CHAPTER 5
Dominic had matters that required his attention elsewhere, namely who was responsible for the theft of the information in his journal, but rather than assisting Amos and Devon in trying to track down the culprit, he found himself at this blasted musicale, searching the faces of everyone who walked in the door and hoping he was correct that Miss Givenwald would be attending that evening.
It was rather annoying that he was so eager to see one particular woman when he could have his pick of any number of ladies who didn’t require this much effort. But somehow, quite without his knowledge, Miss Givenwald had managed to bewitch him with her cunning wiles and her devastating beauty. She was a siren, sent to destroy him, and yet, he couldn’t seem to stop the downfall that he knew was inevitable. All he wanted to do was run headlong into the flames of disaster and become consumed by the fire.
He knew it wasn’t wise to engage in any kind of flirtation with the threat of his own ruin so close at hand. What currently stood between him and Miss Givenwald was categorized as anything butinnocent. Every time he recalled the events from their brief interludeat Vauxhall, lust shot through his body. It was a dangerous game he was playing because if his enemies discovered his interest in the lady, they wouldn’t hesitate to use it against him and put her in peril.
He should leave. Now. Make his excuses to his hostess and walk out the door and join his future successor.
Dominic was considering doing just that when a flash of pale pink muslin caught his attention. He knew in an instant that it was Miss Givenwald because of the flash of her light hair and the broad smile on her perfect lips. What he didn’t care for was the man at her side. In truth, they seemed rather familiar with one another and considering the way her companion glanced down at her enticing bodice, Dominic had no doubt that his thoughts about the lady were as licentious as his own.
His fists tightened as he remained along the edge of the room and tried to pretend as though he was listening to what his host was saying about his recent hunt in the country when he couldn’t have cared less.
He prayed that he’d caught the man in a break from his recounting as he asked abruptly, “Who is that man who just arrived? I don’t recall seeing him in society before.”
Then again, Dominic corrected himself,I don’t recall bothering to notice him until he began to covet something that belongs to me.
His older companion raised his quizzing glass and narrowed his eye to assumably, gain a better perspective. To Dominic, monocles had been a useless invention. Why bother with one glass when the eyes were obviously made for two?
“I believe that is Francis Marcomb, the Earl of Lindley.”
Dominic absorbed this information. “His father passed just recently, did he not?”
“I believe it was a few months ago, yes.”
Deciding he would look into Lindley’s circumstances a bit further at a later date, Dominic was about to take a seat in close enough proximity to keep his focus on Miss Givenwald and hercompanion who had taken their seats with her chaperone, and yet, retain a firm distance until he could catch the lady alone.
“Odd that Lindley hasn’t been in society much before now, but then it was rumored that his father was mad.”
Pausing, Dominic wondered why his host chose to add that particular bit of knowledge. “Was he? I’m afraid I can neither concur nor deny the accusation as I have not always been faithful about moving about society until recently either.”
His host shrugged. “It would not surprise me if all of us discovered we were a bit unhinged at times, especially under the influence of drink.”
As he chuckled, Dominic had to quirk his mouth. “That is certainly a theory I could stand behind. Too many spirits have been known to make fools of us all.”
As they parted ways, Dominic took a seat toward the back of the room, but where he could keep Miss Givenwald’s graceful neck in his perfect line of vision. He had never cared for the shade of pink on any lady, believing it appeared too innocent when experienced women were more to his liking, but with the material draped on her form, everything was designed for seduction.
He clenched his jaw, deciding it was going to be a long evening, especially if he had to continue to observe the earl’s interest in her. He leaned over more than once to whisper in her ear, and Dominic did not approve of the action.
Mine.
The word reverberated through Dominic’s head until he wished he had thought to bring a flask of brandy to the entertainment. But then, he would have likely imbibed too much and allowed his annoyance to become public and that would not do. He might want Miss Givenwald in his bed, but that did not mean he had to announce his intentions to everyone present. Besides,Avalonwould be disappointed that he couldn’t contain his baserurges any more than that. The master of the East End would never allow himself to lose his composure.
And yet, Dominic was beginning to discover that his heart had never been in danger before now. While he was a long way from being in love with Miss Givenwald, she was the sort of woman who could turn him inside out and beg for her hand before he quite knew what had happened. Already he was more disturbed by her presence than he felt comfortable. Women had always been a pleasant and delightful diversion and nothing more. It might sound crass, but that was the way he had always preferred things. He had enjoyed the separation of the proper side he showed to the world as well as the darker nature that he allowed to roam free in Whitechapel.
Although he’d told himself he wanted to settle down with a nice, biddable wife, Miss Givenwald was the sort of woman who tempted him to embrace his villainous side. And he could tell she enjoyed it.
As the first lady took her place at the front of the room and began to showcase her talents at the piano, Dominic told himself that he should keep his focus elsewhere and forget about troublesome ladies in pink that tested his resolve.
But he doubted he would have much luck.
He was here.
Lexie had yet to spy the Duke of Cuthbert, but she could feel his gaze upon her because the fine hairs on the back of her neck stood on end in warning. Or anticipation. It really could be either.
When she had arrived at the musicale that evening, she hadn’t expected to greet the Earl of Lindley quite so quickly. It was as if he’d been waiting for her arrival because almost as soon as she’d walked in the door he was bowing over her hand and offering apolite greeting to her chaperone. Of course, Aunt Bonnie was more than happy to encourage his attentions and as he escorted her toward the front of the room to gain the best seats for viewing the entertainment, Lexie tried to imagine him in the same role as the duke, pressing her up against a tree and ravishing her with passionate kisses.
She tried desperately to feel the same swirling heat in the center of her belly, but unfortunately, the same emotions fell a bit flat. However, with just the prospect of the duke’s presence in the air, her heart had begun to race and a bead of perspiration had broken out on her upper lip. It was as if she was burning up from the inside out.
