Page 4 of Only a Lyon Will Do
Asher sat up on the chaise and watched with a frown as Valentine and Benjamin assisted Simon to his feet.
“But I paid good money for that woman,” Simon complained bitterly as he stumbled across the room.
Benjamin shook his head. “And I’m certain she’ll appreciate the reprieve from your fumbling attempts to make your little man work.”
“I’m not that drunk,” Simon slurred.
Valentine laughed and then spoke over his shoulder. “We’ll see that his carriage is brought around. He’ll have a splitting head come the morning, but we will, at least, ensure he gets home safely.”
Asher chuckled. “I think I have won our bet, Simon,” he taunted as Simon cursed as he was led from the room. Thewoman he had paid for left as well to find other company for her evening.
“What foul substance did you put in his drink downstairs?” Lucius asked before he ran his hand through his black hair.
“Not a thing. He was well into his cups to celebrate his good luck of having a winning streak at the tables. He’ll be fine come the morning with the exception of one hell of a hangover,” Asher proclaimed before he tipped his glass in his friend’s direction. “So, what is of such importance that you had to interrupt me?”
“Mrs. Dove-Lyon would like to see you,” Lucius stated with a wicked grin.
Asher choked on his drink and Lucius began pounding him on his back.
“The devil you say!” Asher finally managed to say once his coughing subsided. “What in the world could she want with me?”
Lucius shrugged. “I didn’t ask. It’s none of my affair. I was only told where to find you so you might meet with her. You best hurry. It’s never a good idea to keep the Widow of Whitehall waiting.”
“I’ll be down directly,” Asher replied as his gaze traveled to the woman across the room who beckoned to him with her eyes.
“Don’t be long,” Lucius said as he headed to the door.
Asher stood and the woman who had been in his lap returned to his side.
“Now…” she said pressing her body against his, “where were we?”
“I believe I was about to show you what a good kisser I am,” he grinned as he began following down a hallway to her room.
The Widow of Whitehall could wait, he thought as he pulled the woman into his arms to ravish her mouth. He heard her moan proving his point that he was indeed very good at pleasing a woman. Sometimes it was very satisfying to be right.
Chapter Four
Patience fiddled withthe beading on her reticule as she sat waiting for Mrs. Dove-Lyon to enter the ladies’ parlor. By the time she and Cassandra arrived at the side entrance to the Lyon’s Den, Patience’s nerves had been stretched to their limits. She had a moment of surprise to see two women who guarded the door and was even more taken aback when they were shown to the parlor and the few women who lounged there had been politely asked to leave. Patience wasn’t sure if she should feel honored or scared out of her wits for whatever was about to happen to upend her life.
“Ah… Mrs. Vaughn and Mrs. Moore… how kind of you to take a few moments from your evening to meet with me,” the owner of the establishment said as she entered the room.
Patience jumped up from her seat and dropped into a curtsey while the lady dressed all in black strode across the room and sat in her chair. She motioned for them to do the same. Cassandra had told her that no one had ever seen the widow’s face, so it was no surprise to see the heavy veil that concealed everything. She was hard pressed to detect even a hint of the woman’s features.
“It was very generous of you to see us,” Patience said when the awkward silence as the woman apparently inspected her became too much to bear.
“Yes… well… I like to take a few moments to meet all my new clients who have been so good as to pay for the matches I can make,” Mrs. Dove-Lyon proclaimed with a wave of her hand. “You, Mrs. Moore, are a bit different than some of the other ladies who are seeking a husband.”
Patience was startled by the woman’s words. “Me? Why I’m nobody of any importance.”
“Perhaps notyet, but that will change once you are matched with a member of theton. A sterling reputation will be mandatory.” The veiled figure turned her attention to Cassandra. “I thought she was prepared to do whatever it took to make a good match.”
“She is,” Cassandra answered taking Patience’s hand. “Are you not, dearest friend?”
Cassandra’s pleading eyes could only have Patience nodding her head. “Of course, I will do whatever it takes,” she agreed before continuing. “I meant no disrespect and appreciate all your efforts on my behalf.”
“Very well,” Mrs. Dove-Lyon said nodding. “If you are prepared to move forward, I will then tell you that I have procured a nursing position for you. Mrs. Vaughn informed me of your nursing skills.”
“You know of someone in need of a nurse?” Patience asked with wide eyes. She had never thought that she would be asked something of this nature. True, her skills as a nurse had been invaluable during the war and she did what she could to help. But she certainly never thought that those skills would be of any use to her now.
