Page 99 of The Good Girl's Guide to Rakes
Chapter 24
Kieran padded through his rooms, shucking garments as he went. He dropped his coat, waistcoat, and neckcloth to the floor, then thought better of it and scooped everything up to deposit the garments on a chair in his bedchamber. It wasn’t precisely putting his clothing away, but it would make Wesham’s job a trifle easier in the morning. And if Kierandidattempt to stow his own garments, his valet would be insulted by the insinuation that he couldn’t do his job properly and sulk for at least three days.
“Joining me?” Finn asked from the doorway. He’d changed from his slightly brighter outfit worn at Kieran’s party into the dark ensemble he preferred for nights out at gaming hells.
“I’m reformed now, remember?” Still, Kieran grinned. “And Celeste would be most irritated if I were to venture somewhere scandalous without her.” He sobered. “My thanks for tonight. We wouldn’t have been able to sell our tale nearly as well without your assistance.”
Finn merely shrugged. “Bluffing is an essential skill, but it’s not so difficult to master with a little practice. Congratulations on your engagement,” he added with unusual sincerity. “I’d despaired that you would never find someone to match you step for step, but Miss Kilburn will do all of that, and more.”
Warmth spread through Kieran’s chest at the thought of his intended. She was indeed his perfect complement and he was grateful he had enough wisdom to recognize that. Yet the lion’s share of his thankfulness was for her, and that she could ever care for a scoundrel such as himself.
Walking over to a table that held a decanter, he poured himself a glass. He offered whisky to Finn, who waved it off. “And what of you, brother? Time is running apace, but you aren’t going to locate your respectable bride at a gaming hell.”
“You did.”
“Celeste is one in a million,” he said with sincerity. “In gaming hells, virtuous brides are scarce.”
“Precisely why I’m going there. But,” he went on before Kieran could voice an objection, “Dom’s in a bad way, and the best answer to his bleak humor is findinghima woman who meets the criteria. I’ve just the woman in mind, too.”
“Who might that be?” he asked with curiosity.
“Miss Tabitha Seaton, the bluestocking we met at the Duke of Greyland’s ball. She’s cool and rational enough to manage his wild impulsiveness.”
Intriguing. “Have you a plan to bring them together?”
“I do—and it’s going to require your assistance. Miss Kilburn’s, too.”
Before Kieran could demand elaboration, a knock sounded at the front door. He frowned. The party at his parents’ home had ended shortly after midnight, and an hour had passed since then. It seemed unlikely that Dom would come around, given that he’d disappeared into the night long before the last guest had left Wingrave House.
“Expecting anyone?” he asked Finn.
His brother shrugged, and headed toward the door. Kieran followed, though he lingered at the entrance to his bedchamber.
Finn pulled open the door, but his sizable frame blocked Kieran’s view of whoever stood on the other side.
“For you,” his brother said over his shoulder. He stepped aside to reveal the late-night visitor, who had the slight stature of a woman.
Kieran’s pulse raced when the figure pushed back the hood of her cloak, displaying her face. Celeste.
“Taking a chance.” He couldn’t resist her magnetic pull, and crossed the room in three strides. “Being out sans disguise. Coming to our bachelor lodgings.”
“One of you isn’t going to be a bachelor for long,” she replied, tipping up her chin. Mist clung to her hair and her eyelashes and he wanted to lick up every droplet. It didn’t matter that they’d be together for the rest of their lives; he wanted all of her all the time.
“In any event,” she said, “Salome has done enough for us tonight, and who could fault an engaged couple for being overly eager to spend time in each other’s company?” Her gaze heated as ittraversed the length of his partially clothed body, down to his bare feet.
God, how he loved seeing how she desired him, and that she didn’t try to disguise her passion.
“Seeing myself out...” Finn muttered. He exited their lodgings, shutting the door behind him.
Kieran and Celeste met in the middle of the room. Her arms immediately looped around his neck, and his hands splayed across her lower back as their bodies came together. She fit to him flawlessly, as though they’d been fashioned for each other.
“How I adore having you in my arms,” he murmured, nuzzling along her neck. She smelled of the night air and beneath that, the tender musk of her skin. He inhaled, drawing her in as profoundly as he could. “And out of disguise, too. Finally.”
“A good thing?” she asked breathlessly when he bit her collarbone.
“Very good. Because I’ll never take this for granted. It’ll be a continual, delightful surprise.”
She stroked her hands across his shoulders, and he leaned into her touch, desperate for the feel of her.
