“Much as I want to lie in this bed and make love to you all day, I fear we must rise,” he said. “I’m anxious to return to London before dark, and I know you’ll wish to see Daisy and John before we leave.”
“They seem happy,” she said, “and you should forgive yourself. You did what was best for her. It’s plain to see they’re very much in love.”
“True,” he said. “After her—ruination—I wanted no man to go near her. But John, it seemed, had loved her for years. I nearly beat the living hell out of him when I saw them together, but he was a determined man. He said that even if I broke every bone in his body, he’d not be deterred.”
He sighed and stroked his wife’s hair. “Were it not for me, John might have courted Daisy, and that bastard Hanson’d have never seduced her.”
Meggie’s head shot up, a wild look in her eyes. “Hanson?”
“Yes, do you know him?”
“I-I’ve heard the name,” she said. “Perhaps Daisy mentioned it at supper last night. Yes, I remember—that was it.”
She wriggled out of his arms. “We should dress. I’d like to spend as much time with Daisy before we leave.”
Not meeting his gaze, she climbed out of bed and padded over to the trunk. She pulled out a shift and inspected it. He crept up behind her.
“Here, let me.” He reached for the garment, and she jumped at his touch. What the devil was wrong with her?
She turned and let him help her dress, chatting animatedly, her voice overly bright.
“I hope we’ll see Rosie this morning,” she said. “How old is she?”
“I’m ashamed to say I have no idea of my niece’s age,” he said. “About four, I think.”
“And is she…” his wife hesitated, “… John’s daughter?”
“Yes, thank Christ,” Dexter said. “John might be smitten with Daisy, but not even he’s so lacking in dignity that he’d accept another man’s child—especially that bastard Hanson’s.”
He held out his shirt.
“My turn,” he said. She snatched it from him.
Where had her smile gone?
“I trust you’re up to James’s standard,” he said. “If you perform a better service, I’ll have to advertise for another valet.”
She stiffened.
“Are you well?”
Her throat bobbed as she swallowed. “Yes,” she said. “I merely felt a little queasy. Too much wine last night, I expect.” She gave him a watery smile and helped him with his shirt.
She was harboring a secret, and he knew what it was.
But he’d let her reveal the happy news in her own time.
Chapter Thirty
Georgie Hanson counted the notes, then slipped them into his pocket, which he gave a satisfied pat.
“Very obliging, Megs,” he said. “I’m glad we’ve rekindled our relationship.”
Titan looked up at him, lips curled in a snarl. Meggie picked the pug up and cradled him in her arms.
“That concludes our business,” she said.
“Oh, Megs!” He clutched his chest in mock hurt. “Leaving so soon? Would you abandon an old friend?”
“We were never friends,” she said. “I was an innocent, and you a seducer.”
“Oh, you wound me!”
“You knew what you were about,” she said. “You flattered me into your bed, and I believed your lies.”
“You said you loved me, Megs,” he said. “That’s the vocal equivalent of offering up your cunny.”
She winced at the profanity. “You disgust me!”
In a blur of movement, he grasped her elbow and propelled her off the path.
“Let me go. You’re hurting me!”
He brought his face close. “It takes two to fuck, Megs. Have you told Dexter that you love him? Perhaps I should ask him myself.”
“You wouldn’t dare!”
“Would you wager your marriage on it? I’ll be writing to him to offer my services, and could ask him then.”
“I’ve told you before, my husband has a valet.”
“Poor James isn’t so steady on his feet,” he said, “He’s forever running back and forth to Savile Row to add to his master’s ever-expanding collection of cravats. What if he were to trip and break his ankle?”
He released her, and she stepped back and rubbed her arm.
“You see the harm that can arise from you not obliging me, Megs?” He shook his head. “Let’s say one hundred next week, shall we?”
“One hundred? We agreed on fifty a week.”
“I underestimated my needs.”
She longed to slam her fist into his face and wipe off the self-satisfied grin, but she had no wish to draw attention to herself with so many people milling about the park.
“Very well,” she sighed. “I’ll find you another hundred.”
“Of course, if you’re disposed to present me with a thousand, then we can conclude our relationship.”
“A thousand?” she asked. “But I’ve given you a hundred already—there’s nine hundred left.”
He tutted and wagged his finger at her. “Oh, Meggie, Meggie,” he said. “You have it all wrong. As your beloved Dexter would say, think of the thousand as the capital sum, representing your debt to me. What you are paying me now merely represents the interest on that capital.”
“That’s not what…”
“Hush,” he said, silencing her with a raised hand. “If you struggle to understand the concept of capital and interest, I could ask Dexter to explain it to you.” He blew her a kiss. “In the meantime, I’ll bid you adieu, and shall look forward to our next—liaison.”
He curled his tongue round the final word and licked his lips. She fled, her cheeks flaming. He’d always had the ability to discompose her. When they were younger, his gallant attentions had caused butterflies in her stomach. But now, her skin crawled at the thought of him.
Before she reached the park gates, she caught a glimpse of Anne Pelham and her husband. The epitome of the loving couple, they walked arm-in-arm while Anne held her free hand over her belly. Mr. Pelham raised his hand in salute, but Meggie forged ahead, pretending not to see them. Anne Pelham was a dear friend, but she was unnervingly astute. She had recognized Meggie’s distress the day she’d first spotted Georgie in the park and would unearth her secret in no time.
***
Dexter was waiting for Meggie as she arrived home.
“My dear, where have you been?” he asked, an edge to his voice.
“Must I obtain permission before venturing out?”
“Of course not,” he said, “but we have a guest for dinner unless you’ve forgotten?”
Guilt needled at her, and she took his hand. “Forgive me,” she said. “I’ll be ready long before Mr. Peyton arrives. Might I ask a favor, first?”
“Anything.”
“I-I wondered if you might oblige me with a little more pin money.”
“Have you already spent what I’ve given you?”