Then he turned a wicked grin on her. “So, three months?”
She nodded. “Three months.”
What a wonderful three months they were going to be.
Chapter Seven
Pierce drew his horse to a halt and eyed the great house. The river weaved its way past, swollen from recent rain and the flat land about it spread for many miles. Most of which was Evelyn’s. Or at least in her care. Something he had discovered over the past few weeks was that this land took much care. When he wasn’t attending to her in bed or dining with her, she spent most of her time in the office.
He gave the reins a flick and set the horse into a gallop. Energy sizzled through his body and he needed to be rid of it. He smirked to himself. Many men would have found themselves drained by the beautiful duchess, but not he, apparently. In spite of a quick tumble this very morning, where he’d taken her hard and fast against a wall, he’d found himself bored and restless.
Not that Evelyn bored him. Far from it. It was everything else that did it.
Urging the horse up a small slope, he headed for the track that led to the bridge crossing the river. Mud flicked about him and his boots and trousers would likely be spattered. Not that it mattered. Since they’d made their agreement, Evelyn had arranged for most of his belongings to be brought to the house by carriage. He could change when he returned to the house.
He gave the horse another quick dig with his heels and an encouraging shout after they crossed the bridge.
Pierce’s breaths came quick and fast and sweat began to rise from the mount. He settled into a canter. He suspected he could go far longer than the damn horse. Apparently he’d have to find another way to occupy himself if even her fine geldings couldn’t keep up with him.
Evelyn had seen to everything. She’d arranged their contract, had his belongings delivered...hell, she’d even wanted a list of his creditors. While she might know how much he owed, he wasn’t having her running off and paying all his bills herself. He had some pride.
And now that pride was being tested. He’d recognised that from the beginning. There was only so long a man could be a wealthy woman’s lover without feeling the need to be useful in ways other than the bedroom. It wasn’t in his nature to be a man of leisure. The itching desire to find a nearby inn and deal a hand of cards crawled under his skin but he thrust it aside. He might only be able to lose pennies in a travelling inn but it didn’t matter. Pennies were where it all started.
But to do nothing...He gritted his teeth and the horse fairly guided himself to the stables, sensing the end of their ride, likely with relief. Though the animals were strong and enjoyed the exercise, it seemed not even they could keep up with him.
Evelyn could, however.
Just a shame she refused to let him ease the burden of her work and assist. He could do with keeping his hands busy in other ways than on her body. Not to mention, she was holding back. Pierce dismounted and handed the reins to a stable hand after giving the gelding a pat. He paused as he came away from the stables when he spotted a rider making his way up the main road toward the house. Was this something to do with whatever secrets she was keeping from him? Her body might keep nothing from him but her mind did, and he couldn’t help being curious.
To unlock all of Evelyn Chesworth’s secrets...now that would be a fine thing indeed.
Hand to his face to shield his eyes from the rare morning sun, he peered at the rider. As he neared, Pierce’s scowl deepened. What in the devil was one of his brothers doing here? He’d sent word to Julian to inform him of his temporary arrangements. He loathed being answerable to the man but, hell, he did pay his bills. For now, at least.
When the man dismounted and pulled off his hat to tuck it under his arm, Pierce shook his head. Of all his brothers, he never expected Jasper to visit. His older brother was typically busy doing...whatever it was Jasper did. Causing trouble and getting into fights with angry husbands usually. The third Cynfell brother put even his own gambling debts to shame.
Pierce strode over and eyed his brother. They all looked alike—as people frequently commented—but with only a year between them, they were the most similar. Same dark hair, strong jaw. Jasper had a tendency to skip shaving but there had been many times when they’d been mistaken for twins. Oddly enough, the real twin brothers Ash and Harris were certainly identical but looked the most different to the rest of the brothers with slightly lighter hair and features from their mother’s side.
Pierce shuddered. Now Jasper had got him thinking of his mother. He was beginning to resent his intrusion even more.
“What are you doing here?”
Jasper grinned and strode over. “Fine way to treat your favourite brother.”
“Who says you’re my favourite?”
“I will be after you hear what I’ve done for you.” He glanced up at the house. “Aren’t you going to invite me in? Introduce me to this fine woman who’s mad enough to take you for her lover?”
“Evelyn has more sense than most of your conquests put together,” he shot back.
“Can’t be that bright if she’s taken you under her wing, but I can’t blame you, Pierce. I’ve heard she’s a fine creature. All of London is awash with the gossip.”
“London talking of a Cynfell man. How new,” he replied drolly.
Jasper chuckled. “Yes, though it makes a change that it’s about your lover and not mine. Last I heard you were practically a pauper and no woman would touch you.”
Pierce led the way into the house and paused to let the butler know they had a guest. He motioned to the smaller drawing room and waited for Jasper to take a turn around before confronting his brother. “I believe, dear brother, you’re confused. I’d heard tell no woman would touch you after that debacle with that French woman. Countess something...?”
“Pish. Plenty of women willing to fill her spot, I promise you.”
Sitting, Pierce leaned back and put one ankle over his knee. He affected a bored look. His brother could be known to spend all day trying to best him with words, and he didn’t much have a taste for it, not when he was mightily curious as to why Jasper would take a break from his busy life of sleeping with every woman in London to visit him.
“As fascinating as tales of your exploits are, will you tell me why you’ve come and disturbed this rather fine situation I’ve found myself in?”
A grin stretched Jasper’s lips. “Yes, a rich woman’s lover. Even I haven’t succeeded in that. Striking quite the blow for the Cynfell brothers, are you not? I heard you even visited Stourbridge. How did you find it?”
He thought back to his annoyance at visiting the notorious house and then the ride home. “Interesting,” was all he would say.
His brother’s smile eased and a seriousness Pierce rarely saw in him entered his gaze. He came to sit on the gilded chair opposite and leaned forward. “Regardless of this rather opulent setting you’ve found yourself in, things are not so pleasant in London.”
“How so?”
“I cannot claim to be the most saintly nor the smartest brother but, bloody hell, Pierce, you borrowed from some dangerous men. Far be it for me to interfere, but when I start receiving threats because of your behaviour, I have to speak up. Can’t very well have your business cutting into my social life, you know.”
He straightened at this. “Threats?” His brothers might like to rile him from time to time and, Lord knows, he’d threatened most of them at one point or another in his life. He might even regret that he had so many of damn siblings at times. But if someone was threatening his family...Pierce curled a fist.
“Something to do with all this money owed. Impatient sorts, these fellows.”
“Damnation,” he hissed.
“Yes, well that’s almost what I said but a little harsher.” He rested his elbows on his knees and leaned forward. “I can take care of myself. So can the others. But when these rough types start approaching when I’m with a lovely lady, it’s a little off-putting for
them.”
“I’m surprised any of the company you keep finds a few rough types off-putting.”
“Yes, well, we cannot all bed duchesses. But my point is twofold. Firstly, I resent the interruption, and secondly, think of Julian and Dante. Viola’s pregnant again and I know Josephine is spending time in London because I saw her not three days ago at the theatre. No doubt she’s selling some paintings of hers for vast sums.”
“You’re saying I’ve put them in danger, is that it?”
Pierce cursed himself silently but he wouldn’t let Jasper know the thought of his brother’s wives in peril seared through to his gut. Just because he wasn’t ready to settle down and play family didn’t mean he wished any harm to the lovely women they’d married and their families.
Damn his weakness for cards. Damn, damn, damn.
“You’re not the first Cynfell to get into trouble, Pierce, and you won’t be the last, but I suggest you get this sorted sharpish.”
“You know you could have told me this by letter.” He narrowed his gaze at his brother.
Jasper grinned and made a show of studying his nails before buffing them on his jacket. “Yes, but what fun would that be? Besides I had a hankering to find out about this woman who is mad enough to want you in her bed.”
“Then you need not wait,” came Evelyn’s voice from the doorway.
Pierce had to suppress a smile when his brother’s expression faltered before returning to his usual charming composure. They stood and Evelyn swept into the room with all her usual confidence. Dressed in pale green silk, her beauty near punched him in the gut. And if Jasper’s expression was anything to go by, he’d noticed how fine she looked too.
“Your Grace.” Jasper bowed low.
“Evelyn, this is my brother Jasper. Jasper, Evelyn Chesworth, Duchess of Ardleigh.”
“A pleasure.”
She gave a smile and took her time studying him. It would have been easy for him to be jealous, he supposed, but he’d had her coming apart in his arms only this morning and after those screams, he had no doubt her inspection of Jasper was either to intimidate him or to satisfy her curiosity.
“I’ve heard of you. Didn’t you cause that scandal with the Countess of Sanvigné?”
Jasper flicked a glance his way that said Oh I like her before turning a charming smile on Evelyn. “Do not believe everything you hear, Your Grace.”
“I rarely do but when one is a friend of the countess, one tends to believe one’s friends.”
His brother chuckled and Pierce couldn’t help but grin. Few men would get the better of Evelyn. Though he certainly made a good attempt at it, at least in the bedroom. There was where any inequalities between them were redressed.
“Will you be staying for lunch?” she asked.
“If you don’t mind. Then perhaps my brother can show me around if you have no objections, Your Grace.”
“None at all.”
“Well, I shall leave you in peace for the moment. A pleasure to meet you, Lord Jasper.”
Jasper swung a look Pierce’s way as Evelyn left. “Well, quite the pickle you’ve got yourself in, Pierce. And damn if I’m not thoroughly envious.”
Chapter Eight
How could it be? Evelyn studied the letter over breakfast once more. Gone was the swirling excitement she’d awoken with. Now heavy dread weighted her stomach like a stone. Memories of Pierce coming to bed with her to make love to her after his brother had left were replaced with that creeping sensation again.
She eyed the name on the letter. George Whitbury. He hadn’t been lying at Stourbridge then. He had proof of his dealings with her husband. And yet...
It didn’t make sense. Rupert didn’t gamble. Her late husband hadn’t been a risk-taker at all. Why would he gamble away almost a quarter of their land? She scowled at the agreement and the signature at the bottom. It was certainly her husband’s but it could be a forgery. However, the witness was a respectable man. Again, she supposed it could be forged too but what a risky business that was. George had assured her Sir Lloyd Chapman would step forward and acknowledge the wager if needs be.
What was she to do? Drag her husband’s memory through the mud by fighting this wager? Release the land to George and be done with it? How could she relinquish Samuel’s inheritance with such ease?
“Is something amiss?”
She glanced up to see Pierce standing behind one of the chairs, his hands clasped around the carved walnut. Her gaze fell on those capable fingers and she recalled how they’d played her body so perfectly. There was certainly much to be said for having a younger lover. He had boundless energy and enthusiasm. However, his commanding ways had taken her a little by surprise. Apparently her body took well to it as did her mind. There was something refreshing about giving oneself up to another for control, particularly when one was used to being in control every moment of every day.
“No.” She motioned to breakfast on the side table. “Won’t you help yourself?”
He grinned at her. “I find myself quite famished.”
“Exercise will do that to you.”
“Indeed. And we both had quite a bit of exercise last night. Though, Evelyn, you could have awoken me this morning.”
She wouldn’t admit she had found the sight of him sleeping wholly arresting. How could she bring herself to wake the beautiful man when he looked so at peace? She had spent several minutes watching him breathe deeply and marvelling at the feel of having another person in her bed again. In truth, she’d forgotten what it was like and hadn’t realised quite how lonely she’d felt going to bed alone every night.
“I thought you needed your rest.”
“I’m no old man,” he scoffed before turning away to load his plate with sausages and bacon. When he came to sit to the side of her, he nodded to the letter she still clasped. “Why do you scowl at that letter?”
Evelyn folded the paper and stuffed it into the pocket of her skirt. “You are curious are you not? Surely it is none of your business?”
“Your welfare is my business. If something is vexing you, I would do what I could to resolve it.”
Meeting his sincere gaze, she debated telling him. The great weight pressing down her chest begged her to release it all upon him. But she’d been doing everything alone for so long. Could she really share her problems with a man who was still virtually unknown to her?
The concern in his gaze was the undoing of her. Perhaps it had been his generous lovemaking or the way they now knew each other’s bodies so completely that fostered a sense of closeness, or perhaps it was that in him she recognised so much of herself. Either way, she drew out the letter and unfolded it before pushing it toward him.
“I recently received a letter from George Whitbury. He claimed that my late husband made a wager with him many years ago. Mr. Whitbury has been out of the country for several years but now he has returned and wishes to claim his winnings.”
Pierce drew the letter over and scanned the contents. He sighed. “I’m sorry. Many an acre of land has been lost at cards. But at least it isn’t the house or more.”
“But I don’t understand it. Rupert did not gamble. I can’t believe this is real.”
“Are you sure? I do not wish to disparage him but I’ve met many a man whose family was in complete ignorance of their gambling habit. It’s not until the creditors are upon their doorstep do they find out.”
“Does your family know of yours?”
He gave a wry grin. “Indeed they do. Some of my brothers enjoy the occasional wager themselves but Julian didn’t approve. He’d threatened to cut me off many a time.”
She tapped the letter. “I knew Rupert well. I loved him dearly and we had no secrets from each other.” Pierce looked doubtful. “Do I seem a fool to you?”
“No, not at all.”
“Then I can’t believe that Rupert fooled me. I have to believe that this is a forgery.”
He lifted the letter again and studied it. “A signature
is easily forged but proving so isn’t easy. Have you spoke to the witness? Sir Lloyd. Doesn’t he own several cotton mills?”
“Yes, but I didn’t know his name until this morning. He promised to send on proof of the wager after that night at Stourbridge.”
“George Whitbury was the man you met there?”
“Yes,” she admitted. “That was the only reason I wished to go there. I think he’d hoped his location would put me off meeting with him.”
He shook his head. “Why you not say something?”
“What business was it of yours?”
Releasing a long breath, he took her hand. “Evelyn, you’re an independent woman but there’s no sense in struggling on your own. After all, are you not paying me a handsome sum? You might as well get your money’s worth from me.”
“And here I thought you did not wish to serve me.”
Evelyn withdrew her hand, suddenly uncomfortable with the sense of closeness budding between them. She couldn’t depend on this man. He was a gambler after all and he’d be leaving as soon as her son returned. Not to mention she wouldn’t let herself be that vulnerable again. Losing a husband and a son was enough pain for one woman to deal with.
Pierce jabbed a slice of bacon with his fork and stuffed it into his mouth. He paused to take a sip of tea as he finished and shook his head at her. “If we’re to spend three months in each other’s company, secrets won’t do. Nor will being simply lovers. I’m fairly certain you and I can rub along nicely as friends too, but not if you insist on putting on this haughty act.”
She opened her mouth and closed it. Haughty? Was that how she was behaving? No, it was merely common sense not to depend on a man like Pierce. Or anyone for that matter. Evelyn had looked after herself for a long time now and that was how she intended to keep it. However, the idea of friendship appealed. She didn’t have that many friends and those she did have led lives as busy as hers.
Sinful Liaisons (Cynfell Brothers Book 3) Page 6