AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“My Lord, this is Miss Josephine Pennyworth and Miss Lillian Davis. Josie, Lily, the Marquess of Hartford.”
“Ladies.” He swept another, deeper bow. “Please call me Rex.” The request was directed at Miss Wilson, although he included the other two.
“Rex. Latin for The King?” Miss Davis’ voice lilted upward, turning it from a statement to a question—she was not asking for confirmation of her translation, but whether or not he thought of himself in such lofty terms. Rex’s practiced social smile turned into a true grin.
“Some in Society might consider me so.” A little joke. It wastheSociety which had first given him the moniker, which should have gone over two of the young ladies’ heads, yet all three expressions blanked. Hmm… he might need to have a word with Miss Wilson about discretion. A tendril of disappointment uncurled inside of him. He had not thought it would be necessary.
“Miss Wilson? I believe they are about to play the waltz.”
The first notes of music drifted through the air as he spoke, and he held out his hand. Looking more reluctant to leave her friends than excited to see him—rather lowering, that—she placed her hand in his.
“You may call me Mary,” she murmured, allowing him to pull her to his side. Tilting her head, she cast a sardonic glance his way. “Even though Rex is not your first name.”
“It is the name I am known by.” He shrugged, unapologetic. Leading her onto the floor, they took their place among the couples just in time for the music. Stepping forward, he spun her about in silence for a few moments, letting her feel the power of their movement and his strength as he whirled her across the floor. “I did not expect I would need to ask you to keep my secrets quiet.”
A tiny pink blush bloomed on her cheeks.
“They already knew.” She wrinkled her nose. “Surely, you realize you and your club are the centers of a great deal of gossip.”
“Yet you did not know the name of it until I told you.” Sternly, he looked down at her, his voice deepening. “Tell them nothing else. Everything about the Society is to be kept a secret, without exception. It is the only way we have been able to continue safely for all these years. You will not like the consequences if you disobey.”
Her cheeks went from pink to hot red, and Rex’s cock twitched. He would not mind turning herbottomcheeks that color again. Unfortunately, he could hardly whisk her away to administer discipline. Too many eyes were on them—and would be on them while he was courting.
As long as they were within theton’s arena, he had to play by theton’srules. If she trespassed onto his territory again, he would be able to deal with her transgressions more directly.
Which he truly needed to stop contemplating as it only added to his amorous torment.
Mary
Dancing with Hartford—Rex—Mary was surprised her body did not go up in flames, especially when he threatened her with another spanking. He said she would not like the consequences, but the moment he mentioned them, a hot flash of arousal stirred between her thighs. Her body had decided it liked the consequences and wanted more of them.
Or perhaps she wanted more of what had come afterward…
Regardless, it was hardly proper discussion for the dance floor and did nothing to help her inner turmoil. She almost wished she had said something to her friends about theconsequences,but she had been too embarrassed—too confused—and did not know how they would react if they knew.
Unfortunately, she could think of no one she could confide in.
While she had certain suspicions about Thomas and Arabella’s marriage, Arabella did not know about Mary’s mission. She clearly also approved of Rex courting Mary and had proven to be uncaring of scandal. While Mary thought it likely the other woman could be trusted, she would literally be staking her entire future on that hope—andshe would have to find some way to explain her own actions that did not reveal Evie’s plot to find a traitor.
There was no one person who knew everything other than herself, and she had to keep it that way, at least for now.
Rex’s fingers squeezed hers.
“Do you understand, Miss Wilson?”
“Yes.” She bit off the word. “I told you to call me Mary.”
“So I shall, Mary.” Blue eyes twinkled. His voice lowered to a whisper that crawled up the back of her spine. “Unless you are being naughty, then it shall be back to Miss Wilson.”
Her blush felt as though it traveled from the top of her head all the way down to her toes, pooling warmth in her middle along the way. The man was utterly lethal and did not even seem to realize how intense his effect was. Or perhaps he did, and long years as a rake made her reaction commonplace. Remembering his reputation and knowing how real the foundation for his reputation was, did nothing to cool her ardor… which proved how very potent he was.
His body pressed against hers, his leg impudently moving between hers as they rotated with particular fervor. Tawny gold eyes gleamed, the wicked smile on his face promising all sorts of delights. Mary stared up at him, entranced. So entranced, she nearly stumbled when the music came to a halt. He caught her, neatly keeping her from tripping over the hem of her skirts.
“Would you like me to return you to your friends?” he asked.
“I doubt they are still there.” Mary sighed. She tried to look about but was hampered by her short stature. Rex had no such impediment, straightening and looking across the crowd before nodding.
“They are not. Where would you like to go?”
