by Golden Angel
“No, his parents are merchants.” Solidly middle class, Anthony had slowly amassed a small fortune over the years with investments, something Elijah did not mention. He glanced down at Josie, but she did not seem perturbed by Anthony’s lower social status. Reaching his study, Elijah opened the door for her.
“And Nathan?” she asked as she walked past him, meandering to the chairs in front of his desk and settling down in one as Elijah answered.
“Ah, now he is a second son. His brother is the Earl of Talbot.” He followed behind her, seating himself in the chair across from hers. The masculine leather wingback nearly swallowed her, but she seemed perfectly comfortable, leaning on the arm thoughtfully.
“The previous Earl passed away recently, did he not?” A shadow flickered across her expression, and Elijah frowned. He had not realized the families were acquainted. The late earl had had little to do with polite society. A wastrel and a stain on the family name was how Nathan had described him. There had been no love lost between father and sons.
“He did.” Elijah knew his tone was short, and Josie looked at him questioningly, prompting him to provide an explanation. “This must not go past your ears—not even to your friends. The new earl is currently dealing with the debts his father left him. Part of the reason Nathan is in London is to manage things here while his brother tends to the mess the earl left the estates in.”
“Oh.” Josie’s eyes widened. “Oh.” Elijah nodded a bit grimly. He was showing a good deal of trust in her, telling her of the family’s troubles. The ton did not look kindly upon those in dire financial straits. An odd expression flitted across her face, and she appeared tentative, not a word he would have ever used for Josie. “You trust Captain Jones, even though he has financial difficulties?”
“With my life, as I have in the past. We have saved each other more than once.” He understood what she was hinting at, considering they knew the traitor was someone who knew the family, and those in financial predicaments could sometimes be bought, but Nathan was a man of impeccable honor. “You will understand once you get to know him better. Nathan would rather die than behave dishonorably.”
“What about his brother?”
“We have never met, but Nathan trusts him implicitly, and I trust his judgment. The two of them are determined to be the opposite of everything their father was.” Elijah hesitated then decided there was no harm in asking for reciprocity. “Now that I have shared, what about you… when was the last time you saw Evie?”
The smile that crossed Josie’s face was almost wicked. Her blue eyes sparkled with mischief.
“Well, I have not seen her since our wedding day.”
Elijah blinked, his jaw dropping open. Evie had been there on their wedding day?
Chapter 27
Elijah
The new accord between himself and Josie made attending Joseph and Miss Bliss’ engagement ball much easier on Elijah’s nerves than he might have felt otherwise. There was now more than passion between them. There was a partnership, and they were no longer working at odds. She had told him what Evie knew, which had not been much more than Elijah had already known.
The only point they had hit a difficulty with was Lily’s correspondence pointing to the Talbot estates. Though Elijah could believe it of the old earl, he was certain Nathan and his brother would have nothing to do with smuggling spies or other personages. Smuggling was basically an honored pastime along the coast and had been particular lucrative during wartime, supplementing incomes, and often the sons of the local nobility would be hip deep in the proceedings. Nathan had told more than one story about his time with the smuggling gang that operated out of the village next to his father’s manor.
Smugglers had their own sense of honor—usually—which did not involve betraying their country. However, there were always exceptions. Worse than the smugglers were the wreckers—those who used lighthouses and other means to draw merchant ships in too close to the rocks, marooning them, slaughtering the crews, taking the wares, then sinking the ships. There would be wreckers and some smugglers who could be bought for the right price.
Josie still seemed skeptical, but she did not know Nathan the way he did. The one thing he kept from her was Nathan’s suspicions about Lily. He could not see what it would help and had a feeling it would only make Josie take up even more against Nathan. If Elijah’s reaction to Nathan’s questions had been immediate denial, Josie’s would be even more so. She was not entirely soothed about Nathan.
“They do make a lovely couple,” Lily said approvingly, from the other side of Josie, as they watched Joseph lead Miss Bliss onto the dance floor. Miss Bliss, always beautifully turned out, was resplendent tonight in a rose-and-gold gown and her blonde hair pinned in a torrent of curls, with a beaming smile as she stared up at his brother. Joseph was grinning like a fool at her as they began their celebratory waltz while everyone looked on.
As beautiful as Miss Bliss looked, Elijah thought his wife far outdid her. Josie was dressed in a turquoise blue that made her eyes shine like jewels, her hair lifted off her delicate neck, making him want to stroke his fingers along the nape, and a low neckline that hinted more than displayed and was driving him wild.
“They do.” Josie smiled serenely, her arm brushing against Elijah’s as she unconsciously swayed toward him in time to the music. If they were alone, he would wrap his arms around her, but to do so here would cause a stir among the guests, and he did not want to take attention away from his brother. Joseph deserved this moment, especially since, for a while, they were not sure it would happen. She leaned forward, peering around Elijah sat Adam. “What do you think, Adam, shall you end this Season with a bride as well?”
“Do not wish such things upon me, sister.” Adam shuddered, shaking his head. “I am far too young for your plots.”
Giggling, Josie settled back into position, Lily and Mary laughing beside her. A little pang struck Elijah. Evie was the only one missing from their little coterie, and he felt her absence as much as they must. He scanned the assemblage, looking for her. Knowing she had appeared at both Mary’s and Josie’s weddings, he thought she must be nearby tonight. Unless she was waiting for the actual wedding rather than the engagement ball, but his gut told him she was here, only in hiding.
He and Father had left her out of the family business, and now she was not part of the family for all the important events happening this Season because she did not feel she could show herself to them. Elijah vowed when she made her presence known to him again, he would welcome her back without recriminations or scolding and maybe even talk to Father about including her more. Not the way she wanted to be, but they could find a compromise, the way he had with Josie. She did not need to go on missions to be useful. She could help in the home office.
In the meantime… His eyes dropped down to his wife’s decolletage, stirring his arousal again. Seeing the proof in her eyes that she was no longer pining for Joseph, realizing she was perfectly happy at Elijah’s side was having an effect on him, emotionally and physically. He always wanted her, but now, the drive was stronger than ever. Waiting for the ball to be over would be an eternity. Not that everyone would wait. Across the room, he was amused to see the Marquess of Dunbury and his wife slipping into the shadows to the hall, seeking a place to find private delights.
Which gave him an idea…
Josie
Considering all the revelations since her wedding, Josie was no longer surprised when she felt nothing but happiness for Joseph as she watched him waltzing in celebration of his engagement to Miss Bliss. She did not feel horror about the man she loved marrying another woman because the man she loved was at her side, smiling with pride at his younger brother.
She truly was happy for Miss Bliss. The debutante’s name had been paired with multiple eligible gentlemen, yet none of them had offered for her. She deserved happiness. If she was a bit boring, well, that was for Joseph to live with.
“My lady, may I have this dance
?” Elijah asked, turning and giving her a slight bow as the music for Joseph and Miss Bliss’ waltz came to an end. Josie’s smile was brilliant.
“Yes, my lord.” Her tone was light and flirtatious, and Elijah grinned in response. She wondered if he realized how much he was lightening up in recent days, no longer always so serious. A smile looked good on him. His dark hair waved away from his face, the points of his collar were stiffly starched, the white fabric contrasting sharply with his hair and eyes, and his blue waistcoat complemented her dress beautifully. They were an attractive pairing, and she heard several murmurs of appreciation from the audience as they took to the floor.
The country dance was faster-paced than the waltz but allowed Elijah to hold her in his arms, and Josie felt her heart fluttering madly as he whirled her around the dance floor along with the other couples. She could see Rex and Mary doing the same, and to her amusement, Lily was dancing stiffly with Captain Jones, both of them eying the other warily. She wondered what Lily had said to him to garner that response, but knowing Lily, it was something blunt, acerbic, or both.
Well, maybe having the opportunity to talk to him herself would keep Lily from pestering Josie with more questions about him because Josie truly did not know. Elijah was mostly forthcoming with answers, but since he was not willing to entertain suspicions of his friend, he could only be pushed so far, and Josie did not blame him.
“Josie…” Elijah started to say something, then cut off, drawing her attention up to him. He looked oddly pensive, almost hesitant, not his normal self.
“Yes?” she prompted.
“I was wondering…” His voice trailed off again, and Josie seriously considered trodding on his foot to spur him to actually finish a sentence.
“Yes, Elijah?”
Instead of answering, he lifted his head, looking about, then pulled her off of the dance floor. What on earth? She did not protest, gamely following him, wondering where he was leading her. They only received a few glances as they moved along, most of the guests assuming they had some duties to attend to behind the scenes. Josie knew everything was well in hand, though. Mrs. Brandon would have come and found her otherwise.
Bemused, she followed Elijah into the hall to the drawing room. No sooner had he locked the door behind him than he was pulling her into his arms, his lips descending on hers. She gasped in delighted shock, and his tongue slid between her lips when they parted. This was not at all what she had been expecting. The kiss deepened, lengthened, and he moved her backward, trapping her between his body and the wall next to the door.
“Elijah!” Her whisper was scandalized as he pulled his lips away from hers, moving them down her neck. “Here?!” It was not a protest, more a shocked question. She was so surprised Elijah, of all people, would sneak away, especially during his brother’s engagement ball, for a private interlude. The surprise and excitement stirred her arousal, especially knowing their guests were only a few doors away. It was scandalous, was what it was, and exhilarating.
“Yes.” His hands cupped her breasts and squeezed as his hardness pressed against her, parting her legs. “Here.” She gasped as he tweaked her nipples through the fabric of her dress, then dropped his hands away, pulling at her skirts. “Now.”
“You’ll wrinkle my skirts!” The thought was nonsensical, yet she could not fathom returning to the ball with wrinkled skirts, where everyone would be able to see… everyone would know… Her cheeks turned bright red at the mere thought.
With a low curse, he spun her around. Josie pressed her forearms against the wall, bracing herself, slightly bent forward in this position.
“Like this then?” It was a rhetorical question as he flipped her skirts above her hips and parted the slit in her drawers. His hand caressed her buttocks before giving her a little swat that made her gasp again, then his fingers curved around her hips, pulling them back and bending her forward a little more.
She did not know when he had time to undo the front of his breeches, but his cock thrust into her from behind, hard enough she bit her lip as the sweet sensation of being filled so hard and fast rippled through her. The noise from the ballroom was muted, hardly enough to drown out her cries if anyone was in the hall.
Elijah’s body slapped against her buttocks each time he filled her, driving her need higher but not quite enough sensation in the right spots to give her satisfaction.
“Please… Elijah…” she whispered, squirming back against him. “I need more.”
“Then beg me, minx,” he whispered, the brush of his lips against the shell of her ear sending a shiver through her.
“Please, Elijah, please, touch me…” It was harder to keep her voice low, but she managed it, too wound up to care she was begging. It aroused her even more, though she did not think she would ever admit it aloud.
“Like this?” His hands caressed her hips, her bottom, and she ground her teeth in frustration, bucking against him.
“No, Elijah…”
“Then tell me where, sweetheart.” The wicked note in his voice made it clear he knew exactly what she wanted—needed—but he was going to make her declare it. If he thought she had any shame left, he was about to discover he was wrong.
“My pussy, Elijah, please, touch my pussy.”
Her pleas were rewarded. Reaching around her, his fingers pressed into her cleft, finding the little pearl of pleasure between her slick folds and stroking it. Josie moaned, then clapped her hand over her mouth. The frantic need to keep quiet, the notion someone might try to enter the room while Elijah was riding her so furiously from behind, was wildly exciting her.
Her pleasure circled higher and higher with each stroke of his fingers until she cried out, shuddering around him, and felt him surge. He pinched her clit, adding a jolt of pain to her pleasure and making her legs shake even more, leaving them both panting for breath. Inside her, she felt him throb with every wave of his own climax, his hips only making the smallest of movements.
Despite the quickness of the encounter, it had been utterly satisfying. Josie wondered at her excitement from it all evening. The night at the Society, she had felt similarly when anyone might have walked in and seen them. Why had it had aroused her? Was it possible she actually wanted to be watched?
No… the very idea made her shudder, but the thought someone might catch them was different somehow. Possibly the secrecy added to the intimacy.
Whatever the reason, the rest of the evening, she felt even more connected to Elijah, and when they tumbled into bed that evening, their lovemaking was passionate.
Chapter 28
Elijah
My Lord,
I urge you to visit the Tramp’s Den with me this evening. I have received word our elusive Frenchman will be there. I will be there at half-past midnight.
~Mitchell
Anticipation and excitement rose in Elijah’s chest. Finally, after days of frustration and a lack of leads, he may be able to find the Frenchman who had set Josie up. Not that he regretted the events as they happened—he did not think he would be married to Josie otherwise, and his life would be the sadder for it—but if the villain had succeeded, it would have caused great unhappiness for his family and him personally. Not only that, they could not rely on the traitor’s future machinations to have such happy endings.
The ton’s entertainments would still be in full swing at half-past but would have gone on long enough, no one would think it amiss if he stepped away.
“What is that?”
Elijah’s first instinct was to hide the letter from Josie, but he did no more than twitch when he heard her voice. He did not mean to keep things from her anymore, not after he had promised to keep her informed.
Lifting his head, hiding his reaction, he smiled when he saw her standing in the hall with his father, both of them looking at him curiously.
“Exciting news?” his father asked amiably, though his eyes were alight with sharp curiosity, knowing no invitation or social note would cause Elijah suc
h elation.
“Mitchell believes the Frenchman will be at the Tramp’s Den tonight,” Elijah said simply, striding forward to pass the note to his father. Josie leaned in to look, and Elijah saw his father hesitate for a moment before tilting the paper to accommodate her. Including Josie would take some getting used to, but if it kept her happy and from following Evie’s example, it would be worth it.
His father straightened, a grin spreading across his face, just like Elijah. They had both been in the game long enough to have a sense for when there was going to be a break in the case, and this was it. Elijah knew it. It did not hurt to see his father had the same presentiment.
“What is the Tramp’s Den?” Josie’s confusion made Elijah wince. She, of course, did not possess the same intuition, nor did she have any knowledge of the Tramp’s Den. Discussions about gaming hells were not for ladies’ ears, but he had promised to keep her informed.
“It’s a gaming hell in one of the worst parts of London.”
A little scowl furrowed her brow, and she looked up at him, opening her mouth to say something before glancing to the side at his father and dropping her head. Elijah realized she had almost revealed how his last trip through the streets of London had gone, then remembered he was keeping that particular incident from his father. She was keeping his secrets, even from his father, proving she could be trusted. A happy warmth spread through his chest.
They truly were a partnership.
“Well, you cannot go alone.” Josie’s scowl deepened, her lips pursing together.
He knew keeping of his secret would only go so far if she felt he was in danger, and though it was frustrating, that warmed him in a different manner.
“I will not be alone. I will meet Mitchell there.” This time he would also be more on guard instead of lost in his own thoughts. “I will be careful.”