“You have my word.” Pleased by that assurance, she allowed him to do his gentlemanly duty. She took her seat, as did he, and the carriage set off. His contemplative gaze found hers, there was a pause and then, “Your brother introduced me to Guthrie several weeks ago. Huntley was teaching me how to box and thought it would do me good to experience a less polite setting than Gentleman Jackson’s. If you ask me, he also missed the rougher fighting St. Giles had to offer. Guthrie was there. We had a few beers together.”
Amelia stared at him in stupefaction. “So the two of you—a pair of dukes—decided to not only take an excursion into the slums for a bit of sport, but to also keep the company of one of London’s most notorious criminals?” She was going to have some choice words with Raphe when he returned, considering all the lectures he’d given her and Juliette about adhering to propriety and protecting their reputations. Hypocrite!
“Huntley may not like Guthrie much, but he has known him a long time. He spent most of his life in St. Giles and—”
“So did I, if I may remind you. We lived there together, don’t forget. But that did not prevent you from flying into a fit when I merely skirted the edge of it.”
“That is entirely different.”
“Oh really? Is that because you are impervious to danger while I am but a frail woman who must be protected by rules and governed by men whose wisdom surpasses my own in ways that I cannot ever hope to comprehend?”
Expelling a breath, he pinched the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes. “Can we please stick to the subject at hand? We have already argued over this once already, and I am reluctant to do so again.”
Feeling peevish, she sat back and crossed her arms. “Very well.”
“Thank you.” He opened his eyes and regarded her steadily. “The point is that Guthrie knows me.”
“Did he facilitate your most recent fight? Is he the reason why your face still looks all blotchy?”
“Yes, but we digress.Once.Again.” He pinned her with a look that said he would not be bullied by her. “As long as I offer him an acceptable sum, he will answer whatever questions I give him.”
“Whatever questionswegive him, you mean.”
“No.” His expression changed from serious to forcefully decisive. “Youare going home whileIam going to meet with Guthrie. I will stop by your house later to let you know what I have discovered.”
“You domineering, aristocratic, high-handed fop!” To her surprise, he grinned, which only annoyed her more. “What?”
“There is something utterly charming about you when you are angry.” A spark lit in his eyes. “It makes me want to be reckless, even though I know that I mustn’t.”
Her anger evaporated in an instant as his words settled over her. He was speaking of kissing, and she suddenly longed to feel his embrace once more—to simply surrender no matter the consequence.
“Oh.”
It was all she could say while she sat there hoping he might decide to ignore his better judgment.
“And now you look adorably befuddled.”
“I do?”
He nodded before averting his gaze and looking out of the window. “Ah. We are here.”
Amelia felt his pronouncement like a jolt. He’d teased the very depths of her sensuality with his heated perusal and she was now expected to forget it? To descend from the carriage and return to the company of Lady Everly and her sister as though nothing had happened?
Well, nothinghadhappened, technically. He’d just spoken a few words, but those words had made her clamor for him with a desperation that would likely leave her feeling restless for several days after. It also had a distinct influence on her mood, which was once again prickly. But since the only person with the power to change that had no intention of making the effort, she allowed him to help her down and escort her up to the door, which Pierson held open.
“I will return later to inform you of the progress,” Coventry said. “It should not take too long.” And with that he departed while she remained there, trembling with a need that would not be sated.
Swearing beneath his breath, Thomas walked from the street where he’d asked his driver to wait and headed toward the Black Swan. He’d been mad to confess the effect she had on him, for it had only made her look more alluring. Aware of his want, she’d allowed a glimpse of her own, her lips parting and eyelids lowering while her breaths had grown labored. She’d been just as aroused as he by that one proclamation, and it had taken every bit of restraint he possessed not to leap across the carriage and take what he wanted. But he would not behave like a scoundrel even if he had begun to think like one. She was worth more, the only problem being that he wasn’t sure he was the man to supply it.
But what then?
He’d effectively chased away both of her suitors, so unless someone else showed an interest, she’d likely fail to achieve what Huntley had hoped for. Except, Thomas would probably take a dislike to that man as well and sabotage his efforts to marry her. In which case she might end up a spinster and... perhaps then he could ask her to be his mistress.Would she agree to such an arrangement?he wondered.
A sigh escaped him as he turned a corner and strode forward, ignoring the stench of refuse and the curious stares of the bedraggled people he encountered along his way. Even if she did, he knew it wouldn’t be fair to her. She deserved to marry and have a respectable family—children that she could dote on. But marriage? Would he actually be capable of entering into such a binding union with her?
For the past five years, Jeremy had occupied his every thought and concern. Every action had been carried out with him in mind. He’d worked so bloody hard to ensure the boy’s future only to find himself struggling more now than ever before.
Perhaps his mother was right and he needn’t do so alone. Perhaps Amelia would offer some much-needed support with regard to Jeremy’s upbringing. She certainly seemed to understand him, had experienced a similar issue with her sister, and showed a degree of patience with the boy that would likely work wonders.
