The Hunt Club Chronicles Bundle (23 page)

The haze of red receded. He forced his breathing to slow, for his anger to subside to a reasonable level. But the fury gripping him was still waiting to be unleashed. “So what was he doing there all this time not to be noticed?”

How could anyone with inclinations for bedding other men miss a man of Terrance’s appeal? His stomach knotted with jealousy.

Redding
pursed his lips. “Oh, he wasn’t hiding. He was employed in plain sight as a tutor to the duke’s three children.” He shook his head. “Not surprising. He was always reading between engagements, so I suppose he had other avenues for employment. Yet he took a risk leaving without references, as he did.”

Aiden struggled to wrap his mind around the news that Terrance had more than a passing bookish tendency and that
Redding
admired him for it. When he thought back to last night, he did recall seeing more than a few volumes stacked on a table. Although he wondered what they were about now, his conversation with
Redding
brought home his apprehension from last night that he knew nothing at all about the man whose pleasures held him in thrall.

But he was terribly keen to learn.

As the bell sounded, Aiden stood to follow the other lords in to dinner, determined to solve the mystery of Terrance Bridgewater. Starting tomorrow, he would leave no stone unturned. He did not care for more surprises.

Chapter Eight

Terrance took a long draw on his cheroot and blew a near perfect smoke ring into the still night air. This was a pleasure he seldom indulged in, masquerading as an aristocrat out on the town. But the temptation to attend the Henderson Annual Ball had been too great to ignore.

While society parties might be by invitation only, the larger ones, such as
Henderson
’s, were easy to investigate. No one cared to question a man on his way back from the privy. No one raised a single brow. All Terrance needed to do was jump the wall of the rear garden discreetly, casually smoke a cheroot as if he had all the time in the world, and then slowly join the party as if he were merely returning to the festivities.

He bounced up the terrace steps of the brightly lit great house as if he were eager to see friends. Although many admired him—he’d dressed with particular care so as to blend—no one prevented him from passing into the
Henderson
ballroom.

Just like every other occasion when he’d come here.

A wave of heat battered his face and the cacophony of music and raised voices assaulted his ears. A smile teased his lips. This was what he loved about
London
. People. He loved being surrounded by boisterous society. To find out their secrets and vices. To peer beneath the polite layers to see the machinations of ambition beneath.

Although society would never know who he was, he kept track of certain individuals that amused him. Lady Russell held court in her scandalous way, all but undressing the gentleman standing across from her with just her eyes. Soon she would seduce the poor fool and add another idiot to her list of many conquests.

But where was the Earl of Danbury?
Henderson
’s crony was sure to be invited to this sort of event. The crowd shifted, and Terrance was filled with glee. There he was. Short—squat almost—and dancing attendance on a girl half his age yet again. The girl turned and his breath ceased. Not Amelia. Not ever. Terrance eased through the crowd until he had a clearer view and a better chance at eavesdropping.

“Oh,
Danbury
, you are a tease,” Lady Henderson gushed. “Of course, Amelia would dance with you. Come, my dear, show the earl your card. I’m sure you have a waltz free.”

Amelia Dunwoody,
Henderson
’s youngest daughter, dithered with her hands behind her back, clearly reluctant to hand the card over. She’d grown up nicely since he’d last laid eyes on the young girl, peeking glimpses at a previous ball before she was allowed out in society. Nice, quiet, and gentle as a lamb—Amelia deserved better than dancing with a lecherous old earl.

Quick as a wink, Terrance snagged the dance card from her fumbling grip as he passed behind her back. He hurried to tuck the card into his breast pocket before he was noticed just as he came face to face with another woman. The stunning blonde quirked a brow, her gaze dipped to his breast pocket where he’d hidden his treasure, and then behind to where a fuss had arisen over ‘poor Amelia’ and her lost dance card.

A slow smile lifted the corners of the lady’s mouth. “Don’t let me keep you, sir,” the blonde muttered as she passed by his left shoulder.

Quickly, Terrance moved on until he stood some yards away with a pillar between him and Amelia. When he risked a glance, the lady he had encountered had joined Amelia and, judging by their affectionate greeting, seemed a very close acquaintance. He hoped she would take care of Amelia better than her own mother did tonight. Perhaps she could secure her a better dance partner.

But he was slipping to have been noticed like that. Perhaps his days as a thief should be left far behind him. Yet it was too much fun to tweak Lord Danbury’s nose and deprive him of another opportunity to ogle a young girl.

He looked around him for another source of sport, the Earl of Henderson perhaps, but his attention snagged on the Duke of Lewes and he couldn’t look away. Aiden’s dark-eyed gaze flittered around those assembled. He appeared uncomfortable here amongst his contemporaries and friends. The Duke of Staines was there, of course, talking expansively to anyone who would listen.
Redding
too, as always, followed the duke’s every word as if his life depended on it.

Yet, even from this distance, he could sense Aiden was only listening to the duke with half an ear. His gaze prowled the room, restless and wary all at once, and then Aiden saw him and shock widened his eyes.

Unfortunately, the Duke of Staines’ footman noticed him, too.
Redding
stood taller and took a step forward as if to throw him out. Aiden, finally rousing from his surprise, spoke to him and
Redding
relaxed once more.

Then to Terrance’s delight, Aiden prowled toward him. The tight hand of lust closed upon him as his lover weaved through the crowd, avoiding the dancing couples. They’d never met together in public like this before, and all of Terrance’s senses were on alert. What would Aiden do? Would he greet him, scowl at him, or hurry him from the room?

Determined to stand his ground, Terrance leaned against the pillar as if he had every right to be there.

Aiden stopped before him. “Mr. Bridgewater.”

Terrance smiled with delight as he straightened up. “Your Grace. A pleasure to see you again.”

A sudden smile flashed over Aiden’s face then quickly disappeared. “How are you enjoying your evening?”

“Tolerably good, Your Grace, tolerably good. Lady Henderson has outdone herself on her arrangements. She does like to have everything just so to please her guests.”

Aiden turned to face the dancers, shifting subtly until they stood side by side. “Have you had a long association with the
Henderson
’s?”

Terrance’s pulse sped up at his lover’s closer proximity. Mixing in company perhaps wasn’t his wisest decision, but he’d wanted to see Aiden again tonight and this was the fastest way to accomplish his goal. “This is my sixth ball, in fact.”

A waiter stopped before them with champagne and Terrance snagged one to sip before his hands did any incautious wandering toward the duke.

Aiden waved the servant away without taking one. “You look like you belong. I almost didn’t believe my eyes when I saw you.”

“I told you I was a good actor.” Terrance smirked. “I’m imitating you, by the way.”

Aiden coughed into his fist. “I do not look like that.”

“Like what, sinful?” Terrance shifted his weight until his elbow brushed Aiden’s. “Damn right you do. Good enough to take down my throat this very night, I think.”

A loud pant left Aiden’s mouth. Terrance laughed in an effort to suppress the inclination to drag Aiden somewhere private and taste him immediately. Wouldn’t
Henderson
have a fit about that? Although he would like nothing more than to shock the old man, he still had some sense. Protecting Aiden’s reputation was paramount. He could suck on his prick later.

Terrance forced his mind away from dark deeds and surveyed the crowd around them. Across the room, the woman he’d collided with earlier was staring at him without blinking. Unnerved by her close scrutiny, he eased nearer to Aiden. “Your Grace, there is a lady watching us quite intently from across the room. Blonde, attractive, olive green ball gown. Do you by any chance know who she is?”

Aiden’s head turned and all trace of ease slipped from him. “That is Mrs. Banks, my sister-in-law.”

“Ah.” Terrance handed his glass to a passing servant. “A pleasure to see you, Your Grace. Perhaps we will meet another time.”

“You’re leaving?”

“I fear I must, lest an uncomfortable scene eventuates. Mrs. Banks seems the questioning sort.” Mrs. Banks was also moving in their direction. He had to get out of here. “Will you do me a great favor? A young lady dropped her dance card earlier and since I cannot approach her without a proper introduction, I wondered if you would return it for me. While you’re at it, ask her to dance. No decent woman should have Lord Danbury for a partner. Her name is Amelia Dunwoody,
Henderson
’s youngest.”

Their fingers brushed as the dance card changed hands.

“I am acquainted with the girl.” Aiden’s eyebrows rose. “Do you know her well?”

Terrance smiled. “Never had a formal introduction. Be gentle, Your Grace.” With a polite nod, he moved away slowly, although his skin prickled with unease and the urge to run. But life had taught Terrance never to show fear before an adversary. He sauntered to a new position around the dance floor and snagged a fresh glass of champagne.

While he sipped, Aiden approached Amelia and, after a brief conversation, drew her toward the dance floor for a waltz. Amelia danced very well in Aiden’s arms. She smiled prettily and a delightful blush covered the young girl’s cheeks, giving her an innocent glow.

Far too innocent for the wicked man society claimed the Duke of Lewes to be.

What Terrance hoped was that the other gentlemen saw and agreed that Amelia could do better in their arms. He hoped to incite them to save her from the possibility of an imprudent match. He had nothing at all against Aiden, but Amelia was not for him. Although Aiden appeared happy to be dancing with the girl, she would be miserable married to a man of his dark desires.

When the dance ended, Aiden returned Amelia to her gushing mother where other gentlemen waited for their chance. To Terrance’s delight, Lord Danbury was firmly pushed from Amelia’s circle as younger, jolly gentlemen clamored for her attention. She blushed prettily as her dance card was handed around then she was swept onto the floor again by another imminently more suitable lord.

A smile tugged Terrance’s lips at the improvement to Amelia’s prospects. Tomorrow, if all went to plan,
Henderson
’s drawing room would be full of flowers and potential swains. He hoped she chose wisely from those who came to call. He hoped with all his heart that Amelia would be happy.

“That was very well done, sir,” a feminine voice muttered at his side.

Terrance turned and discovered Mrs. Banks standing beside him. He groaned aloud. She was definitely trouble. There was no point lying. “So glad you approve, madam.”