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“As are you,” Vivian replied without hesitation.

He smiled down at her. “I am glad you think so.”

Alexander hurried to the bed and yanked the bedding from it, then placed it in front of the fireplace. He added a log to the waning flames, and the fire sprung to life.

It was as if she floated when he lifted her into his arms and carried her to lay on the floor, then joined her.

The room spun, her senses overcome by what was to happen. Was she really going to allow things to go this far? Her thoughts silenced when his body pressed against her. It was a feeling like no other. He was warm, hard, solid. The heat of his breath fanned over her face just before he pressed a kiss against the base of her throat.

A moan escaped when his hand slid up her leg, his fingers trailing lazily atop her skin as he licked wicked patters along her neck.

Suddenly it was overwhelming, the heat of the fire and her body combating with one another.

“Alexander,” Vivian gasped. “I came to speak to you.”

“About?” he asked against her ear. His breath sent tingles of awareness down her body. Meanwhile, his hand continued caressing her leg, moving up until reaching her hip.

“I-I can’t think straight,” she replied, grateful when he covered her mouth with his.

Vivian turned sideways, pressing against him, kissing him back hungrily.

He rolled onto his back, bringing her against his chest. “We should stop, else I may not be able to.” His breathless words along with the lifting and lowering of his chest made Vivian giddy with the effect she had on him.

He pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Now tell me, what did you wish to speak about?”

Chapter 11

January 1818, London

“They will show up,” William said, his gaze pinning Alexander. “It is the right thing to do. You have to make a stand.”

Along with the local constable and two inspectors, he and Alexander waited in the banker’s office. The poor man looked about to faint, his face glossing with perspiration. Just as the man mopped his face, the pair they for waited for entered the bank.

A woman greeted them. Unlike the banker, she was not nervous as she’d not been appraised of what occurred.

“We are here to close an account,” Bettina said, a handkerchief at the ready. “It is imperative that we meet with the banker.”

“Who should I say is here?” the woman asked them.

Jasper and Bettina exchanged looked. Jasper cleared his throat. “Jasper and Bettina Yarnsby.”

“Yarnsby?” Alex said and huffed.

William shrugged. “Helps them get in the door.”

“Go out to them and ask what they need,” the inspector prodded the banker, who once again mopped his face.

Somehow the banker managed to walk in a straight line. Everyone in the room strained to hear what happened next.

“I am Mr. Walters,” the man said and hesitated. “How can I help you?” In the silence that followed, Alex assumed he was inviting them to sit at the newly positioned desk just outside the door where they all were.

“Unfortunately, our half-brother died recently,” Bettina said with a loud sniff.

“His name was Alexander Yarnsby,” Jasper added. “We are here to liquidate his account according to his wishes.”

At the next moment of silence, the sound of papers being shuffled meant they brought paperwork to present.

“It is a rather large amount. You may have to return in a day or two,” the banker replied after a few minutes.