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“King, my father has denied my existence since birth. Even though with one look, everyone knows who he is. These people don’t want me in their little group. Money or not, you and I both know it’s all about blood.”
“And you have that blood. Now, that’s settled, all we need to do is get Park out of the way.”
Riley smiled. “I’ve been thinking about that. I say we invite the demon into the lair.”
“Here? Why would I want that bastard in Hell?”
“He must be curious about the inner workings of a club like yours. I doubt his cheats returned with much information. But Hell is his goal. Even if we state he must come alone, I believe he would.”
Simon nodded. “I like it. I’ll send an invitation to all his hells to make certain he receives it. Wednesday night. It’s not too busy except for the gents who don’t want to go to Almack’s. Plenty of witnesses.”
“Very good, then.” Riley rose and then looked back at him. “Where are you off to tonight?”
“I need to speak to my brother.”
Chapter 22
“Happy birthday, Emma!” Louisa said with a bright smile as she held up her champagne glass.
The others around the table followed Louisa’s example and saluted her. Emma smiled, held up her glass, and then said, “Thank you.”
The small dinner Louisa had planned only included Tessa and her husband, her mother, Louisa and Harry. Emma sighed with relief that Simon hadn’t been invited. It was a week ago that she’d stood in that bedchamber and slowly removed his clothing. Kissed his body. Caressed his—
“Emma, I think the champagne is going to your head,” Tessa remarked. “You look very flushed right now.”
Emma blinked and returned her concentration to the duke's home's elegant dining room and not the bedroom of an inn. “It’s a tad warm, is all.”
Many around the table murmured their agreement until a footman opened a window for a refreshing breeze. Now she just had to keep her thoughts on the dinner. She took a bite of the delicious pheasant and glanced around the table. Her family seemed quite happy with their lives, even her mother, whose own reputation depended on her “dead” husband staying dead in Cornwall.
A loud rap at the front door made everyone’s head turn toward the corridor.
“Who could be here at this hour?” Louisa looked askance at her husband.
“It’s nearly eight,” Harry replied. “It cannot be good news.”
“You certainly don’t need to introduce me, Jenkins,” a male voice said as his footsteps approached the dining room.
No! Louisa had said he wouldn’t be here!
“Is that—”
Before Louisa could even finish her question, Simon entered the room with a low bow to the duke and duchess.
Emma’s fork dropped out of her hand with a loud clang as it hit the fine china. “What are you doing here?” she demanded. “You were not supposed to be here.”
Simon rose slowly from his bow and looked about the room. Turning his attention to Louisa, he said, “Excuse me, Duchess. I did not realize you were entertaining family.”
Emma couldn’t keep her gaze from him. He wore black trousers and a matching jacket with a snowy white shirt and cravat. The only source of color was a brilliant burgundy waistcoat. With his charcoal hair and blue eyes, he was even more handsome than she remembered. And it had only been a week. He stared back at her with a hungry look that made her insides tremble with desire.
God, she couldn’t want him still. She refused to accept that she did.
“I apologize for interrupting your family dinner.” Simon turned toward Harry and said, “Please send a note when you’re available. I need your advice.”
Harry glanced around the table and finally said, “What exactly is going on?”
“What do you mean, dear?” Louisa asked in a far too innocent voice.
“Why wasn’t Simon invited tonight? I’d assumed you had invited him, and he had declined.”
