Wicked Nights With a Proper Lady (7 page)

Did he have an accomplice in monopolizing Miss Camden’s time?

“What brings you to Bond Street, my lord?” Charlotte asked.

“I am on a mission to find the most nonsensical frippery possible.”

“For whom do you purchase this gift? Maybe—”

“Charlotte,” Miss Camden scolded. “You cannot ask such things.”

Charlotte’s cheeks pinkened and he doubted it had anything to do with her boldness, but was instead a result of Miss Camden’s firm, public reprimand. “I only meant that we could be of service and help you pick something out.”

“I cannot refuse such a generous offer.” He looked to Miss Camden, his smile slow and easy. She chewed on her lower lip as she stared at him questioningly. “The frippery is for Jez … I mean the Dowager Countess of Fallon.”

Charlotte covered her mouth too late to hide her amusement over the nickname. Miss Camden’s lips pinched together in disapproval.

“I’d be honored if you could help me pick out something suitable for a lady.”

“I daresay our tastes differ greatly and I doubt we would be of any help in this quest of yours for the dowager countess.” Miss Camden turned away from him after she spoke.

“Come now, Miss Camden. Surely all women appreciate the same types of fripperies?” He spread his hand out to indicate the array of jeweled picks and tortoiseshell hair combs in the glass display cabinets that lined the walls. “What would you choose for … yourself?”

Her eyes dropped to the pieces in question. Charlotte remained silent on the topic as Genny stepped forward with a barely audible sigh of defeat.

The first of many concessions he would garner from the lady. Leo had to cover his amused grin with his gloved hand so as not to prick her mood again. She gave him a distrustful glare, then looked at the glass case, her finger running along the seamed edge. Her gloves were lace and frilled out in layers just above the delicate bone at the side of her wrist; her fingers were long and slender beneath, bringing back memories of them searching across his broad, naked chest.

He swallowed and focused on the hair picks and tried not to imagine those hands sliding along his skin as teasingly as they did along the glass.

It wasn’t long before she pointed to something for the proprietor to retrieve.

He leaned closer when the item was placed on a small piece of black velvet. Charlotte also stepped closer to view what was displayed before them.

“Oh, cousin,” she said, mirth sprinkled in her voice.

Genny had picked a hair comb with a mishmash of red octagonal beads roughly the size of the tip of his pinky, glued above long lacquered black tines. Six-inch feathers dyed orange shot straight through the middle of the pasted jewels.

“I daresay,” Leo responded, “that has to be the ugliest hair comb I’ve ever laid eyes upon.”

Genny put her chin up defiantly. “As you might have surmised, our tastes differ greatly.”

Leo full out laughed at her quip. Miss Camden really disliked his attentions. Disliked that he’d put her in an odd situation by asking for her and her cousin’s assistance.

He would sway her opinion of him to something more favorable. There had been a time when she had adored him and it would be his goal to charm her a second time. And he wasn’t doing this for the sake of Jez; he
liked
Miss Camden more than he ought. She was a wicked temptation he didn’t want to resist.

“Genny, do pick something else. Show his lordship that you have a modicum of good taste. You
did
help me pick out most of my millinery needs for the season.”

“I’m glad to know what displeases you most, but I’d be interested to see what does catch your eye from the display.” Leo motioned to the cases lined up before them.

Miss Camden let out a frustrated air as she stared back at him. “Very well. But why ask me? Do you not buy baubles for your lovers or mistresses?”

They’d been relatively quiet up to this point and had only attracted the attention of a few of the other women in the shop. But that comment had a few heads turned in their direction.

His smile slipped for the briefest of moments. Ah, so she only thought the worst of him. Yes, he’d taken her innocence, and he was somewhat of a playboy in society, but the idea of a mistress was repugnant even to the likes of him. And he did not pay his lovers with fripperies, nor would he ever treat them as one might a shameful mistress.

“I’ve never needed nor wanted to acquire such an item, madam.”

She must have heard the displeasure lacing his voice for she turned away and stared down at the glass case before them once again.

Nothing seemed to catch her eye as she moved on to the next case and then the next. He followed slowly behind. Twice she stopped suddenly to closer inspect the pieces beneath the glass and it caused her skirts to brush against his calves. He wanted to press forward and feel a little more of her, but he daren’t act so bold as to harm her reputation. He forced himself to step away and settled for watching her move from case to case. He’d have to be content with the fleeting touches he’d received thus far.

Finding something she liked, she nodded for the proprietor to join them and tapped her finger against the case, indicating another piece she wished to inspect. “This one, as well.”

The proprietor laid out his small strip of black velvet again and placed the two hair combs Genny had chosen atop it. One had two twisted sterling silver prongs; the top portion was done in an intricate floral pattern and it was no larger than the casing of his timepiece. The second was made of tortoiseshell with a French ivory cameo molded into the center and six tines spiked down from the center. The pieces were equally stunning. She’d chosen jewelry fit for a princess. Not surprising since she’d always been
his
princess, hence the moniker he had given her.

With his forefinger and thumb rubbing thoughtfully at his chin, he gazed down at her choices. Now that she’d picked them out—and done an exceptional job of it—he had to find another way to keep her in his company. Perhaps it would be best to remain undecided?

Sliding her selections to the side, he pointed out a few more pieces that caught his eye from the case. As the proprietor pulled each item out, Leo turned and faced Miss Camden.

“Would you be so kind as to try them in your hair?” Leo asked. “I daren’t make my purchase without seeing how they fare in conjunction with your beauty.”

She raised one dainty brow. “Flattery will do you no good, Lord Barrington. Besides, it would be a travesty to don any of these pieces with my hair not properly dressed.”

“Genny, you’re being dreadfully unhelpful.” Charlotte drummed her gloved fingers over the edge of the case beside her. “Lord Barrington has implored our help, and therefore we could do no less than he asks. It’s simple enough, really.”

Lady Charlotte stepped in front of him, nearly blocking his view of Miss Camden as she loosened the wide ivory silk bow tied beneath Genny’s chin. Genny said something under her breath that he could not make out. Probably berating his character. Why it brought a smile to his lips was anyone’s guess.

Genny looked discomfited and out of sorts once her bonnet was removed. With her gloved hand, she brushed loose strands of her chestnut-colored hair from her forehead and reached behind her to adjust hairpins in the simple bun she wore.

Wisps of hair had escaped the small braids that wrapped around and held the rest of her hair in a knot at the back of her head. Had she cut her hair over the years? Or did it still fall to the middle of her back? A memory so vivid of her riding him came to mind, the ends of her hair brushing his thighs as she arched her back and pressed her breasts into his face. He clearly recalled kissing, licking, and delivering love bites to her tender flesh as she leaned back in his arms in the throes of passion.

He swallowed tightly, hoping his gaze wasn’t as sexually charged as his thoughts.

Genny’s sharp eyes stared at him briefly, as though she’d seek retribution for his request. He didn’t mind a little tit for tat with her when her growl was far worse than her bite could ever be.

She leaned over the selection of hair picks and picked up the tortoiseshell one first—perhaps that one was her preference?—and brushed the long tines gently through her hair before sticking it into the base of the bun.

Her hands moved methodically and easily as though she’d done this a thousand times without the aid of a mirror or maid. The sight of her hands made him itch to peel off her gloves and press her bare hands against his chest. He wanted to feel the heat of her naked flesh seeping into his skin.

He craved her touch as much now as he had all those years ago. It had been pure foolishness leaving her behind at the Carleton house party. He really couldn’t recall now why he had left.

It was in that moment that he decided he would not keep his interest hidden. Not that he had tried very hard since dancing with her at the ball. His thoughts were suddenly consumed with her.

How did she manage it?

He’d had lovers over the years but none had compared to her. It would be impossible to let Genny slip through his fingers a second time. And he’d not let her escape him until he had her figured out.

Plucking up the green jade comb he had selected, he took a step in her direction. If he acted quickly, she’d be helpless to stop him from obtaining this liberty. One he coveted most right now.

Whispers behind them started up the moment he raised his arms to his task. The green was offset nicely against the silkiness of her chestnut hair. The slightest hint of red and the odd strand of blonde that indicated she spent some time in the sun without the protection of her bonnet could be clearly made out standing this close to her.

She raised her hands as though to push him away but seemed to realize she’d only draw more attention their way. She clasped her hands in front of her instead.

The pick slid easily through her soft hair, the tips of the tines massaging along her scalp before he settled the jewelry firmly in place, burying it as deep as he could in the bound tresses.

Lowering his arms, he brushed the back of his hand against the nape of her neck and over the small bone. Her skin was warm and soft. He wanted to dip his head and trail his tongue over the fine line of her spine. Her breath hitched; his froze in his lungs.

With more effort than it should have required, he took a step back. He doubted anyone would have seen what he’d done, as his larger frame blocked her smaller one from everyone behind them.

Miss Charlotte broke through the hushed din that was no subtler than a field of crickets suddenly disturbed from their reverie.

“It looks lovely, cousin.”

The proprietor came around the case. “Miss,” he said, showing her with his hand that she should turn to see her reflection in a tall looking glass. The mirror rested on the floor and stretched nearly ten feet high in a large ornate gilt frame.

Leo nestled the tortoiseshell comb back on the velvet and stood close behind Genny as she fixed imaginary loose strands of hair. As she gazed into the looking glass, her amber-colored eyes caught and held his gaze.

Her lips parted marginally and a hint of color rose in her cheeks. He was sure he only noticed the slight blush because they were staring at each other and in such close proximity.

Did she crave his touch as he did hers? Was she remembering their past and the passion they had shared night after night?

She had to be thinking of their past. Words weren’t needed to convey
that
message between them. If they were alone their passion could be rekindled. All it would take was one simple look to indicate she wanted more, or one simple nod that said yes. Even one word that invited his touch and he’d do as she bid.

He wanted to undo every button that held her bodice snuggly in place. Then peel away the chemise that covered her shoulders beneath, and kiss a path along her nape. He’d not stop there; next he would draw a soft line down her spine till he reached the top swell of her buttocks to caress tiny circles over the dimples above each cheek, and follow those touches with a kiss and lick of his tongue …

The wicked things he fantasized doing to her …

Thank goodness his valet had chosen a long jacket today.

Lady Charlotte softly and pointedly cleared her throat next to him. He forced his gaze away from the wicked temptation of Genny. Had he and Genny been anywhere else, alone, nothing would have stopped him from acting on all his imaginings.

Locking gazes with the proprietor, he said, “Wrap them both.”

Genny turned to him, a frown wrinkling her brow.

“The countess will be thrilled with the pieces.” His voice croaked a little and he had to clear his throat. “I can’t thank you and your cousin enough for the assistance.”

“I’m glad we could help.” Genny turned her attention to Charlotte, who aided her in putting her bonnet back on.

“We must go to the milliner’s before they close for the day, cousin. Let us leave Lord Barrington to wrap up his business here.”

Surprisingly enough, Lady Charlotte did not argue with her cousin’s dictate this time.

“Good day, Lord Barrington,” Genny said, her cold demeanor back in place.

With a curtsy from each of them, he watched them head toward the exit of the jeweler’s shop.

It seemed as though everyone had watched his and Genny’s exchange since they all stood silently by, waiting for someone to snap them all back to attention.

Those who knew him or of him would remark that he’d never paid mind to another woman so openly as he had done with Genny just now. At least he’d never been so attentive to a lady in the public eye. The wickedness associated with his name was derived from dabbling in trade and of the reputation-tarnishing information he had on at least half the peerage that made up the
ton
.

He didn’t give a damn what anyone might speculate; he’d always been circumspect where his relationships were concerned. And he’d done nothing to blemish Miss Camden’s good name today.

He would take great care to protect Genny’s reputation just as he had in the past. Even though he had every intention of renewing their
friendship,
Leo would never allow her to be fodder for the more vicious gossips.