Chapter 12
Genevieve stepped out into the street, the sounds from inside the pub silenced as the door closed behind her. She paused for a moment to look in both directions before she turned to her right and began walking toward the rendezvous spot where she was to meet Theo and Teasdale.
Her mouth tight with anger, she didn’t know what irritated her the most, Simpson’s unwillingness to drink and reveal some of his secrets this evening or Theo’s attempt to secure a room for them at the pub.
At the same time, she couldn’t help but feel somewhat disappointed that Simpson had entered the pub, just as Theo was about to take her upstairs.
While she’d been avoiding him, it annoyed her that Theo had made no concerted effort to be alone with her.
As much as she knew she shouldn’t, she wanted to be in his arms again.
She wanted him kissing her, touching her until she was melting in his arms.
The memory of their lovemaking in the Barrington’s library filled her thoughts as she remembered the passion she and Theo had shared.
Not even those moments that day in the croft could compare to the wild, almost insatiable hunger the man had aroused in her in that dark study.
But tonight, when he’d tossed down coin to pay for a room, she was torn between longing and outrage.
He had to have known escorting her upstairs to a room at the Fox and Hound would have destroyed the illusion of her having exclusive, unknown protectors. She gritted her teeth.
Would have? Hell, once word got out that she’d almost agreed to Theo’s offer, she’d be hounded to part her legs for a price by every man she ran into.
It would make her ability to visit the East End even more challenging.
And that meant gathering information would be almost impossible.
She’d be spending most of her time fending off men who offered to pay for her favors, which would hinder her efforts to uncover anything of substance in the search for the Prussian spy.
Worse, she wasn’t sure if Theo’s actions this evening had been an attempt to hinder her ability to do her job. She knew he didn’t like her working for the Crown, let alone coming to the East End on a regular basis. But she was determined to find the spy who’d killed Peter.
The memory of Smitty asking her what her going rate was, and Theo taunting her to name her price, tightened the muscles of her jaw until they ached.
The one satisfying moment had been Theo jerking back from her the moment she’d whispered her price in his ear.
The man was lucky she’d named an outrageous sum of money and not his agreement to make her his mistress as her price.
Absorbed in her thoughts, Genevieve uttered a small sound of surprise and panic the instant a hand shot out of the darkness to stop her. Instinct drove her to fight and tug free, but the man’s grip only tightened around her arm.
“Stop fighting me, woman. It’s me.” Despite the terseness of his soft command, Theo’s voice brushed over her senses like a gentle caress. She grimaced at the ridiculous analogy.
“Let me go, you obnoxious oaf,” she exclaimed in a harsh whisper and a hiss of anger.
Theo ignored her order and dragged her into the dark alleyway where he’d been waiting for her.
The sudden chill of cold bricks pressed through her dress into her back as he pushed her against the wall.
Genevieve didn’t even have the chance to berate his behavior further before his mouth seared hers.
Anger vanished as pleasure took its place.
The instant his tongue slid past Genevieve’s parted lips, her body became engulfed in flames, and she uttered a soft sound of surrender.
The blaze of heat streaking across her skin made her thrust her hips forward and grind them against his.
To her surprise and disappointment, Theo released her and took two steps back.
In the dim light from the gaslight lamp opposite the alley, she studied his face.
“No.”
The guttural sound rolling out of him made her hesitate before she objected with a shake of her head. The instant Genevieve took a step forward, Theo’s long fingers dug painfully into her shoulders to hold her in place.
“I’m not about to take you like a common whore in a dark alley,” he snarled. “It’s bad enough I’ve compromised you twice before.”
A look of what might have been regret hardened Theo’s chiseled features before it disappeared the instant he met her gaze. In the mere blink of an eye, his expression had become devoid of emotion. The fact that he’d hidden his emotions from her so fast made her heart twist painfully in her chest.
The way he referred to having compromised her twice made it sound as if—an invisible layer of ice coated her skin.
She’d been right, his offer of marriage had been one of honor and nothing more.
She’d been a fool to think he could ever love her.
Dear God, why would she ever think such a thing?
Horrified, Genevieve swayed on her feet as a wave of nausea crested in her stomach. Theo’s firm hand gripped her arm.
“What’s wrong?” his question terse, as if irritated she might be ill.
“Nothing. I’m just a little tired,” she lied, disoriented by the direction of her thoughts.
At her response, a dark scowl settled on his features as he jerked his head to look in the direction of where he’d pulled her into the alley, then toward the street where a carriage waited to take them to the safe house.
“Right.”
It wasn’t a response to her reply, but more the sound of him having made a decision.
With an abrupt nod, Theo tugged on her arm, half-dragging her along the dark alley toward the carriage.
Startled by his reaction, Genevieve stumbled alongside him for a brief moment before she tried to break free of his grasp.
“Stop,” she snapped. “We can’t leave Teasdale in there alone.”
Theo ignored her protest, and his fingers tightened almost painfully around her arm as he maintained his hold on her.
Unnerved by his silence, Genevieve continued to stumble along beside him, trying to keep up with his long stride.
In less than a minute, they reached the unmarked carriage waiting for them at the end of the alleyway.
His features harsh and unyielding in the dim light, Theo lifted her up into the vehicle, plopped her down onto the seat, and leaned into the carriage, his face inches from hers. Eyes narrowed, his fierce glare made her swallow her objections to his rough manner.
“Once you’re at the safe house, you’re to change and go straight home, is that understood?”
“You can’t go back for Teasdale alone,” she gasped softly as she realized his intentions. “It’s too dangerous.”
“For once in your goddamn life, do as you’re told, Genevieve.”
The menacing command caused her to recoil and press her back into the seat.
An odd expression crossed his face, then disappeared with such speed that Genevieve couldn’t decipher what he was thinking.
Without another word, Theo stepped back, slammed the carriage door shut, then ordered the driver to take her back to the safe house.
Without another look at her, Theo disappeared into the darkness of the alley as the carriage rocked forward.
Dumbstruck by his behavior, Genevieve didn’t recover her wits until after the carriage was moving forward.
Any other time, she might have ordered the driver to stop, but something about Theo’s manner made her think twice.
He’d been so angry, and if she were to go back, it would only make things worse.
It might lead to some sort of reckless behavior on Theo’s part.
After all, despite his steady nature, Theo was a Rockwood.
Fear coiled around her limbs at the thought.
If something happened to him—she closed her mind off to that possibility.
He’d be with Teasdale. The two men were capable agents.
They would return to the safe house unharmed.
Closing her eyes, Genevieve rested her head against the leather seat.
She might not be willing to risk Theo’s wrath by going after him, but she would wait at the safe house to ensure he returned from the East End uninjured.
The ride to the safe house was short, and when she exited the carriage, Genevieve watched it roll away, praying Theo would return unharmed.
Another powerful wave of fear crested over her, and she shivered in the cool night air.
Turning toward the back entrance of the house, she entered the kitchen.
The room was dimly lit by one small oil lamp and a small fire burning in the hearth.
The household staff employed by the foreign service only came in the morning hours when they cleaned, restocked spirits, and provided any other items someone requested by way of a note.
The silence was unusual, as most nights there was a low hum of voices from agents who had returned from their assignments.
Genevieve walked down the hall into the front entryway and took a quick peek into the salon.
The room was empty, but she could tell someone had been there only a short time ago.
There was still the faint scent of a cheroot, and two brandy glasses were sitting on the side table between two of the room’s chairs.
For a brief moment, she considered waiting for Theo in the salon, but she knew she was apt to fall asleep in front of the fire.
Instead, Genevieve headed up the stairs toward the room she always used to change clothes.