Aislynn knew that was an impossibility, as she would likely replay the scene in her head over and over again. However, she did not want him to be swarmed with any sort of guilt when she was as much at fault as he was. In truth, she had enjoyed the embrace very much and would not have asked him to stop if not for her mind screaming at her that she should. Her heart, on the other hand, yearned to continue.
Thankfully, that is what shifted her entire perspective back where it belonged—to reality. In a perfect fantasy it might be completely acceptable for her to fall for the handsome knight and be whisked off to his castle on the hill. But what happened after the romantic fairy tale ended? She would likely find herself increasing and, while she thought of Cordell as a gentleman, she highly doubted that he was in any rush to settle down and start a family. He might never wish to marry and be a father, especially considering the distressing past he had endured. If madness truly was the cause, then it could easily be passed down through the bloodlines. It could be a risk he never would want to consider.
The hackney finally rolled to a stop in Soho and as they entered the foyer, Cordell murmured something about retiring to his study for a time which left Aislynn alone to travel up the stairs to her chamber. She hadn’t realized it until now but she’d left the valise she’d removed from her flat at the theatre in Mia’s old dressing room. She had been too preoccupied with meeting Cordell that it had completely slipped her mind. She regretted that she didn’t have most of her toiletries but surely, she could procure some fresh water for bathing in the morning.
She was about to enter the hallway that led to her rooms but a door opened that caused her to instinctively duck along a nearby alcove to slide out of view. She had nearly forgotten about the gunshot victim from the night before. A shiver danced up her spine when she recalled that he was not someone to be trifled with. As far as she knew, the three men who had stood at his side had not left since. She had no idea what they had done all day but it made her skin shiver with apprehension knowing that such uncertain characters were inhabiting the same house. It made her think of Cordell’s room and how he said he kept it locked to protect his valuables. Aislynn did not have that many herself but what she had left at the theatre were important to her and she didn’t want to take the risk that they could be stolen. She intended to speak to Cordell about adding a lock to her door as well.
She heard muffled voices and the sound of retreating footsteps down the stairs and then all was silent once again. She waited a moment more to ensure there was no threat as she headed to her room. She did not release her breath until she crossed the threshold and quietly shut the door behind her.
She put a hand over her fast-beating heart and reminded herself that she should have nothing to fear from those under Cordell’s protection. Surely, he would not allow any true vagrants to take up residence there? He said he opened his doors to those seeking shelter or refuge but she had no idea that might include criminals. The longer she thought of last night’s encounter, she decided that is exactly who those men were. She didn’t want to think that Cordell might live a double life as an inquiry agent fighting for the greater good while at the same time, treating men who might otherwise not be deserving of such consideration. When it came to the man who had been shot the previous night, it just now occurred to her to wonder if he had been the one at fault, or if he had been the result of the fight?
Aislynn had never been the sort of woman who allowed her fanciful imaginings to get the better of her, but with the recent attacks so fresh in her mind, she was starting to fall prey to her own wandering thoughts.
She decided to put it behind her and get ready for bed. It was growing late and she had another performance to prepare for the next evening.
Removing her gown with the torn sleeve that she hadn’t yet had the opportunity to repair, Aislynn slipped beneath the coverlet and set her eyes tightly closed.
Tomorrow is a new day. Tomorrow is a new day.
It was the one thing that she had found to calm her racing mind when it threatened to get away from her. So many times, when she’d been young, she had prayed for the morning, the bright rays of a new day because she found hope in each dawn. It seemed to chase away the scary shadows from the night before when in actuality, her mother was merely sleeping off the drink she’d indulged in.
Nevertheless, Aislynn found comfort in repeating the phrase and it did not fail her now. She started to drift off where there was finally peace in slumber.
Kissing Aislynn was the worst mistake he’d ever committed. At least, as far as his cock was concerned. He had been throbbing since they had returned to the townhouse and he knew that to follow her upstairs would be a terrible mistake. He had never taken advantage of anyone who sought solace under his roof and he wouldn’t start by slaking his lust now. Unfortunately, he knew it was more than simple desire that made him want to take Aislynn to his bed. She was comely yes, but it was entirely more complicated. For the first time in his life, he felt as though he had met a kindred spirit, someone who understood similar hardships, not just in London but overall. She had faced her own trials, a rough childhood that had shaped her determination to change the future. He had experienced the same. They both had common goals, one to change the fate for others and the other to change the cycle of misery. Both were equally worthy of notice. Cordell was quite sure that Aislynn would use her growing fame on the stage to also help others if given the right opportunities.
However, everything was contingent on his abilities to see a murderer caught before he could hurt anyone else. Every time he investigated similar occurrences and saw another victim who had fallen prey to a dark fate, he always berated himself, thinking that he could have done more, devoted every single moment of the day to finding the man responsible for such heinous acts and maybe he wouldn’t be staring into a pair of lifeless eyes.
He scrubbed a hand down his face and glanced over at the sideboard where the brandy decanter urged him to drown out his worries but he knew he needed to keep a clear head, or else he might find himself at Aislynn’s door, begging to engage in another passionate embrace that lasted well into the night.
He decided that he’d allowed enough time to pass where he wouldn’t run the risk of seeing Aislynn when there was an urgent knock at the study door. He immediately tensed but when he bade the visitor to enter, he was relieved to see that it wasn’t Aislynn.
“The Wolf has taken a turn. Infection could be setting in.”
Cordell uttered a curse but quickly got to his feet and followed one of the “pack” members back up the stairs to where his patient continued to convalesce. He didn’t want to wish anyone ill but he was grateful for the extra distraction. He needed something else to focus on other than a pair of soft green eyes.
The instant he walked across the threshold to the patient’s room he could sense trouble. The Wolf was thrashing around on the bed in an apparent threat of fever. The sheet was down around his waist and Cordell could see the area of his chest where he’d removed the steel ball was red and angry, further proof that an infection had set in. “I’m going to need to open him back up and drain the wound.”
“Angel… angel…”
“He’s doing it again,” one of the men grumbled by his bedside. He glanced at Cordell. “He keeps calling for your fair house guest. I guess she made quite an impression.”
Her spoken offering sprang to his mind. “Indeed.”
“Is everything all right?”
Cordell turned around. As if summoned by the patient’s words, Aislynn stood silhouetted in the doorframe. She had his banyan wrapped around her, and it did not fail to stir his heart now, just as it had the previous evening.
“I apologize if we woke you. We can handle this. You do not need your rest disturbed two nights in a row.”
In true fashion, she promptly ignored him and moved around the side of the bed to stand near the thrashing man lying there. The instant she set a gentle hand on his forehead, he started to still. But it was when she opened her mouth and started to sing with a soft, enchanting voice that the entire room became transfixed. It was as if she had managed to weave a spell over every single person there. As The Wolf began to still and her voice filled the air, Cordell found that he couldn’t look away from her lovely face. Her light hair was unbound, falling around her shoulders and down her back and the extent of his sexual fantasies knew no bounds. He imagined them in every position he could think of in the span of a few seconds and his cock immediately responded. He knew he shouldn’t be aroused in a room full of people, and especially when he was going to have to use his skills to concentrate on the upcoming surgery, but Aislynn had a power over him that was both impressive and disconcerting.
As the verse came to an end and the room fell silent, The Wolf breathing steadily under her calm persuasion, she finally glanced up at Cordell. As their eyes met, something must have shown on his face because there was a visible catch in her breath. However, she blinked and broke whatever hold had passed between them. “Is there not something else you need to do?”
Cordell snapped back to the present and began to deliver orders to the rest of the “pack” in the room.
Chapter
Nine
