Page 22 of Temptress in Disguise
The mention of Mrs Chance roused an image of Naomi. The wife relegated to the wilds of Little Chelsea. The beguiling woman who’d charged through his barricade and made camp in his mind.
Aramis took two steps towards the study, but the butler darted forward to block the door. “I’m afraid you can’t go in there, sir.”
“Step aside, Higgins.” He wasn’t about to rifle through the drawers and steal important papers. “My brother keeps no secrets from me.”
“It’s Huggins, sir. But I must inform you the room is currently occupied.” The man’s eye twitched, and he lowered his voice. “Occupied on a most delicate matter. No one must enter, or the master will drag me by the scruff of my coat and deposit me on the pavement.”
A faint banging echoed in the room beyond.
Aramis heard his brother growl, “Love, you know how to drive your husband wild. Must you work today?”
“Mr Purton is expecting me at the museum,” Isabella panted.
A feminine moan of pleasure reached Aramis’ ears, along with Isabella’s plea that Christian complete the task with some expediency.
Suppressing a grin and an unwelcome pang of jealousy, Aramis informed the red-faced Huggins he would wait for his brother in the carriage. “If you must endure this at breakfast, I would insist on extra pay.”
Ten minutes passed—minutes spent trying not to think of all the erotic ways he might make Naomi Chance his wife.
Christian appeared, grinning like the cat who’d found the cream. He climbed into the carriage, dropped into the seat and gave a satisfied sigh.
“You look exhausted, and it’s not even ten.” And happy, Aramis noted, his brother looked too damn happy. What man wouldn’t when he’d made love to his wife on his desk before breakfast?
“Yet I feel oddly refreshed.” Christian brushed a lock of golden hair from his brow. He scanned Aramis’ creased clothes and frowned. “You look like you’ve been wrestling with the devil.” His eyes widened in recognition. “Tell me you weren’t with Lydia Fontaine at the Copper Crown.”
What the blazes?
Aramis straightened. “Who the hell told you that?” He’d lay odds it was Lucius Daventry. “I was at the Copper Crown.” Exchanging vows and watching his enchanting wife dance with cutthroats and thieves. “But not with Lydia Fontaine.”
Christian gave a confident grin. “Daventry seemed convinced you were with the famed actress. I assured him you would never entertain a woman so shallow.”
“That man has no business meddling in my affairs.”
“He brought Isabella a gift to congratulate her on her new position at the museum. After informing me of your late-night antics, he asked if I’d heard from you this morning.”
Aramis’ blood boiled. “Doubtless he was keen to hear if his plan had come to fruition. That scoundrel is out to see every man wed.” Had Aramis married anyone but Naomi Grant, he might feel burning resentment. He might feel cheated had his wife not been honest about her motives.
Christian laughed. “Even an agent with Daventry’s skill couldn’t persuade you to marry, and certainly not a coquette like Lydia Fontaine. You know there’s a wager at White’s on the likelihood you’ll take a bride. One fool has bid against you. I’m inclined to bet an entire year’s income you’ll be a bachelor until your dying day.”
“I suggest you refrain from making the bet.” Aramis scrubbed his face with his hand. Not being one to mince words, he came straight to the point. “I am married. I married Naomi Grant at St Augustine’s church last night.”
I kissed her innocent lips.
I watched her laugh and make merry.
Spent hours wishing I were a different man.
Stunned silence filled the confined space.
Christian stared at him like he had two heads. “Is this a joke?”
“Would I joke about marriage? It’s a business arrangement. I shall explain all once we reach Fortune’s Den.” He’d not tell the same story twice. Still, he prepared himself for a barrage of questions.
“Have you lost your mind?” Christian could barely sit still. “Who is she? Where did you meet her? Why the hell didn’t you say something before? Why in God’s name weren’t we there?”
He thought of Naomi threatening him with a pistol and laughed. “Not all are as fortunate as you. People marry for reasons other than love. Miss Grant offered an incentive. I found I could not refuse.”
Christian’s frown deepened. “Does it have anything to do with Mrs Wendon snapping at your heels? I hear they’ll lose the house if the daughter doesn’t marry well.”
