Lords of Retribution (Lords of Avalon series) (20 page)

“Very well, let’s make our way to the drawing room then.”

After dinner, Lord Lyndhurst’s daughter, Anna
, excused herself, leaving the men to their brandy.

After they talked for a time, Nightshade rose
. “I must be going. I must call upon a friend tonight as I am leaving for Nottinghamshire tomorrow. If you gentlemen will excuse me.”

“Good night, Shade
. If you’ve need of me, I am leaving for Cornwall tomorrow and hope to be there for the entire summer,” Marrek offered.

Shade nodded
to Marrek. He turned to his superior. “Lyndhurst.”

“Good evening, Shade
. Enjoy the country. You won’t be summoned unless it is a matter of great import,” Stephen assured him. “It was excellent work done by you, in India. His Majesty shall be pleased.”

Nightshade gave his superior a nod.
“Thank you. I am hoping to enjoy the peaceful quiet of summer in the country.”

“So you met with the King earlier
, I heard,” Stephen mentioned to Marrek after Nightshade had left them alone in the dining room.

“Yes
, I did. I briefed him on Burrow’s case and secured the divorce for Lady Burrow, who is now Catherine Feywood.”

“Ah, very good. I am certain she will be relieved.”

“She does not know yet. I can assure you she will be relieved. Ruan will receive the message I sent very soon.”

“It’s a pity about Silverley
. Such a shame,” Stephen Johnstone, Lord Lyndhurst and the head of the Department, said as he shook his head.

“It is a tragedy, for all of us who knew h
im; but Catherine in particular,” Marrek said solemnly.

“I have an appointment and must leave in the next quarter hour, but I will be at my club later
, say in two hours time. Do you care to join me there?”

“N
o. I am going to visit Lord Gryfe for about an hour. Creed is there already. I shall return and go to bed. I leave at first light tomorrow.”

Stephen grinned, “You are anxious to get home this time
. Normally you stay a week or more after returning from a mission and partake in the delights to be found here in the city.”

“
True, but I found my younger brother is here in London and that leaves my sister, Elowen, at home alone. Besides, I’ve been gone over a year, I am eager to spend the summer in the quiet of Cornwall. Perhaps I might even remember how to play my piano.” Marrek chuckled.

“I won’t try to convince you
to stay, my friend. It sounds as if you miss your home. Truth be told, your case involving Burrow lingered on too long, over four years. You came to London when needed and it has kept you from your home too often. Enjoy your summer at Penhallow. I won’t send for you unless it is absolutely unavoidable.” Lord Lyndhurst grinned at him then added, “I have heard about your piano. You have never seemed the type to me.”

“I enjoy it,” Marrek shrugged
. “And no one hears me play except the family.”

“I remember those days
when I used to be called out on his majesty’s business and gone for weeks, months, even a year at a time. Though I am the head of The Department now, and I work many hours a day, I primarily remain in London. I can come home at some point in the evening to my family. It does make a difference.”

“I have been thinking I am getting too old for this end of our business.” Marrek raised his brow as he rose from the table.
“Damn near lost my life in India this time, as I told you earlier.”

“You’re the best man
I have. You are far from old. You are much younger than I am. Rest for the summer, Marrek, you will feel differently come the fall. You and I are much alike. The craving for danger is in our blood.”

Marrek doubted he would
feel differently. He was not as fond of the danger as he once was. He had Kitty to think of now. As well as her babe. He had plenty of time to make his decision before the fall. “If I don’t see you before dawn, we will hear from one another soon, I trust.”

“Of course you will,” Stephen laughed
. “As second in command I have to keep you abreast of Department business. However, you will see me tomorrow morning. I intend to breakfast with you before you go. We are friends after all, and it’s been a year since I’ve talked to you in person. As it is, I must get to the offices early tomorrow. Have a good night, Marrek.”

“Good night, Stephen.”

Amelia Whitely positioned the hood of her cloak so her face would remain in shadow
. In this seedy part of London, she would remain safer if none on the dark, dismal streets saw her flaming red hair or her beauty.
Damn the Leader
! She had waited for him for over an hour in the dingy tavern. The appointment had been made three days ago. She wanted to sell the diary of Percy’s ancestor to him and get out of London. He never showed.

Once a member of polite society,
she was no longer. She had left her bore of a husband, George, in Glastonbury and subsequently saved her lover, Percy Davitt, after the incident where he nearly perished at the hands of the Avalon Society at Stonedown Manor. She took him to safety and nursed him back to health, only to learn he had perished at the hands of the Avalon Society at Wychcombe House in London. The leader sent word to her within an hour of Percy’s death. She cleared out the London lodgings she and Percy shared immediately. He gave her the address of her current lodgings and told her she would be safe there until he could make other arrangements.

She sold the sapphire yesterday and had not made nearly enough to set herself up in another location, perhaps Edinburgh? Dublin? She didn’t know where, only that sh
e had to leave London. She planned to pose as a widow, change her name and try to work her way back into a small, local society somewhere far from Town where she would not be recognized. As soon as she could sell what she had to the Leader.

Unfortunately,
word of the happenings in Glastonbury had made it to the parlours of London, no doubt due to the death of the horrid Viscount Dalworth. She was in hiding, for the Avalon Society and the authorities were looking for her. Her reputation as a lady of station within society was utterly ruined.

She clutched her reticule tightly against her body for it contained the article that would secure her future
. She could not sell it to the Avalon Society. They would certainly have her arrested as Percy’s accomplice.

The leader of the organization Percy worked for was her only option
. She was highly irritated he had not kept the appointment at the tavern tonight. Of course, she had no idea who he was or what he looked like. She would have to send a message tomorrow morning to the obscure little Inn down the lane and address it to Mr. Robert Johns, which was no doubt a false name.

She let go a sigh of relief as she reached her meager lodgings
. She unlocked the door and quickly closed and locked it behind her.

As she walked toward the simple wooden table to set dow
n her reticule, she noticed a man sitting there, half in shadow. She let out a gasp at precisely the same moment she set her bag on the table.

“Mrs. Jones
? Or would you rather I use Mrs. Whitely? I have a key. I let myself in. You remember I procured these lodgings for you.”

“Yes, thank you. I go by
Jones now,” she stated as she stepped closer so she might see his face. When she looked upon the man’s features, even in the shadows, she knew immediately who he was, despite the humble, worn clothing he wore. She hoped he hadn’t guessed she recognized him. That might not be good for her.

“Why are you here? You told me to meet you at the tavern.”

“We had an appointment. I instructed you to go to the Tavern. I decided I preferred a cozier setting for our meeting.” He reached for her reticule sitting upon the table, opened it and removed the diary. He lit the lamp upon the table, the flash of light illuminating his features for an instant. He eased back into shadow and opened the worn leather volume.

“Sit, Mrs. Jones.” He motioned to the empty chair across the table.

“Give me my payment or hand the diary back,” Amelia demanded, trying not to show her fear.

“Relax, Mrs. Jones
. You’ll get your due. Sit back while I peruse the volume.”

Still keeping her back rigid, Amelia slid
into the chair. She kept her eyes on him as he turned the pages. After what seemed like hours to her, when in truth it was only a few minutes, he finally looked up from the diary.

“Is this all Percy had?”

“Y-yes, the diary from Esau Davitt is all I have.”

“I was under the impression there were letters from Esau Davitt’s son.”

“I know nothing of them. I only knew of the diary.” Amelia swallowed hard. She watched the man. She had the letters, but she did not have any money in her hand yet. She might need them to bargain with the gentleman further.

He shr
ugged. “About your payment,” the gentleman continued, “I will set you up in a fine house. You will have clothes, jewels, servants and even a monthly allowance. You will live well. I’m in need of a mistress currently.” He rose and walked toward her chair.

“I can’t give you the amount of money at present that you require to leave the city. Most of my funds are tied up in investments. In time, you can save enough of your allowance and you will have the amount you need to leave London
. I can even arrange for you to leave England if you desire. You can go to Rome, Paris, wherever you wish.” He removed the hood covering her head and let it fall back. He lifted her chin with his fingers.

“You do have beauty
. And red hair is the mark of a passionate woman.”
And a whore!
“Can you please a man well?”

Amelia didn’t have a choice really
. Therefore, she had to play along until she figured something out. She wanted money to leave London, not to become someone else’s mistress. Luckily, pleasing men had never been a problem for her. “Of course I can.”

The gentleman unfastened the frog holding her cape closed allowing the garment to fall around her shoulders
. “Prove it.”

She reached out toward the fall of his trousers.

He caught her wrist. “Any woman can pleasure a man with her mouth. Not every woman can make a man want her. Take off your clothes and make me want you. I like a mistress who can seduce me, with her mind and body.”

Amelia rose from the chair
. He didn’t budge. She allowed the silk of her gown to slide up his torso. She pressed her breasts against his chest. Her hands moved to her back. She undid her fastenings as she rubbed her breasts against him. His eyes darkened. A good sign.

In a few moments, she was clad only in her transparent, lace trimmed chemise and stockings
. She put one foot upon the seat of the wooden chair. She lifted the hem of her chemise and began stroking herself. She made a good show of it and felt her cheeks flush as she gave herself pleasure.

“Take off your chemise,” he ordered.

She obeyed. She noted the large bulge in his trousers. Another good sign. She licked her rouged lips as she boldly studied the evidence that proved he was aroused.

“Give yourself release.
”

Amelia knew exactly how to do so
. She did it quickly and expertly.

“Very nice
. Sit on the edge of the bed.”

He came to stand before her
. He unfastened his trousers and produced his large, hard erection.

She had always found the gentleman attractive when she saw him from afar in Town. He was different
from any of her previous paramours, much more dignified. His physique was more than acceptable. His strong features made him appear disagreeable, yet his cock and the look of pleasure on his face as she took him in her mouth said otherwise. She had to admit, the size of his hard, rigid cock was impressive. She might actually enjoy being his mistress. She took him deeper into her throat.

He pushed into her mouth further
. He used her mouth for a time. She was skilled. She took him deep. “Yes, that’s it Amelia. You do have some desirable skills in that area. Now,” he said hoarsely as he pulled out of her mouth. “Turn over, Mrs. Jones, and get on your hands and knees. Face the other way.”

Amelia was actually anticipating having the feel of that big cock inside her. She did as he bid. She allowed him to spread her legs wide
. Once she felt his tip at her opening, he spoke.

“If you want to be my mistress, you must pleasure me
. I’ll stand here, you do all the work and you have five minutes to make me come.”

She heard the click as he closed his watch
. She arched, pushed back and took him deep inside her. She raised her bottom and leaned back taking in the entirety of him. She began to move her hips slow at first, then faster. She felt one of his large hands at her hip. His fingers dug deeply into her flesh.

The gentleman smiled as he
glanced at the wooden box beside her bed while she serviced him. He already knew the letters he sought were in there. He searched the room before she arrived.