Page 19 of Sir Hugo Seeks a Wife (Cinderellas of Mayfair #1)

“Very good, Sir Hugo.” He bowed again and left, shutting the door behind him. It was clear that he was used to dealing with rich clients. And the tact with which he’d avoided glancing at Athene indicated that he could be discreet.

As soon as they were alone, Athene removed her gloves and pushed her hood back, revealing dark eyes alight with laughter. “You know, you don’t have to ply me with liquor to get me into bed.”

Hugo crossed to lift the heavy cape from her shoulders.

Beneath it, she wore a severe gray gown, the same one she’d had on earlier.

He’d love to set off her spectacular beauty with silks and satins in every color of the rainbow.

He suspected that she might resist the idea.

“I’d like us set for the next little while.

I want as few interruptions as possible.

Do you want a bath? I can change the order. ”

“Perhaps tomorrow.” She looked around with interest. “This is a very elegant bower of sin.”

Hugo flung her cape over a heavy oak chair and took off his hat and gloves and greatcoat. He came forward to take her hand. “Isn’t it just?” He kissed her briefly. “Shall we explore?”

“Yes, let’s.”

The main room was large and opulent, furnished with padded armchairs and a small dining table under a window. There were dressing rooms for a valet and maid, if they’d brought servants, which they hadn’t. The suite was high enough in the building that the hubbub downstairs became a distant hum.

Through a doorway, an even larger room contained a huge four-poster. The fire in here was lit, too, and the covers were folded down in readiness. Heat that had nothing to do with firewood roared through Hugo, as he thought about what he intended to do with Athene in that impressive bed.

“Do you approve?” he asked when Athene’s silence continued.

She released his hand and stepped closer to the bed, smoothing nonexistent wrinkles from the lace-trimmed pillowcases. “Yes.”

“But?”

She raised eyes shadowed with doubt. “It’s suddenly become very real.”

“If you’ve changed your mind, I’ll take you back to London. Or you can have this room and I’ll sleep in a dressing room. You’re under no obligation to share this bed with me.” Saying that damn near killed him, but what else could a man of honor do?

A smile lifted her lips. “Thank you for that.”

Disappointment settled heavy as lead in his gut. “The decision is yours, Athene. It’s always been yours.” It was true, even if speaking the words felt like crawling over broken glass.

She shifted away from the bed and stiffened her spine. “I’d like to stay.”

A massive tide of relief washed over him, threatened to make his knees buckle. He covered the space between them in a single stride. “Thank God for that.”

The kiss was long and passionate and only ended when there was a soft knock on the door leading to the corridor outside. “Blast,” Hugo muttered under his breath, as he slid his arms from around her.

“We have all night,” she said, sounding far too calm for his liking. Then he looked into her eyes and realized that she was as avid for their union as he was.

He made an incoherent sound of complaint. “This impatience is hell.” He left her and went into the sitting room. “Come through.”

Everything turned to purposeful activity. Servants carried in cannisters of hot water. The wine and brandy were lined up on the sideboard. A maid set the small table, ready for dinner. Another maid unpacked their baggage, then took away their outdoor clothing for cleaning.

“Shall I help madam to dress?” a maid asked him.

“No, thank you,” he said, itching to be alone with Athene.

The girl curtsied. “Very well, sir.”

Mr. Treddle, who supervised everything, cast an eye around the room then clicked his fingers to dismiss the servants. “Your dinner will arrive in the next half hour, Sir Hugo.”

“Thank you. We’ll serve ourselves.”

“Ring the bell when you’re ready for us to clear away.”

“That can wait until the morning.”

Treddle bowed. “Very good, sir. Should you require anything further, please ring for service. The bootboy is on duty at the end of the hallway.”

Once Hugo was alone, he poured two glasses of champagne and ventured back into the bedroom. Athene rose from an armchair in front of the fire to accept the wine. “Thank you.”

He clinked his glass gently against hers, holding her gaze. Her brown eyes were so deep and velvety, he sank into their softness. “To us.”

“To us,” she echoed in a reedy voice and took a sip. A delighted smile brightened her expression. “I’d forgotten how much I like champagne. George always bought it when he won on the tables.”

George was a gambler? The more Hugo heard about the man, the less he liked him. Although he admitted a chunk of that dislike was based in jealousy. “Was that often?”

“Not often enough, unfortunately.” Her tone was sardonic.

Hugo sipped his wine and reminded himself that George was gone and he was here. That was surely the ultimate victory. “Dinner will be a few minutes. I’m going to wash and shave in the dressing room. Shall I meet you in the sitting room at eight?”

“That sounds perfect. I’ve been in the shop all day. I’d like to freshen up.”

“Do you need help to undress? I sent the maids away.”

“No, everything I own does up at the front. It’s a long time since I had anyone’s help to dress me.”

Hugo was sorry that she said no. He would have enjoyed peeling away each layer of clothing. But then, he’d promised her dinner. If she took off too many clothes, he didn’t trust himself to control his impulses and who knew when his gorgeous new mistress would get to eat?

He kissed her gently, tasting the piquant wine on her lips. “Enjoy your champagne. I’ll see you soon.”

As he closed the door behind him, happiness welled in his heart. Her brief hesitation had rattled him badly. But now she wanted to stay, keen to explore this passion that rose between them like a towering wave.

With every moment, the trust between them strengthened.

He needed to be careful not to break that bond.

Athene was so strong, yet so fragile. He had to curb the greedy desire that ripped through him and show her tenderness.

Hugo’s deepest instincts told him that tenderness had been lacking in her life for far too long.