Never Run From Love (Kellington Book Four) (20 page)

Originally, she hadn’t wanted to take on a partner. 
Especially one who would not show his face and spoke only with an indistinguishable
whisper.  He always wore a mask or met her in areas so dark she could not see
him.  But he’d been rather insistent by employing a sneaky bit of blackmail
that would have landed her in Newgate prison if she hadn’t agreed to the deal. 
The only reason she was still even nominally in charge was that he had to
remain anonymous.  In the months they’d been in business together, she’d been
looking for his weakness.  Every man had one.  All she had to do was find his,
then use it at the best time to do away with him all together.  It was the only
way to ensure that she remained free.

She also thought about that Miss Sutton who’d been
trying to get her girls to leave.  She’d seen her around a few times and
thought she was nothing more than a misguided reformer with too much time on
her hands.  But the appearance of Hal Kellington made her re-evaluate the
girl’s usefulness.  The Kellingtons were known for their protective nature. 
She’d also learned the Sutton chit was an earl’s ward.  Which meant at least
two influential people would be concerned with her well-being.

Two influential and rich people.

She wasn’t sure what exactly she would do with the
knowledge.  For now, she would simply keep it to herself.  There was no
advantage in telling her partner everything.

She had her driver drop her at the corner, as
instructed.  The walk to the park was a short one, but it was still eerie on
the all but deserted street.  Her partner didn’t even want her driver to know
his identity.  Aurelia thought that was just as well.  She liked to limit the
number of people who knew a secret because the only person you could truly
count on was yourself.

She walked slowly but determinedly, knowing she was
within shouting distance of her coachman and groom.  She also had a pistol in
her reticule and a knife in her boot.  She’d learned how to use both during her
work as a prostitute and her knowledge wasn’t just theoretical.  She wouldn’t
hesitate to kill the man if she was physically threatened.  But she had to
assess her vulnerability in the event of his death. If she remained subject to
blackmail she’d simply be trading one villain for another.  So for now she
would play the game and be patient.  But she wouldn’t do so forever.

A nearby church bell tolled midnight, which meant he
should be there by now.  His absence didn’t surprise her.  He almost always
kept her waiting, and while that was irritating enough on its own, she was also
missing prime business hours back at her establishment.  She had no doubt her
whores would steal her blind if given half the chance.  She needed to get back
to them as soon as possible.  But she knew he would keep her waiting just a few
more minutes.  He was probably already there, spending his time staring at her.

It was just the kind of man he was.

“I am glad to see you are prompt as always,” said
the familiar voice from the dark.  “Do you have my payment?” 

He walked toward her, his masked face slowly coming
into focus.  She suppressed a shiver as she handed him the envelope.

“I shan’t take the time to count it,” he said, as he
pocketed it.  “You are too smart to cheat me and have a whore’s instinct for
survival.  About the other matter we discussed.  Do you have any more
information for me?”

“Not really.  I’ve been busy.  I do have a business
to run.”

“Yes, a business that has been very profitable to
you and is proving that way for me, too.  But I find it hard to believe you
didn’t recognize Hal Kellington when he accompanied Melanie Sutton to speak to
your girls.”

Aurelia froze.  The only way he could know that
would be if he had a spy at her place.  And if he did, she was going to have to
kill him.  Eventually.

“My dear Aurelia, I see from your face that perhaps
you did recognize one of the most famous whoremongers in the
ton
. 
Mayhap you thought Kellington’s involvement wasn’t important enough to bring to
my attention?  I assure you that everything having to do with Miss Sutton and
Kellington is important enough to tell me.  In fact, I shall have to insist on
your doing so.”  There was no mistaking the anger in his voice, even if he
wasn’t speaking above a whisper.  “What else can you tell me?  And think hard,
Aurelia, before you leave out any other details.”

Aurelia wanted nothing more than to stab the man. 
But she could play his game for now.  “That Miss Sutton has been to my place a
few times.  She’s either fearless or foolish the way she keeps turning up.  Of
course it don’t hurt that Hal Kellington is sniffing ‘round her skirts.  He’s
as good as a bodyguard, he is.  Providing he’s sober.”

“You should know he’s a fair shot even when he’s
cupshot,” added her nemesis.  “It wouldn’t do to raise his suspicions.  At
least not now.  Keep an eye on him.  And let me know if he becomes more
involved with her scheme.  We might have to devise a diversion for him.  Possibly
a permanent one.”

Aurelia looked at the man in front of her.  Very few
would even dream of killing a Kellington.  “You’re not seriously considering
offing Hal Kellington?  The duke would have your head.  And your balls.  I heard
tell he’s not a man to cross.”

“You have such a small mind.  If I kill Kellington,
I’ll make sure it never comes back to me.  There are many ways for a man such
as he to lose his life.  London is a violent city – for men and women. 
Anything could befall him.  Or anyone who causes my displeasure.  At any time.”

A shiver went up Aurelia’s spine, but she didn’t
want the wretched man to know he’d affected her.  “Is that everything?  I have
a business to run.  And if you expect those payments to keep coming, I suggest
you let me get back to it.”

“Make no mistake, my dear Madame Thurmond, I do expect
these payments to continue.  So, pray go back to your whorehouse with all due
haste.  I would hate to inconvenience you further.”

With that, the man turned on his heel and departed. 
Aurelia was left wondering if she could kill him with a shot to the back or if
it would only wound him.  Blackmail be damned.  But if she made her move, she
would have to see it all the way through.  There could be no half measures.  And,
more to the point, he was already out of range and moving further away.

A missed opportunity if there ever was one.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

The next morning, Mel found it even harder than
usual to begin her day.  She’d lain awake almost the entire night thinking
about marrying Richard.  When she finally did fall asleep, she was haunted by
dreams of Hal Kellington kissing her and doing all the things Lydia and Angela
had so painstakingly described.  If only the responsible Richard could make her
feel that way.  Or, conversely, if only Hal would mature enough to care for
another person’s welfare more than his own.

The one bright spot was that for once she would not
have to invent an excuse to leave the house.  Her aunt and uncle were only too
happy for her to spend the day with Richard in the company of Flora.  She would
have to bribe the girl once again to keep her quiet about their destination,
but it was a small price to pay.  At least relatively speaking.  Flora really
was becoming a bit greedy. 

It was half past ten and Mel had just finished
dressing when she was informed she had a visitor.   She went to the drawing
room expecting to find Richard only to see Hal, instead.  That would be vexing
enough – especially since last night’s dreams began to replay in vivid detail
at the very sight of him – but the scoundrel was doing his best to charm Aunt
Evelyn and Cousin Mary.  That he had contradicted her wishes by showing up at
her house was, of course, upsetting.  And it was frustrating in the extreme
that he also made her pulse race quite so much.

Hal rose as Mel entered the room.

“There you are, dear,” said Aunt Evelyn, as she rose
from the settee to kiss her niece.  “Mary, do be so kind as to show Lord Henry
your artwork.”

“I am not at all sure I should subject our guest to
my renderings,” said Mary with her typical self-deprecating sense of humor. 
But off her mother’s look, she continued.  “My lord, would you care to see my
drawings?  I can assure you that you have never seen anything like them and
should count yourself quite fortunate because of it.”

“I would be delighted,” said Hal with a grin.

Aunt Evelyn pulled Mel aside.  “Lord Henry seems
intent on taking you for a drive, but Mr. Parker is expected at any moment.”

“I have no plans to drive with Lord Henry.  I shall
send him on his way.”

That clearly alarmed Aunt Evelyn.  “Do you really
think you should?  I mean, your Mr. Parker is everything that is amiable, but
Lord Henry is quite the catch.  And, most importantly from a selfish
standpoint, would not be taking you to America.”

“He shall not even be taking me for a drive, in
spite of his rather presumptuous intentions,” said Mel.

“Pray excuse my abominable manners,” said Hal from
across the room.  “But I could not help but overhear you talking about me, Miss
Sutton.  At least I assume you were referring to me.  All I heard was
‘presumptuous intentions.’  Although, mayhap it was Parker to which you
referred.”  He turned to the grinning Mary.  “The man is rather full of himself
for a religious sort.”

“Lord Henry,” said Mel.  “I shall thank you not to
speak ill of my friend.”

“You’re the one who said he had presumptuous
intentions.”

“I wasn’t referring to him, I was talking about
you!”

“I’m flattered, Miss Sutton, to be the subject of
your conversation.  And, if I may be so bold, any of your thoughts, as well.”

Mel’s face flooded with such vivid color that she
heard her aunt say quietly, “Oh my.”  It was most humiliating.

“Pray forgive me for teasing you so,” said Hal. 
“But I have had a series of interesting conversations with my brother and
sister-in-law and thought you might like to hear about them.  They concern your
activities.”

“Mel’s activities?” asked Mary.

“Her reform work,” said Hal.  “I am one of Mrs.
Seton’s, uh, followers.”  Here he had such an angelic look on his face that Mel
almost had to laugh. 

Aunt Evelyn cleared her throat.  “I did not know you
were also involved with Mrs. Seton’s group, Lord Henry.  How admirable of you.”

“’Tis no great thing, Lady Heffner.  I feel it is my
responsibility to look out for the welfare of my fellow man.” 

“So you do not drink spirits?”  Aunt Evelyn asked in
a politely disbelieving way.

Here Hal paused.  Mel had a feeling he was weighing
his words carefully.

“While I have imbibed on occasion…”

“Only on occasion, my lord?” asked Mel with raised
brow.

“On a number of occasions, Miss Sutton.  While I
have imbibed and, from time to time, drunk to excess…”

“Only from time to time, my lord?” asked Mel.

“I do not mean to pry, Miss Sutton, but is your
hearing quite the thing?  I do not recall your needing to have things repeated
this much.”

“Lord Henry, you hardly know me well enough to know
much about me, including the state of my hearing.”

“Let me see,” said Hal, as if harkening back to the
dark recesses of his mind.  “I have seen you at Mrs. Seton’s meetings,
protested with you and where else have I spent time with you?” 

Mel’s eyes widened appreciably. 
He wouldn’t.  He
couldn’t. 
“I cannot recall any other meetings with you, Lord Henry.”

“I am devastated to hear it,” said Hal.  “Yet I have
relived every moment we’ve spent together.”  Here he paused for a moment. 
“Every moment.”

Mel could only wonder if he was thinking of the same
moments she was.  His ever present grin was in place, but there was a look in
his eyes – a certain light in his eyes – that heated her throughout.

Aunt Evelyn cleared her throat.  “Mary, my dear, we
must depart for your fitting with Madame LaCroix.”

“Must we, Mama?  I am rather enjoying this,” said
Mary.

“Nevertheless, we must go,” said Aunt Evelyn.  “Lord
Henry, thank you for the delightful visit.  We shall leave you with Mel.”

Hal bowed dutifully to both women, then turned to
Mel when her relatives had departed.  “You have a very nice family, Mel.”

“It’s Miss Sutton, my lord.  And I thought I’d made
my wishes clear the last time I saw you.  I do not believe seeing more of each
other would be prudent.”

“Miss Sutton, if we saw much more of each other than
we’ve already seen, I’m not sure there would be anything left to see.”

“Lord Henry!”

Hal tsked.  “Missishness does not become you, dear. 
My reasons for being here are two-fold.  The first is to offer you escort to
your meeting with Parker.”

“I thank you for the favor, my lord, but Mr. Parker
is set to pick me up.  In fact, I expect him any minute now.”