“Yes. Perhaps he was too deep in his wine, or maybe he was hoping Gibby would just pay them off. But what he didn’t know is that Gibby is much too honorable for that.”
“Sir Randolph is certainly enjoying the attention the fight has brought to him.”
“Yes, it’s one of his weaknesses. He adores being the focus of anyone’s attention. I fear the aging Miss Prattle has become a pawn in her brother’s scheme to get money from Gibby. What I don’t know is whether she’s a willing or reluctant participant.”
“Are you thinking that, either way, since her brother smeared her name all over London, she might be wishing she could move to another place and start over?”
Race nodded. His hand slipped under Susannah’s hair to cup her neck and he gently pulled her to him and kissed her softly. “Did I ever tell you that I think you are a wonderful lady?”
“No, and unfortunately, right now you don’t have time to tell me. You need to dress and go to your own house before the day begins.”
He kissed her again. “I don’t want to leave you, but I agree I must.” Suddenly his eyes turned serious again and he said, “Susannah, I am sorry I was such a brute to you about the theft.”
She reached over and kissed his eyes, his nose, and each side of his mouth and then smiled at him. “No more apologies.”
He grinned and crawled off the bed and picked up his trousers. “I’ll come back this afternoon, and we can talk more about what you’ve discovered from your conversations with Winston, Spyglass, and Smith.”
She pulled the sheet up to her waist. “And you can share what you’ve found out as well.”
“Of course.” He grinned at her as he pulled his shirt over his head. “I’ve ruled out Smith.”
“So have I, but you cannot come over this afternoon,” she said.
“What? Why?”
She smiled mischievously. “I already have plans, my lord.”
He stopped tucking his shirt in the waistband of his trousers and frowned. “What kind of plans? No, don’t tell me, just change them.”
She lay back on the pillow and stretched her arms over her head. “I’m afraid that won’t be possible.”
“Susannah, do not tempt me with thoughts of your being with another man, or I will crawl back in that bed with you and once again show you why I am the only man for you,” he said, shrugging into his coat.
Susannah laughed. She absolutely loved the fact that he thought he had to win her love. “All right, if you must know, I’m going to the park with Henrietta and Constance.”
His eyes widened as he stepped into his shoes. “Really?” he said, not bothering to fasten the buckle on his shoes. “I’m glad you two are getting acquainted.”
She lowered her arms. “Yes, but I’m afraid Henrietta’s husband still thinks I’m a troublemaker of the highest order and that somehow my errant ways will rub off on his sweet, innocent wife.”
Race laughed and walked over to the bed. “I think it is positively splendid that Blake thinks you’re a troublemaker. Damnation, but that makes me feel good! You must not ever let him know any different.”
Race bent down and kissed her quickly and then asked, “What party are you attending tonight?”
“Mrs. Princeton arranges my schedule, so I’m not sure. Why?”
“Send me a note when you decide which one and let me know. I will attend the same party,” he said and headed for the door.
She raised her eyebrows. “Wait. Do you not trust me to stay away from Captain Spyglass and Mr. Winston?”
He quietly unlocked the door and turned and threw her another grin. “Not an inch.”
* * *
Later that day, Race waited in the private card room of the Rusty Nail with a bottle of wine and two glasses sitting on the table in front of him. He had chosen this place to meet Prattle, knowing he could trust the proprietor of the club to keep this meeting quiet.
Race wanted to get the matter of the fight and the pearls settled so he could concentrate on Susannah. He closed his eyes and breathed in deeply, and he could smell her womanly scent. He could taste her on his lips and hear her soft breaths.
Race heard the door open and glanced up to see Prattle standing just inside the room, looking like a rat staring at a roomful of hungry cats.
