“I can check the docks,” Patrick told him. “I grew up in that area so I’ll know where to look.” When Carlton hesitated, Patrick said, “The people there also trust me. If the women are there, I’ll find them.”
“Very well,” Carlton agreed. “Claus can go with you.”
“That…” Patrick began, paused, then finally said, “sounds good.”
Carlton frowned in response to an odd bit of doubt creeping over his shoulders, but then Blayne said, “I’ll come with you, Guthrie.”
Agreeing to meet back at The Black Swan, the groups parted ways, each consisting of five additional men. But as darkness settled upon the streets, Carlton had to accept defeat once again. He could only hope that Patrick and Claus had been more successful in their search and was encouraged when they mentioned a warehouse that appeared to have been recently vacated.
“A beggar I spoke with said that he saw a man leaving the place with a woman who matches Ida’s description,” Claus said. He hesitated, then added, “He said we missed them by about ten minutes.”
“Was he able to tell ye what the man looked like?” Guthrie asked as he clenched his fists.
“About my height,” Claus said, “with brown hair sticking out from underneath the cap he was wearing. He didn’t get a good look of his face, but he did say he walked like a young man rather than an older one.”
“I want eyes on that building,” Carlton told his men darkly. “And the surroundin’ area.”
“I don’t think that will help us much,” Patrick argued. “Ida’s obviously not there anymore.”
Carlton knew he was right, but with no other clues to her whereabouts, keeping watch on the place where she’d been was better than doing nothing at all. “There’s always the chance that the man will come back.”
Patrick gave him a look of apology. “I understand.”
Carlton sighed and addressed Blayne. “Any additional news about Hedgewick?”
“Not really,” Blayne answered with a glance toward Claus.
“He’s keeping to himself,” Claus said. “Rarely leaves the house. His son, however, has been going out a lot lately. Ever since your most recent letter was sent.”
“Do ye think there could be a connection?” Carlton asked with interest. “That Seabrook might be doin’ his own investigation?”
“I don’t know,” Claus said. “One of the boys watching the place followed him yesterday. Seabrook didn’t seem to have a destination. He just walked around for about five hours, going all the way to Tower Hill before heading back.”
“Hmm…”
“On a different note,” Patrick muttered, “It looks like you were right about Mr. Reynolds. He is selling counterfeit art to his peers.”
Carlton straightened. He’d made it his business to keep a close eye on the aristocrats and gentry with London addresses. Only those who behaved honorably were allowed to escape his wrath. Greedy men who sought to take advantage of others and those who were cruel to their servants did not deserve to live without concern.
“Set up a meeting with him, Patrick. I’m sure the gentleman in question would like to donate to my coffers as long as I promise to keep his secret.” Once he’d received a decent payment, he would of course tip off one of the Mayfair Chronicle reporters so they could investigate further and hopefully ruin the man’s reputation.
He sighed. There really wasn’t anything worse than those who lied and cheated their way through life, taking advantage of others as they went. As far as Carlton was concerned, they deserved no compassion. Certainly not from him.
“Thank ye fer lettin’ me know.”
Patrick nodded, shared a look with Claus and said, “If that’s all for now, we’d like to go and have some supper.”
“Of course,” Carlton agreed. He waited until they reached the door of his office before adding, “I trust ye’ll keep me informed about the watch on that warehouse, Patrick?”
Patrick turned, “Of course, Mr. Guthrie.”
Carlton waited for the door to close, then turned to Blayne. “I’m not sure I can trust him,” he muttered.
“Who? Patrick?”
“I’ve this gut feeling that isn’t to my liking.”
“Are you sure you’re not just imagining things ’cause you’re tired and worried?” Blayne asked. “Patrick’s proven his loyalty to you repeatedly over the years. I doubt there’s cause for concern.
“You’re probably right.” What he ought to be focusing on now that he’d returned home was Regina. He ought to go and check on her. Instead he asked Laura to take a dinner tray up.
“Do you plan on avoiding her from now on?” Blayne asked as they ate together in Carlton’s study.
“A bit of distance will do us both some good, I should think,” Carlton said as he stuck some fried fish in his mouth. He followed it with a piece of potato. “I can’t afford the distraction she poses. Not if I’m still to go through with my plan.” Alone, with the door firmly shut and no one to overhear him, he allowed his voice to relax and spoke as he’d been raised to do by his parents.
“You could make a different plan.” Blayne watched him closely and with great consideration. “One that includes a future with her?”
“I can’t live a lie with her forever,” Carlton confessed. “I won’t.” He hadn’t meant to discuss something so personal with anyone, but it was also a relief to share the weight of the burden he carried with someone else. And Blayne was the only person he knew he could trust without question – the only man with enough information to offer proper advice.
“Because you’re developing feelings for her?”
“She is…” He tried to find the right words and ended up taking another few bites of his food while Blayne watched. Eventually, he dropped his knife and fork on his plate and pushed it aside. “She’s the dream I dare not allow myself to have.”
“It’s not unheard of for dreams to come true,” Blayne murmured.
“Not for men like me. And once she discovers the truth – once she learns who I am and why I invited her into my home in the first place, she’ll hate me forever. There will be no forgiveness on her part, Blayne, of that I assure you.”
His longtime friend did not look convinced. “She might be hurt at first – angry even – but if she cares for you, Val, I’m sure she’ll get past it.”
Carlton shook his head. “She’ll feel as though I betrayed her and she’ll be right. Our interactions with each other, our emotional attachment, and the unrelenting desire we both have for more has forged a bond between us, Blayne. The idea of having to cause her pain makes me ill.”
“Then don’t.”
“And what? Abandon the one goal I’ve had for the last twenty years?”
Blayne shrugged. “I was thinking more along the lines of exchanging it for something better.”
Carlton stared at him. “Seeing justice served on behalf of my father is everything to me.” His voice was hoarse but the words were solid.
“Then your purpose is clear.” Blayne took a sip of his drink. “Don’t worry about Regina. Your feelings for her aren’t as strong as you think. With time you’ll find a way to move on.”
This should have been reassuring. Instead, it filled Carlton with doubt. A doubt that only increased when he went upstairs later and found her asleep on the sofa. She was lying on her side with Ralph curled up next to her belly. One hand was tucked under her cheek and a few strands of hair curled against her brow.
Carlton felt his heart squeeze with tremendous fondness, then ache with the thought of her absence. She’d become such a huge presence in his life, he could not imagine what it would be like without her. Already, in the space of only two weeks, she’d managed to make him laugh and smile for the first time in years. She’d unburdened his soul and brought happiness into his life.
To give her up…
His throat worked as he stood there, as helpless as he had been as a boy when Hedgewick had come to call on his father. Since then he’d
fought for control, always seeking to gain the upper hand. But with Regina there was no control. He might as well be caught in a whirlwind, unable to choose which way it would blow him.
But knowing that she’d walk away with only disdain for him – that she’d never grant him a smile again – sent a piercing pain through his chest that caused him to wince. Ralph opened one eye and shifted. Regina moved her arm but kept her eyes shut. Carlton picked up the blanket he used at night and took a step forward. He prepared to place it over her when his gaze inadvertently dropped to the floor beside the sofa and he spotted an open book.
Ordinarily, this wouldn’t have struck him as odd. He had no issue with leaving books on the floor, and Regina was certainly welcome to read whichever ones struck her fancy. He just never thought it would be the lewdest one that he owned. Surprised, he finished tucking the blanket around her, then gathered up the book and sat down in one of the armchairs with it.
The page it was opened to featured an image of a woman straddling a man along with a detailed description of how the act was performed. Carlton raised an eyebrow and glanced across at the seemingly innocent woman still peacefully sleeping. Apparently she had a curious nature that leaned toward the improper. He gave a low chuckle. Oh, how he wished he could have seen her expression the first time she opened this book and discovered its contents. Had it made her blush and feel wary? Or had it produced the same sort of thrill inside her that he’d felt when he’d first been made aware of the wonderful possibilities of lovemaking?
A surge of excitement rushed through him. Their most recent kiss had left no doubt about her desire. And he longed to take it further – to show her how good things could be between them. Resisting her was no easy task. In fact, it was becoming increasingly difficult. But surrendering to his baser need…
If they made love, there was a chance she’d give him more than her body, and he wasn’t sure he was ready to safeguard her heart. There was also the issue of causing her pain when he got arrested. As he would be when he was done with his plan. Going to jail and hanging for the crime he meant to commit was acceptable. Hurting Regina more than necessary was not.
It was almost ten o’clock when Regina woke from her nap. She stretched and slowly opened her eyes. A hot shiver raked her skin when she found Carlton studying her. He was lounging in one of the armchairs, his long legs stretched out before him and his elbow propped on the armrest so that his hand could support his head. In his lap was a book. That book. Her cheeks grew instantly hot and warmed by a few more degrees when he gave her a lopsided smile.
“Did ye have a good rest, luv?” His voice was low and intimate – the sort that could lure the chastest woman straight into sin.
Regina nodded. Still somewhat sleepy, she sat up slowly and reached for the glass of water she’d had on her tray. “Have you discovered anything new about Ida or Scarlet?”
“Not as much as I’d hoped.” His chest rose and fell with strenuous movements.
A tendon moved at his throat where his absent cravat and open shirt front allowed her to see more than she ought. Fascinated, it took her a moment to avert her gaze, only to find her eyes locked with his. She swallowed and his eyes seemed to grow a shade darker.
“But something?” she pressed, hoping to keep his mind on the missing women instead of on her and the book he must surely know she’d been reading.
He broke eye contact, allowing her a reprieve from the flustered state he’d put her in simply by being in the same room. His presence alone was enough to make every cell in her body cry out in yearning. The feeling was exacerbated by his lack of a jacket and waistcoat. Instead, fine white cotton draped his broad shoulders, hinting at their more than perfect shape. The sleeves were rolled up, offering a casual view of his forearms. She wasn’t sure why the dark dusting of hair there appealed as much as it did or why she had a sudden compulsion to touch it.
“We found where Ida was, but she’s not there anymore.”
His comment caused her to stop admiring his body. “And Scarlet?”
“There’s still no trace of her.”
Regina’s heart sank, until she thought of something and said, “If Ida’s been moved, perhaps the man who took her knew you were coming to find him?”
Carlton stilled. “I’d not thought of that, but it’s definitely a possibility.”
“And if that’s the case, he might start making mistakes on account of sheer panic.” She straightened herself on the sofa. “Just think back on how this villain could have learned of your search, and you should be able to find him and get Ida back.”
He eyed her thoughtfully. “It’s not quite that simple, luv.” When she gave him a stupefied look he explained. “I’m sure most of London knows I’m lookin’ fer Ida. The man who took her probably learned of it in me very own taproom. But I’ll agree with ye that the chance of findin’ her has improved, which is more than I was able to say this mornin’.”
Regina was glad. Immensely so. She could not stand the thought of something bad befalling Ida. Even though she’d only met her once and didn’t really know her, she’d liked the young woman immediately. “Is there anything I can do to help?”
Something flickered in the depth of his dark brown gaze. “Aye.” He shifted in his seat, leaned forward slightly, and held up the book. “Ye can offer me an excellent distraction by tellin’ me why ye were readin’ this.”
Was it possible to radiate more heat than the sun?
Judging from the way her entire face burned, Regina was quite convinced that it was. She took another sip of her water which wasn’t nearly as cold as she wished it would be. “I… um…”
Carlton raised a black eyebrow and she took yet another sip. Her heart was trembling as much as her body right now, the nervousness coursing through her threatening to upset her stomach.
“Yes?” he prompted.
Fine!
She set her glass aside and clasped her hands together in her lap. “I was curious and that book along with a couple of others seemed highly educational.”
He stared at her. “Educational?”
“Well, yes.” She met his stare with one of her own. “Young ladies aren’t taught about such things, in case you were wondering. They’re kept in the dark, their minds preserved in the purest form possible. God forbid they might have an inkling of what to expect when they one day marry. Or how they might please their husbands so the men won’t feel the need to acquire mistresses. It would also be nice to know that there’s nothing to fear about procreation and that if it’s done right, the man and the woman involved can both enjoy it. Not to mention the added benefit of preventing the birth of unwanted children by letting women know of the various safe measures that can be taken. Why should men have all the information? Why…” She stopped abruptly, aware she’d been babbling. And he… His eyes were suddenly brighter and his moustache appeared to be twitching until she realized… “Are you laughing?”
A sputter emerged from his mouth followed by a most unexpected guffaw. His head was now tilted back against the headrest of his chair as he let his mirth show with carefree abandon. Regina stared. His entire body shook as he continued to laugh. Eventually, when he managed to regain some control, he wiped one hand across his eyes and returned his attention to her. “Good God, woman! Had I known ye were so passionate about this particular subject, I’d have brought it up sooner.”
The flush she’d been feeling spread to the tips of her ears. “As I said,” she mumbled, a little put out by how humorous he found this, “I was interested.”
“Which is only natural, I suppose.” He smiled. “If ye have any questions, I’d be happy to answer them fer ye.”
“No thank you,” she clipped.
He pressed his lips together as if attempting to keep his humor at bay. “Some of these pictures can be confusing. Perhaps I should point out exactly how—”
A growl of irritation rose from her throat, and he started laughing once more, which was when she realized th
at he was deliberately trying to tease her. Not in a mean way, but as someone who liked her company and considered her a friend. It was a playful side she’d not thought him capable of, but one that she realized with sudden force that she rather liked, even though it was making her uncomfortable at the moment.
He sobered, his eyes sharpening to arrow points. “Ye must know that I desire ye, Regina, fer I’ve made no attempt to hide it. I just…” He blew out a breath and raked his hair with his fingers, mussing the thick locks. “I cannot be the man who takes yer innocence. Ye do realize that, don’t ye?”
She wasn’t sure where that comment had come from. It caused her spine to straighten with rigidity. Her skin felt suddenly tight and prickly. But before she was able to gather her thoughts and form a response that wasn’t, “how dare you”, “who do you think you are”, or worse, “but why?” he’d risen, snapped the book shut, and returned it to the spot where Mrs. Harding had initially found it.
“How about a game of cards?” he suggested as if all were normal and her nerves weren’t dancing a jig.
She inhaled deeply through her nose, hoping to still the pulsing sensation his comments had caused in the pit of her belly. “That would be nice,” she said as she pasted a smile on her face. What she would not allow him to see were the unsteady beats of her heart. She wanted him so desperately she’d sought guidance from a bawd, for heaven’s sake! But that didn’t matter because Carlton had decided he would never be with her in such an intimate way. The question was why? She didn’t want the obvious reason, because she was quite sure that didn’t matter. She wanted to know the real one.
With her mind fixated on this, her concentration failed and she lost every round of vingt-et-un that they played but one. “Ye’re not ready fer the gamin’ hells just yet,” Carlton told her when they packed away the cards later.
Another attempt at humor?
She frowned, unsure of what it meant or how best to respond. Deciding to be herself, she gave him a smirk. “Maybe I’m playing a longer game. One in which I’m just trying to make you think I’m a terrible player.”
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