Emily nodded, her hand rubbing her stomach. “I didn’t mean to make you all worry. I’m sorry. We just wanted to protect our child.”
Cordelia stepped in front of them, wrapping her arms about everyone. “Of course you did the right thing. Your child comes first.”
“Do you know what Jack wanted to discuss with all of them?” Ada asked, joining the hug.
Emily nodded. “I have an idea. Jack had an affair with Lady Abernath years ago.”
Minnie gasped. “Does Daring know that?”
Emily shook her head. “He’s wanted to tell Daring for years, but he’s afraid of the consequences. I love Jack, but his past is full of dark twists and turns and he isn’t always open about them.”
Ada gave a bright smile. “If anyone can help him to see straight, it’s you.”
Emily’s shoulders slumped. “I feel as though we should help him now. I’m worried how Daring will react to the news.”
Minnie winced. “Tag can have a temper. Perhaps the married among us should go to the club and intercede. Make sure the men don’t kill each other.”
Diana straightened. This was her chance to listen in. “I’m coming too.”
“You are not,” Minnie shook her head. “Your mother will never forgive us if you’re ruined.”
Diana made a face. She didn’t dare tell her sisters that her fall had already come to pass. Or that she may as well be the one to face Abernath because she had the darkest future of all the Chase women. Her chest ached. She’d miss having a child of her own but she’d do whatever was necessary to keep her sisters safe. “I’m unlikely to marry so it’s of no consequence.” She waved her hand. “I doubt any of you will be able to stop me, anyhow.”
“You are too much, Diana.” Cordelia shook her head.
Her head dipped in shame. Cordelia wasn’t wrong. She’d done a lot of things that had been too much and gone too far. It’s the main reason she wouldn’t marry. She doubted any man wanted her strong personality or her mistakes.
“Why do you say you won’t marry?” Minnie narrowed her gaze.
Diana shrugged. She wouldn’t burden any of them with her sins. “You know better than anyone how off-putting a strong woman is.”
Minnie frowned. “That doesn’t mean there isn’t a man for you.”
Diana didn’t want to argue the point. How did she tell her cousin that she’d allowed a known rogue to ruin her? “We should go before we’re too late. They could have murdered Jack already.”
“What?” Emily gasped, tugging on Minnie’s arm. “Let’s go.”
Diana fell in step behind Minnie and Cordelia. If only maneuvering Lady Abernath were so easy.
She drew in a deep breath. Where the countess was concerned, Diana needed a plan.
Chapter Four
“A toast to Jack’s marriage,” Vice called, raising his glass in the air. They all swallowed down their snifters of scotch. “May he be happier in the institution than I ever could.”
Exile sat with his empty glass in hand, his mind delightfully fuzzy. Dimly, he knew that they hadn’t actually accomplished much in terms of the countess. No plan had been made. But they had their friend Jack back and secrets had been revealed, ones that might have really damaged their group. But the men had weathered the storm.
Honestly, Exile thought Jack had been right to keep his affair with the countess quiet. Daring was now happily married. If Jack had shared this tidbit even a year ago, he might have fractured their whole friendship.
Exile raised his glass again. “Let’s drink to friendship!”
“To friendship,” the men called, all lifting their cups and toasting.
Daring slammed down his cup. “What are we to do about our shared problem?” He peered over at Jack, his head swaying a bit.
Exile stared at his cup. How many snifters had they drunk and why was the glass moving? Wasn’t it flat on the table? “What problem?” Had he just slurred? Was Daring discussing how Diana heated his blood even though he was engaged to another woman?
Daring reached for the bottle but seemed to miss. He stared at it for several seconds as he made another grab. “You know. The woman I was once engaged to, who is now stealing our women and threatening our…,” he tapered off, then squinting his eyes, looked at Exile. “What was I saying?”
Exile blinked, trying to remember.
“Well isn’t this a delightful scene?” a woman called from the door. Did she sound angry? Exile wasn’t certain, but then again, why should he care?
But Daring surged to his feet, then promptly sat down, his hands holding his head. “Minnie. I can explain.”
“I don’t require an explanation.” The statuesque, red-haired woman entered the room, head high. “Here I was thinking you might need my assistance and you’re falling-down drunk.”
Daring blinked. “I’m not.” Then he tried to stand again, pushing off the table and sliding sideways. “Maybe a bit.”
She huffed. “This is what I came out for?”
Another voice called from just behind her. “Don’t fret, Minnie. It won’t be the last time you peel your drunk husband from a chair.”
Diana. He knew that voice anywhere. He twisted about to have a look at her and then the entire room began to spin. “Ye came,” he slurred, slowly pushing out of his seat. “Were ye worried about me too?”
Vice harrumphed from the chair next to him. “Bloody idiot, it’s not too late for you. Run now while you have the chance.”
“Oh no, don’t run.” Diana crossed over to him, placing an arm about him to steady him. “I came just for you and I’m going to see you home, my lord.”
Well, wasn’t this a delightful surprise? “Where’s Diana and what have you done with her?”
Feminine laughter filled the room as Minnie and Emily covered their mouths to hide their mirth. “He’s got you there, Diana,” Emily called as she helped Jack up.
Minnie clucked her tongue. “You can’t see him home. I have to see you home.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. His Grace won’t survive the carriage ride. You need to get him straight back to your house.”
“But…” Minnie straightened. “I’ll leave him here.”
Diana tried not to curse but a small, “Damn,” slipped from her lips. She wanted to use the ride to extract some information from a very drunk man.
Minnie’s eyebrows rose. Emily teetered with a swaying Jack draped across her shoulders. “Are you sure, Diana? You’re not worried you’ll be ruined?”
“She thinks she won’t marry.” Minnie huffed but had to grab Daring as he started to topple over. “You swear you’ll be all right?”
“I’ll be fine.” Victory sang in Diana’s veins and a little excitement at being left alone with the earl. “In fact, I’ll come to your house directly after I’ve dropped him. Then mother will never be the wiser. You can substantiate my story.”
Minnie curled her fingers into fists. “I don’t like this plan one bit.”
But Daring gave a sick gurgle. “I haven’t been drinking much of late. I’m afraid I may have overdone it.”
Diana pressed her lips together, hiding a smile, as the man turned rather green. Minnie began pulling him toward the door. “You’d best be sick outside.”
Emily followed with Jack.
“Are you ready to be escorted home, my lord?” Diana wrapped her arms tighter about Exile.
He looked down at her, his eyes darkening. She shifted uncomfortably at the same time her blood heated. She shouldn’t want him. He was a rogue and this was a fact-finding endeavor. She needed to know exactly what his friends had told him about Lady Abernath.
“I’m ready.” His gaze held hers as he stared into her eyes, heat radiating from his body as it pressed to hers.
“I’ll come too,” Vice stood. “Wouldn’t want the lady to be-—”
“No,” both her and Exmouth said at the exact same moment.
“Bloody hell,” Vice mumbled, looking over at Bad.
Diana tore her gaze from Exile to consider the baron. He didn’t appear the least bit drunk and he’d been quiet since they’d entered. His dark gaze pierced into hers. “Let them go,” Bad murmured. “We already know where this will lead.”
Diana squinted her eyes. “What does that mean?”
But he waved his hand, dismissing her words. The man was a bit unsettling and Diana was rarely intimidated by anyone. “You’ve gotten your wish. Take it.” Then he turned to Vice. “Know any lords who might be willing to go into business with us? Our numbers are rapidly dwindling with these Chase women sniffing about.”
“I’m not sniffing,” she huffed even as she began to steer Exmouth to the door. Much as she’d like to argue, Bad was correct. She shouldn’t squander this opportunity. “We’ll discuss this again, another time.”
“I doubt it,” Bad answered and then turned away.
She paused for a moment. Did she demand the man listen? But Exmouth leaned closer, his warm breath tickling her ear. “Are ye ready?”
Her stomach dropped. How did she answer that? While she knew he was asking if Diana was ready to leave, somehow she wanted him to ask for more. Much more.
Exile straightened a bit the moment they stepped out into the fresh air, it instantly cleared his head.
He glanced down at Diana, her arms wrapped about his middle as she walked him down the dark alley. Her body snug against his in the most satisfying way. Tall and slender, there was still a softness about her that felt…just right.
“Where’s your carriage?” she asked, her eyes scanning the alley.
“Douglas called for it, it’ll be here in just a moment.” Then he wrapped another arm about her. “Are ye cold, lass? I’ll warm ye.”
“No, I…” She stopped, searching the darkness again. “What was that?”
He peered into the night, blinking, then he scrubbed his face. Why had he had so much to drink. “I don’t see…” But his voice fell away. There was in fact a movement in the shadow. He gripped Diana tighter with one arm even as his other hand grabbed the short sword at his side and pulled the sharp metal blade from its sheath. “Who goes there?”
Diana sucked in her breath, her arms tightening about his middle.
A figure lunged from the darkness, making a grab for them but in a second, Exile reacted. He pushed Diana behind him and slashed with his blade. The man lunged away but not in time and Exile felt the tip of his sword rip through clothing.
“Ahhhhh,” a man yelled, wincing away.
Exile started after him even as the man ducked and spun.
“My lord,” Diana cried, a choking sound clogging her voice as she grabbed for his back. “Don’t leave me.”
He stopped, watching the man skulk away, slightly bent, one shoulder stooped lower than the other. Part of him wanted to chase after the man and sink his blade through his ribs. The last time he’d been attacked like that, Ewan had ended up dead. The blade had been meant for Exile but it had found his cousin instead. “I would never leave ye, lass. Dinnae ye worry about that.”
“I…” she whimpered. “I shouldn’t have come tonight.”
“No, ye shouldn’t have but no’ because of that pile of shite. I would never let anyone hurt ye.” He meant every word. The fight had sharpened his mind and as he looked down at her, her arms about her waist, a surge of protectiveness like he’d never felt before coursed through him. He’d protect her with his very last breath. Without thought, he reached out and pulled her close again, folding her into his arms. She pressed against him, her cheek resting against his chest.
“Will you take me to Minnie’s please?”
Her voice trembled and he nodded against the top of her head. “Of course.” He started rubbing circles along her back. “My carriage will be here any moment.”
She nodded against him, the top of her head snuggling into his chin. Her silky hair tickled his neck as her scent wafted into his nostrils. He held her closer, placing a light kiss on the strands. He wanted to hold her like this all night, keep her wrapped in his embrace where she’d be warm and safe. Would she notice if they just stood there, wrapped together?
As if in answer, the rumbling of wheels filled the alley along with the clop of horses’ hooves. He recognized his driver, and waving to the man to stay in his seat, he snapped open the door himself and lifted Diana into his arms.
Climbing into the buggy, he snapped the door shut again and then settled onto one of the bench seats, folding Diana onto his lap.
She willingly bent, settling against him. Her derriere was pressed into his lap and he ignored the tightening in his groin, reaching up to stroke her face instead. He brushed his thumb along her eyebrow then swept down over her cheek. “Ye’re all right. Ye’re safe.”
“I know I am,” she answered as her face tipping up to his. “Thank you.”
“Ye’re welcome,” he replied looking down at her in the dark interior. Her eyes shone even in the dim light and her lips. Jesus, her lips held a full, soft pout that was so damned tempting.
He wasn’t aware of moving, but suddenly their mouths met in a soft kiss that should have been sweeter. Instead, it was full of the sort of passion that made a man ache. The one touch held so much promise that he nearly groaned aloud, just holding the sound in as their eyes met.
She arched her neck again, giving him another kiss and then another until one blended into the next becoming one long joining.
Slanting her lips open, he swiped his tongue along the inside of her mouth, tasting the sweet scent of her, fresh and clean with hints of mint. Diana moaned into his mouth, and in response, he gathered her even closer, deepening their kiss.
Her gloved fingers were wrapped about his neck. But he had the urge to touch her skin, feel its texture underneath his fingertips. Yanking off one of his own gloves, he stroked her neck then trailed his hand down lower until he reached the swell of her breast, still exposed by her evening gown. The smooth, silky plumpness made his thickening cock rock-hard and he cupped her breast outside her gown, wanting more of her.
She arched into the touch and he moved his other hand to the back of her dress. When had he decided to undo the buttons? He didn’t care. As the fabric slumped down her front, he reached for her breast again, only a thin layer of silky chemise separating her soft flesh from his hand. Her breasts weren’t overly large, but big enough. They filled his palm perfectly, and his hands weren’t small. What was more, Diana’s nipple puckered under his touch. They both groaned together.
“My lord,” she murmured, wiggling in his lap. “I want…”
“What?” His breath held in his lungs as he waited for her answer. What did she want? To make love to him? To have his protection always? To be his wife? In this moment, he might agree to any and all of it, if only she’d take off more of her clothes.
She swallowed and tipped her head back to look at him. “I want to talk to you.”
“No,” he answered, letting out a groan of frustration. “Anything but that.”
Diana blinked up at him. She could feel the evidence of his desire pressing into her backside. With a sigh, she started to sit up. Best to feel less of him if she wanted to actually have this conversation before they arrived at Minnie’s home. She was slow to move, though, because honestly, he felt delicious. Strong, hard, and so masculine, his powerful thighs flexed underneath her and near left her breathless and she needed to keep her wits about her. So, pulling herself up she slid backward to remove herself from his lap.
One of his hands, held her hip, giving it a squeeze. It pressed his hardness into her softness and her breath caught. She had the distinct urge to rub against the stiff flesh and test its length, feel the friction. “My—”
“It’s Callum,” he answered his voice husky.
“Callum.” She tested the name in her mouth. Something about the combination of sounds allowed the word to just roll off her tongue. “It suits you.”
“Thank ye.” He leaned down and captured her lips ag
ain. “I dinnae ken that I’ll ever have ye half undressed and in my lap again. I intend to take full advantage.”
She stiffened away, scrambling from his lap and, nearly falling, managed to toss herself into the seat across from him. Her dress was still undone and she held it up against her chest. “No man is taking advantage of me.” She swallowed down a lump of pain. “Not ever again.”
He looked across the carriage at her, quiet for a moment before he slowly raised his hand, extending it out to her. “Come here. Ye’ll freeze over there.”
“I shouldn’t.” But her body ached to fit against his again. What a traitor it was. Even now, she wanted to feel his touch, the hard press of him. Why? Likely because she was a harlot. Why else did she continue to be attracted to men who didn’t want to commit to her even after she’d allowed them liberties?
But he lifted from his seat and reaching for her hand, pulled her across the carriage and settled her back into his lap. Her breath shortened as she looked up at his handsome features, so rugged and yet somehow, comforting. Rather than kiss her, however, he began to rebutton the back of her dress. “I think ye’re right. It’s time we talked.”
Her mouth pressed together. She should jump on this opportunity. Instead, she wanted to burrow against him like a child. Why had her strength abandoned her? “All right.”
“Diana, what did ye mean when you said ye won’t let a man take advantage of ye ever again? Which man took advantage the first time?”
She sucked in her breath. Had she really said that? “I only meant you.”
He wrapped his arms about her back, hugging her to his chest. “Ye did not.”
She looked at the window, not that she could see out. The curtains were firmly drawn. “I had a suitor last year. I thought we’d marry. We didn’t.”
His arms tightened. “And what liberties did ye allow him?”
She shook her head, still not meeting his eyes. She shouldn’t tell him. Diana hadn’t even shared the truth with her sisters. But somehow, wrapped in his embrace, she’d never wanted to tell someone more. Share the secret she’d been holding inside. “I allowed him all the liberties a woman can give.”
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