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Chapter Six
“Oh, shit.Shit.Shit.”Matthew jumped from the bed.Rose was already gone.The blindfold had slipped off the far side of the mattress.He threw it on a nearby chair.Again, she’d left him behind naked and had not bothered to cover him.
He’d wanted to see Madame DuPuis last night.Her cryptic message was too much to ignore, considering their plans.And his wife was too much to ignore, considering she was perfectly willing to embrace nakedness with the candles lit.
He performed ablutions and hurried through breakfast.His carriage waited and a riding horse was roped along, since that was sometimes easier than navigating through the streets of London in a carriage.He’d never been to her brothel.He’d never been to her new hell when the woman was not awake and busy; it didn’t matter the hour, she made herself available.
Alice was on the first floor, drink in hand, and flirting with the Earl of Westyn.She wiggled her fingers at Matthew as he stepped inside.He found a corner table and requested a whisky, even though it wasn’t even eight o’clock yet.He’d done hard labor last night—and would do so again at the earliest opportunity.
The gaming crowd was an odd bunch, coming and going from the hell at all hours, drinking Alice out of her best liquors and happily leaving behind stacks of money.She made amassing a fortune seem easy whilst his method was backbreaking.
“Ah, Mr.Hardy, how are you this morning?”Alice approached, her gown flowing regally.She was always bejeweled: rings, necklaces, bracelets, hair combs.
“Is it morning?I never can tell what time of day it is when I’m in your world,” he said.
“Have you eaten?I’d be glad to have one of the French cooks prepare our world-renowned croissants andchocolat chaud.”
Talk of French food reminded him of frogs.“I’ll need to pass—my French cook graduated from the Escoffier, and he makes a French breakfast for me every morning.”Alice was determined to outplay him even though she wasn’t in competition with him.“Tell me about this news.”
“Let’s toast first.”They clinked glasses.“To the most audacious plan in London’s history,” she said.
“You mean in Madame DuPuis’ history.”
“That too.”She laughed.“Oh, my dear boy, if you knew what my devious little mind has been up to, you would have crawled out of your wife’s bed sooner.”
“Ah, the plight of a new husband.”
Alice wrinkled her nose in delight.“I’ve never had such a successful match as yours.”
“I’m not sure how you are measuring success after only two days.And I don’t think my wife is giving you complete credit for your exploits.”
“Then who?”
“The Duchess of Pelham had a guiding hand in this matchmaking feat.”He leaned toward her.“Let’s get to it, Alice.I don’t want my wife to feel neglected.”
“I’m offended!And your wedding announcement this morning was dull as ditchwater.You might have mentioned the match was made at Madame DuPuis’ Dante’s Hell.”
