Page 61 of Saving a Scoundrel
Ellie slid her arms under his jacket and around his waist. Lucius leaned down and kissed her with hot urgency. She should be embarrassed about such a display in front of Mr. Jenson, but this was not a Mayfair ballroom, and she was too hungry for his kiss to care about propriety. When they broke apart, they were both breathing heavily.
The hairs on Ellie’s neck were tingling, and she glanced over Lucius’s shoulder to find a woman staring at them from across the alley from the back door of the Birdcage. It was too shadowed to see the lady’s features, but her bloodred dress gleamed in the moonlight. A chill ran down Ellie’s spine.
The carriage arrived and blocked her view of the woman. Sam Green tipped his hat. “Ready to go home, miss?”
“Yes, thank you, Sam.”
Lucius opened the door for her. “I have to work at the brewery this morning, but I will come to see you in the afternoon as soon as I am done.”
She nodded and gripped his face for one more last kiss.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Astream ofbright sunshine woke Ellie later that morning. She blinked and scooted to a sitting position to avoid the sunlight that peeked through the curtains. What time was it? She yawned and squinted at the clock on the mantle. Half one? She’d never slept this late in her life! Jumping out of bed, she hurried to the washbasin.
Ellie winced. She was a bit tender in her nether regions. She rang for a maid and then quickly washed up and brushed out her hair. She hadn’t arrived home until past three last night and had easily snuck to her room as most everyone was asleep already. Susanna had promised to tell her parents that Ellie wasn’t feeling well and had gone to bed early.
Ellie grinned. Last night had been the most daring thing she had ever done. And her adventure had certainly paid off. She hugged the brush to her chest. Lucius loved her! He had promised to figure out a way for them to be married. She wasn’t like so many of these debutants, always wanting the richest of husbands. All she wanted was a simple life with the man she loved. She needed to remind Lucius of this when she saw him today.
Alice entered the room. “Good morning, miss.”
“Am I the last one awake?” Ellie asked.
“Yes, miss. Lady Dearborn said not to wake you on account of you not feeling well. How are you this morning?”
“I feel much improved. I’m expecting a very important caller this afternoon. I think I will wear the navy-blue day dress.”
Alice helped her dress and then tackled taming her curls into a topknot. Next, she added tiny pearl-tipped pins tucked throughout. Finally, the addition of a pair of pearl teardrop earrings and a pearl necklace finished the outfit. “You look lovely, Miss Spencer. You’re practically glowing today.”
“Thank you, Alice. Do you know if Lady Ashby is in the library?”
“No, she and Lady Dearborn went to visit Lady Chesney.”
“Oh. Could I have some tea and buttered bread, and maybe some jam, sent to the library? I’m famished this morning.”
“Yes, of course. Right away.” Alice left the room.
Ellie made her way down to the library and settled into her favorite window seat. After she had finished her very late breakfast, she settled back with a book,The Midnight Bellby Francis Latham. It was just past two when the butler, Mr. Lewin, came into the room. “Miss Spencer, you have a caller.”
“I do? I wasn’t expecting anyone until later this afternoon.” Had Lucius been able to leave work early? “Is it Mr. Grisham?”
“No, it is not Mr. Grisham.” A lady in an elegant cream silk gown swept past the butler and entered the room.
Mr. Lewin’s mouth dropped open briefly at the breach in protocol. “Lady Pierson to see you, Miss Spencer.”
Not sure what to do with this strange guest, Ellie pasted a smile on her face and rose from her window seat. “It’s nice to meet you, Lady Pierson. Please have a seat.”
Mr. Lewin exited but left the door open. Lady Pierson took a seat on the settee. She eyed Ellie up and down. “You are a pretty little thing. And so young.”
“Um, thank you.” Ellie sat across from the lady. “Lady Pierson, are you acquainted with Lady Dearborn? She is not home at the moment, but I will be happy to tell her you were here to visit.”
“Everybody is acquainted with Lady Dearborn. But it’s you that I came to see. We have a mutual acquaintance. Lucius Grisham.”
Ellie clasped her hands in her lap. Lady Pierson’s expression was serene, her lips curved in a polite smile. But her eyes were filled with malice. Ellie swallowed a lump in her throat as she realized this would not be a pleasant social call.
“I’m here as a friend to tell you that your relationship with Mr. Grisham is not what you think.”
Ellie tensed. “What relationship is it that you think I have with Mr. Grisham?”
