Bringing his mind back to the conversation, he responded, “A bit of both. Mainly business, but no reason to avoid a little pleasure while we are here.”
“Quite! That’s what I told my dear wife. I promised her London entertainments if she would accompany me on this business trip.”
“Such a neat arrangement,” Dariux replied with an amused smile. “I shall strive to entice my wife with the promise of pleasure as well.”
Mr. Johnson laughed. “Did she refuse to accompany you? Left her all alone at home, did you?”
“Not at all. She is now resting upstairs, but I’m sure we will be attending some entertainment tonight.”
“Speaking of which. Don’t know if you heard, Mr....”
Ah! The man had finally realized he had not introduced himself.
“Kinkaid” Dariux supplied smoothly. “Dariux Kinkaid”
“Right, a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mr. Kinkaid. As I was saying, speaking of entertainment, tonight is the Langham Ball. It is quite the event. People from all over the city seek admittance. Of course, as guests at the hotel, we are all invited. Will you and your wife attend?”
“A ball, you say. I will have to ask my wife. I’m sure she would like to attend if she is feeling better.”
“Of course, of course. Women are quite delicate. They get faint when forced to travel much. If you excuse me for a moment. I need to visit one of those fancy water closets.”
With that, he left, leaving his wife sitting at the bar with him. Dariux studied the woman. She was tall and blond. Precisely the type of beauty he favored. But she had not said a word while her husband chattered. Was he expected to make polite conversation with her now? What did women of the nineteenth century like to talk about? His concern was unfounded, however, because as soon as Mr. Johnson exited the room, Mrs. Johnson transformed before his eyes. The demureness slipped away as if it were a veil, revealing a seductive gaze.
“I hope you will attend the ball, Mr. Kinkaid.” Her voice was smooth and warm, like the brandy he was drinking. It sent a frisson of awareness down his spine. “I’m sure your presence will make the occasion more enjoyable.”
She took a sip, and his eyes homed on her lips. So full and lush. They seemed to caress the rim of the glass. Was this an invitation? No. It couldn’t be. Her husband had just excused himself for a few minutes. Whatever his fevered brain was imagining, this woman could not be propositioning him. Stuff like this didn’t happen in his time, which he appreciated. Another point supporting parbots over human relationships.
“I... Um... I’m sure the occasion will be enjoyable regardless, but I will endeavor to entice my wife to attend.” Now he was hiding behind Kalli’s skirts. Fantastic. He must look like a weakling. He was not equipped to deal with married seductresses from the 1800s.
Mrs. Johnson pouted. “Even if she doesn’t feel up to dick, I hope you will attend. I will endeavor to make it worth your while. Although, she’d be foolish to let a handsome man like you go alone.”
His brain froze, while his unruly cock gave an involuntary twitch as her eyes roamed over him. The look was an unmistakable invitation. To what, he wasn’t sure. Despite her flirtations, she looked more determined than overcome by lust. There was something brittle about her exaggerated charm.
The return of her husband saved him from having to reply. Thank goodness! He ought to stay away from the Johnsons. This woman was a complication he didn’t need.
If these were the kind of relationships humans had in these times, he wasn’t missing out on anything. Refuting this evidence on flawed human relationships would be hard for Kalli. He could even argue there was more honesty in the human/parbot relationship. At least there were no hurt feelings or dissatisfaction involved.
He had better take his leave before Mr. Johnson launched into another diatribe. Downing what was left of his drink, he stood.
“I must get going. It was a pleasure making your acquaintance.”
“If you get bored with dancing and gossip, some of us will be in the card room for gentlemen’s entertainment. Perhaps we’ll meet again tonight.”
Not if he could help it, and not without Kalli as a shield against the forward Mrs. Johnson.
