Page 66 of Lady Gambit
“Might I ask you to straighten my cravat, madame? I must fix my spectacles. It hurts my head to squint.”
“Of course.”
Chabert studied her as she obliged him. “Remember, the past has no bearing on the present unless you confuse the two. Live for the beauty of the moment, and happiness shall be the reward.”
After that snippet of wisdom, he peered at his pocket watch, then ushered them into the hall and over the threshold.
“Thank you again, monsieur,” Delphine said.
“I bid youadieu! Return tomorrow if you have any questions. Try to avoid unnecessary exertion.” He gave a sly wink and shut the door.
“How strange,” she said as they navigated the narrow passage.
Moments after they’d emerged onto Chandos Street, the reason for Chabert’s titivating approached the alley. The vivacious brunette glanced over her shoulder before slipping into the shadowed walkway.
“I have a strange suspicion his nextclientis married,” Delphine said, holding Dorian’s arm as he scanned the street, searching for the armed thugs.
“Chabert has no scruples. He’s sworn never to wed.”
“Are you not of a similar mind regarding marriage, Mr Flynn?”
“Keep moaning into my mouth when we kiss, and I may have a change of heart.” His cock stirred at the memory, hardening at the mere thought of what he would do when they were alone in the orangery.
“When you kiss me like I’m the most desirable woman in the world, how can I not express my pleasure?” Her fingers tightened over his bicep, moving in long, slow strokes as if massaging his aching manhood. “Do you really have champagne at home? I’ve only seen you drink brandy.”
“I have a bottle of Taittinger in the cellar. A gift from a grateful client who had me scouring Hyde Park, looking for her lost Pomeranian.” Lady Allscott hadn’t hired him. She’d accosted him on his morning ride and prodded him with her stick.
“You find missing dogs as well as people?” Amusement danced in eyes that dazzled him. Eyes that would caress him across the dining table tonight, urging him to discard his beef and focus on dessert. Eyes he could easily wake to each morning.
Stone the crows!
He was so enthralled by her that logical thought had abandoned him. “Finding people is my speciality, but how could I not help a woman in distress?”
She feigned a sad pout. “And I thought you’d made allowances for me. I thought I’d bewitched you into becoming my hero.”
“Your hero?” He’d made love to an innocent. It was hardly noble. He stepped a little closer, bent his head and lowered his voice to a whisper. “When it comes to you, I’m every bit a rogue. If we were at home alone, I’d hike those skirts up to your waist, bend you over my desk and make you singbel canto.”
She gulped. “Why wait until we’re home to be wicked? We have a comfortable carriage. I’m still a little dizzy after being put in a trance and may need to straddle your lap.”
His growl of approval did little to convey the carnal need to mate. “Do you know how hard I am for you right now?”
She glanced at his trousers and gave a throaty sigh. “I need you to strip me out of these clothes, Dorian. I need to be nakedwith you in bed. Let us return to the Old Swan. If only for an hour.”
Lord have mercy!
He was going to spill his seed there and then.
“What perfect timing.” Daventry appeared, dressed head to toe in black. He doffed his hat to Delphine. “I hoped to catch you. I’m curious to know what you learned from the mesmerist.”
It was rotten timing.
Dorian’s blood burned in his veins. His cock had command of his thoughts and senses, a devil urging him to bury himself inside the woman he loved and pump hard until he reached completion.
“I see you’re still somewhat dazed, Miss Chance,” Daventry said, surely noting her flushed cheeks and ragged breath. “I’ve news to impart but will wait until your heart settles.”
“Yes. Delving into one’s hidden thoughts is daunting.” She glanced back at the alley as if she’d forgotten where she was. “We were just on our way to see you.”
That would have been the most logical course of action had the primal urge to make love not become a distraction. But their need amounted to more than physical desire. She had entered his life in a stunning vision of gold silk, but her courage, kind nature, and passionate heart held him spellbound.
