A Persistant Attraction (8 page)

“Aunt Claire does, but I haven’t seen him or written to him since I left home.”

“You are unwilling to involve your aunt?”

“She’s been ill. I can’t risk her having a relapse.”

“Perhaps she is stronger than you think.”

Anger rose in Amanda’s chest. “You weren’t there when she was really sick. You didn’t see how weak she was. I thought we would lose her.” Hot tears threatened to spill from her eyes.

Rhys moved closer and took her hand in his. “I’m sorry.” The memory of her aunt’s illness flooded Amanda with emotion. All the fears she’d tried to ignore came racing to her mind. She had a horrible urge to ask Rhys to hold her.

Accepting his help was one thing, but needing him to comfort her was quite another. It scared her almost as much as the threats from her attacker.

She pulled her hand back and scooted away. “Talking to Aunt Claire is out of the question. We will have to find this man another way.”

“Would you consider examining your aunt’s recent correspondence?” Amanda hated to invade her aunt’s privacy, but at least she wouldn’t be putting her health in danger. She nodded.

“Good. I will contact some friends of mine who can discreetly inquire into your father’s recent business.”

Amanda frowned. “Who are these friends?”

“No one you know or would want to know. But they owe me plenty of favors and they do not gossip.”

Amanda did not like his cryptic answer, but she let it go for the moment. “What if he’s not linked to my father?”

“Then we’ll have to follow the other leads we have. I’ll go to the Black Eagle tonight and see if I can pick up any news about criminals working in the area.”

“I’ll go with you.”

“No, you won’t.”

“I might hear a name I recognize, especially if my father is involved.”

“The Black Eagle is no place for a woman. Didn’t you learn that last night?”

“I won’t go as a woman. I’ll wear my breeches, and we can pretend I’m your servant.”

“Amanda, no one in their right mind would believe you were a boy.”

“But I—”

“I’ve seen you in your ‘disguise’. It doesn’t work.”

“Then you will just have to help me make the disguise better.”

“Amanda, you are not coming.”

“We’ll see about that tomorrow. What if the man tries something before then?”

“I’ve placed guards around your aunt’s house. No one will be able to get in undetected.”

“What will Aunt Claire say when she sees them?”

“She won’t. They couldn’t do their job very effectively if they didn’t know how to hide.”

“Who are these men? More mysterious friends of yours?”

“You could say that.”

“You’re a man who according to some is an accomplished businessman, and according to others is a rake whose sole accomplishments are drinking to excess, gambling and entertaining ladies of dubious character. What have you done to have friends such as these?”

Rhys grinned. “I am in fact a successful businessman.” Amanda experienced a moment of shock. She’d never really believed those rumors.

“Yes, I’ve actually sullied my hands in trade.” She snorted. “As if I care about that.”

He smiled. “No. You are one of the few ladies who wouldn’t. I meet lots of people through my work. Don’t worry who the guards are. You need only believe they will keep you safe tonight.”

She wanted to argue with him, but his words made her realize how much danger she was truly in. No matter where she was, she was vulnerable, even at home in her bed. Why hadn’t she thought of that before? Perhaps because she was in denial. Feeling shaken, she leaned forward and rested her head on her hands. “Do you really think we’ll find this man?”

Rhys frowned. All the fire seemed to have drained from her, and as infuriating as she could be when she kicked up, he couldn’t stand to see her looking defeated.

He sat beside her and took one of her hands. She tried to pull away, but he tightened his grip. “We’ll find this man. I will go to any lengths necessary to see that he pays for trying to harm you.”

He’d not intended to touch her. But he longed to take the fear from her expression, and he knew no other way to do it.

He pulled her other hand from her face and leaned toward her even as he told himself to stop. Her eyes widened, but she didn’t move away. “Are you going to try to seduce me now?” she whispered

“Yes.” He drew the word out and watched her shiver from its effect.

Nothing short of a protest from Amanda could have stopped him at that moment. He had to taste her again. “Whenever you wish me to stop, tell me. I will do as you say. I am only interested in a willing partner.”

She nodded. The look of surrender on her face made his body thrum. Just when he needed her to fight, to slap him for his arrogance, she smiled at him and tilted her head back, waiting for his kiss.

Forcing himself to move slowly, he touched his lips to hers. When her mouth parted with no coaxing at all, he groaned and deepened the kiss, sucking her bottom lip into his mouth and relishing her warmth.

He shifted position until he was kneeling on the floor in front of her, her legs pushed apart by his body. He could feel her firm breasts against his chest, and he fought to keep his hands on her back when he wanted to rip the front of her dress and feast on her creamy skin.

When she tentatively slid her tongue into his mouth, he feared he would combust. He tightened his grip on her and pressed his lips harder against hers.

She clung to him, her hands kneading his back. She tightened her legs around him.

Her tongue tangled with his, fighting for the chance to taste him. His fingers found the

satin ribbon that crisscrossed its way up the back of her dress. He loosened it until it slipped from her shoulders.

She pulled away, her eyes wide, her hand holding up her bodice. Rhys forced himself to back away while she drew a few shaky breaths.

“I think we should stop now.”

He nodded, but every inch of his body throbbed. He wondered if he’d ever been so aroused. If she hadn’t stopped him, he would have taken her right there on the sofa.

She reached behind herself and tugged on the ribbon of her dress, but she couldn’t seem to tighten it. He drew in a long breath. “Let me.” She gave him a wary look.

“I promise I’ll do nothing but straighten the dress.” She nodded, her breathing still too ragged for speech. He could barely keep his hands from skimming along the soft skin of her back as he pulled the ribbon tight and secured them. Stepping away from her took excruciating effort. He had to get her out of there fast.

He pulled the bell cord to summon Meadows. When his valet entered, he asked him to bring the carriage around and have two footmen escort Amanda home.

After Meadows left, Rhys risked a glance at Amanda. She was gazing out the window with her arms crossed in front of her. He saw her shiver. He cursed himself for proving to be the scoundrel she’d assumed he was. “I think it would be best if I didn’t accompany you home.”

She turned to him, her cheeks still deeply pink. Tendrils of her hair stood out around her head like a halo. She looked like a woman who’d been well-loved. He hoped to God her aunt and sister hadn’t yet returned from the ball.

“I agree.” Her voice was lower than normal.

He walked her to the front door and handed her into the waiting carriage. “I’ll call on you in the early afternoon.”

“I’ll be expecting you.” She rested her hand on his arm. He was so edgy from their kiss that the simple touch made him jump.

She smiled as she turned to leave, and he was troubled by the look on her face. He’d expected wariness or anger, but he’d seen amusement in her eyes. He couldn’t begin to imagine what she was up to. Whatever it was, he feared for his sanity.

*

Late the next morning, Rhys entered his club. Farrington’s informant had indicated that the Frenchman would be interested in attending some of the fast parties Rhys used to frequent. He’d distanced himself from that set after some of the baser men tried to kill Mark, Cassandra and Amanda.

Farrington wanted Rhys to question some of his former friends, men who knew most of the seedy goings-on among the upper class. Rhys thought it was much too early for any of these men to be awake, much less dressed and out at the club, but he intended to partake of a hearty breakfast and peruse the morning paper.

To his surprise, he spotted Viscount Langley sitting alone at a corner table. Of all the men he’d hoped to see, Langley was the one he trusted most. Several years ago, Rhys had let the man in on one of his operations. This time, he couldn’t reveal the deeper motivations for his investigations, but if necessary, he could tell Langley enough of the truth to obtain his assistance.

“Good morning,” he said, approaching his friend’s table.

“Ah, good morning, Stanton. I wouldn’t have expected to see you out and about this early.” Langley gestured to an empty seat and Rhys took it.

“I was thinking the same of you.”

Langley smiled. “I took an early night last night. I’ve hosted two gatherings in the last week. It’s sad to say, but I think I may be getting too old for that level of activity.” Rhys laughed. “Don’t say such things. I’m not many years younger than you, and I never intend to get too old for amusement.”

Langley raised his brow. “I haven’t seen you at many amusements lately.”

“No, I’ve been looking for entertainment elsewhere. In more traditional paths I suppose you could say.”

Langley laughed. “I cannot imagine any of your pursuits being traditional.”

“Perhaps not, but I’ve found myself requiring a different sort of entertainment.”

“Understandable. I sometimes feel the need for change myself.”

“So you say you’ve given two parties recently?”

“I have. Big ones too. My father would roll over in his grave if he saw the debts I’ve racked up.”

“Thank God you’re not the spendthrift he was. The
ton
would have missed many lively amusements otherwise.”

“I’m glad to be of service.” Langley studied him for a moment and then continued.

“You look like you’ve got something on your mind.” Rhys nodded. “I saw someone at my uncle’s ball last night, a man I thought I recognized. Something about him bothered me, and I need to find out who he is.”

“There were a few new participants at a card evening I hosted two nights ago. What does he look like?”

“He’s a few inches shorter than you. Stout. Brown hair, rather flat features. Crooked nose, but his most distinctive feature is an eye patch.” Langley nodded. “I’ve seen him. He came to the party but kept to himself.

Something about him unnerved me too. He acted as if we’d never met, but I felt like I should know him. He claimed this was his first visit to London.”

“Where is he from?”

“Paris, or so he claims.”

Rhys nodded.

Langley’s eyes narrowed. “That’s what you were after, wasn’t it? You haven’t been around, because you’ve returned to your old profession.” Rhys hesitated. He wasn’t sure he wanted anyone to know he was working for the government again, even someone who’d worked with him before.

Langley smiled. “Never mind, I shouldn’t pry.” Rhys felt his tension dissipate. “What else do you know about this?”

“He is going by the name Andreas Mouton. If I have met him before, he did not use that name.”

“I don’t recognize it either.”

“He is interested in coming to more events like the one I hosted, although he says compared to the parties he attended in France, ours are much too tame.” Rhys was instantly reminded of Viscount Reddington, Cassandra’s first husband, a man who thought nothing of watching a young woman beaten to death if it furthered his pleasure and the pleasure of his friends. Thank God the man was dead. “Do you think his tastes run more like Reddington and his cronies?” A strange expression passed over Langley’s face. “Interesting you should ask that.

There was something about him that reminded me of Reddington. Something in his demeanor. He showed no inclination toward violence with any of the women he entertained, and I heard no complaints. But he might have been acting with caution since he is allegedly unknown to us.”

Rhys nodded, disturbed by the possible connection but not wanting to pursue it further until he talked with Farrington. “Any idea where he is staying?”

“No, but if I learn, I will let you know.”

“Please do.” Rhys took a deep breath. He didn’t want to ask the next question, but he knew he had too, especially if there was any connection between this man and either his investigation or the threats against Amanda. “I know I’ve been away for a while, but do you suppose you could secure me entree to the next entertainment?”

“I believe so. Barton is hosting a large gathering next week. I hadn’t planned on attending myself, but now that you’ve brought up these concerns, I think I will. I will see if I can secure an invitation for you as well. Will you be bringing a guest?” A picture of Amanda flashed into his mind. She would insist on accompanying him if she knew what he was about. He would just have to see that she did not. “No. I’ll come alone.”

Langley nodded. “I will send word after I’ve spoken to Barton.” Rhys stood. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Call on me again if I can assist you further.”

“I will.”

Rhys pulled his watch from his pocket as he exited. It was early yet to call on Farrington, but Farrington never had a problem visiting at whatever hour suited him.

Ignoring convention, he turned in the direction of Farrington’s townhouse.

*

Amanda’s heart pounded. She looked up and down the hallway one last time. No one in sight. She turned the knob on her aunt’s door and dashed inside. For some reason, searching for her father’s letters had her more frightened than seeking out the man who wanted to kill her.

Did that mean she was more afraid of her aunt’s disappointment than she was of death? She laughed. Perhaps she was as strange as most people thought.

She wouldn’t likely be caught. Her aunt had gone to her book club, and Elise was taking a nap which was unlike her. If Amanda had to guess, she would say something had gone awry with Mr. Whittaker last night. Later, she’d seek out her sister and see what was wrong.