When the clock on the mantel chimed the hour of five, he paused and raised his head. “Is that the time? I had no idea. We will need to finish up for today. I have to pick young Toby up from Harry and Alice’s house. If he has been running around as much as he usually does, he will be in need of an early bed.”
Who is Toby?
“Is Toby your son? I didn’t realize you had children.”
I thought he was an avowed, lifelong bachelor. He doesn’t behave much like a parent.
He met her gaze. “Toby is part of the estate I recently inherited from my father. Until a few days ago, I had no idea he existed.”
He sees a child as goods and chattels? How sad.
Whoever Toby was, and whatever his connection to Stephen, at least he was being cared for; many other men would simply have ignored the boy or shipped him off to a far-flung place. Out of sight, out of mind.
Stephen gathered his papers and stuffed them into his bag. “There are still a significant number of questions regarding your mother’s friends which need answering. I don’t think we are going to find much more in the pages of the diary, so may I suggest we undertake some reconnaissance work together?”
“Oh, and how are we to do that?”
He slowly looked her up and down. Bridget shivered as his gaze roamed over her body, stopping and then lingering on the swell of her breasts. An appreciative grin formed on his lips. “We should go out into society together. I am more than happy to accompany you to a select number of events. Places where we can observe the suspects on the list. You are out of mourning, aren’t you?”
Impertinent scoundrel.
“Yes, but what about you? Your father has only just died.”
He dismissed her concerns with a lazy wave of his hand.
I would love to slap that hand of yours.
“The rules are not the same for men. As a widow, society expects you to observe a formal period of mourning. And considering that the last time I saw my father he made a point of giving me the cut in public, I can’t see anyone taking offense at my not wearing a black armband in his memory. I haven’t even bothered with a death notice inThe Times.”
Bridget flinched at the callous remark. She may not have loved Rupert by the end of their marriage, but she had been determined to do everything correctly in order to honor his memory. There was no point in trying to fight the double standard which applied when it came to women. A year of wearing black and remaining out of society was expected.
“We shall attend some of the private parties and gatherings that your mother normally does. I need to know who else is a regular attendee of them, and who will seek us out. It will help firm up the list of suspects,” said Stephen.
Bridget blinked as realization suddenly dawned on her. “You think the blackmailer will have the effrontery to talk to us? By Jove that’s bold!”
Stephen got to his feet. “In my experience, blackmailers are odd creatures. They take perverse delight in watching the discomfort of their victims. If your mother and brother are not in town, I would bet a thousand guineas that the scoundrel who is targeting your family will find it impossible to resist making your acquaintance.”
“Really? I don’t think I am that interesting, but if you think it will help,” she replied.
He held out his hand and an intrigued Bridget was unable to resist offering hers. He raised her hand to his lips and placed soft, warm kisses on the fingertips.
The heat of his breath had her swallowing deeply.
“Believe me, Bridget, you are quite the captivating female. We might be spending time together as part of the case, but I assure you, I find every moment in your company delightful. I can’t honestly say I can think of anything I would rather do than spend an evening with you. Who knows where it might lead?”
With you sharing the night in my bed.
The pulse of desire thrummed through her body. The touch of his hand on hers promised all manner of unspoken wicked delights. Of what he might offer to do to her with those long, thick fingers.
It had been an eternity since a man had caressed her in the way a woman desired. Needs and wants that had lain dormant for the longest time now stirred to life.
Their gazes met, and she offered him a tremulous smile. He returned the favor with a sly grin which set heat pooling in her loins.
You handsome rogue, I am not the only one having lustful thoughts.
“I am ready to do whatever you ask,” she said.
“I shall hold you to your words, Bridget.”
