Hearts and Diamonds (33 page)
Read Hearts and Diamonds Online
Authors: Justine Elyot
‘Does she have much to learn?’
The question, phrased in a low, ironic voice, diverted James’ attention immediately to his female guest.
‘Please, take a seat,’ he invited, pulling the spindle-backed chairs away from the desk and offering them to the woman and his uncle. He sat himself on the edge of his bed, the only other available place.
‘Thank you.’ She was perfectly economical in her movements, he noticed, as she tucked her black skirts neatly behind her and lowered herself into the chair. Her spine was straight, her shoulders set a little back, her chin raised to display a slender neck.
The face, with its heart shape and quiet grey eyes, possessed an ageless quality – a stillness. James felt he could look into it endlessly and not tire, like looking out to the silver expanse of a calm sea. He supposed himself to be ten years her junior, or more, but she could be anything from twenty-five to forty-five.
‘Excuse me,’ he said, standing again and holding out his hand. ‘I don’t believe we have met. James Stratton.’
‘Yes,’ she said, failing to reciprocate his gesture. ‘Your uncle told me your name.’
‘And might I ask . . .’
‘You might ask, but I’m afraid I cannot tell you my name. If you wish, you may address me as “Madame”.’
He looked at his uncle for any clue as to what the purpose of this meeting might be.
‘Let me explain,’ said Madame. ‘Please, sit back down, Mr Stratton.’
He subsided back on to the bed, watching her keenly.
‘I am here on behalf of my mistress. She is a wealthy single lady, a client of yours.’
‘A client?’ For a moment, James could not imagine what she might mean. ‘You cannot intend to tell me that . . . a lady . . . commissions my work?’
‘I intend to tell you precisely that, Mr Stratton. Furthermore, this lady has formed a desire to make your acquaintance.’
‘To make . . . my . . . acquaintance?’
James looked between his uncle and Madame, increasingly bewildered.
‘Before I extend any invitation, I must impress upon you the requirement for absolute discretion. Nobody should ever be told of this visit. You must sign a document swearing secrecy. Do you agree to these terms?’
‘I, er, well, yes. Yes, I think I do.’
‘You must do more than think,’ she said severely.
James, by now thoroughly itching with curiosity, simply held out a hand again.
‘Give me the document. I will sign it.’
She took from her reticule a small folded paper and gave it over to James, who read it at the desk.
It was clear and simple enough. He, James Stratton, would never speak of what occurred tonight, the 27
th
inst., to a living soul, the details to include the location of the meeting, the persons met and everything that should transpire.
With a pleasant sense of embarkation on adventure, he signed with a flourish and presented the paper to Madame for her approval.
‘Thank you,’ she said. ‘You will present yourself on the corner of this street and the Strand at eight o’clock this evening, where My Lady’s carriage will be waiting to convey you to her place of residence. Do not be late. And dress properly.’ She frowned at his shirtsleeves and loosened neckcloth.
‘Oh . . . of course,’ he said, tightening his collar straight away.
The lady wasted no more time in pleasantry but excused herself, Uncle Thomas Stratton bowing and scraping all the way like a human comic aside.
Also by Justine Elyot:
A lady of pleasure...
In the backstreets of London in 1865, James Stratton makes his living writing saucy stories for anonymous clients. But then he receives an enquiry of a far more personal nature.
Lady Augusta Heathcote is blind and has lived a very sheltered life, overseen by her watchful companion Mrs Shaw. But Augusta has a yearning to experience the intimate pleasures of dominance and submission and she makes James an offer he finds impossible to refuse...
Also by Justine Elyot:
Her name is Jenna Diamond. She is about to meet her match...
Since the painful breakup with her famous musician husband Jenna has returned to England and bought a crumbling old house back in her hometown.
But Jenna discovers a mysterious stranger hiding out at Holderness Hall. Logic suggests she should alert the authorities, but when she looks at her sexy, young house guest Jenna finds it all too easy to let her heart rule her head...
Book 1 in the Diamond trilogy, a glamorous erotic romance, from the bestselling author of
On Demand
Coming soon from Justine Elyot:
Jenna Diamond and her bad-boy lover Jason are enjoying an exciting and sensual fling. But he has skeletons from his past which prove challenging to overcome.
And when Jenna’s rock-star husband returns, desperate to make amends, she is faced with a difficult decision: she must choose between her new life and her old, between her head and her heart...
The conclusion to the thrillingly erotic Diamond trilogy, from the author of
On Demand
This ebook is copyright material and must not be copied, reproduced, transferred, distributed, leased, licensed or publicly performed or used in any way except as specifically permitted in writing by the publishers, as allowed under the terms and conditions under which it was purchased or as strictly permitted by applicable copyright law. Any unauthorised distribution or use of this text may be a direct infringement of the author’s and publisher’s rights and those responsible may be liable in law accordingly.
Epub ISBN: 9780753550540
Version 1.0
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Black Lace, an imprint of Ebury Publishing
Random House, 20 Vauxhall Bridge Road,
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Addresses for companies within Penguin Random House can be found at
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Copyright © Justine Elyot, 2014
Justine Elyot has asserted her right to be identified as the author of this work under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
This novel is a work of fiction. Names and characters are the product of the author’s imagination and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental
First published in 2014 by Black Lace, an imprint of Ebury Publishing
A Penguin Random House Group Company
A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
ISBN 9780352347763
