Page 24

“ A h, Thomas! I thought I heard your name being shouted. It’s good to see you.”

The Widow Collins embraced Graham giving his cheek a friendly kiss. Her dark eyes drifted to Beatrice who was trying desperately to remind herself that her arrangement with the Duke did not mean she owned him.

Still, why did he bring her here if the widow was here? Humiliation crowded her senses as she felt the woman’s eyes wash over her.

“Melinda.” Graham started by taking Beatrice’s hand. “My new bride and I have come to extend our gratitude.” Graham said easily as he pulled Beatrice close to him.

Beatrice looked between the two of them, confusion clouding her vision.

A warm smile slid across the widow’s face. “Anything for an old friend, Thomas.” She gave an obvious wink when she said his name.

Melinda stepped aside and ushered the couple in. “No need to thank me, but I’ll take your money any day.”

Beatrice looked back up to Graham who was pulling her into the darkened room. Beatrice squinted in the low light. There were several tables set up, one with a spinning wheel, and others with various card games happening.

Nerves collided with her already agitated state. She turned to Graham, pulling on his shirt, forcing him to lean into her. “I don’t understand what is going on.” Her words were rushed and bordering on hysterics.

Graham pulled her to the side of the door, away from the tables. With a quick glance to make sure everyone was preoccupied with the games, he placed his hands on her shoulders, looking directly into her eyes.

“Remember who we are tonight, mouse. I am a solicitor by the name of Thomas Linden and you are my beautiful wife, Colette, who I want to show off.”

Beatrice couldn’t ignore the jolt of electricity that zipped through her at the word ‘wife.’

“But what about the wi-”

Graham raised his hands to cut her off.

“No worries, tonight, little mouse.” Graham thought a moment before his eyes lit up with mischief. “How about tonight, we step into one of your books. You’re the heroine. What would Colette, the book heroine, do?”

Beatrice chewed her bottom lip. She desperately wanted to know the truth about his relationship with the widow. He didn’t seem surprised when she opened the door. Why would he bring her here and call her ‘wife’ knowing the widow would be here?

Perhaps they aren’t together.

She eyed Graham who was waiting with a casual look on his face.

“You really are comfortable here, aren’t you?”

Graham smiled and nodded. “I am. But you’re avoiding my question. Stop thinking. And start asking yourself what would Colette do?”

The various plot lines she had devoured for years barreled into her thoughts.

Stories of young women finding adventure in stolen stagecoaches, others who were detectives trying to solve a murder, she even read one where the young woman was captured by pirates and had to escape.

Each one of those women shirked the rules society placed on them and did what they needed to do.

Beatrice looked around the room then back to Graham. “Colette would throw caution to the wind and let her new husband show her a good time.”

Graham’s eyes heated. “Well, we’ll visit number five from your list another night.” His voice dropped low and rumbled in her ear. “For right now, let’s concentrate on having some more drinks and doing a little gambling.”

His flirtatious comment had butterflies swirling around her stomach. Who knows, maybe checking off number four on her list would lead to checking off number five.

Melinda’s laugh danced amongst the murmurs and clinks of glasses. Beatrice shook her head. Right. It was foolish of her to assume Graham would be willing to complete that item, especially if he is involved with the widow.

She rolled her lips. She really needed to find a way to bring it up.

She took his hand and let him lead her to a table of chance.

Graham started explaining the rules of this particular game but her mind kept going back to Melinda.

If they were involved, what kind of relationship did they have that she would be all right with Graham not only bringing Beatrice here tonight, but calling her his ‘wife’?

“Sounds easy, right?” Graham’s shoulder nudged hers.

She furrowed her brows. “I don’t know much about gambling, but I hear games of chance are never in the favor of the gambler.”

Graham shrugged as his eyes landed on Melinda who was currently sitting in a man’s lap. Her arm was slung around his shoulder as they both looked at the cards in his one hand.

“Usually I hate losing money. But tonight, we owe our host for saving us from some unsavory gossip.”

Beatrice glanced over to the widow, who was now whispering something into the man’s ear that had his face turning red.

Graham gestured for a barmaid to bring them two mugs. Beatrice waited for the young woman to leave before whispering. “I’m not sure I’m following.”

He took a healthy pull of ale before answering. “The other night, at the opera.”

Beatrice just sat waiting for the connection to hit.

Graham sighed. “I’m sure you heard the gossip.”

Her lips suddenly went dry. This was it. This was when he’d tell her that he was with the widow and this was just something to keep him busy or some other nonsense.

She slowly shook her head, praying she looked nonchalant and unaffected.

“Well, I didn’t want people thinking it was you, and it was our dumb luck that you and Melinda are similarly built. She was the perfect ruse, don’t you think?”

Beatrice looked back to the widow then returned her look to Graham. “Are you saying there’s nothing between the two of you?”

Graham sputtered on his drink. “Heavens, no!” He started laughing as he wiped away spilt ale from his shirt.

“That would be like courting my sister.” He said with a shudder.

She knew his words shouldn’t mean anything. With the widow or not, she promised herself she would not lose herself to wild daydreams of her and the Duke being together. Still she had to bite her lip from letting her smile grow too wide.

“Melinda is an old family friend, she introduced this establishment to me and Frederic. Another friend of mine,” he added at her questioning look.

“Freddy had a bit of a crush on the old gal when we were younger, but it didn’t work out.

Her family owns this bar.” He looked up. “Well, her father did. It’s hers now.”

Beatrice looked back to Melinda who was laughing, her head thrown back in glee. “So she keeps your secrets.”

Graham threw back some ale. “And I keep hers.”

Beatrice looked at him quizzically.

He waved her off. “Another time. Let’s get started shall we?”

After several rounds of poker, it didn’t take long for Beatrice to realize she had a very good poker face. Unfortunately, for her, her supposed husband knew each one of her tells.

“I can’t believe you called my bluff!” She giggled as she drank the last of her ale. She couldn’t remember how many glasses she had, although, she didn’t care. Her head felt fuzzy and it felt like she was walking on air with every step.

She loved it.

“Much like your books, mouse, I can read you just as easily.” His words were slightly slurred, which Beatrice found endearing.

She couldn’t help but sit and stare at the man in front of her.

Gone was the perfectly poised and dignified man that turned his nose up at any social event that made him interact with others.

Her bleary eyes looked around the room. He talked to anyone and everyone about anything and everything.

There wasn’t a person Graham didn’t talk to at some point in the evening.

Some were short conversations, others were long-winded of shared experiences that had Beatrice laughing until her sides hurt.

Her eyes returned to him as he finished his ale. His hair was even more mussed now, he lost his vest an hour ago and his sleeves were rolled up to show off his sculpted forearms. Beatrice’s entire body heated. He looked delicious.

Her hands itched to reach into the luscious dark locks and tug on them like she did when they last kissed. She licked her lips at the thought.

“I’ve gotten used to you staring and drifting off into space, but your eyes are starting to blink so slow I fear one time they won’t reopen and you’ll pass out on me.”

Beatrice blinked a few times, trying to steady her vision.

“I must be lost to my cups because I have no idea what you mean.” She giggled so much she snorted. She covered her mouth in surprise.

Her reaction only made Graham laugh harder. The sound of his laughter clicked something inside of her.

“Come on, Colette. I think it’s time to go.” He snaked one hand around her back while his other slipped underneath her legs. From her sitting position he hoisted her up and carried her towards the door.

“Go take care of your bride, Mr. Linden!” Beatrice heard Melinda’s call. She wanted to smile at her, or wave, but her head felt heavy. Her head felt comfortable resting against Graham’s chest and she had no desire to lift it.

She felt the room change from the darker back room the lighter main room. She opened one eye to see a vastly different scene than the one they walked into hours ago. Only a few people remained and they were either quietly talking to a friend or slumped over on a table snoring.

“Good to see you, again, Tommy boy. Have fun with the missus, eh? Don’t stay away too long next time.” The old man she first met when they arrived called out to them.

Beatrice could feel Graham nod his head as he pushed through the broken front door. Cool air washed over her body causing her to burrow further into his warm body.

Her world tilted when Graham placed her down on the ground and leaned her up against a wall. Once he made sure she was steady he stepped away.

She had a moment of instability as gravity tried to pull her down.

“Give me a moment, I’m going to call for our carriage.”

Beatrice tried to shake her head but it only dropped. She didn’t have the strength to pull it back up. The realization made her want to laugh, but in her drunken state she could only manage a small lilt to her lips. Her face and fingertips felt numb but other than that she felt relaxed and at ease.

It was a glorious feeling.

A shadow came across her feet and a familiar hand lifted her chin.

“Are you all right, Beatrice?”

Her eyes drooped to a close and she could feel a goofy grin spread across her face. “Don’t you mean Colette?”

She heard him chuckle. “I’ll call you whatever you want, just tell me you’re all right.”

Call me yours.

The thought sobered Beatrice. She promised herself she wouldn’t think like that anymore. She looked up to Graham and cringed. How is it even possible that the dueced man look even more enticing after a night of drinking, while standing in a dank and dark street?

“What is it?” Graham asked as he pushed hair from her face. She wore it down, to match the style of dress.

“I didn’t like thinking you were with the widow.” The words slipped out before Beatrice’s mind had a chance to stop them.

Graham’s hand hovered by her face before he pushed more hair back. Heavens, she must look atrocious.

His face softened as his held her face in his hands. “You beautiful creature.”

His next words were lost to Beatrice’s mouth. She didn’t want to talk, she wanted to kiss. She didn’t want to think about her list, or her future, or what any of this meant. She just wanted him, now.

Graham pushed her against the wall and plundered her mouth with his tongue. His hands left her face and reached around to cup her bottom. She gasped when he pulled her hips into his.

“Graham.” She pleaded against his mouth. “Please. Please, I need you, please, I need more.” Her plea came out in rushed whispers. She pulled at his shirt, at his hair. She needed him, all of him. She couldn’t move her hands fast enough.

Graham pulled her into the alley, one step away from the corner they were just on. He took her mouth once more, biting and nibbling on her lips, eliciting moans from Beatrice. He reached down and started to gather her skirt when the door to the pub opened and a few men stumbled out.

Both froze, their breaths mingling as they watched with bated breath as the men passed the opening to the alley, not realizing Graham and Beatrice were there.

As soon as their footsteps disappeared Beatrice reached back up but Graham caught her hands.

His eyes were heavy with lust and something else.

“This isn’t the way, Beatrice. Not for you.”

Beatrice smiled and pulled on his shirt. “Good thing, I’m not Beatrice, I’m Colette. This is definitely something Colette would do.”

Graham stepped back to stop her from pawing him. “No.”

His word was a demand and snapped Beatrice out the haze she was in. Embarrassment washed over her. “I see.” Those were the only two words she could manage.

Graham huffed out a sigh and placed his hands on his hips. “Do not mistake my stopping as any sort of indication that I am not interested. But I refuse to do anything more salacious in the alley behind Swarthmore’s.”

Beatrice felt some relief but suddenly understood what had just transpired between them and found herself at a loss for words. She was so close to throwing away her propriety in an alley behind a pub. She was all for losing her innocence, but the Duke was right. Not like this.

Her cheeks heated with form the embarrassment. Thankfully, the carriage pulled up ending their conversation. She had a brief moment of worry that their ride home would be awkward but that was the last thought before she fell asleep.