Page 79 of Lady Gambit
Miss Lovelace secured the premises. She raised the hem of her nightwear and tiptoed barefoot over the cobblestones.
Mr Gibbs watched with a curious frown from atop his box.
“This way. They’re in the basement.” Delphine led the lady through the club. “Please. Make him see that violence is not the answer.”
Miss Lovelace sighed like she knew it was an impossible task. “I shall do my best. However, I find it difficult to control my temper around him. Mr Chance is a strain upon my sanity. I told myself it’s best to stay away.”
No!
Little did the lady know, but she was the key to Aaron’s future happiness. No one affected him the way she did. No one!
The second Aaron saw Miss Lovelace descending the stairs into the basement, he froze. He stood like a stone statue hit by Medusa’s deadly glare, except his nemesis was beauty personified.
All eyes were upon them as they reached the ring.
“Good grief! You didn’t tell me he was practically naked,” the lady whispered through gritted teeth. “He’ll be furious.”
“Yes, but he will listen to you. I’m sure of it.”
With a doubtful nod, the lady marched into the ring. “Good evening, Mr Chance. Or should I say good morning? I believe we’re approaching the witching hour.”
Aaron’s gaze moved slowly over her loose hair. His eyes closed briefly and swayed like the sight of her left him a little drunk. “Go home, madame. This is none of your concern.”
“I was invited here.”
“I’m uninviting you.”
“You’re frightening your sister.” Through stormy blue eyes, she scanned Aaron’s muscled torso and gulped. “Judging by the scars littering your chest, perhaps you’re looking to add another to your collection.”
His Adam’s apple bobbed. “What if I am?”
“Punching this gentleman won’t settle your dispute.” Her gaze dipped to his rippling abdominal muscles, and shestruggled to form the next word. “W-w-would it not be better to sit and discuss the problem like grown men? You have an intelligent mind. Why not use it?”
“I am. My intelligent mind is the only thing stopping me from throwing you over my shoulder and carrying you back to The Burnished Jade. Leave, madam, before you’re mauled by a monster.”
“It would seem violence is the only thing you know.”
“These fists are the reason I’m alive.” He inhaled deeply, though must have caught a whiff of the lady’s scent because he shook his head and muttered a curse. “Don’t come here looking like you’ve fallen from heaven and expect me to abide by your command.”
Miss Lovelace stared at him. “What did you just say?”
He groaned. “I said these fists?—”
“No, the part about heaven.”
Realising his error, he jerked as if reeling from a punch but gathered himself quickly. “Only a fool goads the devil.”
“You’re not the devil. I saw you carrying Mrs Maloney into your carriage two weeks ago when she hurt her ankle.”
“Are you spying on me?”
“I live across the street. It’s hardly spying.” The lady arched a challenging brow. “You moved your desk so you could watch my premises.”
If Aaron was shocked that she’d noticed, one could not tell. “I’m observing my competitor. It’s considered good business acumen.”
“You were at the window long after my club closed.” The lady smiled before offering another damning piece of evidence. “When that drunken buffoon hammered on my door last Friday, you were there in seconds, dragging him away by the scruff of his coat.”
Annoyed his secret had been exposed to all, Aaron captured Miss Lovelace by the elbow. “We’ll resume the last round in a moment, Flynn,” he said, guiding the lady towards the stairs. “Once Miss Lovelace has learned I’m not as patient when I’m half-naked.”
