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He set his gaze upon Chastity. The gown he’d seen her in last week was crumpled and he suspected beyond rescue. Of course, she would probably welcome the chance for a beautiful new gown. He almost did not blame her. With a figure like hers, all sensual curves, who would not want to dress them in beautiful silks and embroidery.
A sour taste rose in the back of his throat. What had happened to him? One night with the woman and he was willing to forgive all the follies of society?
“What are you doing here?” he demanded, the words coming out harsher than intended.
She cocked her head, revealing the elegant arch of her neck. “This is my house.”
“Well, you are my maid.”
The aunt chuckled.
Her lips rounded. He clenched the brim of his hat tighter. A mere glance at her lips and he was back at the inn, devouring them, tasting every generous inch of them. If he wasn’t careful, he was going to embarrass himself. While he might not care what Society thought of him, he could think of more enjoyable ways of spending his time than displaying his aroused cock to two innocents and one elderly woman.
“Would you like some tea, my lord?” Aunt Sarah asked, pulling the bell before he could refuse.
The aunt grinned widely and tugged her wrap tightly about herself. From her hair to her clothing, everything about Chastity’s aunt spoke of her lack of concern for the rules. Her gray hair hung loose and long and the bold purple sheath barely concealed the fact the woman wore pantaloons.
Was it any wonder Chastity was so bloody bold with an aunt like that?
Of course, fool that he was, he admired such an attitude. But Chastity was different to her aunt. She dressed appropriately at all times and cared about shoes and....well, other things. Society things. Things he did not give one fig for.
Did she not?
“I came because I heard of this witness,” he said.
“That was quick. I only just heard of it from my sister.” Chastity nodded her head toward Lady Demeter Fallon.
Demeter grimaced. “That woman was loud and demanding. No doubt the servants heard what she wanted.”
“Well?” he demanded. “What did she want? What did she have to say?”
“Such concern.” Aunt Sarah pressed a hand to his arm. “It is to be admired. There are few men of your standing who would care as much.”
He met Chastity’s gaze despite himself. She hadn’t uttered another word about his father’s manner of death and from the sour look she gave him, she had told no one else either, not even her sisters to whom she appeared to be so close. He supposed it was more than appearance, though. After all, she had put herself through such laborious work simply to free her sister of rumors that would never amount to anything.
Damn it. Did he have to keep finding things he admired about her? He desired her—he could not deny that. But it was physical and that could be conquered. A few additional lengths of the lake once the sun had dropped ought to do it.
“The woman claims to have seen someone running away from the house that evening,”
Demeter explained.
“Someone?” Chastity asked.
“A man. She could not describe him, though. It was too dark by then.”
“That’s not helpful,” Chastity muttered.
“Who was this witness?” Valentine pressed.
“A...lady of a certain reputation,” Lady Eleanor whispered.
A whore then. He shook his head. “We should not take her at her word.”
“Because of what she has been forced to do?” Chastity rose from the chair, her skirts falling back into place and highlighting the deep indent of her waist.
Her shoulders pushed back, and he bit back a groan. Was everything this woman did designed to frustrate him?
“Did she ask for coin?” He addressed Demeter, who glanced at the floor and nodded.
