Ignoring any further duties, he headed back up the stairs.
* * *
With a yawn,Fleur lifted her arms above her head—and hit something next to her. She turned her head to see Drake staring at her. His eyes roamed over her face with mirth and she rejoiced at the sight. “Have you been here all this time?”
“Hardly. I have never been someone who can sleep until the twelve o’clock hour.”
“Noon? You cannot be serious!” Instantly, Fleur sat up with a shocked gasp and stared at the rain pounding against the windowpanes. Although it caused the day to be dark and gloomy, she had never been one to sleep so late.
“I am,” came the dry reply. “But then, I did keep you up rather late.”
Fleur flopped back against the pillows, only realizing that she was fully naked beneath the covers. She clutched the counterpane to her chest and glared at him. “You’re turning me into quite the lazybones.”
He reached out and rubbed a hand on her bare shoulder. “I would not call the positions we engaged in last night as being idle.”
Heat rushed to her cheeks at the memory, a combination of embarrassment and enthusiasm. She didn’t know she could throw such caution to the wind and allow all of her senses to become so engaged with another person. She had nearly forgotten about the unfortunate interaction with her brother, lost as she was in Drake’s strong arms.
With the new day, those same reservations returned in full force to drown her with melancholy. “I am concerned about Flavian. I feel he is going to do something drastic.”
Drake frowned tightly. “What makes you say that?”
She sighed. “He mentioned a card game this evening and I am terrified he will find himself in dire straits. I can only hope he can’t find the blunt to engage in the match.”
Drake’s expression was grim when he said, “I’m sure Miss Wilson will give him the amount necessary to play.”
Fleur blinked. “Why would she do that? Does she despise both of us so much?” She put a hand to her forehead and closed her eyes. “I made the worst mistake of my life by convincing him to leave Greenwich. I only did it because—” Her gaze popped open and she looked at him.
“To escape me,” he finished. “I am aware, and I do not fault you for it. You were only doing what you thought necessary to take care of your brother. I know that now even if it does prick my pride to know that you were so desperate to escape me rather than come to an alternate understanding.”
She reached out grasped his upper arm. “I had no idea what sort of man you were. All I knew is that you terrified me.” Her eyes widened slightly, as if she’d realized what she’d inferred. “Of course, I no longer feel that way?—”
She could see the shutters behind Drake’s eyes slam shut. “Then you would be foolish to ignore your instincts.” He rolled out of the bed and walked over to the window where the rain and wind were pelting the pane with relentless force. “Don’t you remember the attic room? My life is littered with misdeeds. If you think I won’t revert to drastic measures if the situation warrants it, then you would be wrong.” He turned to face her and the resignation on his face tore at her heart.
“I know who youwere,” she countered. “But I don’t feel you are the same person you once were. People have the ability to change.”
“If theywantto,” he stated. “I’m not sure I’m ready to give up all the power that Mr. Porter has gained over the years. He was a force to be reckoned with. Everyone knew my reputation and it preceded me wherever I went in England. If these people discover that I don’t possess the same threat, they can use it against me.” He shoved a hand through his dark hair. “Burning that house is just the beginning of the trouble I could be facing.”
“Then we speak to Bow Street. We can gain assistance from reputable gentlemen out to secure justice.”
Drake snorted. “Do you know how many of those Runners are in the pockets of the underground? They are eager to turn the other way when trouble starts to brew. Its why the London gangs were established. They make their own rules, ensuring that they are the ones who benefit. If there is a misstep, the traitor is dealt with accordingly. I know because I used to be a part of their numbers. While I should regret it, I can’t say that I do. Being involved with criminals makes you understand how they think.” He walked back over to her, but he didn’t sit down or gather her into his arms. Instead, he looked down at her, as if to emphasize his position within the lower echelon of society. “I have made use of the talents I have gathered over time, and I cannot stop now, not until this threat against me has been vanquished. I will not apologize for my actions beyond this point. Do you understand that?”
Fleur swallowed hard. She was worried about where this path might take him. She feared he might revert to his misdeeds like her brother was threatening to do. Whereas she could only hope that Flavian came to his senses before it was too late, she knew that Drake was a stronger man. He had survived this long against all the insurmountable odds.
He would survive this too.
She reached out a hand to him. Allowing the coverlet to drop away and expose her breasts, she said, “I suggest that we make use of the time available to us.”
* * *
After spending mostof the afternoon in a tangle of bedclothes, Drake left Fleur to bathe in their chamber as he left to make use of the tub he’d retained in the kitchen. However, rather than startle his cook, he had it moved to the studio.
Lying his head on the rim of the copper, he allowed the sting of the steaming water to help secure his next course of action.
Following what Fleur had told him about the card game to be held, Drake had begun to wonder if Flavian was being lured out into the open in order to get to Mr. Porter. He could easily be used as bait. Or perhaps it was that Harriette intended to laugh at the young pup when he was shoved back into misery yet again. The courtesan knew that his sister wouldn’t be there to protect him, so no doubt she was curious how he might stand on his own. Drake, unfortunately, already knew the answer to that. Flavian was not as strong as his sister. He would collapse under the weight of his actions. Because Fleur still cared about him, Drake felt honor bound to try and stop the man from making a complete mess out of his life, where there was no longer any turning back or chance at redemption.
Amos had disappeared until the morning, so Drake reached out to the only other person he might trust, Devon.
Drake sent round a code that Amos’ son would be able to decode with efficiency. They had devised their own means of communication some years ago. It had worked then and it didn’t fail him now. A reply was sent by messenger a short time later that gave him the information he required.
