“The sheep shit.”
“Aye.”
“Helen. There’s a lady present.”
She had been running her fingers up and down his spine and now she gave his buttock a small spank. “That’s why I said dung, Jack.”
“Ow. And that’s the worst thing you’ve ever done?”
“’Tis a crime. So, aye.”
“You didn’t hurt anyone with the worst thing you’ve done. So that may be the best worst thing I’ve ever heard of.”
A silence. Did he want her to ask him what was the worst thing he had ever done? She had opened her mouth and was about to ask when he spoke.
“The Duke of Dunmore is not in London, presently.”
Suddenly, he felt heavy. She shifted under him.
He went on. “But I’ve written to him. About you.”
“Ye have?”
“So you may get a letter from him.”
“I thought ye felt I dinnae have a chance?”
“Maybe I was wrong. Maybe I said that for other reasons. Not noble ones.”
“Oh.”
He rolled off of her. “So we shall see.”
“Aye.”
She was glad of the dark then.
If only she had known, back in Kinmarloch.
If only she’d known that coupling, for her, would become more than bodies and need and the relief of her ache and the means to get what she must have. More than seeing physical beauty and wanting it for herself.
It would become love.
And there was no place in her life for her love for Jack Pike.
Twenty-Six
The letter came to Helen the next day. Jack must have written to the duke days ago for a letter to arrive so quickly.
To the Countess of Kinmarloch.
My lady:
Please forgive my writing to you as if I know you already. I am away from London at present. However, Captain Jack Pike has written to tell me you are in London and you desire an introduction.
I know my predecessor did not administer the duchy as your grandfather would have done. I am anxious to hear from you what his wishes might have been, what he would do if he were duke now. I also want to hear more about the difficulties in the Highlands, specifically Dunmore and Kinmarloch. I would like things to be better than they are now. I know you can help me.
Please write to me via Captain Pike who will see I get your letter. At this time, I do not plan to return to London in the immediate future.
