Page 78 of A Deal for the Duke’s Virgin

Christian opened his mouth to tell Mr. Hobbs in no uncertain terms that he would not be obliging him. Then he glanced back at Thalia and saw that flush creeping onto her face again. Something stirred in his gut, and he cleared his throat, shifting to try and tamp down the feeling.

“I don’t mind,” she whispered, barely loud enough for him to hear. “We should oblige our hosts.”

Heat prickled down Christian’s spine. He glanced up beyond Mr. and Mrs. Hobbs’ fond, eager faces to the rest of the room. The pub was only half full, and while he could not see every face from here, none of them were turned his way.

“It can’t hurt,” he murmured to himself and rose to his feet.

Thalia rose too, stepping towards him, her eyes wide and breathless. He gingerly took her in his arms, as if she might break if he held her too firmly. His hand rose of its own accord, fingertips dancing over her chin. Her eyes fluttered shut, lashes resting on her cheeks.

He leaned forward, carefully fitting his lips to hers. The kiss lasted no more than a second—a soft, chaste thing—but it filled him with a fire so intense that when he pulled back, he was shaking.

Mr. and Mrs. Hobbs, oblivious to his emotions, cheered, clapping loudly.

This, of course, drew the attention of the other patrons. Thalia glanced over at them, and her gaze sharpened.

“Oh no,” she breathed.

Christian followed her gaze just in time to see a familiar, shocked face staring back at them. At once, the woman leaped to her feet and charged away, her male companion hurrying after her.

Lady Pembroke? She’s the biggest gossip in town. If only I’d seen who she was here with. As it is, I have nothing to blackmail her with if she chooses to make this scene public.

No matter, I can manage her.

Christian gave Thalia a reassuring smile and opened his mouth to dismiss the Hobbses when something made him glance around the pub once more.

A woman now stood there in a grubby dress, torn at the hem, but still looked elegant. She was staring at him, her eyes wide. He stared back, unable to look away.

“What are you doing here?” she asked, a frown creasing her brow.

“I could ask you the same,” Christian managed weakly, “Laura.”

CHAPTER 22

Thalia stared wide-eyed at her old friend. She blinked hard, as if the scene might change and something unexpected might happen, such as waking up in her own bed with a sense of amusement at the nonsense she had just dreamed.

No such luck.

The scene remained the same. Laura, staring at her brother as if he were the one who’d been missing for so long, and Christian staring right back, eyes nearly bulging out of his head.

“L-Laura?” Thalia stammered.

At last, her friend glanced at her, her eyes softening.

“Good day, Thalia. I’ve read a great deal about you in the scandal sheets, you know. You’ll have to tell me all about that when we return home.”

Thalia couldn’t cobble the words together. In the end, Christian spoke up.

“Mr. Hobbs,” he said pleasantly. “Mrs. Hobbs, I wonder if cabs pass by even at this late hour?”

“Y-Yes,” Mr. Hobbs stammered.

“Excellent. Fetch one for me if you will. I am afraid we will be leaving rather sooner than expected. Once we have, of course, settled the bill.”

Mr. Hobbs brightened. Thalia thought it likely that a few items would be added to their bill, especially since they were not going to stay overnight after all. Well, that was Christian’s concern, not hers. Her paltry store of coins, determinedly saved from her allowance, would likely not cover a large bill.

The Hobbses retreated, leaving them in relative privacy. Christian, his face white as a sheet, took a step forward.

“You are here,” he whispered, half to himself. “What are you doing here, Laura?”