Thrilled at his obvious pleasure inher she swept a hand over his chest while admiring his lean,well-endowed body. “You are very handsome, Harry.”
When he lowered his head again to herbreasts, a hungry desire began to build within her.
“Shall we have a largebrood of children?” His tongue did something exquisite to anipple.
A moan of ecstasy slipped from herlips. “Five or six seems a respectable number.…”
His mouth on hers took her words awayas his clever hands produced the most delightfulfeelings.
She arched to meet his feather-likestrokes. She was losing herself as a need built within her. Thenwith a cry, she tumbled into a wave of delicious sensations. Shelay there heavy limbed in the afterglow and yet, somehow notreplete.
Harry rolled her beneath him, hisrampant need for her nudging her belly, his eyes dark andsmoldering with desire. “Shall we begin now?” he asked his voicestrained.
“Oh, Harry. I adore you.Yes, my darling. Now!
Chapter Twenty-Two
On reaching London, Jack visitedBascombe and told him what had occurred in Manchester and what he’dlearned from Renard. “When Butterstone returned to our shores withthe intention of informing the French ambassador about the Frenchbeing behind the assassination plot, he signed his own deathwarrant.”
Jack explained how Caindale, realizingButterstone was in danger, had hoped that by helping the Frenchmangain access to the information he sought, the matter would be at anend.
“Naive of him,” Bascombesaid. “His lordship is culpable and should be in prison, but we’dbe hard-pressed to bring charges against a lord of the realm. Itwould only draw attention to the matter. Let’s put the affair torest. It shall remain between us. No sense in upsetting our Gallicneighbors, let them deal with the matter of Bonaparte’s demise ifthey wish to pursue it. Our involvement will die with Butterstone.After all, the success of any venture can only be measured by itsresults. The murderer is dead and neatly dispensed with.” Heindicated his approval with a nod. “Well done. I’ll have the guardremoved from Caindale’s house.”
“The Marquis de Montholonstill lives,” Jack said with a trace of bitterness. He dislikedleaving a stone unturned. “No doubt enjoying his handsome legacyfrom Bonaparte.”
A smile touched Bascombe’s lips. Heshook his head. “Diplomacy is like a race horse, Jack. A goodjockey must know how to fall with the least possibledamage.”
At home, his butlerinformed him a Mr. Welby had called and wished to see him. Jacksent a servant with a note to theLondonGazetteto inform Welby that he’d foundnothing of interest. And, as he was about to leave London and wouldbe away for some months, he would be of no help to them should theywish to pursue what seemed likely to be a waste of theirtime.
Jack spent the next few days in hislibrary reading documents about how to turn flax into linseed oiland how glass was manufactured. He was now confident he could asksome pertinent questions when he visited his businesses.
Harry’s note advised him he and Erinahad returned to London. They were putting up at Sir Ambrose’smansion in Berkley Square and would depart for France on thefollowing day.
That evening, Jack went to White’swith Harry to celebrate his marriage along with Grant, Tim, andMiles. Amid the laughter, chatter, and clink of glassware, theydined together in the club dining room, enjoying an excellent mealof seafood soup and a tasty roast leg of lamb, minted in a pastrycrust, washed down with an admirable vintage.
Jack sat back, amused, as did Grant,while Tim, always up for a lark, roasted Harry, while Miles joinedin. Later, in the games room, they played hazard.
Harry glanced at his pocket watch.“It’s been splendid seeing you fellows again.” He tossed down hiscards. “Can’t seem to concentrate. How much do I owe?” He drew outhis wallet. “I hope you’ll forgive me if I don’t make a long nightof it. Erina is alone in a strange house and we leave for France inthe morning.”
Tim raised an auburn eyebrow. “Plentyof hours left to bed your wife, Harry.”
Harry chuckled and shook hishead.
“The least you can do isstay for a round or two more.” Miles blue eyes turned devilish ashe called for another bottle. “We wish to raise our glasses to youand your bride.”
“You have already toastedme many times and with several glasses too many,” Harryprotested.
“Nonsense. One or two more.Then we shall let you go,” Miles said silkily.
An hour later, Harry was fast gettingfoxed, as were Miles and Tim. There followed a good deal oflaughter and ribald jokes. Jack considered it wise for someone tokeep a clear head, as Grant, who seldom over imbibed, had leftthem.
Finally, Harry pushed back his chair.“I’m off, fellows. It’s been fun,” he said with a foolish grin. Hemade his way unsteadily to the door.
They all followed him out into thestreet.
“Allow us to escort youhome,” Tim offered, as they stood on the pavement.
“What?” Harry’s eyeswidened. “No need. I know the way.”
