While she slept, the sheet had slipped downward to reveal a lovely breast, and his mouth went dry as he remembered suckling her the night before. The memory instantly made him hard as a rock, and he ached to take her again and again until she was out of his system. He ignored the mocking laughter in the back of his head at the possibility of succeeding. He moved to the secretary near the window to retrieve pen and paper.
Staring down at the paper, he tried to think of something to say that wouldn’t make him sound like a smitten schoolboy. In the end, he settled for a brief message that he’d escort her to supper and then the Westerham affair this evening. He deliberately omitted the fact that supper would be in the company of Grace and her fiancé. Somehow he knew she would balk at the idea of meeting his youngest sister. And he wanted Grace to meet her. She would like Ruth as much as he did. He ignored the question of why it was so important to him that the two women meet. He left the note on the bedside table then quietly left the room.
Downstairs, he met Simmons coming out of the back hall. Aware of his disheveled state, he expected the butler’s eyebrows to rise. When the man simply bowed his head in a polite greeting, Garrick awkwardly acknowledged the man.
“Shall I hail a hansom cab for you, my lord?” The man’s offer sent relief rushing through him. The possibility of someone seeing him so untidy had just decreased immensely.
“Thank you, Simmons.”
With a nod, the man disappeared through the front door as Garrick paced the hall floor. He wasn’t sure whether his nervousness was due to the possibility of Ruth coming after him or the fact that it was a struggle not to race back up the stairs to her. Moments later, Simmons reentered the house to announce he’d secured a cab. He nodded his thanks at the butler and headed out the door.
As he hurried down the front steps, he saw a carriage roll to a stop several doors up the street. At the same moment, he saw young Worthington emerge from the town house. Startled, he paused for a brief second on the sidewalk just as the younger man jogged down the steps toward his carriage.
Almost as if aware he wasn’t alone in his early morning departure, Worthington turned his head toward Ruth’s house. Embarrassment darkened the younger man’s cheeks as he offered a sharp nod in Garrick’s direction then bolted into his carriage. Following the other man’s lead, he climbed into the cab and ordered the driver to proceed to Seymour Place.
Several minutes later, he emerged from the vehicle and strode quickly up the steps to unlock the front door of the town house. As he crossed the hall toward the stairs, he called for Carstairs. The butler quickly appeared in the foyer.
“Have Willie bring up hot water for my bath.”
“Yes, my lord.”
“And send the boy . . .” He frowned as he tried to remember the lad’s name.
“Samuel, my lord?”
“Yes. Have him fetch Blackstone.” He continued up the stairs. “I want the man here in an hour.”
When he entered his bedroom, he slammed the door shut behind him in a fit of frustration. Christ Jesus, what had he been thinking last night? He hadn’t. His cock had done all his thinking for him. In less than twenty-four hours, he’d broken every rule he’d ever made when it came to his involvement with women.
But Ruth had been impossible to resist. How the hell Marston or any other man had been willing to part with her was beyond his comprehension. The problem facing him now was how to avoid repeating his mistake of last night. And God help him, it was a mistake he wanted to make over and over again with her, even though he recognized the folly of it.
The fact was, she’d made it so easy for him to break his vow never to bed a woman. She was a courtesan, trained in the art of pleasing a man, but last night she’d shown him the other attributes of her trade. She’d emphasized that her skills weren’t just about offering up her body to a man for their mutual pleasure.
Her talents also meant seeing to her lover’s comfort. Something she’d done with remarkable skill. In allowing him to tie her to the bed the first time, she’d displayed a trust in him that he found amazing. Even more astounding had been her ability to read him so well that she’d offered him another scarf to blindfold her.
The trust she’d placed in him had enabled him to experience the delights of a woman’s body, something he’d never thought to enjoy in his lifetime. He winced as he recalled his first effort with her. It had been a disastrous event. One she’d excused with a gentleness that had eased his acute embarrassment.
A knock on the bedroom door pulled him out of his thoughts as Willie entered the room with hot water. The young footman quickly filled the bath then darted out the door to retrieve more. It took the servant another fifteen minutes to fill the tub with steaming water, and all the while, Garrick paced the floor reflecting on the previous night’s events. When the door closed behind the footman for the last time, he strode across the room and turned the key as was his usual habit.
Quickly shrugging out of his jacket and then his shirt, he stopped to stare at his reflection in the mirror. Just thinking about Ruth, and the way she’d caressed his chest with her sweet lips, aroused him still. Not only had she made him believe he was the most important man in the world, she’d desired him. He had no doubts about that.
The fiery passion in her gaze had been bold and uninhibited. Other women had looked at him just as boldly, but they’d never succeeded in stirring his senses the way Ruth did. She’d seduced him with ease, and his ability to subdue his own desire had been nonexistent.
He grunted as he moved to stand in front of the oak washstand. Hot water splashed out of the blue-speckled porcelain pitcher into the matching basin, a few drops stinging his hand. Instead of letting the water sit for a moment, he splashed it onto his face in a form of penitence. If he’d known what would happen last night he would never have attempted to see her again.
As he viciously mixed his shaving cream into a stiff lather, he grimaced with disgust. He’d told Ruth he couldn’t abide someone lying to him, and he was doing just that to himself. Nothing would have stopped him from seeing her last night. He just hadn’t expected things to proceed in the direction they had. Nor had he anticipated talking so openly with her.
Last night he’d shared things with Ruth he’d never told anyone. Things he’d never thought possible to share as easily as he’d done with her. She’d listened quietly and without judgment. Would she have been equally sympathetic if he’d told her the complete truth? The thought made him quickly lather his face then slam the shaving mug down on the washstand. Only a fool would think such a thing.
He reached for his razor and brushed it rapidly back and forth across the leather strap hanging off the side of the oak furniture. When the blade was ready for use, he scraped it across his skin with quick, sure strokes. As he shaved, he recalled his reaction when he’d realized Ruth was crying for him. It had twisted his heart with an emotion he hadn’t wanted to label then nor did he wish to now.
Even though she didn’t know the true cause of his suffering, she’d spilled tears he’d never been able to shed himself. It was as if she understood everything he’d been through. He could only believe her own life experiences had been the reason for her empathy. She’d shared enough of her past for him to know that her life might have been vastly different if her father had been less of a bastard. The last bit of shaving cream removed from his face, he quickly finished undressing and slid into the bath.
The water was still hot, but it wasn’t as hot as Ruth had been in his arms. Closing his eyes, he leaned back against the cool porcelain. She’d seduced him. There wasn’t any other way to describe it. She’d quietly broken through every one of his defenses and enticed him to make love to her. It had been erotic and incredible.
The problem facing him now was where to go from here. Last night had been an unbelievable introduction into the pleasures she had to offer, and like a powerful drug, he wasn’t sure he could give her up easily, despite the risk involved. Even if he could avo
id the temptation of her bed, it wasn’t possible for him to just walk away from her.
The pleasure of her company was something he enjoyed too much. When he was with her, things were simple and comfortable. He just wasn’t sure which way to turn where she was concerned.
If there was one thing he couldn’t stand, it was not having a plan of attack. Having a blueprint to follow meant he was prepared if something went wrong. Being unprepared meant being exposed to unknown possibilities, things that could make him vulnerable. He grabbed the bar of soap off the dish and savagely rubbed it over his body.
He’d find a way to address his problem with Ruth later. He needed to clear his head for a while, think of something else for the time being. Answers always came to him if he forgot about the problem for a short time. At the moment he needed to find out what Blackstone had discovered. The man had been watching his uncle for several years now, and had taken to observing the Viscount Tremaine as well. Blackstone would know how often the two men had met over the last several weeks.
It didn’t take him long to finish bathing, and less than a half hour later he stepped into the study to find Blackstone sitting in one of the chairs situated in front of the large mahogany desk. The minute the man saw Garrick, he sprang to his feet.
“Good morning, my lord.”
Bowler hat in hand, the husky man bowed slightly. Watching his uncle for the past several years wasn’t the only thing John Blackstone had done for him. The man had taken on numerous roles whenever it came to fulfilling Garrick’s directives. Garrick circled the desk to sit in the large leather office chair. With a gesture toward the chair Blackstone had been occupying, he silently told the man to retake his seat.
“Well? What do you have to report?”
“Beresford owes Lord Tremaine money, my lord. A great deal of money.”
“How much?”
“Ten thousand pounds, maybe more.”
Garrick drew in a sharp breath. With that kind of a hold on his uncle, Tremaine might easily know the truth. That night at the Marlborough Club, the bastard had been far too smug for his comfort then or now.
“How often do they meet?”
“Two or three times a week. They spend a great deal of time in gaming establishments or brothels. Lord Tremaine generally backs Beresford at the card table, paying off his debts when your uncle loses.” Blackstone scowled darkly. “Their brothel visits have seen them banned from the more respectable whorehouses. Your uncle whipped one girl who objected to being buggered. She was barely conscious when he sodomized her anyway.”
The obvious disgust in Blackstone’s voice matched his own abhorrence for his uncle’s actions. The son of a bitch deserved a taste of his own medicine.
“How stable are Tremaine’s finances?”
“The man’s suffered several deep losses in the last year that have clearly affected his desire to invest in risky ventures. His situation isn’t dire, but it could be if he were to suffer another substantial loss.” Blackstone frowned in puzzlement. “In fact, I’m surprised he’s willing to continue covering your uncle’s extensive gambling losses.”
“And my uncle’s situation?” He pushed back the fear stirring inside him at the other man’s words.
“You have the controlling interest in all but a few of his smaller investments. If you were to call in those interests, he would have no way of meeting his financial obligations.”
What would his uncle do if Tremaine called in his gambling debts? Garrick rose to his feet and strode to the window that looked over the small garden at the back of the house. Now that the time had come to ruin his uncle, the taste of revenge was slightly sour in his mouth.
The sound of Bertha’s and his uncle’s vicious laughter suddenly reverberated in the back of his head. Just as quickly came the images of his uncle trying to enter Lily’s bedroom, the whippings he’d endured, and the torment the bastard had inflicted on all of them. The dark memories taunted him until tension held him rigid, and the bitter taste on his tongue vanished.
“As I recall, I hold the liens on several cotton mills Tremaine financed last year.” Hands clasped behind his back, he turned around to face Blackstone. At the man’s silent acknowledgment, he smiled tightly. “Have the bank call in the loan on the smallest one. Then in another week call in the loan on the mill he has in Haltwhistle.”
“Do you have a time frame for when you want the monies paid?”
“The man has three weeks from the recall of each loan.”
“Three weeks, my lord?” Blackstone sent him a startled look.
“Correct.” He drew in a deep breath. “If Tremaine appears to be having trouble meeting the deadline, I want you to immediately call in the liens I hold on my uncle’s properties.”
“And if Tremaine manages to make payment?”
“Then you’re to call in the next largest debt until the man’s back is against the wall.” At his command, Blackstone nodded.
“Is there anything else you wish me to do, my lord?”
“No. Simply provide me with a daily report as to any changes in their activities.”
Blackstone nodded his understanding as he stood up and bowed in his direction before leaving the small office. As the door closed quietly behind the stockily built man, Garrick turned back to the window overlooking the garden. With his plans for his uncle and Tremaine moving forward, the only other matter of importance was Ruth.
The question of what to do about their relationship hadn’t changed in the past hour. He refused to give her up, and it was impossible to go back to the way things had been before last night. For all intents and purposes, she was his mistress now, and he’d provide for her accordingly. He would simply have to limit his time in her bedchamber. With a grunt of disgust, he realized he was living in a fool’s paradise if he thought that would happen. Staying out of Ruth’s bedroom was the last thing he was capable of doing. He would simply have to secure her agreement that their lovemaking continue under the same conditions as last night. It was reasonable to assume she’d agree to his request. But for how long?
Hopefully long enough for him to formulate an alternative plan, although God only knew what it would be. The one thing he was certain of was that he wanted to make her happy. He wanted to shower her with presents, something she would no doubt protest, but he wasn’t going to let her refuse any more of his gifts. Today’s small token would be the first of many he intended to give her.
He crossed the office to open the small safe tucked next to a large file cabinet in the corner of the room. The tumblers rattled quietly as he spun the dial back and forth until he heard the click that said the safe was unlocked. He opened the strongbox and pulled out a box covered in blue brushed velvet. The safe snapped closed, and he spun the tumblers before opening the box in his hand.
The white tulip-shaped earrings winked up at him. When the Crown Jeweler had forwarded the jewelry to him, they’d noted that Ruth had returned the package unopened. At the time, he’d been deeply frustrated, but the fact she’d never opened the jewelry meant he would have the pleasure of seeing her expression when he gave them to her this evening.
He made a mental note to stop by Garrard’s later this afternoon to arrange for a matching necklace. Pulling his watch out of his pocket, he flipped the timepiece open. Today was his regular midday visit to Caring Hearts. It had become a habit of his to read to the younger children after lunch before Lily and one of the maids put them to bed for their early afternoon nap. As a child, his governess had read to him every night. It had instilled a love of reading in him, and he hoped to foster a similar love in the children who lived at the home.
A quiet knock on the office door interrupted his thoughts as Carstairs entered the room with a breakfast tray. The butler placed the tray on the desk then retreated as quietly as he’d entered. Garrick shoved his watch back into his vest pocket and poured himself a cup of coffee. He reached for the folded paper tucked under the plate of toast and fresh fruit and frowned.
Known for his discreet, secretive liaisons, L.S. has surprised many among the Set with his recent display of infatuation with the L.R. However, it would appear that L.S. and his new amour the L.R. have had a falling-out since their last appearance together at the performance of Così fan tutte several weeks ago. We can only hope that both parties have come to their senses in recognizing that love is for the young and not those of advancing years.
He drew in a sharp breath at the last sentence. Christ almighty. As sensitive as Ruth was about her age, the minute she read this malicious gossip she’d be devastated. And this anecdote was particularly vicious in reference to the differences in their ages. Without a second thought, he leaped to his feet and jammed the jeweler’s box into the inside pocket of his coat.
If he was lucky, she might not be awake yet. He uttered a dark expletive and bolted toward the door. That was wishful thinking on his part. The best he could hope for was that she’d not yet seen this morning’s London Times. If she read that piece before he arrived, all bets were off as to whether or not she’d allow Simmons to let him through her front door.
12
Ruth awoke to a raw male scent embedded in her pillows. It was Garrick’s, and it brought a smile to her lips. Her eyes still closed, she reached out for him, but the space where he should have been was empty. Disappointment crested through her as she raised herself up to rest on her elbows and looked around the bedroom. The first thing she noticed was that his coat was no longer draped over the back of the fireside chair. The rest of his clothes that had been scattered on the floor were gone as well. He’d left without saying good-bye. She didn’t know why she’d expected to wake up in his arms, but she had. Her gaze fell on the folded parchment standing up on the table beside her bed. The strong handwriting on the note made her slide quickly across the mattress to snatch the missive off the nightstand. It was a brief note, and she smiled at his shy, almost awkward message.
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