Page 103 of A Little Bit Dangerous
Isabella smiled and glanced covertly at Christian.
Time was of the essence. If they were to part for the day, they needed a moment alone to indulge in passionate kisses and appease their addiction.
“Well,” she said, placing the lid on the box and brushing her skirts. “I mustn’t be late for work. Mr Purton is quite the hard taskmaster.”
“Of course.” Daventry finally took his cue to leave, but not before asking a cryptic question. “Have you heard from Aramis this morning?”
Christian glanced at the mantel clock. “At this hour, he’ll be in bed. Whose bed I cannot say. Being determined not to marry, he decided to take a mistress.” Aramis had spent the last month avoiding Lucius Daventry so as not to become embroiled in a case.
“Yes, I believe Lydia Fontaine invited him to join her for supper at the Belldrake Theatre last night.”
“She did?” It was the first Christian had heard. Aramis was as private as Aaron. So how the hell did Daventry know? “Then I imagine he’s at home. My brother despises pretentious women.” And Miss Fontaine kept her admirers dangling like puppets. The actress toyed with them until the strings broke, then she cast them aside.
“Was Aramis planning a trip?”
Suspicion flared. “No, but I’m sure you’re keen to prove me wrong.”
Daventry smiled. “It’s just he was seen in a carriage in the yard of the Copper Crown Inn near Highgate, with someone who looked remarkably like the actress. Though the rumour is Miss Fontaine has been missing for three days. In her absence, the theatre had her assistant play Hero and managed to convince the audience it was Miss Fontaine.”
The Copper Crown was a thieves’ den. Most men who drank there were too sotted to recall their own names.
“Perhaps Aramis was running an errand for Aaron.” He might have been chasing a gambling debt. “I’ll have him send word to Hart Street when I arrive at Fortune’s Den.” Though why Daventry should care about Aramis’ illicit encounters was anyone’s guess.
“I shall wait. We can journey there together,” Daventry suggested.
Mother of all saints!
Christian felt his temper rising. As Daventry appreciated honesty, he considered hitting him with the truth, but it was Isabella who spoke bluntly.
“I would like to spend time alone with my husband before we leave for work,” Isabella said as if she’d read Christian’s mind. “I’m sure you understand.”
Daventry raised his hands in mock surrender. “Of course. I shall leave you in peace. Ensure Aramis contacts me before noon. Don’t disturb the butler. I shall show myself out.”
Isabella waited until the front door closed before leaving her seat. “What was that all about?” She rounded the desk and dropped into Christian’s lap, wrapping her arms around his neck.
“I suspect Daventry is looking to hire Aramis as an agent. Hence the need for the intriguing story.” Christian laughed to himself. “Aramis isn’t foolish enough to fall for Daventry’s tricks.”
“Unlike us,” she said, running her hand through his hair. “Not that I’m complaining. I’m enjoying my wifely duties immensely.”
He knew from her sultry tone what she wanted. The minx could undoubtedly feel his cock swelling beneath her buttocks. “Must you go to work today?” He stroked his hand up her stocking until he reached the thigh belt and the small sheathed dagger. “Hmm. First appearances can be deceptive. This prim dress conceals a body made for sin.”
She kissed him, her tongue sweeping through his lips.
Arousal pumped through his body. He lifted her off his lap and onto the desk. “Doubtless we shall both be late for work today.”
She parted her legs and hiked up her skirts, her smile turning coy. “We’re hardly to blame. Wickedness is in our blood.”
His gaze dipped to the dagger pressed to her soft thigh. The diamond embedded in the handle sparkled, a symbol of their eternal love. “You’re definitely a little bit dangerous, my love.”
Isabella slid her hand over his erection. She pulled the blade from its sheath and cut the button off his trousers. “Don’t be fooled, Mr Chance. I can be downright savage.”
