Vexing the Viscount

“Because I wouldn’t be able to go to a club with you.” She pressed her lips together.

“Sweetheart, you have already had one man proposition you.”

“And another one take me against a door in a stranger’s bedroom.”

“True, but at least I wasn’t a stranger,” he said with a slight grin.

“I am not certain about that,” she retorted.

“Tia, I may not be the best man in London, but I’m far from the worst.” He straightened out her skirts and adjusted her bodice. “I’m afraid I’ve made a mess of your hair.”

“Let me see.” She pushed away from him and went to the mirror. “Bring the hairpins that fell to the floor.” She quickly put the pins back into place and looked almost respectable . . . except for that gown. No woman could look respectable in that dress.

“Oh dear!” she exclaimed as she turned around. “I left Emily downstairs alone!”

Just what he needed: Emily being assaulted by some rake. “Let’s find her and get out of here.”

“What about Jonathon?”

“Just before I saw you, I was told that he had already arrived and departed.”

Her face sank. “We missed him again. How it that possible?”

“He is deliberately avoiding me. By now, he has to know I am searching for him. Yet, he still hasn’t had the decency to pay a call at my home.”

She walked over and wrapped him in a warm hug. “I am sorry, Braden. I suppose I’m not helping matters when I run off without telling you.” Before he could get used to her heat, she pulled away. “But I promise that I won’t do it again.”

She cupped his cheeks and kissed him gently. He accepted her comfort, savoring her warmth. He was doing exactly what he said he wouldn’t . . . falling in love.

“We need to find Emily now,” she said after pulling away slightly.

“I suppose we do. Maybe her husband will find her and take her to a bedroom,” Braden said, waggling his eyebrows.

“I doubt it. Eldridge has a new mistress with him tonight.”

“Here?”

She nodded sadly. “And Emily saw him with her.”

“Bastard.”

“I couldn’t agree more. I swear he saw her too and he didn’t make a move to protect her from all the others here.”

Braden took her hand. “Let’s go find her before something untoward happens.”

They walked hand in hand toward the steps. A door closed behind them and Braden glanced back, only to see Emily straightening her skirts as she walked. Even from this distance, he knew what she’d been up to . . . but with whom? Damn. There was only one person she would risk being with.

As they reached the last step, Braden said, “I shall look in the salon. Why don’t you check the gaming room?”

“Alone?”

“I’m right here. No one will get past me.”

“All right.” She walked down the hall just as Emily reached the last stair. Braden grabbed her arm and took her aside. “What the bloody hell are you doing?”

“I was looking for Tia,” she said innocently.

“We both know who you are looking for,” he said roughly. “Is he upstairs?”