The night had been revealing, but it was time to get Kitty home and out of danger.
Chapter Twenty-One
Kitty buried herface in Cordon’s back and forced away the sound of drunken sailors shouting. Her legs ached from riding astride for the first time in years and her inner thighs were raw from rubbing against the mare’s hide. The jittering energy that had filled her earlier was gone, replaced by a powerful chill that made her shiver.
She should have been angry with Cordon for deceiving her, but all she could think about was Betty. Her sister was associated with a man who was not only a criminal, but involved in something even Cordon considered dangerous.
But as she’d told him, once Betty had her mind set on something, or someone, she would not stop until she achieved her goal. In Mr. Blaylock’s case, Kitty feared that meant marriage. She would have to hope that Cordon could either threaten or bribe the man.
“Almost there!” Cordon yelled. “They’ll cease pursuing when we leave the park.”
She turned her head enough to glimpse blurred trees turning into houses and other structures as he led Melody down the street back to the stable, at a slower pace now.
She peered over her shoulder, but there was no one behind them.
“How’d you know?” she asked.
“They’ll be on shore leave,” he said. “They won’t want to be caught. The bobbies will look the other way so long as they keep to themselves, but shouting down a rich street will bring justice down fast.” He steered the horse between two buildings then across a narrow street and down several more alleys until she recognized her surroundings. They weren’t far from her shop. He pulled the horse up short and then dismounted. “We’re here.”
At least it would be a short walk back this time.
She caressed Melody’s neck. “Who will take care of her?”
“There might be someone nearby who could help.” He removed a sovereign from his pocket and flicked it into the air. An urchin scurried out of the shadows.
Kitty wrapped the cloak tighter around herself.
Cordon gently patted Melody’s rear. “This lovely lady needs to get back to the stable on Mays Lane. Race over and tell whoever is working that Viscount Grayson offers five pounds to whoever comes and retrieves her.” Then he flicked the sovereign toward the boy. “I’ll give you another when you return with a groom.”
As the urchin snatched the coin and ran off, Kitty let Cordon help her down, sliding into his arms. Rather than pull away, she wound her arms around his neck. “Thank you.”
She had agreed to the ridiculous ride in exchange for his help with Betty, but he’d been one step ahead of her.
He threaded his fingers through her braided hair. “You are most welcome.” He kissed the top of her head, then ran his surprisingly sharp teeth over her neck, eliciting a burst of heat that made her gasp. She clung to him to avoid crumpling to the ground.
“I see I’ve discovered something else you like,” he whispered. Then he repeated the motion. This time, pleasure rippled to her core and made her utter an indignant squeak.
Melody tossed her head, as if objecting to the high-pitched sound.
“Sorry,” Kitty whispered.
He pressed his lips to her jaw and ran his hand down her body to her hips. His questing fingers caused her to twist and squirm as powerful sensations throbbed through her.
“God, Kitty,” he said, his voice hoarse. “You have no idea how much I want to bend you over right here.”
His words only intensified the tension inside her, and she nearly begged him to do exactly as he’d said. She was not so lost to logic that she would be taken in such a manner. But neither could she find any words to deny him.
“Viscount Grayson?” a hesitant voice asked. A young man wearing a striped jacket and black trousers stood a few feet away with the urchin at his side.
She yelped and slid around Cordon, who paid the groom and the urchin and then put an arm around her shoulders. “Come. We should return.”
She clung to his side through the short walk back and eagerly twined her arms around his neck as he opened the door. He set her down atop her worktable and she reached out until her fingers found the lantern she’d set on earlier that day. She flicked a match to life and put it to the wick. A gentle glow suffused the shop.
“There you are,” he said. The light cast shadows that made his features even more striking. “I have a present for you.” He reached into his coat pocket and removed a long box.
“Open it.” He grinned. “I think you’ll like what’s inside.”
Kitty lifted the lid and picked up the scarf he had stolen. She wound it about her neck and inhaled the scent of sandalwood. If it hadn’t already been a treasured possession, now it was a reminder of how she had met Cordon.
