Page 8 of Her Wicked Longing
“I know, I am terribly wicked.” A smile touched his lips, the soft intensity of his words makinghermelt.
“Yes, you are.” She tried to sound accusing, but her tone wasbreathless.
“And you like it,” he addedquickly.
“Yes, I… Wait, no. I most certainly do not!” She dropped her spoon into the ice dish, scowling at him. This was not right. The devil. A rogue, talking of kisses and sweet tastes with a stranger, a stranger he didn’t even know wasn’t worthy of his attentions. She covered the rising despair of this withirritation.
“Please finish your ice before it melts and my gentlemanly gesture goes to waste.” He used the tip of his spoon to point atherdish.
Gillian stared at the melting ice, and with a littlehumphshe finished eating it, all too aware of James watching her. She’d never been so frustrated by a man in her life, nor had she ever been in such an uncomfortable position, either. How could Audrey stand to be around Jonathan when she felt this way? Gillian had a sudden appreciation for her mistress’s ability to keep her head around the man she wasattractedto.
When she was done, James had an attendant from the store collect the dishes. Then he cast one glance at his sister, who was still deep in conversation with her friends a fewcarriagesaway.
“It seems Letty won’t be returning anytime soon.” James started to move toward Gillian to join her in her seat, but he froze when someone calledhisname.
“Pembroke? Fancy finding you here.” A familiar voice made Gillian tense and glanceabout.
A handsome gentleman approached their coach on a horse. The fine gelding started as the gentleman tugged lightly on the reins. It was Mr. Ambrose Worthing, the rakehell she and Audrey had helped a few weeks ago in Lothbrook. She liked Mr. Worthing, but he knew she was not a gentle-born lady. She had to say something to stop him from exposing hermasquerade.
“Mr. Worthing! It’s so good to see you again,” she said, meeting his gazeintensely.
Mr. Worthing’s lips parted, and it took him a mere moment to catch her silentwarning.
“Miss Beaumont. Lovely to see you again as well,” heechoed.
“How are you, Worthing?” Pembroke asked with a grin. “You and the wifesettledin?”
“Yes, who knew married life would suit me so well?” Mr. Worthing chuckled. “I always thought I’d be dragged to the altar, screaming for help. But once I knew Alexandra was the only woman I could ever love…well, it made marriage anecessity.”
James laughed. “It seems like everyone I know is rushing off to get leg-shackled.”
“You’re not tempted in the slightest?” Mr. Worthing jested, glancing determinedly at Gillian. Her heart leapt into herthroat.
James barked out alaugh.
“Perhaps I am a bit tempted.” His eyes locked with Gillian’s, and she couldn’t look away. The honey-fired depths of his eyes seemed to draw her in, trapping her until she forgot where she was and who she was with. Gillian never could have imagined how dangerous a pair of brown eyescouldbe.
“Well, I can see I am intruding,” Mr. Worthing cut in, with a hint of mirth in his tone. “But I’m glad I did meet with you, Miss Beaumont. I have a letter for you.” Mr. Worthing reached into his waistcoat and removed a folded bit of parchment. He held it out to Gillian, his gaze serious. She took it. There was no name upon the outside, merely two letters—LS—which Gillian knew instantly meant it was intended for LadySociety.
“Thank you, Mr. Worthing.” She was about to tuck it into her reticule when Worthing spokeagain.
“I’m afraid it’s rather urgent.” Once again, his eyes wereserious.
“Oh!” She fumbled to break the seal. As she took out the letter, she glanced once more atWorthing.
“If you need to reply, send it to my London address,” Worthing said. He nodded in farewell to Pembroke, who watched themcuriously.
“Thank you.” Gillian watched Mr. Worthing dig his heels into his gelding’s flanks and ride off. Only then did she unfold the parchment to read theletter.
MydearLS,
It has been rumored that Gerald Langley seeks to lure you to his hellfire club tonight. He believes he will at last have the revenge he seeks. I pray, nay, Iinsistyou stay home this evening. You’ve done Langley enough harm. You need not endanger yourselffurther.
Yours,
Worthing
Gillian readthe words once more, her heart pounding. She’d known tonight’s scheme to infiltrate the hellfire club had been a very terrible idea. But she couldn’t have imagined it would be so dangerous. She would have to warn her mistressatonce.
