He sat down at a table filled with food. “I thought we’d have a light breakfast, since it’s after noon already. My friends will be here around one so we can discuss things. Then we can spend the day together and after we play, Mrs. Walker will fix a nice supper for just the two of us.”
“I can’t just leave Mrs. Thompson,” she said. “The woman has many dresses that need to be finished, and if they are not it will hurt her business. She helped me at a low point in my life. I can’t leave her with no help.” She paused. “And, what exactly do you mean by play? If you’re talking about sex, well, it’s the middle of the day.”
“Indeed it is,” Ellington said. “One moment.” He got up and yanked on the bell pull. When Mrs. Walker appeared, Carin pulled the blanket over her head. She hated the fact she was naked as the day she was born.
“Mrs. Walker, don’t we have a maid who is an excellent seamstress?”
“Yes, sir,” the housekeeper said. “Her name is Melody, and she’s always looking for clothing to fix. I don’t think she enjoys cleaning.”
“I have a new job for her.” He gave Mrs. Walker instructions and when the housekeeper was gone, Carin uncovered her head.
“Thank you,” she said. “I’m not sure how Mrs. Thompson will take a substitution. She’s a very independent woman.”
“She’s not getting you back,” he said.
“We need to talk about our relationship,” she said. “You’ve made decisions for me without asking.”
“We have a mystery to solve,” he said. “Let us do that first, and then we can figure out where to go from there.”
That sounded good, but Carin didn’t want to agree with him just yet. He’d taken away her home, and everything else in her world, and left her nowhere to go but here. Carin glanced around at the furnishings.
“Where are my clothes?”
Tristan laughed in response. “Your clothes are in storage upstairs. I have a seamstress, unknown to you, coming in today to measure you for new dresses that will be appropriate for dinners and balls. She will make a whole wardrobe for you.”
“I don’t need that sort of thing,” she said.
“You will if my plan works out the way it should.” Tristan handed her a shirt and she slipped inside it. She stood after her breasts were covered, although she didn’t know why. It wasn’t as if they hadn’t been intimate the night before. The material came to her knees and she smiled. He really was a bear of a man. Of course, she’d found that out last night while she was cuddling against his chest after he’d been inside her.
“Tell me about more about yourself, little cat,” he said, pouring each of them a cup of tea.
“What do you want to know?” she asked as she took the seat across from him.
“Tell me about your marriage,” he said.
“Mark was a good man. He worked at the docks and caught a fever. We couldn’t afford a doctor and he died soon afterwards.”
“I hate it that a man would die simply because he could not afford a doctor. Something needs to be done about that.”
“Perhaps you Lords could do something about that.” Carin picked up a piece of toast and slathered it with raspberry jam. “Delicious,” she said after she’d chewed and swallowed.
“You’re angry with me,” he said.
“For forcing me into this situation, yes,” she said. “I appreciate that I can’t do it myself, but—” She put down the second piece of toast she’d just fixed for herself. “Will you tell me the plan, or are you going to leave me in the dark and just expect me to follow along like a trained hound?”
When he didn’t answer, she continued, “I want to be an equal partner. After all, this is my father’s death we’re trying to solve.”
He nodded, and they stared at each other. The room was silent, and after a few moments it became uncomfortable.
A knock at the door startled them both. Carin’s head jerked and she let out a soft gasp. Ellington shook his head and said, “Enter.”
The butler opened the door and came inside. “Lords Essex, Cannonberry and Beaton are here to see you, milord. Shall I have them wait in the library?”
Ellington stood. “Finish eating. The seamstress will be here in an hour. I will return shortly.”
“I thought we were in this together,” Carin said.
She could see the look of consternation on his face. Finally, he shook his head in resignation.
“I will send Mrs. Walker with a dress for you, and we will wait to start the discussion until you are with us. Does that meet with your satisfaction?”
“Yes, it does,” she said. “As long as you keep your word.”
“I always keep my word,” he said before he left. Temple left and closed the door behind him. When they were both gone, Carin looked down at her plate. It would be a shame to let all this go to waste, and she had plenty of time to finish before Mrs. Walker came with a dress.
She might as well face this situation with a full belly.
“Someone influential enough to have a prisoner released would cover his tracks well,” Essex said. “We can try to find him that way, but I don’t think it will be possible.”
Ellington waited a moment before he said, “It will be difficult, but if we put pressure on the warden he will give us the name. Cannonberry, you and Beaton visit him this afternoon. Tell him I want the name or he will answer to me.”
Cannonberry shook his head and smiled. “Where is the little vixen? When can we meet her? Will she be a member of The Club?”
“Questions, questions,” Ellington said with a smile. “She is upstairs and will be down momentarily. I’m going to escort her to Buxton’s party tomorrow night, introducing her as my new ward.”
“Just your ward?” Essex asked. “There is much more between you than that, isn’t there?”
A grin was answer enough for all the men in the room.
“I hate to be the bearer of bad tidings, but she is a shop keeper’s assistant, correct?” Beaton took a drink from his tea.
At first, no one said a word. Finally, Ellington said, “What exactly are you saying, Beaton?”
“Will she be able to pull herself off as a member of society?” Beaton asked. “Wouldn’t it be better if—”
“If what?”
Ellington smiled into his cup, then schooled his expression before he lifted his gaze to where Carin stood. She wore one of her old dresses, which would only strengthen Beaton’s argument.
“Mrs. Piper, please excuse my bluntness.” He stood and bowed. “Andrew Tarton, at your service.”
“I know who you are, Lord Beaton,” Carin said. “I’m a well-versed shopkeeper’s assistant who knows more about life than how to stich a proper seam.”
Ellington shot her a smile, which she didn’t return. That didn’t surprise him.
Cannonberry stood and inclined his head. “And I am?”
“Edward Morton, third son of the Earl of Cannonberry,” Carin said. “How am I doing so far, gentlemen?”
Ellington stood to offer her a chair, but she turned an angry gaze on him. “I thought you were going to wait to discuss things until I came downstairs.”
“We couldn’t very well sit in silence,” he said. “Tea?”
She brushed past him, and the chill she left in her wake made him bite back a laugh. She was definitely feisty.
She sat down and said, “I suppose they know the story?”
“Most of it,” Ellington said. “I told them we are looking for a man high enough to spring someone from prison without any questions being asked.”
“You didn’t tell them about the keys, about how I came to break into your house?”
“I did, but our main focus right now needs to be identifying the man who hired your father,” Ellington said. All of his friends were seated again, and all of them nodded.
“Solve one bit of the mystery and the other bits will fall into place? Is that your plan?” Carin’s voice was cold, and Ellington wasn’t sure if she
was angry because they had started talking about the situation before she was with them, or if she was just—well, just angry. She was a very independent woman, and he had been rather high-handed with her.
“Isn’t that what you were doing?” Ellington asked. “You thought finding out about the keys would lead you to your father’s killer.”
“Keys?” Cannonberry held up a finger. “What keys? Are we being left out of something here?”
Ellington and Carin continued to stare at each other. Finally she looked away, and Ellington could see the look of resignation on her face. She told them about the keys, and the names associated with them: Driscoll, McCain, Flame, and himself.
“Something you’re not telling us, Ellington?” Beaton asked. “Have you taken it upon yourself to enter the criminal life?”
“The keys had addresses associated with them, not names,” Carin said.
“But Ellington’s lived in this house for years,” Beaton said. “I don’t know about the other three.”
An uneasy silence filled the room. “It’s your plan,” Carin said to Ellington. “Tell us what you have in mind.”
“Cannonberry, you and Beaton head to Newgate,” Ellington said. “Essex, see if you can find out if any of our peers have a gambling problem that has left them in desperate need of money. Don’t concentrate on just the three associated with the keys.”
“What about you?” Essex asked.
“I’m going to help Carin become a lady who can be presented in public,” he said.
“What?” A look of absolute terror took over her expression.
Before he could say anything, the sound of voices filled the hallway outside the room.
“Must be the seamstress who is going to dress up your new lady,” Essex said.
Carin stood and stalked by them without saying a word.
“Definitely feisty,” Essex said with a laugh. “Are you sure you don’t want to keep her around after this?”
“First things first,” Ellington said. “But you know I’m not looking for a wife.”
“You might find it enjoyable,” Essex said. “I know I have.”
Cannonberry snorted out a laugh. “I saw the look you gave her, Ellington. I don’t understand what is going on with you all. First Essex, now you, saddling yourself with one woman. It’s much more fun to have all the single ladies of The Club at your disposal.”
“Don’t worry, I’m not saddling myself with a wife,” Ellington said.
“You should reconsider that,” Essex said. “All of you should. Cannonberry, you might consider making the same arrangement with Amelia. You keep company with her quite a bit. Make an honest woman out of her and get yourself some children.”
All three men turned to stare at Essex.
“Do you mean…?”
Ellington’s words trailed off and Essex smiled in return. “Yes, Charlotte is with child, which will arrive after the New Year.”
“Congratulations,” Ellington said. “Being a father is wonderful. Charity has brought much joy to my life, and I’m sure this will for you, too.”
“Thank you,” Essex said.
Ellington looked down at the floor. Then he stiffened his resolve about his relationship with Carin being nothing more than physical. He was too old to be a father again. He didn’t need a wife.
“We all have jobs to do,” he said. “Let’s meet back here tomorrow morning and discuss our findings before we go to Buxton’s affair tomorrow night.”
Carin held onto the bedpost and grunted as the dressmaker’s assistant pulled tighter on the corset’s laces. She wanted to tell the woman she needed to breathe, that she wouldn’t look presentable at the dance if her lungs collapsed and she wiggled on the floor, gasping for air.
“How lovely,” Ellington said as he strode into the room. “I hope we can have at least one of the dresses ready for the Buxton affair tomorrow night. Of course we’ll make sure everyone knows it’s one of your creations, Mrs. Applebee.”
The seamstress nodded, and Carin wondered what she was thinking. Did she often dress rich men’s lovers? Probably so, but did those men attend the fittings?”
“I have a beautiful green dress that will look stunning on her,” Mrs. Applebee said. “I can have it ready tomorrow afternoon.”
“Perfect,” Ellington said.
The assistant continued to pull on the lacings, and Carin turned to watch Ellington and Applebee as they talked near the doorway. What were they saying, she wondered. Once again he was making decisions without consulting her, and Carin didn’t like it.
She strained her ears to hear. Did she hear the word ten and gowns? What in the devil was he talking about?
“Thank you, Mrs. Applebee,” Ellington said. The seamstress snapped her fingers and the woman tightening the corset stopped. She tied the laces, picked up her belongs and followed her employer out the door.
“What is happening?” Carin asked.
“Just a few dresses,” Ellington said. He walked to the bed and plopped himself down, sitting with his back against the headboard. “You look very lovely.”
“That’s not what I’m talking about and you know it.” Carin put her hands on her hips and prayed she looked fierce. But she wore nothing but a corset and stockings, so she probably didn’t seem like she was in charge of things.
“So, you’re taking me to a fancy party tomorrow night?” She smiled when he looked confused. “Listen, I’m not a complete loss. I can pull tomorrow night off without embarrassing you. But what are you going to tell people? What if someone recognizes me from the shop?”
“My story is that you are the daughter of a friend who recently passed away,” he said.
“They’ll figure out I’m staying with you, your society friends, I mean,” she said.
“I don’t give a damn what they think,” Ellington said. “Do you?”
“What I think is this party will take away from our real purpose,” she said. “I feel as if we’re not focusing on my father’s death.”
“Cannonberry and Beaton are searching for information,” he said. “Once we have it we’ll find out the truth.”
“I hope you’re right,” she said. “What happens until tomorrow night?”
“I’ve had Mrs. Walker set up a nice dinner for us tonight,” he said.
“Is this a test?” she asked. “Are there going to be fourteen forks and nine spoons and different pieces of cutlery that I don’t know when to use?”
“Not tonight,” he said. “Tomorrow’s affair is not a dinner, just a dance and gathering.”
“Then why test me tonight?” she asked.
“I’m not,” he said. “I had a nice dinner set up, and we’re going to eat it together and then play. You like to play.”
They locked gazes, and Carin felt as if some unknown force was going to pull her toward him. She took a step, then another.
“Are we going to play chess?” she asked. “Is that the game you have in mind? If so, you should know that I never learned to play.”
“I have a different game in mind,” he said.
“Let me change into my clothes,” she said.
“No, you’re fine the way you are.”
How did she move across the room without even realizing it? She was standing right in front of him, now. She hadn’t even searched for a robe. Here she stood, half naked in a place she shouldn’t have been. She needed to turn this around.
“I don’t think you understand what you did yesterday when you gave away my rooms,” she said. “You distracted me last night, but we need to discuss things.”
“I’m about to distract you again,” he said.
“Please don’t,” she said. Her words betrayed her actions. She hadn’t moved away from him. In fact, her body heated at the fact she was right near him.
“You don’t want me to distract you?” He rubbed his hand from her elbow to shoulder. “I don’t want to talk right now. I want to play.”
“Then we want two differ
ent things.” Not really, but she was fearful of letting herself get too emotionally close to the man standing just feet from her.”
Before she could voice her concerns, he put his arm around her lower back and pulled her close. His lips claimed hers, stopping any words that might have flowed from her mouth.
When he finally let her come up for breath, she gulped in air and started to talk, but he stopped her once again, this time flicking his tongue against hers. Her nipples hardened immediately and her quim tightened. She might be nervous in her mind about being near him, about having sex with him, about what would happen when everything that had to do with her father was solved and done.
But her body wanted him, badly.
“You don’t play fair,” she said when he finally stopped kissing her.
He stroked her hair and Carin wanted nothing more than to lay her head on his shoulder and stay there for the rest of her life. But she knew that wasn’t possible.
“With the proper clothing I can pass for a member of society,” she said. “People will question us.”
“I don’t care what people think,” he said.
“It’s easy for you to say.” She couldn’t help herself, and she leaned into him.
“You have a house, you have money. I have nothing. Thanks to you I no longer have a home, I no longer have a job.”
He took a step back and looked down at her, caressing her with his gaze.
“I swear to you I will not allow you to leave this with nothing, or go homeless,” he said.
“I won’t be your mistress,” she said.
He chuckled. “Don’t put the cart before the horse. Let’s figure things out first. Just know, I keep my promises.”
She had no doubt in that.
“Then let me dress and we’ll eat,” she said.
“You’re dressed enough for what I have in mind.” He stroked her cheek. “I’m getting hungry, and we’re wasting time. Besides, you don’t have a whole lot of clothing, remember?”
Oh, she remembered. “My clothes were good enough for me before. Are they not good enough now?”
“It has nothing to do with your clothes and everything to do with the fact that you look incredibly sexy roaming around in a corset and stockings,” he said.
His Disobedient Thief (Rakes of Mayfair Book 2) Page 10