Page 7

Moreland

T o say I had a restless night’s sleep after returning to my townhouse wouldn’t come close to the reality.

Somehow, in the span of twenty-four hours, I’d gone from being able to do whatever I wanted with whomever I wished to a man who possessed a mistress he couldn’t touch.

In the past, whenever I was at loose ends, I would have sought comfort in the arms of a willing woman.

But now that I had to ensure the entire world believed I was keeping the Duke of Sherbourne’s daughter as my paramour, I wouldn’t be able to find solace in another. Not so soon, at any rate.

The fact that the only woman I wanted to bed was Victoria was something I tried my best to forget. She was Rexford’s sister and untouchable. What we were doing was a charade only, designed to keep her safe.

I’d woken early and headed to Gentleman Jackson’s establishment, where I was currently trying to take my frustrations out on my hapless opponent.

The bell rang, signaling the end of the match, and I dropped my hands and forced myself to step back.

I wasn’t quite so far gone that I would pummel the man who had been on the wrong side of my aggravation that morning.

At least he was a sturdy enough fellow and would recover quickly.

He’d even managed a few good blows of his own. I shook his hand, and we parted company. I’d only taken a few steps when I saw that Kendrick was waiting for me. He fell into step next to me, and we made our way to where I could get cleaned up.

“It’s never a good sign when I find you here so early in the day,” he said.

I grunted. I could say nothing to dispute that fact.

Kendrick lowered his voice when we reached the dressing room. “It seems you’ve joined the club of unfortunate souls who possess a mistress that can’t stay out of the Chronicle .”

My steps faltered. I turned and allowed my gaze to sweep around the room.

It was normal enough to have people watching as we engaged in matches, but today, every eye in the room continued to track my progress.

I was surprised by how much their knowing looks bothered me.

I was used to being the subject of gossip and speculation, but today, their attention was unwelcome.

I itched to punch the smirks from their faces.

I turned back to Kendrick. “Don’t tell me that Mirabelle is still your mistress. I thought that after yesterday’s article, you’d have ended the arrangement.”

He snorted. “Of course I did. That’s why I’m up so early. I’ve just come from letting her know that she’ll need to leave the house at the end of the month and find another protector.”

I raised my brows. “You’re being generous.”

“I’m not a monster,” he said. “I’m not about to cast a woman out into the streets, no matter her profession. I’m sure she’ll find someone soon enough. But we’re not here to talk about me.”

Every muscle in my body tightened, and I felt the need to hurry.

I walked over to where my valet waited for me in the far corner of the dressing room and began the ritual of making myself presentable again while Kendrick waited.

My valet didn’t particularly like coming here, but he’d resigned himself to the fact that pugilism was a sport I enjoyed.

It also had the benefit of strengthening my reputation as someone to be reckoned with.

My valet moved through the task with practiced ease.

I trusted the man but not with someone else’s secrets, and so I didn’t say a word until he’d finished tying my cravat.

Dismissing him, I turned to Kendrick. “What does it say? Do you have the paper?”

He shook his head. “No, I haven’t seen the article yet. Mirabelle, of all people, told me about it, but I have no idea how she already knew.”

This was bad. I hadn’t expected news of our liaison to spread so quickly. “Were we named?”

“Not outright, but you’re the only Legend whose name starts with the letter M.

And the daughter of a duke who was supposed to marry a marquess whose first wife died under suspicious circumstances.

” His eyes met mine. “It won’t be long before everyone realizes they’re talking about Sherbourne’s daughter. ”

I nodded. “That’s what we wanted.”

“Yes, it is. But I don’t think I have to tell you that the duke is no doubt already tearing the city apart to find her. And he’ll punish you for this.”

I knew that. Fortunately, I wasn’t afraid of Rexford’s father. He could try his worst, and he would be surprised to learn I was well insulated against his attempts at revenge.

But I was worried about Victoria. “I need to head to the house and make sure she’s all right.”

Kendrick raised a brow. “Do you really think he’ll want anything to do with her after this?”

It was my turn to snort. “He might not want her back, but that doesn’t mean he won’t want to punish her.

He could lock her away in one of his country houses and wait for the scandal to die down.

Once everyone forgets and turns to the next inevitable scandal, he’ll be able to marry her off to someone else.

A number of decrepit lords who no longer come to town would be able to do whatever they wanted to her in private. ”

Kendrick stopped and stared at me. “I hadn’t considered that.”

It had occurred to me, as well as any manner of other horrible things the duke might do to his daughter. I needed to see her right away and ensure she was safe.