He spun around and answered the summons, not sure if he was relieved that they’d been interrupted—or annoyed by Amos’s timely arrival. The dark-skinned man walked inside purposefully, but when he spied Lexie, who was looking rather disheveled and thoroughly loved, he shot a knowing glare at Dominic.
“Not now,” he growled in warning and then moved further into the room, determined to keep as much distance between him and the lady as possible to get his mind back in proper working order.
Amos said nothing more but his expression toward Dominic said it all. “The Blue Boys are gathered at the Crown & Sceptre, awaiting further instruction. I decided not to involve the watch unless you thought otherwise.”
“No. Their services are best served on the other side of town where their pockets can be greased well enough. In the East End, the Blue Boys are the law. I just need someone I can trust to escort Miss Givenwald back home safely.”
Standing silent until this point, Lexie stepped forward, but before she could utter a word, Dominic said firmly, “I will ensure that a few Runners watch your aunt’s residence at all times, but the less time you spend in Whitechapel right now, the better.While the assailant likely already knows your identity, or soon will, you are better protected in polite society.”
She crossed her arms. “And you don’t know horrible things happen there?” She snorted. “If you believe that, then you have obviously never heard of the Hellfire Clubs.”
Dominic frowned, as he knew all too well the sort of illicit entertainments that Sir Francis Dashwood had partaken of nearly a century prior. He was also aware of more current events that transpired in London, but he decided it was best not to reveal all of his knowledge.
Amos sent another speaking glance at Dominic. “This one has a mind of her own. And a voice that she’s not afraid to use.”
Lexie appeared placated. “At least someone can appreciate my personality.” She sent an equally critical look toward him, and Dominic was beginning to think that they were in league against him at this point.
He set his jaw as Amos said, “If you are ready to depart, my lady, I can get us to a hackney.”
Dominic glanced at her gown and said, “Not without changing first.”
She stalked toward him and snatched her gown from the chair before she flounced off to another part of the cottage. Silence lengthened in the room until her return.
She tossed down the serviceable dress, thoroughly ignoring Dominic as she addressed Amos. “Lead the way.” She lifted her skirts with determination, as if she couldn’t rid herself of Dominic’s presence quickly enough.
He certainly couldn’t let her depart on such sour terms.
He moved forward and grasped her arm. “Amos, if you don’t mind giving us a moment?”
The other man offered a slight nod and removed himself from the modest cottage. Once Dominic was alone with Lexie again, he grasped her by the upper arms. “You have to know that going back to Mayfair is the only option available right now.”
She tilted her defiant chin into the air. “I know that you can’t wait to be rid of me.”
He had to laugh at that. “Sweetheart, that couldn’t be further from the truth. I would like nothing more than to keep you under me until you are screaming my name in pleasure.” He could see a slight flush crawl into her cheeks, her lips parting slightly. Immediately, his flaccid cock began to arouse with renewed vigor. “But since I have no option other than to send you away until I have found a way to deal with this criminal, I am forced to think of your welfare. No one here knows the double life I lead except for Amos, and now you. That is powerful knowledge that could be used against both of us if it is discovered by this assailant. He has already taken something precious from me. It would be a shame if he absconded with a second.”
Allowing his affection to float in the air between them, Dominic saw some of the frustration leave the stiff set of her shoulders. “When will I see you again?” she whispered.
And then it all made sense. She didn’t want to leave—because of him.
His heart swelled with emotion that he dared not name this early into their association, but it was swiftly becoming apparent that they were starting to form a bond that was special and perhaps, even unbreakable. They were already facing adversity, and instead of pulling away from one another, they were lamenting the fact they had to part.
He cupped her cheek with the palm of his hand and ran his thumb over her lower lip. He vividly recalled the taste of her mouth and the scent of her womanhood. They were both equally intoxicating, and he knew he would carry the memory of her passion with him long into the night and for the long days to come.
“I will never be far away. Trust me on that.”
She exhaled on a shuddering sigh and as she pulled back fromhim, he released her. When she turned and walked out the door, Dominic wondered if his heart was leaving too.
“I can tellAvalon cares a great deal for you.”
Lexie glanced up at Amos. It was the first time they had spoken to each other since he’d procured a driver and they started the return to the fashionable area of London. She folded her hands together in her lap. “Something tells me there is a hidden warning in that statement.”
His smile was broad and it made his eyepatch look more menacing than before. “You are more perceptive than most women he has taken to his bed. And intelligent.”
“I haven’t been in his bed.”Yet.
“It’s only a matter of time,” he announced, as though reading her thoughts. “He may seem impenetrable, but he has not been without strife in the past. He has dealt with a lot and kept his heart carefully guarded for a number of years. He kept his liaisons brief because he knew it was imperative that he do so. There was only one woman who came close to turning his head, but her heart was already spoken for by another.” Immediately, the green-eyed monster of jealousy wanted to rear its ugly head. Thankfully, his next words set Lexie’s mind at ease. “Rest assured, she is happily married and Avalon realized that what he felt for her was more akin to respect as opposed to love.”
Feeling irritated, she tilted her head to the side. “You seem to know a lot about relationships, Amos. Tell me, have you ever been in love yourself, or do you like to offer advice on something you know nothing about?”
