Intimate 02 - Intimate Surrender (27 page)

“Hannah must think the risk is worth it. So, why don’t you tell me what this is all about?”

Rafe breathed a heavy sigh, then told his brother about Skinner and what had happened to him when he first arrived in London. When he finished, Thomas placed his forearms on the table and stared at Rafe.

“Do you realize how lucky you are to be alive?”

“Yes.”

“No wonder Hannah has someone guarding you. No wonder she’s doing everything in her power to force you to leave London. She knows if you stay, this Skinner will
kill you. She’s trying to protect you, and you keep stepping back into danger.”

Rafe bolted to his feet and glared at Thomas. “Why is it so bloody difficult for everyone to understand that I don’t want or need anyone to
protect
me? I’m not a milksop, nor am I a naive country lad who’s too backward to realize the danger someone like Skinner poses. Just because I’m a vicar doesn’t mean I’m unable to protect myself.”

“Hannah isn’t doing this because she thinks you’re unable to protect yourself. She’s protecting you because she loves you. She’s protecting you because in this case, you
are
incapable of protecting yourself. You’re not solving a squabble between two quarreling brothers in your parish. You’re battling a man capable of committing murder.
Your
murder. And Hannah is taking every step she knows in order to protect you. At least I am grateful to her for what she’s doing, even if you’re not.”

Rafe brought his fingers to his forehead and rubbed his temples. Thomas was right. Hannah was doing everything she could to protect him, and he was doing nothing but hindering her efforts. He’d been so sure his love for Hannah would overcome any barrier that he’d raged like the proverbial bull through the china shop. Suddenly, he wasn’t so sure. And the thought that Hannah had been right all along scared him to death.

The chance that he’d have to live without her was more than he could bear to consider. Rafe raked his fingers through his hair again, then looked at his brother. “I was serious about the ten thousand pounds. I promise I’ll repay—”

“The money’s yours, Rafe. You’ll have it this afternoon.”

Rafe couldn’t stop the wetness from filling his eyes. He couldn’t let Hannah sell herself tonight. He’d never be able to live with himself if she did. “Thank you,” he said in a choked whisper.

Thomas clasped his hand on Rafe’s shoulder and squeezed. Then he made a statement that proved how important Rafe was to him. “I’ll be ready to leave tonight when you are.”

A
re you sure you want to go through with this?” Dalia asked.

Hannah was dressed in the most seductive, most revealing gown she owned. Her hair was done up in a most stylish design, and all that was left were the jewels she intended to wear.

She reached for an expensive diamond necklace and handed it to Dalia to clasp at her neck. “I don’t have a choice, Dal. If I don’t force him to leave London, someone will kill him. The price Skinner put on his head is astronomical.”

“After tonight he’ll probably hate you, Genny. Can you live with that when it happens?”

Hannah tried to smile. “I’ll have to. I’ve survived worse.”

“Are you sure?”

Hannah paused, then shook her head. “No. This will be the worst.”

Dalia was prepared to say something more, but a knock on the door stopped her.

“Come in,” Hannah ordered.

The door opened, and one of the girls from downstairs entered. “Madam Felicity wanted me to tell you that the first of the bidders has arrived.”

“Thank you, Elaine. Show them into the formal parlor and make sure they have something to drink.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Elaine turned to leave, then stopped. “Oh, and I’m supposed to tell you that Delores hasn’t returned yet.”

“Where did she go?”

“She got word this afternoon that Skinner was bringing in a new girl. A real young one. Delores went to see what she could find.”

“She didn’t go alone, did she?” Hannah asked, knowing that if any of the girls would head into trouble without being prepared, Delores was the one.

“Oh, no, ma’am. She took two of Frisk’s men with her. It’s just that Madam Felicity thinks they should have been back before now. You know how Madam Felicity worries over everything.”

Hannah smiled. Felicity did over worry about most things, and with the rest, she usually concentrated on the worst possibilities. But where Skinner was concerned, it was always good to be cautious. “Tell Madam Felicity to inform me the minute Delores returns.”

“Yes, ma’am. I’m sure Delores is all right. It probably just took longer for the girl to arrive, that’s all.”

“I’m sure you’re right, Elaine. But let me know the minute you hear anything.”

“I will,” Elaine said, then left the room.

When Elaine was gone, Hannah turned to Dalia and said, “If Delores hasn’t returned by the time the auction is over, send every man you can get to search for her. They know where the drops usually take place. Have them start there.”

Dalia nodded, then rose. “I’ll go below and see what I can find out.”

Hannah watched her friend walk across the room, but Dalia stopped before she reached the door. “How many men did you invite to the auction?”

Hannah felt a knot bunch in her stomach. “Four. The Earl of Masey, Viscount Balderford, the Marquess of Referley, and Vicar Waterford, of course.”

Dalia’s brows shot up. “You chose well, Genny. The other three have some of the deepest pockets in London. There’s no way your vicar will be able to outbid them.”

“That’s what I’m counting on.”

Dalia nodded, then left Hannah alone with her thoughts—and her regrets. No matter how this night turned out, there would only be one winner—the man who won her favors for the night.

But she and Rafe would suffer the greatest loss.

After tonight they would lose each other forever.

Hannah walked around the crowded room, playing a part she’d played often in her life—that of Madam Genevieve. Except tonight she wasn’t
playing
the role; she was
living
the role. A role she didn’t think she’d ever have to play again. And at the end of the night, she would have to do something she never thought she’d have to do again—be the whore.

“Do you think your vicar might not show up?” Dalia waited until Hannah was away from the crowd to ask her question.

“He’ll be here. He’ll do everything he can to save me. I just have to make sure whatever he does won’t be enough.”

“You’re playing a dangerous game, Genny. I hope you know what you’re losing.”

“I know who I’m saving. Word will travel fast enough about the price Skinner put on Rafe’s head. By the end of the week, it won’t be safe for him to step out of his house.”

Hannah’s conversation was cut short when Viscount Balderford approached them. The smile on his face showed that he was more than delighted to be one of the few chosen to bid for her favors.

He stepped close and bowed. “Madam Genevieve. Madam Dalia. It is a pleasure to be here. And it will be a pleasure indeed to spend several enjoyable hours in your company,” he said as he focused on Hannah.

Hannah smiled up into his laughing eyes and tapped him on the arm in a teasing gesture. “Only if you are the highest bidder in the auction, my lord.”

“Never fear. I don’t plan on being outbid.”

The determination in his eyes left a lump in the pit of her stomach. The thought of giving herself to anyone except Rafe caused shivers to race down her spine. She reminded herself for the thousandth time that she had to make this sacrifice to save him. Telling herself that this was the only way she could save Rafe was the only reason she would survive this night.

“Then be prepared to leave a great deal of your money on the table, my lord, because Masey has vowed the same.”

“Has he?” Balderford said on a laugh. “If the prize were anyone else, I might consider letting him win. I consider
Masey a good friend, as I do the Marquess of Referley. But when the prize is the famous Madam Genevieve, friendship, I’m afraid, falls by the wayside.”

“Did I hear my name mentioned?” Referley said, walking up behind them.

Hannah turned to face the second bidder she’d invited to the private auction.

“You did, Referley. I was just explaining to the beautiful Genevieve that even though you and Masey and I are all friends, any regard I feel for either of you no longer counts. Not when the promise of such a special evening stands before me.”

“Let me assure you of the same, Genevieve. I will not let my friendship for either Balderford or Masey prevent me from parting with as much of the Referley wealth as it takes to win you for the night.”

“What is it you’re boasting about, Referley?” the Earl of Masey said as he joined them. “Are you trying to convince the lovely Genevieve that your pockets or those of Balderford are deeper than mine?” He turned to grace her with a heart-stopping smile. “Let me assure you, dear Genevieve. You have nothing to fear. You will not have to suffer the attentions of either of these braggarts. I intend to have you for myself tonight.”

Both Balderford and Referley laughed.

“Look who’s the braggart,” Referley said, standing tall.

“Not bragging, Referley. Simply stating a fact.”

That caused another uproarious burst of laughter that Hannah tried to ignore. If they had been talking about anyone or anything else, she could have found humor in their boasting. But they were talking about her. Each was
bragging that
he
would be the one who would take her to his bed and use her like the whore she was.

Hannah felt sick to her stomach. And this is how she knew Rafe would feel. Sick to his stomach to know she intended to give herself to a man to whom she wasn’t married. And she didn’t love.

She forced herself to close her mind to that thought and concentrate on playing her part. She was the most desired—and most elusive—paramour in all of London. It was a role she’d worked hard to establish. And tonight would be her finest performance.

She brightened the smile on her face and turned her attention back to the three handsome men who surrounded her.

“I thought there were to be four of us bidding for you tonight?” Masey asked.

“There are.” She looked around the room, thankful Rafe hadn’t arrived yet. She needed another minute or two to prepare herself for seeing him. She needed to steel her nerves for what she was about to do to him—how she would hurt him. Make him hate her.

A weight pressed harder inside her breast. “I’m sure he’ll be here any moment. It’s not yet nine o’clock.”

“Do we know him, my dear?” Referley asked.

“I doubt that any of you do. He’s not a part of the London scene.”

“Maybe he’ll decide not to come,” Balderford joked. “Maybe he’s heard how desperately each of us wants to bed you and it’s frightened him off.”

She forced a laugh. “Perhaps, but I doubt it. He has been one of my most ardent admirers.”

“More than me?” Raferley asked, pretending to be shocked.

“Yes, my lord. Even more than you.”

That elicited another round of teasing laughter.

“All I can say,” Masey countered, “is that if our mystery bidder doesn’t arrive soon, he won’t be able to fit in the room. I expected that your auction would draw a crowd, Genevieve, but even I am amazed at the mob of onlookers.”

“Only because they’re jealous that they weren’t one of the four men given the honor to bid for you,” Balderford said.

Genevieve glanced at the mantel clock and saw the hour hand neared nine o’clock. Her gaze moved to the door as Rafe entered. The Marquess of Wedgewood followed him into the room.

Hannah’s heart died a painful death inside her breast. Her gaze locked with Rafe’s, and she recognized a number of emotions. But the reaction that affected her most was the disappointment on his face when he looked at her.

And she knew that tonight would be the last time she would see him.