Chapter Thirty-Eight
Freddie’s surprise over the sudden reappearance of Eve Saunders in his life was now accompanied by a sense of calm, and what he guessed must be the first stirrings of happiness.
He had forgotten how good it was to be with her, how unpredictable she could be when it took her fancy.He still couldn’t believe she could be so daring as to come to his house unaccompanied, knowing he would be home alone.She was risking a great deal in doing so.Will had been right about his sister’s lust for scandalous behavior.
After dragging a half-asleep Zeus down the stairs to the lower kitchen the next morning and jamming the door closed as best as he could, he threw on his overcoat and headed out the door.
The chilly morning wind had him quickly working on the buttons of his coat and pulling his hat down over his ears.He shivered as he turned the corner into New Bond Street on his way to Covent Gardens market.
The thirty-minute walk had become more than simply habit.He enjoyed strolling through the predawn streets of London.The weather in late October was still somewhat kind; how he would feel about making the trip in the dead of winter he didn’t want to consider.With luck, his father would have restored him to favor by then and he would be able to take a hack, if not the family carriage.
He crossed St Martins Lane.Covent Garden was close.He darted down a small laneway, which connected through to Bedfordbury Street, and was busy with his own thoughts when he spied a woman standing on the corner of a small close.Her head was wrapped up against the chill of the morning with a dark green shawl.
The streets around the market were where the local prostitutes plied their trade.They were all looking to relieve the market traders of their coin.
Freddie had no inclination for using the woman’s services.He had vegetables, meat, and fruit to procure.
As he passed her by, he gave a nod in her direction.It would be rude to completely ignore a person.
“Hello darlin’,” she said.
“Morning,” he replied, and kept going.He was a good half-dozen steps past her when he heard a loud huff.
“Freddie,” she said.
He stopped mid-stride as his blood turned to ice.He swung round on his left foot and turned to face her.
The woman dropped the shawl from her head.
“Bloody hell,” he exclaimed.
Standing before him, dressed in clothes he knew did not come from the salon of her mother’s modiste, stood Eve.
She chuckled.“Nice to see I can still shock you,” she said.
He looked around.She was alone.“Please tell me you have a lumbering and large footman concealed in one of those doorways.”
She shook her head.“No, where would the fun be in that?I left the house alone.No one but you knows that I am here.I took a hack from Dover Street and got him to let me out at St Martins Lane.I couldn’t risk bumping into Will in Newport Street—not that he is ever up and about this early.”
She curled her finger and beckoned him over.As soon as he reached her side, she stepped forward and placed a hot kiss on his lips.
He was powerless to refuse.His mouth opened and his lips quickly responded to her.Their tongues tangled deep and hard.The depth of Eve’s hunger for him was etched in her kiss.His own unspoken need for her took hold and he pulled her hard against him.
Grabbing his hand, she placed it on the buttons of her coat.When he didn’t begin to undo the buttons, she took on the task herself.The folds of her coat opened.
Encouraged by her actions, he slipped a hand inside her coat, gasping as his fingers touched warm naked flesh.His fingertips brushed over her hard nipples.
He pulled out of the kiss and stood for a moment, staring in disbelief, as she pulled the lapels of her coat open wide and revealed her breasts.His manhood twitched at the breathtaking vision.“What?”
A sly smile appeared on her lips.When she ran her tongue along her bottom lip he felt himself go hard.“You might be done with playing games, but I am just beginning.You asked how you could prove yourself.To win me back, you need to play the game of Eve.That is, of course, if you want to play.If not, I can go home and you will never see me again,” she purred.
Freddie had sworn off games for the rest of his life, but this was something else—a powerful force pulling him back into a new connection with her.Saying no to Eve and her new game was impossible.“Alright, yes, I will play.But you need to lace up the front of your gown.You can’t be in public like this.People will see,” he replied.
Eve shook her head.“The only time my gown is getting laced up is when you and I are finished.I know how the local street ladies work.I’ve seen them out late at night enough times to know how this plays out.You need to prove to me you can still play dangerously.”
He frowned, unsure of exactly what Eve meant by her words.Her intentions were made clear when he saw her begin to hoist up her skirt.He grabbed a hold of her hands.“Not here, Eve.Plenty of people use this as a thoroughfare to the market.Anyone could see us,” he cautioned.
She leant forward and captured his lips once more.Her kiss showed she had no intention of taking no for an answer.
