Regency: Rakes & Reputations (Mills & Boon M&B) (13 page)

His hands bit into her hips to raise her slightly and give him freer access, but the building tension inside her made it impossible for her to remain still for long. She thought she would die with the insistent need. Little frissons of delight burst at her center and raced along her nerve endings.

“Jamie,”
she keened.

He rose between her thighs and the look on his face was raw and strained. “Steady, Gina. Do not fail me now.”

Fail him? How could she ever fail him?

The staff she had so recently held had changed. Swollen to an even greater size, it looked red and angry, as if it would burst. Fear, primal and vivid, gnawed at the back of her mind but she fought it, knowing now that he would not hurt her.

Jamie lowered himself, hovering only slightly above her. The hard probe of his shaft at her entrance discomforted her and she had the first inkling of how different this would be than the welcome invasion of his strong fingers.

She looked up at him and he nodded, as if reading her
mind, then covered her mouth with his as he probed again, his tongue mimicking his shaft. She wanted to protest, tell him he would never fit, but she found her arms going around him, pulling him closer as she raised her knees and hips to meet him.

And then he was inside her, thick and strong, but shallow still. He withdrew just a bit, then thrust again, going deeper, ever deeper with each thrust. Pleasure mingled with pain, and back to pleasure again until he had buried himself inside her, rocking against her and awakening that sleeping bud to full blossom. The strokes of his shaft coupled with the deepened contact sent her into a spiral of pleasure and need. She wanted more, and more and more.

Her breathless moans shocked her and she marveled that they had come from her. But then, she’d never felt pleasure so powerful, so insistent, building to an explosive burst of rapture so intense that it racked her entire body.

“Yes,” Jamie whispered, his breath hot in her ear. “God, yes. Come, Gina. Come with me.”

Anywhere. Always. Forever.

Jamie stood at the window and watched the first tinge of violet stain the horizon. He would need to waken Gina soon if he was to have her home before the house was stirring, but not a moment sooner. Gina needed rest.

After they’d made love, she’d fallen asleep in his arms, her cheek and one hand resting on his chest and her leg crooked over his. He’d only been able to watch her, touch her—the curve of her cheek; her lips, dusky and swollen with his kisses; the violet shadows of sated fatigue beneath her eyes; the silken mass of gold and brown hair scattered across his pillow and the velvet warmth of her skin as he stroked her hip. She was the most glorious creature he’d ever known.

And when she’d stirred an hour later, he’d kissed her and
they’d made love again. Slower, sweeter, with all the wonder of first love and filled with all the power, all the ecstasy of their first time, but suffering none of the angst. More than anything, he wanted to believe that she had not been seduced by the moment, and that she desired him half as much as he desired her. But he was a man of the world, experienced in the art of seduction, and he knew that he’d caught her unaware and used her own passionate nature against her.

He turned and went back to his bed to study her, to burn the vision of her there on his memory. He did not deceive himself that she had fallen helplessly in love with him or that they could ever build a future given what he represented to her. No, he had served a purpose. Gina had wanted to know what making love was like, wanted that answer, and he’d been only too eager to give it to her, and flattered that she’d chosen him. But he should never have given in to her pleas. Should have been strong enough to give her up and preserve her virtue. He had failed her, but he would not do so again.

He reached out and touched her cheek, brushed a lock of silken hair out of her eyes. Leaning close, he kissed her forehead and whispered in her ear. “Arise, Eugenia. The night is done and the day awaits.”

T
he afternoon was half gone by the time Gina was dressed and made her way downstairs in an agony of suspense. Had Jamie given her away when he’d brought her home before dawn? Or had he managed to escape unnoticed? She’d tried to make him leave her at the end of the street, but he insisted upon seeing her to the door with a promise to come later in the day, and there was no arguing with him.

She found her mother and sister in the parlor, conversing in perfectly normal tones. She breathed a sigh of relief. If Mama knew where she had been last night, and what she’d done, she would be in shrill high dudgeon.

Mama scarcely glanced up at her. “Good heavens, Eugenia! You look as if you have not slept in weeks! You really must stay in tonight and get some rest.”

Bella came to her rescue. “Really, Mama, there will be time enough for rest when you have gone back to Belfast. Let Gina enjoy London while she can.”

“Well! I do not need advice from you, Bella. Once you have children of your own, you will know how I feel.”

Gina rolled her eyes and sighed. She was tired of her mother’s endless nagging—never mind that she was right. Gina actually did need sleep rather badly. She’d been barely coherent last night when Jamie had gotten her home. Exhaustion and satiation had mixed in a powerful brew, muddling her mind so that all she could think was that she never wanted to leave Jamie’s bed.

“I shall take a nap if that will reassure you, Mama.”

Her mother contrived to look satisfied. “Nap? You are scarcely up, girl. The day is most gone. I do not think a nap will serve you now, Eugenia. I would prefer that you cancel your evening plans and stay in. Those Thayer girls are far too…too …”

“Too engaging? Interesting? Pleasant? Diverting?” Bella stood and went to the teapot to pour a cup for Gina. “Really, Mama. You complained when Gina had not yet made friends, and now you complain that she has. Give her a slack rein for the next few days, will you?”

Bella brought her the cup as she sat on the sofa and gave her a sharp warning look, as if she suspected that Gina had been sneaking out at night. “Thank you,” she said in a soft tone, hoping Bella would realize it was for keeping silent and for supporting her as much as it was for the cup of tea.

Her sister gave her a quick nod that said she would be seeking Gina out later for some answers.

“Well,” Mama sighed, leaning back against the cushions of her chair, “I really do not see why Gina should bother to go about in society. Three days hence, we shall be bound for Ireland. What point is there, really, in socializing now?”

Three days? Gina sat up straighter, her mind in turmoil. She could not possibly be ready to leave in three days’ time. Mr. Henley, Jamie.

Bella answered to cover Gina’s shock. “To make friends, Mama. To make connections that may serve her in the future.
How pleasant it will be to correspond with Hortense and Harriett to have all the
on dit.
”

“And what good will that do her, I ask? Once we are back to Ireland, Eugenia is unlikely to leave again. What earthly use will she have for friends in England?”

“You should not map out Gina’s life, Mama. Many things could happen. She had gentlemen callers in Belfast before we left, who will likely be awaiting her return. Should they have connections in London …”

“Pshaw! With both older and younger sisters married, Eugenia is quite upon the shelf. Who will have her now, even with the inducement of her not inconsiderable dowry?”

Gina cleared her throat and smiled. “Have you forgotten that I am in the room, Mama?”

“Oh, well.” Mama had the good grace to look a bit confused. “I was only stating the truth, my dear. You know I did not intend any insult.”

Oddly, Gina believed her. “None taken, Mama.” Her mother never intended insult, but she had no idea how high-handed she was. She had planned Gina’s life to her own advantage and did not see any reason to consult Gina in regard to her preferences or to the details.

Mama stood and waved one hand airily. “Eugenia, I hope you will not be needing Nancy. I have some shopping to do and wish her to attend me.”

To carry the parcels, no doubt. “I am quite at leisure today, Mama. Do go, and have a lovely time.”

Bella expelled a long sigh when Mama departed, leaving them alone at last. “Gina, you are a saint if you can picture a life at Mama’s beck and call.”

“To tell the truth, Bella, I cannot picture it. Perhaps that is the only thing that keeps me calm.”

Bella giggled and placed one hand over her stomach. “I
pray you will thump me over the head if I treat my children thus.”

“I shall. That is a promise, Bella.”

“As for you, Gina, I shall be glad to stand in for Mama. At least today.” She stood and came to stand beside Gina’s chair to give her a gentle thump on her head. “What were you thinking, Gina?”

“I do not know what you mean,” she temporized.

“Do not come over all coy with me, Gina O’Rourke. You kept quiet when I was slipping out at night. I shall do no less for you. But you must see the danger in not telling anyone what you are about. Mary—the washwoman Mary, not the scullery Mary—reported that her spare gown was missing. Then Nancy brought it to me early this morning. She said she found it in your room when she was straightening up. What are you about?”

Heavens! She’d been so exhausted when she’d gotten home that she’d simply dropped the gown where she stood instead of hiding it in the clothes press. “Did she tell Mama?”

“She came to me, Gina, so she could avoid Mama’s hysterics. I repeat, why did you need a washwoman’s dress?”

“I wanted to go out anonymously. I took Mary’s shawl, too, to cover my head. You know that no one notices servants, Gina. I thought I could go places inappropriate for a young woman, perhaps hear things I would not otherwise be privy to.”

“No wonder you are exhausted. But you must stop, of course.”

“Of course. Just as you did.”

“I am not amused, Gina.”

“Neither am I. Three days, Bella. That is all I have left before Mama whisks me back to Belfast. Three days to find those missing hours of my life.”

Bella frowned and sat beside her. “I cannot imagine how
difficult that must be for you, Gina. You know I will help you in any way I can, but I cannot condone you prowling the London streets after midnight and putting yourself in danger. If I lost you…I could not imagine such a thing.”

“You will not lose me, Bella. James has taken it upon himself to look out for me.” Heat crept into her cheeks with the thought of just how well Jamie had looked out for her last night.

“Jamie is courting you, Gina. I have been hoping he would speak for you soon, and that you would marry and stay in London with Lilly and me.”

“Oh, poor Bella. Had I known you were thinking in that direction, I would have told you sooner. Jamie is merely trying to keep me out of trouble. He is watching out for me. Ever since Mr. Henley accosted me in the Morris’s garden—”

“What?”

“Mr. Henley came to me in disguise. He spoke to me, and he was dragging me into the shadows when Jamie came looking for me. And since then, he scarcely lets me out of his sight. I tried to discourage him, but he will not relent. Society might think we are courting, but his real purpose is to watch me. That is why I’ve been sneaking out. I cannot have him hovering all the time. People will not speak freely with him glowering like some looming gorilla.”

Bella sighed and her shoulders drooped. “I was so certain…even Drew thought you were courting.”

“No. The furthest thing from it.” Though he’d done a fair imitation of it last night, after she’d begged him.

Bella squeezed her hand. “Very well, Gina. Since I know Jamie is looking after you, I shall hold my peace.
Three days,
” she repeated. “If there is anything I can do to help, you must tell me. Now run up and change. We are meeting the ladies and Mr. Renquist at
La Meilleure Robe
in half an hour.”

The little dressing room was hushed when Gina came around from behind the dressing screen and stepped onto the platform in front of the mirror. She smoothed the curve of the fabric over her breasts and turned in a full circle.

Bella was the first to speak. “Stunning. Simply stunning, Madame. You have made our Gina look like a goddess.”

Lady Sarah stood and touched the fabric. “Silk. Of course. The drape is magnificent, Madame.”

Lady Annica smiled her approval. “I have little to add to
stunning
and
magnificent,
but perhaps
provocative
would do. You are going to drop jaws, Miss O’Rourke.”

Madame Marie preened. “I cannot take all the credit, eh? Miss O’Rourke contributes to my creation in some small part, does she not?” The ladies laughed at Marie’s joke as the modiste knelt to adjust a flounce.

“Pearls, I think,” Grace Hawthorne contributed. “The luster will complement the color without detracting attention from the wearer.”

“I think I shall have to commission a similar gown,” Sarah mused, a teasing sparkle in her violet-blue eyes. “Though I would like it done in willow-green. It is Ethan’s favorite color.”

Madame Marie stood and adjusted the small puffed sleeves. “
Mais oui.
I shall ‘ave to order fabric in every color at once. And you, Miss Gina, shall take this ‘ome with you today.”

A soft knock at the side door interrupted their laughter. “La! That François, ‘e ‘as the good timing, no? Now we shall see what a man thinks of our Gina.
Entrer,
François!”

True to Lady Annica’s prediction, Mr. Renquist, holding a small carved wooden box, stopped short and his mouth dropped open when he saw Gina. Madame Marie went to him and gently lifted his chin with her forefinger. “Careful,
mon amour.
You will make me jealous.”

He blinked and focused his attention on his wife. “No need, dearest. No one can hold a candle to you.”

Marie laughed and headed for the door. “You see ‘ow well I ‘ave ‘im trained?” She closed the door behind her.

Mr. Renquist nodded at the ladies and offered Gina his hand to step down from the platform and take a seat with the others. “I have several things to report, ladies. Shall we begin with the box?”

At their nods, he continued. “I have picked the lock and found several items.” He opened the lid and gave it to Gina.

This, then, was the box she had asked him to purchase from Mr. Henley’s former landlord. She rested the box on her lap and poked through the contents.

Mr. Renquist continued as she examined each item. “There is a cravat pin in the form of a dragon with small ruby eyes, a broken watch, a pocket knife, a list of household items and a small packet of unsigned letters.”

“What sort of list?” Lady Annica asked.

Gina ran her finger down the list. “Candles, tinderbox, blanket, wine—”

“He was setting up new quarters, or a hiding place,” Lady Sarah guessed.

Gina skipped over the cravat pin, unwilling to touch the wyvern from which the Brotherhood had taken their name, and lifted the packet of letters. She untied the ribbon that held them together and picked one random letter from the middle of the stack of ten.

It began without salutation and concluded without signature. Gina read it aloud for the rest of the group. “‘I concur, dear Henley, that your position is untenable. I am working on a solution and beg that you be patient. I shall meet you Tuesday next at the usual place and time.’ The writing looks feminine. But how can that be?”

Mr. Renquist nodded. “I thought the same thing, Miss
O’Rourke, and that would fit with another piece of information I’ve gleaned. One of the boys I employ from time to time reports that he spotted Henley with a woman. A woman of quality, according to him. That would confirm our suspicion that Henley has help from the ton.”

“Blackmail?” Gina asked, thinking of Mr. Morris.

Mr. Renquist gave a philosophical shrug. “Or affection.”

“Where were they seen?”

“At the Bucket and Well in Whitechapel. The place is a bit better than the usual Whitechapel taproom.”

“Tuesday next,” Bella mused. “Is the letter dated?”

“None of them are. Since the letters have been in the box for a week or more, I believe that meeting has come and gone. Nevertheless, since it appears to be their usual place and time, I shall be at the Bucket and Well this coming Tuesday. All day and night, if I must.”

Tuesday next …
Gina would be en route to Belfast. A quick sharp pain gripped her stomach. There had to be some way to conclude this matter by then. She covered her panic by unfolding a single sheet of paper and pretending to study it.

“Ah, yes. The ledger sheet. As you will see, Miss O’Rourke, that is a list of receipts and payments made to various individuals by initials, with the exception of the notations for ‘Gibbons.’ I would like to turn that particular item over to the Home Office, if you do not mind. Perhaps they will have the resources to match the initials and payment to certain individuals and events. I suspect this is a record of Mr. Henley’s blackmail and murder attempts.”

Gina nodded and scanned the list quickly, committing as much as possible to memory before she refolded it and handed it back to Mr. Renquist. “Should they be able to identify anyone from their initials, I would like those names. I conceive it could be quite useful to know who might have pertinent information, and who I should avoid.”

“Of course, Miss O’Rourke. Forewarned is forearmed.” He cleared his throat and finished his report. “The last item is a list of notorious criminals who have been known to kill for hire. I believe Henley has either hired them, or intends to hire them. It is possible he used these individuals to procure women for their…entertainments. What we lack is an explicit list of men he is blackmailing.”

She handed him the list. “I have no use for this, Mr. Renquist. I would not know any of these people, nor would I wish to interview them. Perhaps the Home Office would find this useful, as well.” She closed the lid on the little box, unwilling to give up anything more.

“Thank you, Miss O’Rourke, for not putting me in a difficult position. I am certain the Home Office will make good use of this information.”