As they both returned to their seats, eating in silence, she found her eyes drawn back to him, perplexed by her feelings.
The man is a villain. I know that, but…why has he not hurt me, then? If he is such a killer.
As she ate her plum cake and brioche, her mind wandered of its own accord.
Her memory returned to the moment the night before where the Earl had taken care to insure the rope did not cut her wrists. There was also the fact she had woke that very morning to discover he had covered her with a blanket. He had sought to bring John to her too. He had no obligation to do that, but he had chosen to do it.
She watched him closely as he ate, feeling her opinion of him was both confusing and adrift.
I should not like you. Yet I do.
As they finished their food, the Earl stood quickly.
“I have business to attend to. I shall ask Pip to bring your brother to you.” He buttoned up his jacket, preparing to leave as she nodded.
She was still too bewildered by the Earl to make a sensible reply. She just looked up at him, aware the confusion must have been evident in her features.
“Think on what I have said, Miss Beckett.” He leaned down toward her, relaxing the formal tone he had adopted.
She opened her mouth to reply, but before she could find any words, his lips found hers. It was brief and chaste, but it had shocked her just as much as their two passionate kisses. His lips had been gentle, lacking any of the firm intensity from before.
How is such a man capable of that delicate touch?
“I think I shall have to call you something other than Miss Beckett now.”
This simple statement caused a new shock to erupt in her chest. She shook her head, decisively.
“You can stick with the formality, My Lord. It is proper.”
He held her gaze for a moment as the customary smirk he wore returned. It made her shock disappear, only to be replaced by a fluttering sensation in her stomach.
“Yet our kisses are not so proper, Cleopatra.”
Hearing her name in his deep voice sent a thrill through her whole body that surprised her. She recoiled against the feeling as he stood straight. He offered her a small bow and hurried from the room.
As Alexander left the room, he attempted to reset the seriousness of his countenance before seeking out Pip.
He was convinced a marriage with Cleopatra would resolve most of his problems. His reputation as a philanderer would be put to bed, even though that particular accusation was untrue. It was also a good match in terms of position, therefore an eligible alliance between the two of them. The possibility of an heir someday then also remained within his grasp.
There was also the matter of his attraction to the woman.
He was unbearably drawn to Cleopatra. That was now what he would call her. No more ‘Miss Beckett’.
Cleopatra.
The thought of her drew that kiss back to his mind. Despite her staunch refusal, she had kissed him back again. She could relent to him yet, that much was clear.
He would just have to persuade her that he was no killer if she were to ever agree to a wedding.
“You are smiling, My Lord,” Pip remarked with a laugh. “Am I to offer congratulations? Did she say yes to your proposal?”
“Not yet, Pip, but it is early days. Would you take John to her, please? It is time they were reunited.”
“Of course, My Lord. Where are you off to?”
Alexander collected his top hat from the hat stand by the front door and hurried to leave.
“To Larson Manor. I need to pay a visit.”
The secret he held there pulled at his heart. He would never be distracted from these visits, despite the tantalizing distraction Cleopatra offered.
“Enjoy your visit, My Lord.”
“Thank you, Pip.” Alexander’s smile was a genuine one as he left.
As well as the business matters of the Earldom to attend to, there was someone he had to see. Someone who always brought a smile to his face, no matter how despondent the state of his life had become.
Cleopatra sat in the dining room for many minutes, replaying the morning’s events in her mind, when the sound of little feet running and pounding across the wooden floor broke through her daze.
“Cleopatra!” It was John’s voice.
She snapped her head round to the doorway and leaped from her seat when she saw John sprinting through the corridor toward her.
“John! Dearest,” she dropped to her knees as he reached her, enveloping the boy in her arms and rocking him to and fro. Pip was walking down the hallway, too, having escorted the boy. “You are safe, dearest, yes? You are unharmed?”
She pulled back, cradling the boy’s cheeks between her palms.
“Of course, I am fine.” The boy frowned in confusion, but she hurried to check his body. He was dressed in a fine little suit, unharmed without a scratch on him. “You are being silly, Sister.”
“Yes, I suppose I am. Have you eaten?”
“Not yet.”
“Come, have what is left from here. There is plenty, after all.” She pulled John to her seat and urged him into the chair. “Look what we have. Plum cake! Do you remember when we last had that?”
“Not for a year at least!” The boy was delighted as he tucked in.
Cleopatra used it as the opportunity to turn to Pip. He, too, was watching the boy with a smile.
“Pip, is it?”
“Yes, My Lady.” Pip offered a deep bow. He had a kindly manner but based on the fact he was employed in the service of the Earl, she refused to allow herself to like him yet.
“Where has the Earl gone?”
“I cannot say, My Lady.” Pip shrugged and moved further down the table. “He goes every day at this same time. Here, John, do you like eggs? Have some of these. Freshly collected this morning.”
Cleopatra eyed the care Pip showed with wariness, but John tucked in, nevertheless. She assumed the Earl’s mysterious disappearance was to take care of some shady business or other.
“Thank you. Where are we, Sister?” John asked around a mouthful of boiled egg.
“Now, John, this is a little hard to explain.” Cleopatra pulled up a spare chair to sit close to her brother’s side. “This place is called a gaming hall. It is not the most reputable of places, so while we are here, you must not go wandering.”
“Yes, Sister.” John hardly took notice; he was too focused on the food.
“Pip?” A thought occurred to her, and she beckoned Pip closer to whisper without John hearing.
“Yes, My Lady?”
“Perhaps you could give the two of us a tour, so I can insure that John won’t wander anywhere he should not.” She spoke with a calm countenance, trying to hide her excitement, thinking it would be a good possibility to learn the layout of the place.
“As you wish, My Lady.”
“Also, it would be best if you tell me…” she swallowed, struggling to say her next words. “It would be best if you tell me where the chambers are for the women of the gaming hall. I do not want John to go anywhere near them.”
“The women, My Lady?”
“Yes, the…prostitutes.”
Pip suddenly laughed. It was a quiet chuckle, but one that showed great amusement.
“What is it? Why do you laugh so?”
“My apologies, My Lady. It is just…” he threw a cautious look at John, ensuring he was not listening, “there has never been any prostitution at this gaming hall.”
“What?” Cleopatra was stunned as she recalled the Earl’s words from the night before. “None at all?”
“I am given to understand My Lord played something of a trick on you last night,” Pip shrugged, as though the whole idea was a good jest, but it only riled Cleopatra further. “Allow me to explain, the Earl detests the trade.”
“He does?”
“It is perhaps why the Wicked Souls makes less money than other gaming halls, such as the Seven Sins across t
he street. Yet it does not matter to him. It was one of the reasons he wanted to become an MP.”
“I’m afraid I do not follow you, Pip.”
“He wanted to pass laws to make the profession illegal, My Lady. To offer more protection for women in the situation as well.”
Cleopatra covered her mouth in shock, fidgeting in her seat uncomfortably.
“Is everything well, My Lady? Can I fetch you some water?”
“No, everything is fine. Thank you. I just…well, I may owe the man an apology. As much as it pains me to say it.” She looked away back to John, filled with confusion.
How can the Earl be a man of such contradictions? He would kill for a repayment of debt and abduct me, yet prostitution is where the line is drawn for him? Could it be that he is not responsible for Robert’s death after all?
Unwillingly, her mind drew back to the chaste kiss he had placed on her lips before he left the room. His kisses were as conflicting as was the man himself.
Chapter Nine
Pip’s tour of the gaming hall only confused Cleopatra more. They had the luxury of exploring the place without any patrons in attendance.
The elaborate décor and grand space had created an atmosphere of comfort and wealth. As well as the myriad of games on offer, there were drinks and refreshments available. They had also found a room adorned with a piano and other such musical instruments. Pip had explained that musicians were often invited to play for their patrons.
The sights had made Cleopatra consider the man that owned the room in more detail. He clearly took great pride in his business. None of the rooms appeared seedy or distasteful in any way.
It is still a gaming hall. Remember that.
John had been fascinated by everything he saw, yet Cleopatra had stipulated very quickly that the boy was not to return to any of the rooms that the patrons visited. This was his one and only time to see them.
They soon returned to the private chambers, and after a light lunch that Pip brought them in a parlor, Cleopatra and John spent the afternoon playing games of their own.
They were the children’s games that John loved to play, including jacks, where he frequently cheated.
Despite Cleopatra’s wariness of the world she found herself in, she was surprised how easily the afternoon had passed.
Now she had not needed to worry about finding money or food for John, nor had to concern herself with investigating the Earl, she had been able to play with John at her leisure. That time had felt so precious and long overdue.
John evidently enjoyed the time as much as she did.
When Cleopatra put him to bed in a spare chamber that evening, the boy kept asking her questions about their new and rather perplexing situation.
“Why are we here again?”
“It is difficult to explain,” Cleopatra winced as she pulled the bed covers over the little boy.
“We will not have to go home just yet, will we?”
“Why do you ask?” Cleopatra sat on the bed beside him, watching the boy’s smile.
“I liked today. We played jacks, Game of Graces, and dominoes. We never normally have such time to play.”
“I am sorry, dearest, for it.” She brushed the hair away from his forehead, feeling guilt lace her stomach. She had been so concerned about obtaining money and destroying the Earl, she had not had as much time to spend with John as when Robert had been alive.
“So, we will stay for a little longer?” His dark eyes looked up at her with hope.
It was a hope she did not want to suppress.
“I suppose we will,” she smiled sadly, realizing that she had little choice in the matter how long they were there anyway. Something that Pip’s tour had revealed was that she was being watched closely. The Earl clearly had no intention to let her escape.
“Good. I like it here.”
“Well, we shall enjoy it to its utmost while we are here. How does that sound?”
The boy nodded, cheered by this thought.
“Sweet dreams, dearest.”
“And you, Sister.”
She kissed the boy gently on the forehead and lifted the candle from the dresser, departing quietly to leave the boy in the depths of slumber.
She stood in the corridor for a few minutes debating John’s words. The lifestyle here clearly afforded the boy a few luxuries she could not afford to give him. It made her nervous to consider what John would think when he was introduced to the Earl. His opinion would surely change at that point.
The way in which John had relished playing the games teased her with a desire of her own. When she had seen the piano earlier, she had itched to play it but had been unwilling to step on toes.
As she wandered through the corridor, she found Pip standing at the top of the stairs, still apparently guarding her and preventing an escape.
“All is well, My Lady?”
“Yes, I have put John to bed for the night.” She paused in her words as sounds emerged below. “Have your patrons arrived?”
“Yes, My Lady. It is a busy evening.”
She nodded, peering over the banister in thought.
“Do you wish to see the hall?” Pip leaned next to her with mischief in his eyes. “You can, My Lady. There is no shame in it.”
“My thoughts were more on the piano you have downstairs.” She acknowledged with her eyes fixed to the candle in her hands, watching the wax melt and drip onto the brass holder.
“You can play?”
“Yes, but it is some time since I have had the practice.” After Robert’s death, one of the first things Cleopatra had done was to sell the piano to pay off some of his outstanding debts.
“Well, there are no musicians in tonight. You can have free rein of the instrument.” Pip stood straight, delighted by this idea. “May I escort you, My Lady?”
She hesitated for a minute, torn by the idea and biting her lip.
“I would like that,” she nodded, too tempted by the idea, but as Pip offered his arm to escort her, she locked her hands together, refusing to take it.
“As you wish, this way, My Lady.” Pip looked away, understanding her meaning and leading her path down the stairs. She followed with care, lifting her petticoats around her ankles to descend the staircase.
As they reached the main gaming hall, she cowered away from the sight, nervous of what she would find after all she had heard of gaming halls.
Many men were drinking to excess, forgetting their gentlemanly manners. Others sat reserved at tables, drinking calmly, and placing bets with ease.
There was a heaviness of smoke in the air and a tang of alcohol lingering. From a quick glance, Cleopatra could see glasses of port and claret being dispensed around the room.
Pip led her calmly to the side of the room toward a corridor that led to smaller chambers.
Cleopatra’s eyes drifted from the hands of cards to the faces that were red with liquor and smoking. One face caught her looking, the dark eyes turned to follow her path as he leaned over his glass.
Cleopatra looked away, aware his eyes continued to follow her as she and Pip stepped into the corridor. She was grateful to be hidden from view again as they reached the room with the piano.
Pip opened the door to let her in and hurried to light the candles around the room as she placed the one that she carried beside the piano.
“Enjoy, My Lady. I need to do the rounds of the hall, but I will be back to check on you soon.”
“Thank you, Pip.”
Pip closed one of the doors to the room, leaving her in silence.
She felt a rush of excitement as her fingers hovered over the piano keys, brushing them gently. It was a grand piano, bold and black with fine ivory keys.
She smiled, recalling how her mother, Nora, had taught her to play as a child. Her mind went back to a time when Cleopatra was too small to reach the pedals. She had sat on the piano stool, swinging her legs back and forth as her beautiful mother sat beside her, showing her which key was what.
Her mother had been a loving woman, yet she shared Cleopatra’s spirit. Nora was the one who had taught her to stand up for herself.
Cleopatra found a tear on her cheek and suddenly brushed it away with the back of her hand, wishing she could brush away the grief and how much she missed her mother with the same ease.
In Temptation and Damnation with the Earl: A Steamy Historical Regency Romance Novel Page 7