Chivalrous Rake, Scandalous Lady by Mary Brendan

Author:Mary Brendan
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Mills & Boon
Published: 2014-12-07T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

Theo was also out after midnight in the environs of Cheapside. As his carriage passed the top of Ransome Street at half past midnight, he twitched the blind at the window at an opportune moment to observe the Earl of Gresham descending the steps of Lady Vaux’s residence. His features twisted into a study of leering resentfulness. Just as with everything else in his damnably charmed life, it seemed Speer was blessed when it came to women. His future wife was an angel bearing riches, his mistress a luscious, lusty blonde.

He glanced back at the Earl of Gresham’s coach to see it just turning the corner in the direction of Mayfair. No doubt the bastard was heading home sated; Theo doubted he would be so lucky in half an hour’s time.

Theo was en route to see his paramour. Becky Wright was in every way Pauline Vaux’s inferior, and the comparison was deflating. Becky liked to tell her friends that she lived in a lodging house. A more correct term for the property would be a brothel. Theo realised that even affording the niggardly relief Becky provided would soon be beyond his means, unless he could quickly find a solution to his financial difficulties. Musing on his money worries brought his accursed cousin, Jemma, to mind, and his scowl became blacker. If the chit weren’t so damned proud and obstinate, and put her mind to getting a husband like every other female of her age and class, he’d have no problems to speak of.

As Theo’s carriage halted in Old Street he plunged out on to the pavement, feeling in a foul mood. Many times he had been here, yet always he hesitated to take a disdainful peer about at his seedy surroundings. A far smarter vehicle than his own, parked a few yards along the street, arrested his stabbing eyes as they penetrated the dusk. As the owner of the vehicle alighted, and a gas lamp glinted on flaxen curls, Theo cursed—he’d recognised the fellow. But it was too late to hop back in his carriage and escape. He’d been spotted.

‘I hope you’re not going to tell me again you’re out of funds, Wyndham.’ Graham Quick approached with a purposeful stride that clacked boot leather on cobbles. ‘If you can afford to pay for sweet Becky tonight, you can pay me something from what you owe.’

‘I hadn’t realised you were desperate for half a guinea,’ Theo sneered.

‘Half a guinea?’ Graham crowed. ‘Is that what the jade charges you? She lets me have it for a crown.’

Theo knew that he was deliberately being baited. With his back teeth grinding he shrugged and forced a careless smile. He made to saunter past, but Graham dug vicious fingers into his shoulder to halt him. ‘I’m done with asking nicely for my money back, Wyndham,’ he menaced dulcetly. ‘I’m damned sure you must have something to sell to raise a little capital. What about that mouse of a sister of yours? Not to everyone’s taste, I’ll own.

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