Chapter 10
From the dark doorway, almost half a block away from the Fox and Hound, Theo breathed in the dank, musty air of the East End, his body tight with tension. Genevieve had entered the pub almost ten minutes ago.
Teasdale, the third member of their group, had agreed he would enter the establishment a few minutes after Genevieve. The man was to get an ale and find a spot at one of the tables that would ensure his back was protected while ensuring Genevieve was safe. Theo was to go in fifteen minutes later.
Now, as he stepped out of the dark doorway, he saw the door of the Fox and Hound swing wide, and a couple walked out of the pub, arm in arm.
Theo faltered for an instant before a rush of relief released the tight muscles in his chest. The woman wasn’t Genevieve.
God only knew what she was capable of at this point.
Ever since those incredible, hot moments in the Barringtons dark study, Genevieve had done everything she could to thwart his orders.
She never crossed the line into outright insubordination, but she’d come close several times in the last two weeks, and it was apparent she was making a concerted effort to steer clear of him.
The last two balls where they’d both been in attendance, she’d managed to avoid him escorting her back to Chester Square.
Instead, she’d persuaded some other family member to take her home before he realized what was happening.
It was impossible to tell if her avoidance of a private carriage ride home was to prevent a repeat of their lovemaking in that dark library or an extension of the cold condescension she’d developed where he was concerned.
This was the third time in a week that they’d entered the East End searching for a man linked to the unknown Prussian who’d attacked Val. They’d been unsuccessful in their search, and it only set him on edge all the more.
Tugging the door of the Fox and Hound open, he entered the pub with a slight swagger, his gaze surveying the room as headed toward the bar.
Dressed in the clothes of an office clerk, Theo’s gaze scanned the pub’s interior, and he caught sight of Teasdale first. Neither one of them acknowledged each other, but Theo followed the other man’s gaze as Teasdale turned his head slightly to focus on a table close to his.
Theo glanced in the direction the other man was looking.
The instant he saw Genevieve sitting on the lap of a man who was trying to kiss her, Theo’s muscles knotted.
Tension tightening his jaw, he managed not to react as he made his way to the bar.
Ordering an ale, he saw Genevieve’s and the man’s reflection in the large wall mirror behind the bar that allowed the barkeep to see the pub’s interior whenever his back was turned.
Genevieve’s laughter filled the air, and the sound shot a bolt of anger through him.
It was as if she were actually amused by whatever the man had said.
Damn her. If it was deliberate on her part to encourage the man to become enamored with her, the woman was doing an excellent job.
It’s her job, Selbourne, that’s all it is—a job.
Genevieve was doing precisely what she was supposed to be doing.
Regardless of the reason for her behavior, he didn’t enjoy watching it.
It aroused a possessive instinct in him that made him want to thrash the other man and drag Genevieve out of the pub.
Controlling the urge to do just that, Theo took a deep draught of the ale the barkeep had put in front of him.
Seconds later, the barkeep leaned his hip against the bar and eyed Theo with a grin.
“I see ye’ve been staring in the mirror at our Ginny over there. She’s a looker, ain’t she?”
Amusement lightened the man’s swarthy features as he grinned at Theo.
Forcing a smile to his lips, Theo nodded as he suppressed the urge to slam his fist into the barkeep’s face, then do the same to the man with Genevieve.
He took another deep drink of his ale, finished it off, then gestured for another.
The grin on the barkeep’s face broadened as he moved to refill Theo’s mug.
When he set a fresh ale in front of him, the man behind the bar winked at him.
“She’s right particular about the men she lets come near her,” the barkeep nodded toward Genevieve. “She’s a hard bird to catch, our Ginny is. Many a man has tried, but only one or two lay claim to having succeeded. But yer ‘andsome enough to catch her eye, and they say three’s charms.”
“So, what’s her going rate?” Theo asked with a tight smile, his grip tightening around his mug as he fought back a blast of fury. The barkeep’s expression grew contemplative as he frowned with obvious concentration.
“A good question. I ain’t sure.” The barkeep looked across the room to where Genevieve sat in the man’s lap. “Ginny, me sweet dove, what’s ye going rate these days?”
Theo turned around to rest his elbows against the bar as Genevieve jerked her head toward him and the barkeep.
The man who had her in his lap caught her chin and turned her face back to him, murmuring something.
A soft laugh escaped her as she bent her head to whisper a reply in his ear.
Peals of laughter filled the air as the man jerked, then abruptly set her on her feet.
“More than Davy here can afford, I think” Genevieve said with a pat on the man’s cheek.
Her action caused the man to scowl at her, but she’d already fixed her gaze on Theo.
Just as the best of harlots would do, she sauntered toward the bar.
Hands on her hips, she stopped in front of Theo to run her gaze up and down his body.
Tipping her head to one side, she arched an eyebrow.
“So do ye have a good, thick cock, dearie?”
Theo stiffened, struggling not to show how much her question had thrown him off kilter. Straightening upright, he folded his arms across his chest and smiled.
“I do. In fact, the last woman I was with pleaded for more the entire time I was fucking her.”
At his blatant reference to their lovemaking at the Barrington affair and coarse language, she flinched, while the entire pub broke out in loud guffaws of amusement and table-pounding.
Although he’d seen Genevieve’s reaction to his words, he was certain that amid everyone’s amusement, no one else had noticed.
He arched an eyebrow at her, waiting for her response.
The instant her gaze narrowed at him, he knew he was in trouble.
She’d been spoiling for a fight, and he’d just given her the perfect opportunity.
“Then put your money where my love nest is, duckie,” she said with a sweet smile before looking at the barkeep. “Ye ‘ave a spare room upstairs, don’t ye, John?”
Now it was Theo’s turn to jump. Christ Jesus, if he took her up on the offer, he’d most assuredly make love to her. Worse, it would solidify the impression that she gave her body to a man for the right price. A dangerous precedent to set.
“And your price, my sweet?” he asked, unable to keep from taunting her.
Genevieve sauntered forward, her lush curves almost pressing into him as she went up on tiptoe to nibble at his ear before she whispered an outrageous sum. Laughing, he shook his head as she retreated a few steps to eye him balefully. Theo knew he was fortunate that looks couldn’t kill.
“For that much money, I’d need some evidence or recommendation as to the quality of the service you’re offering.”
“None of me regulars are here tonight, but if it’s evidence ye want…”
Genevieve’s voice trailed off as she stepped forward to slide her hands through his hair, tugging his head down to kiss him.
The instant her teeth sank into his lower lip a bit harder than necessary, Theo’s lips parted in a muted sound of pain.
The instant he murmured a protest, her tongue swept into his mouth to swirl and dance with his as her delectable, sweet curves pressed into him.
The warmth of her barreled its way through every part of his body, and his cock hardened in response to her hips pressing into his.
But the moment she wiggled against him, desire plunged him into a fiery furnace of hungry need.
Arms wrapping around her, he pulled her tight against him to take control of their kiss.
She didn’t give him a chance to do so before she broke free and nimbly slipped out of his embrace.
Green eyes glittering with anger, she tipped her chin at a defiant angle as she met his gaze.
Even in the roughshod clothing of a strumpet, she was beautiful.
The only thing that would make her even more exquisite was if that magnificent mane of auburn hair weren’t buried beneath that wig of black hair.
Theo reached out to catch her chin in his fingers.
Smiling, he shifted his gaze from her fiery glare to the men watching their exchange with amused interest.
“With evidence like that, how can I refuse?” Glancing over his shoulder, Theo met the barkeep’s surprised, but amused look. “I believe the lady said you had a room for rent?”
“Aye, it’ll be two shillings.”
Theo reached into his pocket for the rent and laid it on the bar just as the door of the pub opened. Everyone looked toward the new arrival, and Genevieve released a small cry of welcome.
“Freddie! Where have ye been, me gorgeous brute?”
Before Theo could stop her, she flew toward the tall, lanky man as the door closed behind him.
Throwing her arms around the man’s neck, she gave him a kiss on the cheek.
Genevieve’s enthusiastic greeting shot a bolt of fury through Theo.
Who the hell was this Freddie, and how well did Genevieve know him?
Entwining her arm with the man’s, Genevieve drew him toward the bar.
“I’m so happy to see ye, duckie. Ye are the only one who knows ‘ow to treat a lady right.” Genevieve threw a baleful glance in Theo’s direction before looking up at the man she guided toward the bar.