Raucous laughter and curse words flew through the air, while drinking, gambling, and plenty of fondling appeared to be the order of the day. Griffin searched the rowdy crowd, scanning every woman’s face for Meredith. He would know her anywhere. Though he couldn’t imagine what she might be wearing tonight. To his knowledge, Meredith didn’t own anything scandalous enough to wear here. But if Clare Handleton had known enough about this place to recommend it to Meredith, she must have also known enough to tell Meredith to alter her attire for the occasion. AndMeredith herself had already mentioned the masks. She clearly knew that much.
A lady in a bright pink satin gown that revealedfartoo much sidled up to him. “You’re new here,” she declared with a wide smile, her blue eyes sparkling behind her white silken mask.
Griffin didn’t recognize her. “Indeed. Am I so obvious?” he drawled.
“I would have noticed you before, handsome.” She reached out and dragged a bare finger along his jaw. Apparently, the women here didn’t find gloves to be a necessity either.
Before Griffin had a chance to say more, she plunked herself down on his knee and wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing her generous breasts to his chest. “Care to go upstairs?”
Hmm. Seemed there was little pretense at the Onyx Club. Not that he hadn’t expected as much. Griffin was no stranger to the attentions of bawdy women. He’d certainly spent some enjoyable hours with his share of barmaids at school, but this woman’s cloying perfume did not tempt him. He stood and helped her to stand, ensuring she was steady on her feet before releasing her elbow. “No, thank you.”
“No, thank you?” she echoed in a prim accent before letting out a far-too-loud laugh. “A polite chap, aren’t you?”
He narrowed his eyes at her. Was she a well-to-do member of thetonlooking for amusement, or was she a courtesan? Apparently, both sorts of ladies frequented this establishment.
“Good evening, my lady.” He bowed to her, grabbed his drink, and took off into the crowd. The fewer people who laid eyes on him, the better. The last thing he wanted was to cause a scene or to be recognized. But would Meredithrecognize him? How could she not? Which is why he didn’t intend to introduce himself to her. He would simply find her and keep an eye on her. From afar. Perhaps dissuade an overly amorous suitor from making her an indecent proposal if he had to.
Griffin took a stroll around the perimeter of the place. His walk revealed several more people he knew—or thought he did. Many of the men were married. Not shocking, but Griffin couldn’t help but think that once he managed to convince Meredith to marry him, he would never stray from her side.
After completing his perusal, Griffin decided to take up residence near the front entrance. He hadn’t seen Meredith in the crowd, and he guessed she’d enter through the front of the establishment as most ladies did.
He leaned against the wall near a faro table, close enough to watch the play as if he was interested, but far enough away to be clear he wasn’t interested in participating. The better part of an hour passed, and he’d been forced to decline the advances of three more women before the black curtains at the front of the establishment parted and Meredith stepped inside.
He knew her immediately. After all, he’d memorized everything about her. He’d know her full pink lips and the delicious curve of her shoulders anywhere. Her luscious dark hair was captured in an unruly bun at the nape of her long neck. Her glowing gray eyes peeped out from beneath a jade-green demi-mask.
Apparently, her friendhadtold her about the dress code because tonight Meredith was wearing a dress unlike any he’d ever seen her in. It was made of jade-green satin with matching tulle wrapped around the shockingly low bodice and a tight satin skirt that was cut up to her thigh. When hisgaze traced the creamy curve of her long leg up to where the slit stopped, Griffin had to swallow. Hard.
Damn it. She couldn’t be here dressed that way. She’d be approached by half a score of men in mere moments.
Behind her mask, her alert eyes darted through the crowd. Her eyes were the only part of her that belied a certain hesitancy, a bit of anxiety. But soon, after she’d taken in the scene in front of her, she squared her shoulders and began to walk determinedly toward the nearest bar top.
Griffin watched her from beneath his lashes, still feigning interest in the faro game. He mustn’t follow her too closely or she might see him and recognize him.
She slid onto one of the black wooden stools in front of the bar and spoke quickly to the barkeep. Griffin was too far away to hear what she said above the din. The barkeep left and returned a few minutes later with a glass of dark liquid in a snifter. Griffin raised his brows. Meredith was obviously drinking real alcohol tonight. No simple glass of champagne for her. Which meant he’d have to watch her even more closely. She was rubbish when she drank too much, and more than two glasses of champagne was too much for Meredith.
Not moments after the barkeep walked away, pocketing the coin Meredith handed him, another man appeared at her side. This man wore tight breeches, a purple waistcoat, and a leering smile. His dark-blond hair was slicked back and— Dear God. Was that the Earl of Marsden? He was married and a total lecher. Surely, Meredith would recognize him and send him away.
The earl pulled his stool so close to Meredith’s that he was breathing down her neck. And taking in an indecently close view of herdécolletage. Griffin clenched his fist. His fingers ached to punch the man in the throat and toss him across the room.
When the earl reached out and traced Meredith’s collarbone with a gloveless fingertip, Griffin had to close his eyes and count to three to keep himself from stalking over there and ripping the earl off the stool.
But Meredith leaned back, and the earl’s hand dropped away from her. Good. Marsden had just been saved from bodily harm…for the moment.
Griffin narrowed his eyes at the couple. Meredith was imbibing far too quickly, which meant she was nervous. It wasn’t long before her glass was empty, and the earl flagged down the barkeep to order her another.
Griffin continued to watch them. She accepted the new glass with shaking hands. The earl reached out to touch Meredith’s cheek. That was it. Whether she knew it was him or not, Griffinhadto send Marsden packing. Griffin pushed himself off the wall and stalked toward the couple, intent on upending Marsden’s barstool for a start. But just as the earl’s hand nearly reached her, Meredith’s arm shot up, and she blocked his touch. Then she swiveled quickly on her seat. Her eyes swiftly searched the crowd, and her gaze locked directly on Griffin’s. He was standing midway between her and the wall, but his eyes were intent on her. She hopped off her seat, tossed a few words to Marsden, and made her way unerringly toward Griffin.
Damn. She knew him. She must have recognized him. Why else would she be heading straight for him? But it didn’t matter. She was clearly trying to get away from Marsden’s unwanted attention, and Griffin was ready to help. She would ask him what he was doing here, and he would simply tell her the truth. He sucked in a deep breath, ready to plead his case.
Meredith came to a stop in front of him. “Sir, will you please pretend you’re talking to me?”
Griffin blinked. “Pardon.” It was an idiotic thing to say,but it had simply fallen from his lips. Did she not realize it was him? Truly?
“Will you pretend to know me?” she asked more frantically this time, glancing back towards Marsden, who had stood and paid and was on his way toward them.
Now was not the time for confessions. “Yes, of course,” Griffin quickly amended.
“Thank you,” she whispered. “A gentleman at the bar was overly friendly, and I’d like to excuse myself from his company. With your help, if you don’t mind.”
