Page 20 of The Devil’s Bargain (The Lovers’ Arch: Later in Life #2)

20

Imperial’s Gambit

C aroline sat with her back straight and her face a mask of polite attention as Albert Graves from Imperial Water & Engineering outlined his proposal. Across from her, Graves shifted uncomfortably in his seat, clearly thrown by finding both her and Devlin waiting to receive him.

“As I was saying,” Graves continued smoothly, “Imperial recognises the... unique value of London Water Works. Your filtration system in particular has caught our attention. We’d be prepared to make a very generous offer.”

“How generous?” Devlin asked from where he lounged against the windowsill, his casual posture belying the predatory attention in his eyes.

“Twenty thousand pounds.” Graves named the sum with careful precision. “For the company and all associated patents.”

Caroline kept her expression neutral, though she wanted to cackle at the insultingly low number.

“That’s less than half what the company is worth,” she said evenly.

“Perhaps.” Graves smiled thinly. “Though I understand there have been some... efficiency issues with the Westminster contract? And, of course, your rather precarious association with Miss Hampton and, no offence, but your recent nuptial has made some of our more conservative clients hesitant.”

“Has it?” Devlin’s voice held a dangerous edge. “Strange, considering Miss Hampton seems quite welcome at Imperial’s social gatherings these days.”

Graves had the grace to look uncomfortable. “Miss Hampton has been most... informative about London Water Works’ operations.”

“I’m sure she has.” Caroline’s tone could have frozen the Thames. “Though I wonder if she realises how she’s being used.”

“Used?” Graves raised an eyebrow. “I assure you, we value Miss Hampton’s insights greatly. Though it would be a shame if certain details about the company’s internal workings became more widely known. The technical specifications of your filtration system, for instance.”

The threat hung in the air between them. Caroline felt rather than saw Devlin straighten from his casual pose.

“Is that a threat, Mr Graves?” His voice was silk over steel.

“Merely an observation.” Graves stood, brushing imaginary dust from his coat. “Consider our offer carefully, Mrs Elmstone. Imperial can be either a powerful friend or a formidable enemy. It’s only a matter of time before our capacity alone swallows London Water Works into obscurity. I’ll give you three days to decide.”

After he left, Caroline slumped slightly in her chair. “Hampton has no idea what she’s done, does she?”

“No.” Devlin moved behind her, his hands settling on her shoulders. “She’s just a pawn in their game. Though a dangerously effective one.”

Caroline closed her eyes, thinking rapidly. “They’re systematically acquiring smaller water companies across London. If they get their hands on my filtration system...”

“They’d control the entire city’s water supply.” Devlin’s voice hardened. “And with their Treasury connections, no one would look too closely at their methods.”

“We need an insider at Imperial.” She turned to face him. “Someone who can warn us of their plans. I don’t trust Graves.”

“Flo can help.” Devlin leaned against the desk, meeting her eyes. “Her ladies hear things men never intend to reveal.”

“Have you fallen victim to their tactics?”

“Not that I can recall. I didn’t give away any secrets when you spied on me, did I?.”

“Sadly, no.” Caroline then hesitated, the question hanging on the tip of her tongue.

“Ask,” he said, looking amused.

“Well… I wondered… considering your appetite… if you’d been seeking pleasure elsewhere.”

To her surprise, his jaw clenched and looked displeased but only for a moment. He reached for her hand, pulling her up to stand, nestling her between his legs.

“You’re the only woman I want. I haven’t even thought about another woman since we wed. You are a handful.”

“How am I a handful? I haven’t done anything.”

He leaned forward and dotted her face with light kisses. “Precisely. You’re killing me, Caroline.”

Just when she was about to lean forward and kiss him, he released her.

“I’ll send word to Madame Tansley.” He stood to his full height, his presence overwhelming in the intimate space. “Though I don’t relish the thought of anyone at Tansley’s being involved in this mess.”

“I could...” she hesitated, regarding him askance, “ask Findlay. He has connections at Imperial…”

His expression darkened. “Stay away from him.” Devlin’s voice held that dangerous edge that both thrilled and infuriated her.

Caroline stiffened. “Thomas brings valuable information—”

“He’s your former lover.” His hands gripped her waist possessively. “And I won’t have my wife consorting with a man who’s had her.”

“It would be foolish not to employ every ammunition we possess against Imperial.” Her voice adopted the firmness she projected in board meetings. “Besides,” she tilted her head back to meet his dark gaze, “I won’t let your jealousy dictate my professional relationships.”

“Professional?” He laughed harshly. “The way he looks at you is far from professional.”

“Your emotions are affecting your judgement.” She pressed her hands against his chest, though whether to push him away or pull him closer, she wasn’t sure.

His hands tightened on her waist. “Every time I think of him touching you...”

“Then don’t think about it.”

“When you were with him, did you feel like you could be completely yourself? Show every facet, even the parts society says you should hide?” His thumb traced her racing pulse. “Because that’s what drives me mad with wanting you, Caroline. Not just your brilliant mind or your beauty, but every contrary, stubborn, magnificent piece of who you are.”

“You don’t know me,” she whispered.

“Don’t I? I know you sing softly to yourself when you’re deep in thought. I know you’re terrified of thunderstorms but too proud to admit it. I know you feed the stray cats behind the kitchen and think no one notices.” His hand slid up her arm. “I know you pretend to be cold and proper, but your eyes give you away every time like they’re doing right now.”

Caroline’s face heated at the intensity in his gaze. “Why are you telling me this?”

“Because I’m tired of pretending this is just about power or possession.” He pulled her closer, his other hand settling at her waist. “I want you to be mine because I can’t bear the thought of you belonging to anyone else. Not because of your patents or your company, but because somehow, without my permission, you’ve become essential to me.”

“Essential?” Her voice shook slightly.

“Like breathing.” His forehead pressed against hers. “I wake up thinking of ways to make you smile. I fall asleep remembering every sharp retort, every defiant glare. It’s maddening. You’re maddening.”

“You’re horrible,” she whispered, but her hands had somehow found their way around his neck. “Arrogant, controlling—”

“Yours.” The word seemed torn from him. “Completely, irrevocably yours. And it terrifies me.”

The pain in his voice undid her last defences. Then his mouth claimed hers with bruising intensity, all his jealousy and vulnerability poured into the kiss. She met him with equal fervour, her fingers tangling in his hair.

“Caroline,” he breathed against her lips. “My Caroline.”

“Not yours,” she gasped as his mouth trailed down her neck. “Not yet.”

“Stubborn woman,” he breathed against her lips as he palmed her ass and squeezed.

“Possessive arse,” she countered.

His mouth traced her throat. “And I still say no more private meetings with Findlay.”

Caroline sighed in exasperation even as she tilted her head to give him better access. “And I still say you’re being ridiculous.”

“Well, let me persuade you otherwise,” he said and gathered her skirts.

“Devlin!” She looked in the direction of the door. “Miss Adler could knock any minute!”

“Then you send her away until I’m done with you,” he rasped, yanking down her drawers.

“You’re shameless!”

He freed his cock from his trousers. Caroline’s eyes widened with surprise. She hadn’t seen his manhood until now. It was as impressive and imposing as it had felt beneath her buttocks, with thick pulsing veins. He turned her around and nudged her to lean forward against the desk.

“Not like this. I’m still angry with you,” she said.

“No. We shan’t. Not until you’ve forgiven me.”

He reached around her hip for her pearl and squeezed his cock between her thighs. Caroline moaned at the delicious hardness, at having his member so close to her heat. She wanted him. She’d wanted to touch him, pleasure him, but had held back. She wouldn’t pleasure him until he’d earned it. But right now, she wanted to feel him even if just a little.

He buried his face in her nape and breathed her in. “I shan’t take you until you want me as much as I want you, Caroline,” he whispered in her ear.

His fingers then coaxed her bud to swell and harden, drawing suppressed moans from her lips while he slid his cock between her thighs. “So wet… I can imagine how sweet your pussy will be…”

Caroline squeezed her thighs together, eliciting a grunt from him. She then used her hand to hold his cock close to her sex, moistening it in her arousal.

“Caroline… Blast it. It’s too tempting.”

But he didn’t withdraw or breach her.

With their breaths coming out in short gasps, they found their peak, their hands and her thighs dripping with their release. They stood still for a minute, his front flush with her back, until their breathing normalised. He then scraped his teeth against her sensitive nape before helping with the ablution. Once he helped fix her hair and frock, Devlin held her and whispered, “That was technique number three, Mrs Elmstone.”