Page 76 of Lady Gambit
Aaron confirmed as much when he examined his pocket watch. “Gibbs should have woken Mrs Maloney and explained your sudden absence. Wishing to help Delphine, Mrs Maloney will race to your bedchamber and deliver the dreadful news.”
“The question is, will Delphine come to your aid?” Theo said. “Or will she realise you’re nothing but a temporary distraction?”
Annoyed that his life was being manipulated by men other than his father, Dorian stood abruptly. “This is my life. It’s not a game.”
“No, but I’ll not force Delphine into a loveless marriage,” Aaron snapped. “Aren’t you curious to know if her feelings are genuine?”
He would stake his life they were genuine. Love lived in every lingering smile, in every tender touch. Though he probably didn’t deserve her esteem, she made him feel like a god amongst men.
“So you mean to stage a fight in the hope she comes running?” Dorian countered, thankful Gibbs was at Mile End and Delphine wasn’t left to make the journey alone.
“Stage a fight?” Aaron sounded offended by the suggestion. “We’ll not be prancing around like popinjays. In an effort to keep your affair a secret, you have forgotten an important fact.”
“And what is that?”
Aaron stood and braced his hands on the desk, his gaze hard and black like obsidian. “You gave me your word you would treat my sister with respect. No man reneges on a promise made to me. No man! You will face me in the pit. There, you will pay the price for your betrayal.”
Chapter Seventeen
“Delphine! Wake up! What on earth is wrong with you? Have you been drinking? Can you hear me? Oh, what’s a woman to do?”
The irate questions invaded Delphine’s peaceful slumber. She was snuggled beneath the sheets in Dorian’s bed, bathing in the warm afterglow of their lovemaking. Oh, he had been magnificent tonight. Pure sweat-soaked muscle in a body made for sin.
“Delphine!”
“Hmm?”
Cold air breezed over her bare skin as the blanket slipped off her shoulder. The sudden chill raised gooseflesh to her arms. The persistent prodding brought her back to reality with a bump.
“What is it?” A little annoyed, she opened her eyes to find Mrs Maloney dragging the blankets off the bed. “Good Lord!” Aware of her nakedness, she used her hands to cover her modesty. “Mrs Maloney? What are you doing?” Then sheremembered she was in Dorian’s bed, and panic crushed her chest in its relentless vice. “Wait. Let me explain.”
“There’s no time for idle chatter. Get up, dear, before your brothers murder the man you love. Hurry, or you’ll be mourning the husband that never was.”
“Murder? Mourning? What do you mean?”
Still dazed and groggy, she gathered the blanket to her breasts and sat up. She was alone in bed. A quick scan of the room confirmed Dorian’s clothes were not on the chair where he left them. His boots were missing, too.
She tried to fire her logical brain into action, but fear left her irrational. “Is Aaron here? What has he done? Has he hurt?—”
“No. Will you listen?” Mrs Maloney was flapping her hands now. “Theo came looking for you and found you in Mr Flynn’s bed. He’s dragged him away to Fortune’s Den. If you don’t hurry, there’ll be a trial with no jury.”
“Fortune’s Den!”
Good Lord! Aaron would demand Dorian join him in the fighting pit in the basement. For every stolen kiss, her brother would deliver a deadly blow.
“Why didn’t they wake me?” She shot out of bed and snatched her nightdress from beneath her pillow. “If they hurt a hair on Dorian’s head, I’ll never forgive them.”
“Men are barbarians when it comes to honour. Aaron will see this as a personal slight. If you want Mr Flynn, you’ll have to fight for him.”
“Fight? In the pit?” Delphine dragged her nightdress over her head.
“No, you goose.” Mrs Maloney helped her thrust her arms into the garment. “You’ll have to face your brothers and tell them how you feel about Mr Flynn. Remember, this is your life. Make them listen.”
She gripped Mrs Maloney’s wrinkled hands. “I love Dorian. I don’t want to be without him, but my brothers will always have an opinion. What man would tolerate their interference?”
Certainly not one who longed for a peaceful existence.
Oh, she would be a spinster until the end of her days.
