Dauntless (Gentlemen of the Order 1) - Page 71
Eva devoured him with her eyes, a sensual smile forming. “Things may progress beyond a kiss.”
“I hope so, as I shall die if you don’t touch me.”
She reached out and cupped the bulge straining against his breeches, massaged his erection with a few teasing strokes. “If we’re caught in a clinch, Mr Daventry will do more than remove you from the case.”
“At this present moment, I don’t give a damn.” He kissed her, drew her bottom lip between his teeth but resisted the urge to bite.
“Perhaps we might continue our display of mutual appreciation later this afternoon,” she said, mischief dancing in her eyes. “In a place where we might express ourselves fully. After all, it is Wednesday.”
While all he wanted was to strip off his clothes and make love to her on the desk, he said, “There is a secluded spot at the bottom of my garden. I’ll arrange a picnic and bring a delightful book of poems by a gentleman you know.”
“And I shall straddle your hard body while you read them.”
The comment wrenched a growl from his throat. “Just one last kiss before we go.”
“One last kiss,” she breathed, tugging his waistcoat and pulling him closer.
And so he spent the next five minutes showing her the depth of his gratitude, tasting her passionately in a bid to satisfy the crippling ache.
Chapter 15
“For my damn sake, just tell them what they want to know and let that be an end to the matter.” Lord Newberry’s frustrated demand reached Eva’s ears as she waited with Mr Cole in the hall of Lord Benham’s house in Portman Square.
The snooty butler remained as stiff as a statue beside them and made no apology for the obvious row.
“I’ll not have them question me like a criminal in my own house,” the viscount countered. “If you don’t bloody well throw them out, I will.”
“Someone attempted to murder Miss Dunn last night,” came Lord Newberry’s reply. “When they apprehended the villain, he named you as the devil who hired him. Daventry has already mentioned the matter to Sir Malcolm Langley. Look, I want these bastards off my back.”
Mr Cole glared at the study door before glancing at Eva. “Brace yourself. If he refuses to see us, I’m liable to kick down the door.”
This time the butler released a faint gasp.
Eva smiled despite Mr Cole’s gruff countenance. “These are new boots, though I’m more than happy to help, and have a reasonably good aim.”
The faintest flicker of amusement passed over Mr Cole’s features. “It may mean being arrested by a constable.”
“A travesty of justice I shall write about in any newspaper willing to publish the article. Indeed, I shall print pamphlets, stand in the street and thrust them at every passer-by.”
Mr Cole considered her through narrow eyes. “Daventry said you came to Ashwood’s defence with the same fiery passion.”
“I’ll not have Mr Ashwood demeaned when he deserves the opposite. I might have died last night had he not been there to save me.”
“The fact he was there at such an early hour of—”
A shout from the drawing room brought their conversation to a halt.
“Do they know who I am?” Lord Benham yelled.
“These bastards don’t care who you are,” Lord Newberry countered. “They find your weakness and keep stabbing with their damn blades. Just tell them what you told me.”
The loud bang and vile curse proved the last straw for Mr Cole. He stepped forward, ignoring the butler’s protests, and barged into the room.
Eva hurried along behind.
“You may have nothing better to do with your time,” Mr Cole barked, folding his muscular arms across his chest, “but I’m a busy man. I’m due at Bow Street in an hour to meet with Sir Malcolm. I’m sure he’ll be interested to hear why I kept him waiting.”
“Don’t forget your appointment with Peel, sir,” Eva added, her temper roused by the arrogant glare of both pompous lords. “You promised to explain that Lord Benham hired the thug who sought to raze my house to the ground.”
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