“Poppycock,” Cassie muttered before she could halt the word.
Surprisingly, Lord Mumford tilted back his head to chuckle in rich amusement.
“Rather my sentiments as well.”
She regarded him in disbelief “Really?”
“I have little patience with such drivel. I assure you my company was not so avidly sought when I was another penniless earl.” He lifted a quizzing glass to survey a lacquer chair with its red satin cushions. “Egad, what a repulsive object. I presume that it is safe to sit upon?”
“I do not recall inviting you to sit.”
“No doubt because you did not.” He dropped the quizzing glass to regard her with that insufferable amusement. “However, I am gracious enough to ignore your questionable manners.”
Her hands clenched in frustration. “Now see here, my lord—”
“Yes, yes, my dear,” he drawled. “You are about to demand that I leave. I will refuse. You will then make a number of threats, which I will ignore. In the end I will still be here and you will have caused yourself a great deal of unnecessary aggravation. Why do you not simply concede defeat and ring for tea?”
Cassie stamped her foot. He had to be the most infuriating gentleman in all of England.
“If I were not a woman on my own, you would not be taking advantage of me in this infamous manner.”
He lifted his dark brows. “I hardly consider requesting tea taking advantage of you.”
“A true gentleman would respect my wishes.”
Surprisingly, his smile faded to be replaced by that narrowed gaze that always made her fear he could see straight to her heart.
“You are quite fortunate that I am indeed a gentleman.”
She stiffened. “Pardon me?”
With slow, deliberate steps he moved forward to stand directly in front of her.
“As you have just pointed out, you are a woman on your own. That unfortunately leaves you at the mercy of a vast array of men, many of whom would demand more than tea from you.”
Cassie could not prevent the heat from crawling beneath her skin. His words struck too close to her earlier unease.
“You are the only gentleman who bothers me, my lord,” she weakly countered.
“Good God, are you being deliberately obtuse?” he demanded. “I would think even someone of your stubborn nature would accept the danger of being in such a neighborhood.”
“This is none of your concern.”
“What if I had been some gentleman who presumed he possessed the right to demand your attentions? Or a ruffian like those you encountered at the theater?”
Her color receded to leave her pale, but she refused to admit the truth of his words. How could she?
“I have no desire to discuss this with you.”
“Because you know you are being a fool.”
“I am quite capable of taking care of myself. I do not need your assistance.”
The blue eyes darkened at her angry challenge; then, without warning, he reached up to grasp her chin with slender fingers.
“Of all the ridiculous things you have said, I believe that is the most absurd.”
His touch sent a sharp tingle of awareness down her spine, and Cassie felt her breath catch in her throat. He was so close. She could feel the heat of his body and smell the hint of sandalwood that clung to his warm skin.
“Why will you not leave me in peace?” she pleaded softly.
The unnerving gaze lowered to study the tremble of her soft lips.
“Perhaps I wish to teach you a valuable lesson,” he murmured.
“I have no desire to learn any lessons from you, sir.”
He ignored her unsteady words, his hand moving to softly brush her cheek. Cassie shivered at the rash of sensations that flared to life.
“Such beautiful skin. Softer than the most expensive silk.”
Cassie struggled to breathe as her heart pounded out of control.
“Please ...”
“And eyes the color of a dove.”
“Stop this.”
The dark head bent even closer, and Cassie felt her body tremble in delicious anticipation.
“ ‘Never have I laid eyes on equal beauty in man or woman. I am hushed indeed.’ You tempt a man beyond all reason, Lady Greer,” he whispered in husky tones.
“My lord.” Cassie barely recognized her own voice. “I must insist that you leave.”
“But why?” The disturbing fingers trailed the length of her jaw, then halted on the frantic pulse beating in her neck. “Is this not why you dress in such a provocative manner? Why you live in this neighborhood and parade yourself in the park? You wish to attract the attentions of a rich gentleman. Well, you have succeeded. I am very, very attracted.”
Cassie gave a slow shake of her head. She should be furious. Outraged at his audacious behavior. No matter what he might think of her position, she was a lady who deserved his respect. Even if he was merely attempting to teach her a lesson.
But rather than fury, it was a treacherous heat that flowed through her blood.
“No . . . I mean . . .”
“Yes? What do you mean?” His breath brushed her flushed cheek. “That you wish me to do this?” His mouth lowered to claim her lips in a soft, searching kiss. Cassie moaned as the disturbing lips caressed and teased, then moved to press against the lids of her eyes that had strangely slid shut. “And this?” he breathed, nuzzling his way down to the sensitive line of her neck.
“No.” With an effort, Cassie attempted to clear her foggy thoughts. Her body quivered as his mouth searched ever lower. “If you do not leave, I will scream.”
Laughing softly, Luke lifted his head to regard her with smoldering eyes.
“It will do little good. The staff is paid to leave us strictly alone when I am visiting.”
It took a moment for his words to sink through the thick fog in her mind; then her eyes widened with disbelief.
The arrogance of this man.
“How dare you?”
“Very easily,” he retorted without apology.
She moved to sweep past him, only to be abruptly halted as his arm encircled her waist and he tugged her against the hard contours of his form. A shudder of delight coursed through her body before she was sternly subduing her unruly reaction to his touch.
“Unhand me, sir.”
He smiled at her breathless tone. “For a lady so capable of fending for herself, you are finding it remarkably difficult to rid yourself of one mere gentleman.”
“This is not amusing, Lord Mumford,” she gritted.
“It is not meant to be, Lady Greer,” he countered. “I wish you to realize just how vulnerable you are in this house.”
She had never been more poignantly aware of her vulnerability, she acknowledged.
Every nerve tingled with life, and her mouth still carried the branding heat of his lips. A most unnerving condition for a woman who had never before been kissed.
“Please, my lord, no more lessons,” she muttered.
Something seemed to flicker deep in the blue eyes, but his expression remained unrelenting.
“Then you agree you cannot remain here?”
“I agree to nothing.”
He heaved an exasperated sigh. “Have the past few moments taught you nothing, then?”
Cassie was uncertain whether she wanted to probe into what she might have learned in the past few moments. It was enough to acknowledge that this gentleman could disturb her in a manner that was beyond her control.
“It has taught me that you are a disgraceful cad, Lord Mumford.”
“Why, you aggravating minx.” He shook his head, even as a reluctant smile tugged at his lips. “Are you always this reluctant to accept reasonable advice, or is it simply because the advice comes from me?”
“I have no need of advice, especially from you—”
Her angry words were interrupted as the door to the salon was thrust open to reveal an impassive Tolson.
Deeply embarrassed to have been caught in such a compromising position, Cassie hastily scrambled away from Luke’s lingering grasp and nervously pressed a hand to her heart.
“A visitor?”
“Yes. A rather disreputable young lady. I attempted to send her on her way, but—”
“Tell her it be about Nell,” a nasal female voice shrilled from the hall. “I ain’t here to beg.”
Cassie’s emotional turmoil was momentarily forgotten as she felt a sudden flare of excitement. After an entire week of vainly attempting to conjure a means of continuing her search for the elusive Nell, it appeared the answer might have marched onto her very doorstep.
“Send her in, Tolson. And please bring in tea.”
Raising a hand to smooth her ruffled curls, Cassie missed the butler’s swift glance toward Lord Mumford, and the elegant gentleman’s subtle nod.
“Very well.” Tolson gave a precise bow before backing out of the room.
With a sharp motion, Cassie turned to meet the bland regard of her unwelcome intruder. She had no time for polite tactics, she decided as she unconsciously squared her shoulders.
“I must beg you to leave, my lord.”
Predictably, he folded his arms across the broad width of his chest.
“I prefer to remain.”
“No,” she retorted bluntly. She had to rid herself of this tenacious man. “This is a private matter.”
“Private or not, I am not about to leave you with some strange woman from the streets. For all you know, she might have some companion waiting in the bushes for an opportunity to slip inside while you are distracted.”
She shook her head in exasperated disbelief. Of all the women in London, why the devil had he chosen her to bother?
“It is none of your concern.”
He rolled his eyes heavenward. “Not that tedious argument again, Lady Greer? I am not leaving, and that is the end of the matter.”
Cassie gritted her teeth, wondering if she possessed the nerve to call for the Watch. It might be amusing to see the elegant lord hauled away as a public nuisance. But the knowledge that she would never dare call such attention to herself halted the brief fantasy.
Instead, she bestowed him with a glare that would have flayed a lesser man.
“Some day, Lord Mumford, I will make you rue your interference.”
He smiled as he offered her a mocking bow. “I await that day with great anticipation. Until then, shall we see what our guest has to say?”
Six
The entrance of a short, round-faced girl with frizzed brown hair and ill-fitted gown forced Cassie to curb her irritation with Lord Mumford. There would no doubt be ample time later to be annoyed with the interfering gentleman.
With an effort, she summoned a welcoming smile. “Please come in, Miss . . . ?”
“Stone. Millie Stone,” the girl reluctantly supplied, her pale blue gaze nervously darting around the room. Her eyes widened in alarm at the sight of the forbiddingly large gentleman leaning with nonchalant ease against the mantel.
With a sour glare at her uninvited guest, Cassie made the grudging introduction.
“Lord Mumford, may I introduce Miss Stone?”
Luke offered a faint nod of his dark head. “Miss Stone. ”
“And I am Lady Greer.” Cassie attempted to distract the anxious Millie from Luke’s cool appraisal. The poor girl appeared as if she might bolt at any moment.
“Yes, I know.” Millie gratefully turned back to Cassie. “I seen yer both at the theater. That is how I knew where to find yer. I also heard yer askin’ fer Nell Maggert.”
Cassie felt her heart give a tiny leap. Perhaps her daring excursion through the dangerous streets had not been a thorough waste.
“Will you have a seat?” Cassie led the way to the red sofa, watching the girl anxiously perch on the edge of the cushion. At the same moment, the butler entered with a large tray. “Oh, Tolson, please just set that here.”
With stiff precision the servant marched to place the tray onto the lacquer table.
“Will there be anything else, my lady?”
“Thank you, no.”
Tolson bowed. “Very good.”
Not wishing to be overheard by the butler, Cassie busied herself with pouring her guest a cup of tea and filling a china plate with a generous serving of the various sandwiches and pastries. Once the door to the salon had been closed, she offered the delicacies to her guest.
“Oh, it’s lovely,” Millie breathed.
Sensing the girl was unaccustomed to such a treat, Cassie pretended an interest in preparing Lord Mumford’s tea and carrying it across the room to him, determinedly ignoring his sardonic expression. Only when the entire plate of food had been demolished did Cassie return to the sofa and regard Millie with a firm gaze.
“Now, I believe you have some information concerning Nell?”
A wary expression settled on the round face. “Miss Maggert ain’t be in no trouble?”
“No, certainly not,” Cassie hastily assured. “I merely wish to speak with her.”
“Why?”
“It concerns an acquaintance of hers.”
Without warning, Luke straightened from the mantel, his dark features set in stern lines.
“How do you know Nell?”
Millie flinched at the abrupt question. “I be her maid.”
“Indeed?”
“Yes.”
The blue eyes narrowed. “Rather odd for a maid to be at that theater so early in the morning.”
Millie jerkily set aside the plate and teacup. “Miss Maggert left behind a shawl that she be particularly fond of. She asked me to fetch it fer her.”
“And did she also send you here today?”
“No.” There was no mistaking the flare of fear that rippled over the broad countenance. “I ain’t said a word about Lady Greer.”
The dark features sharpened. “And why is that?”
“I ... I thought . . . that is ...” Clearly unnerved by Lord Mumford’s relentless questions, Millie struggled to meet the glittering gaze.
“You hoped that Lady Greer might be grateful enough for information concerning Nell Maggert that she would offer you a reward?”
The maid jumped to her feet with a stricken expression.
“What if I did? I ain’t done nothing wrong.”
“No one said that you had,” Cassie soothed, rising to her feet. She spared one warning glare to the imposing Lord Mumford before turning back toward the wary maid. “Will you take me to Miss Maggert?”
“I ain’t sure . . .” The girl hedged.
“I can pay you for any help you might give.”
Millie wavered. “And Miss Maggert won’t get hurt?”
“Certainly not.”
“Miss Maggert has been good to me.”
Cassie smiled in what she hoped was a reassuring manner. “I just have a few questions.”
“Well, a girl has to think of her future,” the maid muttered, twisting the faded skirt with nervous fingers.
“Yes, indeed.”
There was a long pause as Millie struggled to overcome her conscience.
“All right, then.” She succumbed to temptation, her face pale. “Meet me tomorrow behind the mews. It ain’t far from here.”
Cassie felt a sharp flare of disappointment. She had wasted a fortnight in this terrible neighborhood. She did not want to waste another moment.
“Can we not go now?” she demanded.
“Oh, no.” Millie gave a firm shake of her head. “Miss Maggert be ... entertaining.”
Cassie’s face flamed with color as Lord Mumford gave a choked cough that was suspiciously close to a laugh.
“Oh.”
“I will meet you at half past ten.” The maid appeared unaware of Cassie’s discomfort. “I al
ways take the dog for a walk then.”
Realizing that there was nothing she could do but wait until the morrow, Cassie gave a reluctant nod.
“Very well,” she conceded. “May I offer you more tea?”
“No. I have to get back afore I be missed.”
“Of course.”
Ignoring Lord Mumford who stood silently beside the mantel, Cassie led the maid out of the room and to the front door.
“Thank you for coming, Miss Stone.”
“Yer won’t forget tomorrow?”
Cassie could not prevent a wry smile. “Have no fear, I shall not forget.”
With a hasty bow, Millie slipped out of the door. Cassie watched as the maid hurried down the path, glancing nervously over her shoulder as if she feared she might be followed.
Cassie slowly shut the door. Tomorrow. Was it possible that she would at last discover Nell? That she at last be given the opportunity to ask the questions that had burned in the back of her mind since her home had been invaded?
There would be no point in becoming overly optimistic, she warned herself.
This Nell Maggert might not even be the Nell she was searching for. Or if she was, she might refuse to admit she was acquainted with Liza. Or it was even possible Millie Stone was lying about her knowledge of Nell and was simply hoping for a few easy quid.
But she at least had hope, and that was more than she possessed a few short hours before.
With a faint sigh, Cassie turned to make her way back to the salon. She had no doubt that Lord Mumford would be waiting eagerly to demand an explanation for the extraordinary encounter. He would also demand to know her interest in Nell Maggert.
Annoying man.
Entering the salon, Cassie prepared herself to fend off the inevitable curiosity. But stepping through the open door, she came to an abrupt halt as she realized the room was empty. A sudden frown marred her brow. It was too much to hope that he had actually disappeared as unexpectedly as he had appeared. So what the devil was he up to now?
Torn between using the opportunity to escape to the safety of her room and the reluctance to appear a coward, Cassie found the decision taken out of her hands as Lord Mumford nonchalantly strolled through the door behind her.
Thoroughly unnerved by his casual manner of wandering through her home, Cassie regarded him with suspicion.
Lord Mumford's Minx Page 7