Chapter Five #2
“There’s not much you can do about it, though. That is her life.” When he said nothing, Averly frowned. “Who is this woman that violated you so soon after arriving at her home?”
Violated. What an odd way of thinking about it. Evan snorted. “Lady Mirabelle.” He refused to give away her real identity, for, after all, he was a gentleman.
After a fashion.
“Damn.” Another round of shock went over Averly’s face. “She is highly sought after.”
Evan narrowed his eyes. “Did you utilize her?” A swift stab of jealousy careened into his chest while a wave of hot possession welled.
“Get hold of yourself, Buckthorne,” he said with a shake of his head. “I had my own mistress at the time, but I know a few men who did. She’s skilled in the carnal arts, but more than that, she’s a good conversationalist. Men swear by her advice.”
The knowledge that she kept a steady stream of men sent another shaft of jealousy straight into his chest, yet what they’d shared last night had had a desperate, perhaps maudlin edge to it.
She took what she wanted without regard to him or his agreement to the act, and for that his admiration for her rose.
A woman wielding power was quite attractive.
“Last night, she acted as if she hated me, but I cannot fathom why.”
“I’d imagine many women would hate you. Navy men are notorious for never being the marrying type.” Then he winked. “Put it out of your mind. Women are mysterious and strange, my friend, even when you haven’t enraged them.”
“True.” Once more, he drained his glass then set it on the small table. “I need time alone with her and away from the house where she entertains her damned clients.”
“Ah.” Averly frowned. Speculation entered his eyes. “Why do you care? Especially if your only interest in her is bedding her to alleviate needs of your body.”
“I don’t know that I do care. However, she’s the one person I remember from my old life beyond my club mates, and I think I need that connection.
To remember my past to perhaps give me an insight to my future.
” He shrugged, unable to explain it better than that.
“She used to bring me peace. I’m not certain she can again, but I want to pursue it if possible. ”
For long moments, Averly studied him before nodding. “Then do something about it. At least in this way, you can exert some control over your existence you don’t currently have thanks to your brother. After that, make a plan once you’ve pleasured the hell out of her and have gotten your fill.”
That was the theory. Last night had only made him curious about her, and his thirst to bed her hadn’t nearly been slaked. Regardless that she said it couldn’t happen again. “Perhaps I will.”
“Good man. Bringing her here to the club? There’s a rear entrance you can sneak her into.”
“God no.” Evan shook his head. “The club is not private enough.”
Averly frowned. “Then where? You have no residence.”
“There is my ship. It’s in dry dock for repairs. The crew has gone home, but I need to borrow your carriage. Until I can purchase one, that is.”
“Ha.” The other man chuckled. “Can you? You look a bit ragged and indigent.”
No matter. “Fuck off, Averly. Of course I can. I made a good living as a privateer then earlier in the Navy with nothing to spend the coin on. It might not be a king’s ransom I have in the bank, but it’s a decent fortune.”
“Good for you. I wish you luck with getting your life back.” He drained his glass. “I’ll have the carriage brought ‘round when you’re ready.”
“Thank you. I need to prepare a few things, so I won’t linger at the club today.”
“I don’t blame you, but if I can offer a few words of advice?”
“Of course.” He nodded.
“When I kidnapped my wife, uh, I ended up falling in love with her after a thorough array of challenges we had to work through.”
“Don’t be ridiculous, Averly.” A decided growl had set up in his voice.
“I’m not interested in any of that. As you said, I’m not the marrying kind.
Besides, I have enough troubles in trying to reclaim my title.
That is my mission, currently.” Then he shrugged.
“Beyond that? I’m not exactly a man of sterling character.
Even if I do win my title, the beau monde might not look kindly on me. ”
“None of us here have sterling characters. That is the point of this club, and who the devil cares about the opinions of the sheep in the ton?”
“There is that.” Evan shrugged. “However, I refuse to be led about by my dick.”
“Why not? It’s good to be disreputable.” Avery got a good chuckle from that, as if it were the largest joke. “Go fuck her until you’re sated and your mind is clear… but don’t be surprised if she, one, fights back, or two, has you tied up in knots. She might prove more than a mere mistress.”
He pulled a face. “Romance is not on my agenda. Title first, regain my life, then other decisions to follow, but I rather doubt I’ll land in parson’s mousetrap any time soon.”
And not with her. It simply wasn’t possible.
Much later that night
No 8 Portman Square
Marylebone, London
This would have been far easier if I had assistance.
Just another reason why he needed to secure his own townhouse and hire a valet, but since there was nothing for it, he let himself into her suite.
It hadn’t been difficult to sneak into the house.
Of course, he’d had to pick the lock, which wasn’t difficult, for he’d learned that skill early on in his naval career.