Blast that woman and her green eyes.
“Very well. Locate Miss Maycroft’s seamstress shop and we shall pay a call upon her come morning.”
“I already have the address. The shop is open until six o’clock. Plenty of time to pay a visit now.”
Marcus closed his eyes. He’d prefer to wait until morning, but what purpose would that serve? It would only give him another night to dream of her sharing his bed. Perhaps seeing her again, especially if she insisted on being as contrary as she had previously, would snuff out the desire he had for her.
“Very well. I assume the carriage is waiting for us?” Marcus leveled a glare at Samuel that would’ve sent his other footmen running.
But not Samuel. He smiled at Marcus and gave a polite nod. “Of course, my lord.”
“Funny how you only use that address when attempting to convince me to see your point of view.” Marcus set the crystal glass down with a thump. “Let us be on our way to Madame Daphne’s.”
~*~
Tessa rubbed the low ache in her back. The day had been a long one. She’d spent most of the afternoon attempting to find the proper lace trim and ribbon for Lady Aldleberry’s gown. A more indecisive woman, Tessa had never met. It drove her mad. But as a returning customer who actually paid her bill, they couldn’t afford to turn her away.
Rain poured outside. Perhaps the poor weather added to her odd mood. On days like this, the years before her stretched out endlessly.
Was this it? Was this all she had to look forward to? Immediately guilt filled her. Her life was so much better than most women, yet still she wasn’t happy. What was wrong with her?
A pair of golden eyes came to mind. Ever since seeing Marcus—the Earl of Warenton, she corrected herself, for his title created an insurmountable gap between them—she’d felt restless.
His kiss had created a longing deep inside her that she hadn’t realized she was capable of feeling. In the middle of the night, he filled her dreams, so big and tall and strong. Her heartbeat quickened at the memory of his warm lips on hers. Her cheeks felt flushed at the idea of ever seeing him again. She felt...wanton. She feared he could tempt her to share more than a kiss.
“What’s wrong, dear?” Aunt Betty asked, her warm brown eyes steady on Tessa. “You’ve seemed out of sorts all afternoon.”
Tessa glanced around the small shop. No customers were there at the moment. The girls were busy with projects. Soon they would close for the night. “Are you happy?”
Aunt Betty frowned. “Happy?” She said the word as though it was unfamiliar. “Why wouldn’t I be? I have a good life.”
“It’s not that I’m not grateful for all we have,” Tessa whispered, not wanting to share her discontent with the girls. “I am. And I am especially grateful to you. Who knows where I might be if not for you? I shudder to think of being forced to fend for myself at the age of fourteen.”
Her aunt smiled. “You would’ve been fine. Despite the reduced circumstances in which your father left you, you are a resourceful woman. So strong. Far stronger than I ever was. In fact, there are days when I wonder if I’ve held you back.”
Tessa gasped in dismay and took her aunt’s hand. “Never say such a thing. I am so lucky to have you. I worry what would happen if I were to lose you.”
Aunt Betty gave a small sad smile. “The day will come. No matter how much I wish it otherwise.” She glanced back at where the girls worked so diligently in the lamplight. “Would you keep the shop? Or is there something else you’d like to do?”
Tessa swallowed hard. She’d wondered the same yet felt she had no choice in the matter. Where else would money for food and shelter come from? But could she make this small shop suffice on her own? Did she want to?
“I’ve been saving a little money for you,” Aunt Betty confessed. “When I die, you could make a fresh start elsewhere.”
Tessa squeezed Betty’s hand all the harder. “Do not speak of such things. I cannot bear it.”
“We must be practical, Tessa. We all die and rarely at a time of our choosing.” She drew a deep breath. “For now we will set aside such talk, but you must think long and hard on it so you have a plan when something happens.”
“Nothing is going to happen for a very long time.” Tessa blinked away the sudden tears in her eyes. No matter that she wasn’t happy. She was content, she told herself. But without her aunt, she doubted she would have even that. The thought hurt too much to consider.
The bell above the door tinkled. Tessa blinked again to clear the moisture from her eyes only to see Marcus standing in the door. Her breath caught at the sight of him. What could he possibly be doing here? His black wool cloak was dappled with raindrops. It made him appear all the broader across the shoulders. Odd how his strength made her feel so fragile.
She shook her head at her ridiculous thoughts.
“My lord.” She curtsied while her aunt belatedly did the same, no doubt wondering what was happening and who this man was. Good manners had her introducing them.
Aunt Betty looked back and forth between them, obviously confused as to how they knew each other.
Tessa took pity on her curiosity and added, “The earl was the injured man in the alleyway I helped last month.”
“Oh, I see,” she said with a nod, though it was clear she did not.
Tessa hadn’t mentioned that she’d encountered Marcus again two days ago on the dock when she’d gone after Sally. Nor had she mentioned that kiss. How could she? Not when she still didn’t have any explanation for it.
“I fear I am in need of your assistance once again,” the earl said after the civilities were completed.
“Oh?” Tessa’s eyes narrowed. From the uncomfortable look on his face, she wondered what he was about. How many times did she need to be reminded not to trust men?
“I would like to speak with the girl, Sally, if I may.”
“Why?”
“We need to question the man she met with on the dock the other day. Is she here?” He glanced to where the girls worked. Or rather had been working. Now they simply stared at him, their hands idle.
“I spoke to her and she can add nothing more than what she already shared.”
“Then it will certainly do no harm if I speak to her.” Those golden hazel eyes held steady on her.
Was it just her imagination, or was he remembering their heated kiss as well? She felt her cheeks flush and glanced at her aunt.
Aunt Betty was staring wide-eyed at both of them, much like the girls.
“I don’t think that a wise notion,” Tessa began, only to be interrupted by her aunt.
“Dear, surely it would do no harm for him to speak with Sally. Perhaps that would ensure the rest of the girls stay safe.” Her aunt smiled at the earl. “Sally stayed home today as she was under the weather. We can’t have her getting the rest of the girls sick, you see.”
“No, of course not,” Marcus agreed.
It would’ve been much easier to distance herself from him if she could remember that he was an earl, not simply Marcus. And she was a seamstress. The two were worlds apart, and she wanted to keep them that way. But having him standing in their shop, taking up so much space and dripping on the wood floor made it difficult to keep that distance in mind. Even his scent, a mix of the sea and the forest, filled her senses.
“Another day, perhaps,” she suggested, hoping he’d give up and take his leave.
“I’m afraid this is of great importance. May I call upon the girl at her home? I would be happy to pay her for her trouble.”
“I’m certain that would be acceptable,” her aunt answered before Tessa could forbid it. “She’s on the mend by now, no doubt. Tessa, you should accompany him to make certain Sally is comfortable answering his questions.”
Taken aback, Tessa could only stare at her aunt. What could she be thinking? That was a terrible idea. Before she could protest, she found herself putting on her cloak that one of the girls had fetched for her with Aunt
Betty waving her out the door and bidding them both goodbye.
Tessa stood on the sidewalk under the earl’s umbrella which his footman so kindly held over them as the rain came down before she understood what had happened.
Marcus gestured toward the sleek black carriage waiting in the street. As if any of the other simple carts or cabs might be his. Trying to catch her balance mentally and shore up her defenses at the thought of being in the enclosed space with him, Tessa moved forward.
The footman, the same one who’d been on the dock two days ago, smiled at her as he held open the door, the amusement in his eyes puzzling her.
She sat on the tufted seat, amazed at how comfortable the conveyance was, so different than the hansom cabs she occasionally took. The carriage light cast a soft glow across Marcus’s features, as he settled on the bench beside her. She could feel the heat of his body through her own thin cloak, making her all the more aware of him.
She gave the footman Sally’s address, then he latched the door, leaving her and Marcus alone. Her heart pounded rapidly and she drew a breath to slow its beat.
“What do you intend to ask Sally?” She needed to keep her thoughts on the task before them, not how much she wished he’d kiss her once more.
“I would like to review her conversation with the man again and ask if she has any idea where he might live or if she’s seen him in any other places. I need to find him.”
“May I ask why?”
“I think he might know something about a problem with the cargo on one of my ships.” The dark slash of his brow seemed at odds with the long sweep of his lashes—one so masculine, the other softening his appearance. Neither helped calm her rapidly beating heart.
He caught her gaze, those golden eyes heating as he studied her. She felt her entire body warm as he examined every inch of her face.
“I find you quite striking.” He said the words almost reluctantly, as though already regretting them.
She told herself she welcomed the anger that filled her. Anything was better than the heat of attraction she couldn’t seem to halt. “You flatter me.” Sarcasm colored her tone.
He merely smiled. “I am not attempting to flatter you. When I do, you’ll know it.”
A flurry of butterflies beat low in her belly. When? Not if? She swallowed hard, her mouth suddenly dry. Why did that sound so appealing?
But she could not allow herself to wonder what it might be like. No doubt that was a false promise. She’d heard too many from her father to be fooled.
Instead, she shook her head and glanced away.
“Tessa.” The whisper of her name on his lips had her turning to him once again.
“Marcus.” She’d meant to address him with his title, to remind herself and him of the distance between them. But his given name had slipped out.
His pupils darkened. His gaze slid to her lips then returned to her eyes. “Damn,” he muttered as he leaned over, pressing his lips to hers.
Her heart swelled with joy. She drank as though dying from thirst, indulging in the moment. She hung on to that thought—that this was only a moment. That’s all it could last. This was not fate but merely chance.
But try as she might, she couldn’t make any of that matter. Not when passion swirled as their tongues danced. There could be no denying the desire he felt for her. The knowledge made her heady with power. He released her mouth to devour her jaw line then lower to her neck, nudging the sensitive spot behind her ear she hadn’t realized was there.
Heat pooled low in her belly, and her breath quickened. What was this, she wondered. How could this be? Why him? The thoughts fell away as quickly as they came. Then his hand settled on her waist beneath her cloak.
“Oh my,” she murmured, overwhelmed by the feelings coursing through her. Whatever this was, she wanted more, before it left never to return.
His hand moved up, causing need to settle heavy in her breast. Yes, she wanted to shout. Now the warmth of his palm rested just below her breast. She wanted to move it up and ease the ache there.
“What is this?” he whispered as he eased back, his gaze holding hers. “What do you do to me?”
His question seemed to demand an answer, yet she had none to give. Instead, she kissed him. The distance between them she’d thought so vast now seemed to have disappeared.
“I want you. Damned if I don’t.” There was an edge to his words that she didn’t understand. As though this passion was forbidden.
The reminder was sharp, causing her breath to catch in her throat. She didn’t know this man at all. He might very well be— “Are you married?” His voice had held guilt. What other cause could there be?
He closed his eyes at her question, and her heart sank. Disgust filled her. At herself. At him. She should’ve known better than to think he might be honest. How often had her father twisted the truth to suit his own end?
“No.”
Yet his hesitation made her doubt he told the truth.
What difference did it make? She shouldn’t be kissing him anyway. He lived in a world far removed from hers. Besides what he made her feel was too unsettling, too risky, and too treacherous.
Now she need only convince herself of that.
CHAPTER FIVE
Marcus was surprised at Sally’s enthusiasm to meet Culbert, the man she’d spoken with at the dock, to offer a counterproposal. Apparently the idea of playing spy appealed to her. She had a contact who could get a message to the man but didn’t know any other way to find him. Of course, she only agreed once Tessa said she’d also accompany them.
Marcus refused to acknowledge how much he looked forward to spending more time with Tessa nor how much he enjoyed their kisses.
The next afternoon, Tessa sent him a message stating that Sally had received confirmation from Culbert as to the time and location of their meeting. Though Marcus shared Tessa’s concerns about allowing the young girl to speak with the man again, he could think of no other way to discover more about the scheme Culbert was attempting to run and who else was involved. He feared more girls were at risk than just Sally.
After much discussion, he and Tessa decided it best to allow the girl to walk to the dock as she had in the past in case she was being watched. The three of them agreed on a meeting place should Sally not find Culbert or if anything went awry.
Marcus’s carriage drew to a halt a short distance from the dock. The worry in Tessa’s gaze gave him pause.
“I will take care of her,” he promised. “Samuel will be watching as well.”
She nodded but didn’t seem truly reassured.
They stared out the carriage window for several minutes until Sally arrived at the meeting spot. Marcus prepared to alight, turning once more to Tessa.
“You must wait here.” Though this had already been discussed at length, he felt the need to remind her.
“I don’t see why. I’d be far more help closer to Sally, and I blend in better than you in this area.”
Marcus had donned a suit that had seen better days but would still stand out from the majority of other men on the dock. “I don’t care. It’s far too dangerous. You need to remain in the carriage. I intend to stay out of Culbert’s sight, and I’ll take care not to draw anyone else’s attention.”
Her scowl was answer enough. The twist of her lips made him want to kiss her once more. With effort, he resisted as he’d indulged himself far too much when it came to her. “Please wait here.”
She reluctantly nodded.
He stepped down from the carriage and walked toward the ship grocers where Culbert and Sally were meeting. Samuel continued to the far side of the grocers to seek a vantage point. Marcus hid behind a stack of wooden barrels that waited to be moved into a warehouse. If Culbert spoke loud enough, Marcus should be able to hear what he said.
Marcus waited until Culbert approached Sally then moved closer. From this spot, he couldn’t see the pair without revealing himself, but he could hear more clearly. He still thought hi
s suspicions might be wrong. After all, if Culbert wanted the girl to work in a brothel, he could simply steal her, haul her to the brothel where she could be drugged, and be done with it. But since he hadn’t done that, Marcus believed a bigger endeavor was at work, one that involved his ships.
“Did ye decide to join us?” Culbert asked Sally.
“Not quite. I ’ave a proposition of me own for ye,” Sally answered.
Marcus had to smile despite the dire circumstances. The girl could’ve been an actress as well as she played the part they’d discussed.
“What would that be?” The wariness in Culbert’s voice was evident even from this distance.
“I know many girls my age and younger who live in the same lodging house as me. I believe I could convince several to accept your offer in the next day or two. Of course, I’d expect a ’andsome fee for me efforts for each one who joins ye.”
“Why do ye think I need more girls other than ye?” Culbert asked.
“More’s always better, isn’t it?”
The two conversed further, at last coming to an agreement on the fee. Marcus had warned her against offering to do it too cheaply. That might raise Culbert’s suspicions. Sally did just as Marcus asked, and the pair planned to meet again on the morrow in the same place at the same time. Sally was to bring the others with her.
“What do ye intend to do with ’em?” Sally asked.
“’Tis none of yer business.”
Marcus swore at Culbert’s curt response. He needed more details to understand what the man was up to.
Culbert took his leave, and Marcus followed as the man walked past several shops, hands in his pockets, whistling. Obviously he was quite pleased with himself. Marcus assumed Samuel had already returned to the carriage.
“If it isn’t Culbert,” a man approaching from the opposite direction called.
“Freddie, where have ye been keepin’ yerself? Haven’t seen ye in these parts for ages.”
Marcus eased into the mouth of an alleyway, hoping to hear the two men.
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