Chapter 5 #2
Oh, dear. This was not good. She should not be thinking of Mr. Carrington except in a purely professional manner, since their arrangement was not only temporary but a solution to a problem and nothing more.
Once the month was over, she had no doubt that they would amicably part ways.
Perhaps they might become friends but the likelihood that they would speak much once July was over was slim.
Unless he was invited to a society party, which she supposed could be a possibility if he were deemed acceptable company in an appropriate setting, but otherwise, they lived in two different worlds.
He was part of the working class which mixed as well with the upper echelon as oil and water.
There was a reason there was that invisible divide that no one dared—or wanted—to cross.
She exhaled heavily and attempted to adjust her position in the bed, but could not seem to get comfortable. Nor was she that tired, her mind pulling her in several different directions.
Tossing back the covers, she decided to head downstairs to see if she could find something boring to read from her father’s study. Surely a study in physics would see her snoring in short order.
With her wrapper in place, Sariah left her chamber and began to peruse the leather-bound volumes lining the shelves.
She happened upon one innocuous looking title “Veneres uti observantur in gemmis antiquis.” Curious, she flipped the book open to a random page and quickly slammed it shut with a snap.
She could feel her cheeks heating violently and she looked at the cover as if it might catch fire at any moment. She had never beheld such… graphic engravings before.
Slowly, she took another peek, just to make sure she was seeing things correctly.
Her eyes widened and she snapped the book closed again while glancing about the room, as if expecting her father to walk in and catch her reading a scandalous novel. She was stunned that he had such a torrid book in his library.
Squaring her shoulders and giving a rebellious sniff, she brazenly took the book to a far corner of the room.
Tucking her legs beneath her, she dared to peruse further.
With each page that she turned, she discovered she had many more questions than answers.
At the same time, she understood that these positions were meant to be saved for the marriage bed.
Thinking of trying some of these illicit poses with Mr. Carrington were not entirely distasteful. She was more concerned if she might be able to get her leg that high.
With each etching revealed, her heart began to race and a strange pulsing sensation started to throb between her legs.
She wondered if she might be having an apoplexy, but she recognized the signs for what they actually were.
Hysteria. She’d heard some of the maids discuss this very ailment and how it took a gentleman to ease their affliction.
Sariah began to get worried. If she was coming down with some sort of illness, she certainly needed to discuss it with someone, and who better to ease her concerns than talking to her future betrothed?
Reed walked confidently up the steps of the baron’s townhouse the next morning, determined to withstand any further allure that Miss Kent presented.
He went over all the ways this facade would benefit each of them—restoring her reputation and putting him in touch with several affluent business associates.
He had to start thinking with his mind rather than the smaller head attached to his groin that generally steered him into trouble.
He had promised Jackson that his wild days were behind him. They were all set on finding a level of respectability that had been previously denied them.
However, he didn’t realize that all of his hard-won arguments were about to be sorely tested.
The front door opened and a footman greeted him with the perfection of formal, English hospitality. It did not take him long to be shown into the baron’s study, since this call was already anticipated.
To his surprise, the solution he’d presented the evening before to Sariah was met with the same agreement from the baron. “I concur, that until the talk settles down a bit, this is the best course of action for everyone involved.”
Reed continued speaking, as if he was still trying to convince Lord Foxworth that his argument was solid.
“I will quietly back away once Sariah’s reputation is secure and allow her to cry off from the engagement to find a suitable match.
In the interim, I am hopeful that some of the contacts you have so graciously provided are still amicable to work with our business. ”
The older gentleman extended a sheet of paper.
“I took the liberty of adding a few more names to the list that I did not have a chance to give you last night.” Reed stood and accepted the offering graciously.
Sariah’s father adopted a sudden somber expression.
“I want to thank you for being discreet about the incident at the theatre last evening as well.” At first, Reed wasn’t certain what he was referring to, but then the baron added, “Lord Baltimore is an unsavory character on his best days. I appreciate you coming to her aid.”
Reed inclined his head. “I have never cared much for men who desire attacking innocent women.” His eyes narrowed slightly. “I am surprised that your daughter recounted the incident.”
“She did not need to do so,” the baron returned evenly.
“I am not without my own resources, Mr. Carrington. I have done my research on you as well, and thus far, you will be glad to know that other than some oats you sowed in your younger days, your reputation for shrewd business and fair dealings have become quite noted. And respected.”
Reed wasn’t surprised. In truth, he expected no less.
He’d worked hard to earn a varied reputation.
“That is certainly welcome news, my lord. And I hope that, once things are concluded with your daughter and I, that we can continue to enjoy the fruits of our combined venture. I understand you have a sizeable interest in the whale oil industry in America.”
The baron paused, his mouth falling slack before he recovered with a coy grin. “Very nicely done, Mr. Carrington. I can see you are also well informed. I have done my best to keep that association secret, but obviously I was not completely successful.”
“Not to worry. Your interests are safe with me.”
Reed hoped that the baron understood the double meaning. “I do believe that.”
As Reed was dismissed, he realized that the meeting had gone even better than he could have imagined. He had the sense that his future was about to turn around in the most productive of ways.
“Mr. Carrington.”
As he glanced up and saw a vision in pale yellow drifting toward him, her skirts outlining her curvaceous form with perfection, Reed had to clench his fists to keep from reaching out for Miss Kent. She was an enticing treat and he wanted nothing more than to partake of her tempting delights.
Clearing his throat, he gave a slight bow.
“I have been eager to know how things went with my father. If you could join me in the parlor for a few moments, I would be ever so grateful.”
Reed’s legs were wooden as he followed behind her, the gentle sway of her hips something he couldn’t easily discount. His focus was riveted on the gentle action, although he knew she was not doing it intentionally.
At least, he did not think so.
The doors remained open and as Sariah sat primly on the settee, he took advantage of the seat across from her. Deciding to open with her initial query, he said, “Our meeting was as productive as expected. He agreed to the terms we discussed last evening.”
Her smile was broad and so devastating in its loveliness that it nearly knocked him to the ground. “Wonderful!” She gave a shrug. “I suppose we are betrothed then.”
It was so matter-of-fact, so… accepting, that Reed wasn’t sure how to respond. “Er… yes, I suppose so.”
“Since we are now ‘betrothed’ in the traditional sense, I feel comfortable asking something of you.” She got up and moved to sit next to him, still a respectable distance, but much too close for Reed’s comfort.
“Oh? And what is that?” He swallowed hard, something telling him that he wasn’t going to like whatever she suggested.
With her amber eyes wide and expressive, and completely innocent in the most dangerous way, she said, “I should like for you to cure me of my hysteria.”
It was a good thing that Reed had not been drinking any tea at the time, because he would have spewed it across the room. Perhaps he hadn’t heard correctly… “Pardon, but it sounded as though you wanted me to cure you of—”
“Hysteria, yes.” She nodded emphatically and then gave a sudden frown. “I promise I have not yet been diagnosed, but last night as I was looking through these Roman cameos, I discovered something quite remarkable happening. It was as though my very blood was aflame.”
“I see.” Reed glanced at the doorway, wondering if he could bolt through it to safety.
She scooted closer to him and lowered her voice, making it entirely too sultry. “You see, I have heard some of the maids discuss this very ailment and how only a gentleman is able to cure the affliction. Since we are now in a more intimate arrangement, perhaps you might consider—”
He had to stop this before it went any further. “Miss Kent, I think there is something you must know.”