Page 6 of Saving a Scoundrel
Ellie stared down at her lap. She twisted a delicate gold ring round and around her middle finger. The simple pattern of intertwining leaves soothing and familiar. Why did she hold on so hard to things that are safe and familiar? She knew her father was right about Lucius. But there was a certain amount of safety in loving someone who you knew was unattainable. She thought about her list of adventures and specifically about number four—kiss Lucius Grisham again. Could she cross it off? An opportunity to take charge of her destiny was in front of her.
She raised her gaze to meet her father’s. “I would like to go to London. To support my friend, and maybe to have an adventure of my own.”
Her father frowned, and he ran a hand over his beard. “All right, I will allow it. But if you do not receive an offer of marriage while in London, I want you to marry Mr. Evans when you return this summer. You may be surprised at how affection can grow from the solid foundation of friendship.”
Her father had issued a reprieve, and Ellie felt as though she could breathe easily again. She had all spring to figure out what to do about Mr. Evans. She would find her adventure. The possibilities were numerous.
“Now, I want you to remember your upbringing. You are to be a good influence on Susanna, not let her be a poor influence on you. So keep a watchful eye out for rakish gentlemen, don’t dance with anyone more than once, don’t leave the ballroom unchaperoned, don’t drink alcohol if it’s offered to you, and don’t go to the theaterthe themes of those plays are not for young ladies.”
Eleanor nodded, keeping her expression neutral as her father continued to lecture about the possible evils of London society, but inside, the ball of anticipation in her belly continued to pop and fizz.
Later that night, in her room Ellie tightened the belt of her dressing gown and padded over to her writing desk. She pulled her list from the drawer. Sitting down, she frowned down at the list she’d made after Henry’s funeral. It was short, only six items.1. Go to London 2. Sail on a boat 3. Drink champagne 4. Kiss Lucius Grisham again 5. Gamble in a card game 6. Find the author of the love letters.Ellie grabbed a pencil and crossed off number four. She bit her bottom lip. Surely now that she was going to London, she could think of more things she wished to do that she had never done before.
She got out a fresh piece of paper.1.Go to London. She would keep it on the list so that she might have the satisfaction of checking it off. Ellie grinned as she made a checkmark next to it. Let’s see, she added back in sail on a boat and drink champagne, then scribbled down a few more things she would probably never actually do, but why not? This was her list; she did not have to censor herself. Glancing over the list, she hesitated; the pencil hovered over the paper. Then with a sigh, she quickly scribbled 8. Kiss Lucius Grisham again.
Chapter Four
London
Lucius Grisham rolledover onto his stomach and propped his chin on his fist. The first tendrils of dawn filtered around the curtains in his bedroom. He watched Rosemary shimmy into her chemise; the silky fabric slithered down over her breasts and hips and fell to her knees. She glanced at him through her lashes as she sat in a chair and began to pull on her stockings. In his opinion, stockings were by far the most erotic part of a woman’s attire.
“Lucius, don’t look at me like that. I must get home; you don’t want me to get into trouble with my husband.” She stood and reached for her corset. “Now, don’t be such a lazy boy. Come and help me get dressed.”
“Pierson won’t be waking up for hours yet to break his fast after all he had to drink last night. But I guess I must let you go home.” He sighed loudly, eliciting an eye roll from Rosemary. She was far too cynical to fall for his dramatics. He got off the bed and walked over to tie her stays. Then he helped her into her ball gown, hooking the long row of buttons that marched down the back of the blue silk dress.
He pressed a kiss to the side of her neck when he finished. Rosemary reached back and playfully slapped his bare backside before heading over to the tall mirror across the room with her reticule in hand. Lucius donned his banyan, tying the silky cord at his waist. Then he sat on the edge of the bed and watched her expertly wind her hair into a neat bun. Now that morning had come, she would be all business. Lucius appreciated that about Rosemary.
She turned from the mirror and sashayed back toward him. “Oh, I almost forgot, I bought you a gift.” Opening her reticule, she pulled out a small jewelry box and held it out on the palm of her hand.
Lucius popped open the box. Inside, a gold cravat pin lay gleaming against a white silk background. An enormous ruby gleamed atop the pin—at least two carats. “Thank you, darling. It’s magnificent.” He plucked the box from her hand.
“Wear it next week to Lady Ponsonby’s ball. I want to see it and know that you’re mine.” She leaned in and kissed him.
Inside, a part of him recoiled at her possessive words. But instead of stepping back, he wrapped a hand around her waist and kissed her back until she was breathless. “I’ll have Davis take you home.” Then, sliding the box into his pocket, he escorted her from his room and down the hall to the back stairs. At the bottom, Jenson stood guard, an impassive wall of muscle. “Good morning Jenson, does Davis have the carriage ready?”
“Yes, sir. Good morning, ma’am.” Jenson held the door open. Beyond was the back alley and the waiting carriage.
Rosemary nodded regally and exited.
“Goodbye, darling.” Lucius watched Rosemary safely tucked into the carriage before closing the door. He turned to find Jenson shaking his head.
“That one’s a beauty, but don’t you worry about her husband?”
Lucius shrugged. “He doesn’t pay her any attention. His loss is my gain.” He pulled out the box and showed Jenson the cravat pin.
Jenson let out a long, low whistle.
“This will keep my horse fed and stabled for the next month. A man, and his horse, have got to eat.”
“Ain’t that the truth. I envy the way you earn quid. If only I had a pretty face.” Jenson laughed. The guard had earned his way in life in the boxing ring since he was twelve. Unfortunately, his crooked nose, scars, and shaved head did not lend itself to the termpretty.
Lucius slapped Jenson’s shoulder. “Well, I must get dressed for work. Cheers.”
A half hour later, Lucius went down the stairs again, this time dressed in his usual uniform of black pants and vest, the sleeves of his white linen shirt rolled up and his black jacket folded over his arm. He whistled a catchy sea shanty as he strolled through the empty gaming hall of the Termage. Weaving through the multitude of round tables used for card and dice games, he made his way to the double doors that separated the public spaces from the inner working of the establishment. As Lucius approached, one of the doors swung open, nearly knocking him in the face. He quickly jumped back out of the way.
Johnson wheeled a dolly stacked with liquor crates into the room. “Sorry, mate. Didn’t see you there.”
“No harm done.” He smiled at the man and continued through to the hallway that led to the back rooms. He walked down the dim corridor past the counting room, where he gave a friendly wave to the three men who counted the money each night after the club closed. Their loud laughter rang out as they lounged in their chairs, drinking coffee and exchanging ribald jokes.
