Page 32 of What a Courtesan Wants
Elizabeth gaped at them both, excitement and confusion warring in her eyes. Lucinda merely nodded, her smile becoming genuine.
“He’s told me all about you. How accomplished you are, and how you’ll begin the husband hunt after your eighteenth birthday. While your uncle has many influential friends due to his business, I have some connections of my own which could see you introduced to men of standing in society.”
Aubrey’s heart sank as Elizabeth came to her feet, and he realized she was getting her hopes up for nothing. Excitement stretched her mouth into a wide smile as she launched herself at him, wrapping both arms around his waist. He could only stand there and stare at Lucinda over the top of her head. His keeper simply watched him, her expression inscrutable. What could she be thinking promising such things to his niece? What had become the simple problem of an explanation was now an even worse tangle.
“Oh, this is so exciting!” Elizabeth chirped, pulling back to stare up at him. “I know I said I didn’t want you making such a fuss, but I can’t help but look forward to it now! To think we would have the backing of a countess!”
Lucinda rose to her feet as Elizabeth turned and offered a curtsy, her slight body practically vibrating as she seemed to hold back from throwing her arms around the woman the way she had Aubrey.
“Thank you, my lady. I cannot express how grateful I am.”
“I am happy to do it,” Lucinda replied, taking Elizabeth’s hand and giving it a little squeeze.
Aubrey cleared his throat and took hold of Elizabeth’s arm, gently steering her toward the door. “Lady Bowery and I have much to discuss. I supposed you’d better get back to work on that gown. The mending can wait.”
Practically bouncing for joy, Elizabeth left the room. Aubrey closed the door and turned to face Lucinda, leaning against the panel and crossing his arms over his chest.
“You didn’t have to do that. I was thinking up a suitable explanation when you arrived.”
Lucinda must have heard a note of accusation in his voice, because her face took on an apologetic expression as she approached, reaching out to take his hand.
“It was presumptuous of me, and I am sorry. But I realized the moment she posed the question that Elizabeth wasn’t really asking how we knew each other. She was asking why I’ve been coming here to see you. The answer just came to me and seemed the best solution for ensuring we have an excuse for our connection as well as keeping her from knowing the truth.”
With a sigh, he used his free hand to rub at his stubbled jaw. “And just how am I going to explain to her that she ought not expect to be invited to any society balls or dinner parties? Tell her you’ve suddenly become unavailable and you haven’t the time to help the mulatto niece of a tradesman find a husband?”
“Of course not. You won’t have to explain anything to her, because I’m going to do just what I said. That is, if it is acceptable to you. I’m not the most popular figure of theton, but even that will work to our advantage. I may not be able to introduce her to any dukes or earls, but … well there are a variety of people I’m connected to who would be delighted to make Elizabeth’s acquaintance. Second and third sons, a baron or two. I have associated with any number of women who have daughters and sons of an age with your niece, and with a little push they could be convinced to invite her into their homes. Elizabeth’s pool of prospective suitors will become substantially larger.”
Aubrey could only stare at her in silence, his stomach tying itself in knots and his head spinning as he fully understood what Lucinda was offering them. She owed him nothing beyond a monthly stipend, and he would have never asked such a thing of her.
“You don’t have to do this,” he murmured, raising her hand to kiss her palm.
She smiled, letting her fingers play over the shadow of coarse hairs, her thumb tracing along his lower lip. “I want to. She is such a lovely girl, and … well, there’s the fact that I’m rather fond of her uncle.”
Aubrey returned her smile, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her tight against his body. He didn’t care anymore about his earlier reservations or that this would change the nature of their association. He only knew that she’d offered him something he could have only dreamed of in the past. And with the gradual opening of herself to him day by day, she gave him so much more.
“I happen to be fond of you too, Lady Bowery.”
Aubrey leaned down, his forehead brushing hers and his lips hovering inches from hers. Her breath caught and she stiffened in his arms, though she made no attempt to pull away. Hunger knifed through him as he stood on the edge of a familiar precipice. They’d been here many times in the past several weeks—a breath away from a meeting of lips, which Lucinda always inevitably pulled away from. He met her halfway this time, waiting, yearning. He’d never wanted to kiss someone more, yet remained aware that it was something she had to reach out and take for herself. She’d offered it to him before out of guilt, but Aubrey wanted her to offer it out of something else, something that would urge her to the point of craving it as badly as he did.
Trembling in his hold, her gaze fell to his mouth, her own lips parting as if in anticipation. Her breath tickled his cheek, and at such proximity he could see the striations of darker blue swirling through the cornflower of her irises. Exercising his will had never been more difficult than it was just now, and he felt as if she stood there staring at him in silence for much longer, he would break and consume her completely.
Thankfully, she broke the spell, though not in the way he would have wanted. Taking hold of his face, she came up on tiptoe and pressed a lingering kiss to his brow. Aubrey closed his eyes and let himself feel it, accepting what she could give while reminding himself that it was more than she’d allowed in the beginning.
“I suppose this means I must now come fully out of mourning,” she said, backing away and leaning against the edge of his desk. “I cannot help bring Elizabeth out when I’ve been cloistered away for two years. I’ll need to begin appearing in society again, perhaps commission a few new gowns. Goodness, most of my clothes have fallen out of fashion by now …”
Aubrey took hold of her shoulders to halt her rambling and smiled. “I believe I can be of assistance—firstly as a linen-draper with one of the best selection of fabrics in Town, and secondly as an escort if you require one.”
She relaxed in his hold, relief overcoming her features. “Are you certain? Our arrangement—”
“Says that I’m whatever you need me to be, which includes a companion. Perhaps you could begin simply with the opera tomorrow night. Benedict and Dominick both have private boxes, and either would lend them to us if I asked. We could arrive a bit late to avoid being accosted and depart early … remain just long enough for you to be seen. As for your gowns, I happen to have nothing better to do just now than assist you. I’ll set the lads to work drawing down the choicest fabrics and trimmings for your inspection.”
Her smile reappeared, though he could see she was a bit overwhelmed. Her spur of the moment decision would entail more than simply making a few introductions. She’d been in deep mourning for so long, this would mark a coming out of sorts for her, as well. Aubrey strangely found himself wanting to be a part of helping Lucinda find her way back into the world and watching her blossom. He imagined she would shine like the brightest of gems out of her drab mourning attire.
“I suppose I must now thank you,” she said. “Helping you and Elizabeth has given me a reason to take a step I’ve been avoiding for quite some time. It needs to be done, and now I have no choice but to follow through.”
“Think nothing of it,” he replied, stroking his knuckles along her cheek. “Now, if you’ll join me in the showroom.”
Lucinda accepted his arm with a soft smile, something that seemed to come easier for her these days. As Aubrey led her into the shop’s front room, he tried to convince himself he had nothing to do with it and failed miserably.
