Elizabeth reeled from the intimacy of his action, though she would not be swayed. “Tell me, Baron, do you not long, sometimes, to let go of your perverse need to control?”
His hand worked her skirts more vigorously, making her cheeks bloom with heat.
“When you’ve lived a life such as mine, miss, you find it of great advantage to be in control.” He pressed deeper. “At all times.”
She gasped, but maintained her focus. “Is that why you purchased your title, sir?” She’d use what weapons she had, having pried the information from Papa last night. “What profession did you hold before acquiring your Scottish Barony?”
His jaw muscle twitched as he abruptly slid his hand off her. “Let’s see.” His eyes became slits. “Counting back I’ve been investor, swindler, pirate, prostitute, dockworker, gravedigger, and chimney sweep. Born, of course, a whoreson.”
Elizabeth sucked in her breath.
“So I assure you, Miss Winthrop, the merits of being in control of my destiny are indeedgreat.” His eyes flicked over her as if she were a crumb on his plate. “I believe we’ve finished here.” He threw down his napkin, pushed back his chair, and yanked her from her seat. Then he marched her out of the establishment, refusing even to look at her.
Elizabeth vainly attempted to slow her breaths as he dragged her down the street. Not only had she denied herself sustenance, she’d clearly struck a nerve. In fact, she was sorry she’d antagonized the man, now knowing his humble origin.
She placed her hand on his arm. “Sir, I should like to apolo?—”
“Do not touch me without permission!” He shoved her hand away so fast she winced. “You will finish your fitting alone, Miss Winthrop.”
“Of course, Baron.” She bent her head, confused that her attempt at repair had been so roughly rebuked. “I hope you will forgive my indiscretion.”
He merely grunted in response before he left her at the threshold ofLeBrecht’s.
She found her own way inside.
“Whadya do, miss? Prick ’is pride?” one of the seamstresses asked as Elizabeth suffered another fitting.
“More like she pricked ’is dick, Rose,” tittered another, head at the dress hem.
“That man’s got the finest prick I e’er—” the third maid started while the one named Rose elbowed her hard, declaring, “Mae! Not a word more!”
“Though I will say, he spent the first two hours starin’ at ’er long enough t’—”
“Evie!” shushed Rose. “Miss Li said not to?—”
“Please,” Elizabeth implored them. “I have known Baron of Milton all of one day and am in desperate need of counsel.” She turned her gaze on all three, having insisted this time she retain her spectacles. “Tell me all you know of him. Spare me no detail. And who is Miss Li?”
“AllI knows of ’im?” Evie smirked. “That’s hardly proper talk fer a lady, miss.”
The others laughed heartily.
“I know he is a whoreson.” Elizabeth would not mince words. “And that he was a gravedigger too.” She would be bold. “Please,” she pleaded, “if you will not tell me more, then I shall surely offend him again, and as I do not wish to?—”
“Miss,” said the one named Mae, “y’ can scarce offend a man as base as Jasper Audrey. ’Sides, his prick’ll keep yer happy an’ his money happier still!”
More laughter erupted.
“Aye,” said Rose, “long as y’ does exactly as he says, he’ll keep yer in fine comfort, protect yer too. Always treats us girls well, no matter what t’ others say.”
Elizabeth’s ears pricked. “What do others say of him?”
“Why, that he’s a scoundrel, o’ course! Some toff’s bastard son, makin’ off as better’n he is, lookin’ down ’is nose at all them Cornwallises out t’ cut ’im.”
“You mean he is not respected in society?” Elizabeth guessed ‘Cornwallis’ meant lord in Cockney, or something less savory, perhaps.
“Now miss.” Rose rolled her eyes. “He did right up an’ purchase yer fer wife, did he not? Said one day he’d buy some shite gentry’s chit right out from under the man’s haughty nose.” She laughed so hard she nearly sucked in the pin she held between her lips.
“Rose!” admonished Mae. “Stop natterin’. Can’t y’ see the poor girl’s sweet on ’im?”
