Rogues, Rakes & Jewels

Elizabeth wouldn’t because she was so painfully shy. Ben wouldn’t because he didn’t think he had anything to offer a woman. Well, matters needed tending, and she was just the one to take them into her hands and manage them thoroughly.

As to the situation with Lyla the sly—whom Jimmy liked way too much, although he denied it—well, Jimmy was too young. Best if Lyla were to form an interest in the marquis; if Lyla were to ensnare him, that was fine and dandy, for he was old enough to take care of himself!

Humph, thought Jewelene to herself as they reached the house—luncheon was just the thing to get everyone in their correct line and follow her plans.

However, there is a grave and wide distance between theory and action.

*

No sooner was she inside than Jewelene was taken aside by her servant Stanton and presented with a note. She frowned to see Omsbury’s seal and excused herself from the party, telling them she would join them in a moment. Satisfied that she was alone, she read:

Jewelene,

You have another week in which to make up your mind to it. I want you and can no longer wait. I hold several mortgage notes over you friend Clay’s head. They all fall due in less than two week’s time.

To put it delicately, he could lose everything he has. Could—but, of course, need not. It will depend on my mood two weeks hence.

Your obedient,

Omsbury

Jewelene looked up to find Ben standing in the hallway watching her face before he was on the move and taking three hard strides to get to her. “What is it, Jewels …?”

She did not hesitate as she put the note in his hands. His expression grew violent as he quickly read the note and then crushed it. “Villain! I’ll break his legs for this!”

“Now, Ben …” She placed a restraining hand on his arm, for he appeared to have every intention of carrying out his threat immediately. “We will come up with the money. Doesn’t my Babette plan look better to you already? By the way, I had Stanton take out my livery bag to your carriage … for later.”

“We’ll come up with the money, and then I will run him through!” he said, seething.

“Yes, I like that, but first the money …”

Both her brother and Ryker were at the dining room door looking out and down the hallway at them. So she stilled him with a cautious look and said, “Come now, Ben …” Then she put on a smile. “La … I am starving …”

*

Jewels held the skirt of her tightly fitted green velvet robe as she left her room at her back, intending to make her way to the kitchen, where she had stashed her change of clothing earlier. The hour was late as she tiptoed down the dark hallway to the head of the wide staircase. So far everything was going according to plan. Her brother had left thirty minutes earlier to spend the night with friends, and Elizabeth and Aunt Dora were also out for the evening visiting with neighbors.

Robby and Ryker had announced earlier that they meant to take the short ride into town, for a bit of sport, and Jewels had listened, waiting for the front door to close and signify that the two men had also left.

That was the major problem she would have to deal with, because they had mentioned something at dinner about looking in at the Silver Heart. Tonight would be her first night dealing at the Faro table as Babette. However, she was sure that neither Robby nor Ryker knew her well enough to see through her disguise, especially since the mask would hide some of her face. No doubt they would be busy gambling.

She would be very careful and maintain a French accent as well as an entirely different façade, and no one would guess that Babette had a very real alter ego.

She just had to make it to the head of the stairs. She peered through the darkness as she reached for the railing to help her along, since she had not bothered to light and bring a candle. She was not expecting anyone to be up and about; Stanton and the housekeeper had retired at least an hour ago to their own quarters. Thus, as she reached for the railing she was totally startled and nearly screamed when a voice just before her softly said, “Now … whatever are you doing stealing about at this hour …?”

Jewels steadied herself and managed to answer, hand to chest, “As to that, I can’t be accused of stealing about in my own home … and ’tis only about nine or so … and I might ask, what are you doing walking about in the dark, Ryker?”

He had already spanned the distance between them, his voice low, husky, and hungry as he took her in his arms and whispered, “Thankfully … this …” And with that he bent and kissed her.

Her lips parted for that kiss, his long-awaited, fantasized-about kiss. Kissing Ryker was a notion that had invaded her mind and had taken siege to the city. She threw herself into that kiss, surrendering her tongue to him with abandon. She didn’t think; she only felt.

She lost herself in that moment to him and his all-consuming kiss. He was delicious, and her body tingled with excitement. She forgot all other purposes as she allowed his kiss to turn into another. His hand moved from her waist to cup her breast, and her body burned for more touching, more of him, and she couldn’t feel the floor beneath her feet … and … she had to stop … she had to get away. She was on a mission, she reminded herself. She pushed at his rock-hard, oh so beautifully formed chest. “Sir—you must not …”

“No? Must I not?” he teased while nibbling at her ear.

She broke away and ran from him without a word. Without looking back she went flying into her room and locked the bedroom door. There she leaned back against it and reminded herself to breathe. She had so much yet to do … and all she wanted to do was to climb back into his arms …

Seven