Page 71 of Lady Gambit
Dorian might have mentioned what he’d noticed in the visitors’ book he’d stolen from Bethlem, but he’d not give Aaron a reason to remain at Mile End. “We plan to question the hag tomorrow, though I doubt we’ll get a confession.”
Aaron stood abruptly. “Theo and Delphine are grateful for your hospitality but will return to Fortune’s Den tomorrow.”
“So soon?” Did his tone betray the heavy ache in his chest? Did his stance mirror the sudden turbulence he felt at the thought of Delphine leaving?
“It’s not healthy for Theo to lounge in bed. And I insist on being present when you question Mrs Haggert.” Aaron’s stone-like expression said he would not be denied. “I almost died because of that evil witch. I intend to look her in the eye and call her a liar.”
Dorian shifted uneasily. “There’s still so much we don’t know.”
He needed to call on Meldrum. The lord rarely set foot in the hospital. That changed three weeks ago when he began visiting daily.
“Meldrum is hiding something.”
Aaron nodded. “He wants to elope with Delphine.”
“Elope?” Dorian swallowed to quell his rising anger.
“I received his letter earlier today. He’s persistent, which is a surprising quality in a coward. Daventry thinks we should use Delphine to trap the lord. To discover what he’s hiding.”
“Good God! Tell me you refused.”
“I told Daventry what he could do with his plan.”
The rush of relief was almost euphoric. “We’ll discuss what to do with Meldrum once we’ve learned more from Mrs Haggert.”
“Agreed.”
The hall clock chimed the midnight hour.
A stark reminder it was too late for him to wake Delphine.
“Well, there’s much to do tomorrow,” Dorian continued, prompting Aaron to leave. “We should retire if we’re to make an early start in the morning.”
Aaron looked at him like only children and the infirm needed sleep. “I shall rouse my coachman and leave you in peace.”
“You’re welcome to stay the night.” He groaned inwardly as the words left his lips. He wanted rid of the Chance brothers.If Delphine was leaving in the morning, he hoped to catch her alone before breakfast. “Mrs James has prepared a room.”
Aaron snorted. “Aramis enjoys wrestling with reprobates. I should return to Fortune’s Den before he murders everyone in the club.”
They arranged a time to meet tomorrow, and Aaron left.
Dorian remained in his study, his conscience preventing him from rousing Delphine. He relaxed on the chaise, wishing he was lying amid a mass of clothes on the orangery floor, the raven-haired beauty straddling his lap. He downed a glass of port, wishing it was champagne and Delphine was a little tipsy.
All was quiet in the house when he finally mounted the stairs to his chamber. Although he told himself solitude was the thing he coveted most, there was a reason he kept a room in a rowdy tavern. He simply chose not to acknowledge that all men needed company to some degree.
It was dark in his chamber, but seconds after he’d closed the door, he caught a whiff of a familiar scent. Delphine’s exotic perfume assaulted his senses as he moved deeper into the vast room.
The sinful rogue inside him grinned.
He peered into the blackness. Where was she?
Keen to play the game, he checked behind the dressing screen and started stripping off his clothes. She wasn’t hiding behind the curtains nor crouched in his armoire. The enchantress was already in his bed.
He moved closer, his cock a persistent ache in his trousers.
For a moment, he thought she was sleeping. Her hair was splayed over his pillow, her breathing slow and deep. He peeled back the bedcovers to find she was naked.
Mother of all saints!
