Page 24 of My Lord, Lady, and Gentleman

Clayton sat back in his chair and just absorbed the excited chatter around him. To his left, Bea and Amelia were discussing the care and storage of dildos with Susanna. On his right, Joseph was receiving an impromptu lecture on sexual practices of the Ancient Egyptians from Ethan and Maddy. All was splendid in the world.

“Order!” barked Lady Portia, as she clapped her hands together. “Order, I say. Let this Society meeting come to order so we may hear everyone’s news.”

Well. Perhaps not all, then.

Clayton turned his head and raised an eyebrow at Maddy. She shrugged, clearly having heard the extra edge in their hostess’s tone, and equally unsure why. Bea and Amelia were gazing at Lady Portia in alarm, but Denham was almost scowling. What the bloody hell was going on?

“Lady Portia?” he began.

The older woman’s smile looked nothing short of brittle. “Wait your turn, sir. I know you have the most wonderful news, but we shall progress around the semi-circle in an orderly fashion. So Beatrice and Amelia will start.”

“Just so,” muttered Denham.

“Beatrice and Amelia will start,” Lady Portia repeated, glaring at the captain.

“Ah…” said Bea, her eyes wide. “We’ve begun spending a few days a week at the orphanage Lady Portia sponsors. Reading to and playing with the little ones. They’re so sweet, even though their beginnings have been much less than ideal. It’s humbling really.”

“Very humbling,” added Amelia, glancing nervously at their hostess. “And we love our little cottage. We are planning to plant roses in the spring. That’s all really.”

Lady Portia nodded. “Excellent. Madeline and Dare?”

Maddy pursed her lips. “Are you well, my lady?”

“Quite well. Thank you,” she replied tightly as Denham snorted.

“If you say so. I am currently assisting Ethan in collating the notes from his travels in Egypt. A publisher is interested in his stories and research.”

Clayton sat forward. “Wonderful! We’ll be sure to buy the first copy. Although you might need to have a caution at the front for those who might think it will be just another treatise on the pyramids rather than ancient erotic practices.”

“Caution is excellent advice,” said Denham. “Others would do well to heed it.”

“Oh, do be quiet,” snapped Lady Portia. “Mr. Irving? Allow me to welcome your very special guests.”

He sent apologetic glances to Susanna and Joseph. The air in the room had definitely changed. This was not exactly how he’d thought their first meeting would go; usually they were naughty and so much fun. Today the tension between Lady Portia and Denham was almost palpable, and he wondered, yet again at the true nature of their relationship and what might have gone awry.

“It is my honor today to introduce Lord and Lady Fenton. My beloveds, Joseph and Susanna. While we shall make our home in London to be close to their warehouses at the docks, I solemnly swear we shall never miss a meeting. Well, if dear Lady Portia grants them membership, of course,” he finished with a pleading grin.

“Please do,” blurted Susanna. “I can tell already that the conversation will be infinitely superior to most London salons, as well as the company. We would love to join Clayton here for meetings, they are special to him so will be special to us. Guildford is charming. A nice change to the city.”

“Oh, and Lady Portia, my wife and I join Clayton in being great admirers of your charity work. You may rely on us for generous donations,” added Joseph.

“Thank you,” their hostess said, her smile wobbling. “It’s nice to be appreciated rather than growled at for trying to do good in the world.”

Good God.

Was Lady Portia going to cry? She never wept. Pistol Portia flayed alive and conquered the world each and every day. And yet right now she looked…fragile.

Almost in unison, several sets of eyes turned to Denham.

“Don’t you glare at me,” snarled the captain, abruptly getting to his feet. “Glare at the damned hellion who put herself in danger because she doesn’t bloody think, just charges in. Those men don’t care about the rights of women or children. They never will. And they’ll hurt her without a second’s remorse.”

Lady Portia flinched. “Sit…sit down, Denham.”

“No,” he replied, moving over to the trestle table laden with perfectly presented food. “Not this time, damn it.”

“Denham,” she said, hurrying over to him, her cheeks flushed, and soon the two of them were having a whispered, but very heated argument if the gestures and folded arms were anything to go by.

Clayton grasped both Susanna and Joseph’s hands, needing the warmth as his mind reeled. Bea and Amelia, and Maddy and Ethan were doing the same, clearly as shocked as him.