s room, she was feeling more determined than ever to see that Granelli’s reign came to an abrupt end. She intended to put some ideas into motion very soon, but first, she had to face Devin.
Late the next morning, she was awoken by a brisk knock on her door. She didn’t even call out before it was pushed open and Devin strode inside looking as handsome and seductive as he’d been the night before—with one minor change. He was fully dressed in a pair of buff trousers, black boots, a bottle green jacket and matching waistcoat and—dare she even believe it—a cravat?
If that wasn’t enough for her to sit up and take notice, he was also carrying a silver tray. “What is this?”
“Why, your luncheon, my lady, since you chose to be a slugabed all morning.” He lifted a mocking brow. “I did say you had employed a fabulous cook, so I asked her to make you all of my usual favorites.” He set the tray on her lap and whipped off the lid with a flourish.
Instantly the tantalizing scents of ham, eggs, various little pastries, and tea assailed her nostrils. Instantly, her stomach began to rumble. “Mmm. It smells heavenly.”
“Indeed. See what you’ve been missing? Instead of rushing out the door the moment the sun rises like you normally do, perhaps you might take time to enjoy what’s right underneath this very roof.” He sat down on the edge of the bed as if he did it all the time and was perfectly acceptable to do so. But it was the heat warming his eyes that made her stomach clench.
She took a sip of the tea and tried to banish the swirling sensation spreading throughout her limbs. “If you will recall,” she noted firmly. “I told you Lady Blessington agreed to host a metamorphosis ball. I was merely helping her decide on the proper décor.”
He lifted a brow. “And that takes weeks of preparation from dawn to dusk?”
No. It was a way to escape you. She swallowed a bite of ham to keep from saying that out loud, and instead answered with something a bit more vague. “There is a lot involved to holding a society ball, yes.”
“In that case it’s a wonder that anyone wishes to hold such a fete if there is so much extensive arrangement involved.”
“Generally, such events are reserved for the upper classes where the servants take care of most of the work we’ve been doing.” She shrugged. “But since I was the one who suggested the idea, I felt compelled to offer what assistance I could.”
