Page 60 of Dare to Love a Duke
“Much as I would enjoy watching the performance,” she whispered, “we’re here to ensure the establishment functions properly. To that end, let us move on.”
The rest of the night passed with unusual rapidity. Lucia directed Tom in certain tasks, but once he knew his responsibility, he did not need to be told again. He was in constant motion, little time to think or reflect—which suited him fine. A small break from too much contemplation was welcome.
Now and again, he’d pass through the ballroom and catch a glimpse of the performances. Many of the guests watched with rapt attention, and others found so much inspiration, they fucked within twenty feet of the stage. The lady in the golden cloak and her black-clad companion took their leave of the club midway through the third act—with guests whispering excitedly in her wake.
“I find myself almost superfluous,” Lucia wryly said to him as they passed each other. “I’ve only to think about righting a piece of overturned furniture before it’s restored to its original position. The flow of food and drink is moving effortlessly, and hardly any guests need to make use of the room set aside for unruly revelers.”
“Perhaps you ought to delegate more.”
“Perhaps I should.”
They broke apart as duties required attending. He brought up wine, set furniture to rights, and took a turn watching the door. As the hours wore on, the novelty of physical labor turned to deep weariness, though it wasn’t unwelcome. When he’d find his bed later, he knew he would sleep more profoundly than he had in a long time.
He seized a moment to lean against a wall in the dark corridor, tipping his head back. Sensed a nearing presence, he didn’t have to open his eyes to know that it was Lucia. The tiredness pulling at him lessened until he nearly forgot how his body ached.
“How do you fare?” she asked gently as she laid a hand on his chest.
His heart thudded beneath her touch. “Splendidly well,” he said, though he continued to prop himself up against the wall. “Admittedly, the day has been a long one. I awoke at six which was...” He consulted his watch tucked into the pocket of his waistcoat. “Twenty-two hours ago.”
“Did you not nap when I suggested it?”
“Too excited to sleep,” he confessed with a self-effacing smile.
“Go upstairs,” she said in a soft voice, pressing her hand more firmly to his chest, “and get you some rest.”
He straightened, but she did not remove her hand. “When business is done for the night,” he said firmly. “That’s when I will go to bed. I gave you my word that I was here to help, and like hell will I go back on my promise.”
Her exhalation was warm against his face. “I wish I knew what to do with you.”
“Trouble is,” he said with grim humor, “I know exactly what to do with you, but I’m a goddamned gentleman, and so I won’t do any of it.” He pushed back from the wall, and, thankfully, she dropped her hand and stepped away. “Fortunately, I’m going to be so exhausted when I finally get to bed, I won’t be able to torment myself with thoughts of you mere steps away.”
Even in the darkness of the corridor, he sensed the heat in her gaze.
“Now, excuse me,” he said, “but I’ve a job to do.”
With that, he left her.
Chapter 14
Sleeping after a night’s work always came easily to Lucia. All she had to do was strip, fall into bed, and within moments, she was in blissful unconsciousness.
Not last night. After shutting down the establishment and finishing the accounting, she’d lain beneath the covers, wide awake and intensely aware that she had only to climb a few steps before she could slide into Tom’s bed. She’d feel the long length of his body against hers, be enveloped in his heat and scent. They could fall asleep together—or not.
She must have dozed because when she woke, late-afternoon sunlight filtered into her room. After taking care of her needs and quickly washing, she threw on a simple day dress and apron before heading downstairs.
As she walked down the belowstairs corridor, the sound of laughter in the kitchen drew her close. She heard Kitty’s high, bell-like giggle, and Elspeth’s throatier chuckle, and beneath all that, a man’s deep laugh. Tom. Her pulse quickened, and she hurried forward.
She poked her head into the kitchen, eager to observe without being seen.
Effie, one of their girls-of-all-work, stood at the hob as she tended a panful of sausages, and even she threw a cheerful smile over her shoulder. Kitty sat at the small table where they took their meals, Liam in her lap and Elspeth hovering close.
Tom stood nearby, and though he was dressed, something was missing. His neckcloth was currently in Liam’s grip as the baby gnawed on the length of fabric. As adorable as that sight was, Lucia was more transfixed by the fact that the neckcloth’s absence revealed the column of Tom’s neck and the hollow of his throat.
“I hope you don’t mind drool in place of starch,” Lucia said, coming into the kitchen.Bene.Her voice was level and didn’t betray any of her arousal.
Smiling, Tom turned toward her. It was a brilliant smile, full of humor and energy, and it was more potent than any whispered words of seduction.
“I’ll set the newest fashion,” he said cheerfully. “We’ve been rudderless since Brummell fled to the Continent. Now I can seize my chance.” He held a mug out to her. “I’d a feeling you’d prefer coffee over tea.”
