Callum, however, made her body sing. She drew in a deep breath, vowing never to be alone with the man again. With Charlie, she’d somehow thought by giving herself to him, he’d offer. He’d been pulling away and she’d hated that. Now she knew he’d found a new romantic interest but at the time…
The circumstances were completely different this time around. Callum was not going to offer for her hand. Unless of course, she ended up pregnant. Not that she would. She’d have to take great pains not to end up alone with him again because if she did, she might very well be tempted.
She knew who Callum was. He was the owner of an illicit club, a man who would have to be dragged into matrimony.
Then again, Daring and Jack had succumbed. Even Lord Malicorn had married Cordelia and that man seemed far darker than Callum ever could.
And Callum already knew her secret. The one that had convinced her she’d never be able to marry. How would she explain to her husband that she’d fallen so short of purity?
Callum was attracted to her and protective? Was he her future?
She pushed off the door just as Minnie came down the stairs.
“How’s Daring?”
Minnie wrinkled her nose. “Terrible. The big lout.”
Diana pressed her lips together to keep from smiling. “Terrible?”
“He’s emptied his stomach and then dropped into sleep like a stone sinks to the bottom of the lake.” Minnie stopped in front of her. “I expected you to take longer. Did you behave yourself?”
Diana shrugged. “More or less. A man tried to rob us in the back of the club.”
Minnie gasped, “What?”
“Don’t worry. Callum had the situation well in hand.”
Minnie raised her brows. “Callum?”
“Stop repeating one word with a question mark. It’s annoying.”
“Sorry?” Minnie crossed her arms. “When did Lord Exmouth become Callum?”
Diana rubbed her temples with the tips of her fingers. “About the time he sliced some man with his short sword to protect me.”
“Oh.” Minnie reached for her hand. “No wonder he brought you straight here.”
Diana grimaced as she gave Minnie’s fingers a squeeze. The two began to walk up the stairs together. Part of her wanted to tell her cousin what she’d learned about Daring and Lady Abernath but she held her tongue. “Any thoughts on what the countess will do next?”
They reached the top of the stairs and Minnie stopped. “That’s an abrupt change of conversation.”
Not in her mind. “Apologies. The entire reason I wanted to take Callum home was to learn what Jack had said. I feel if I understand the Countess of Abernath better, I’ll know her next plan.”
Minnie nodded. “Did you learn anything?”
Diana’s insides wriggled with discomfort. “Not much.”
Minnie let out a loud sigh. “It’s good that we’re keeping Ada and Grace out of society. The woman is clearly capable of anything.”
Lying to the ones she loved? Being morally corrupt? She gave a shiver as she realized how she herself was a lighter shade of Lady Abernath. “I feel sorry for her.”
“What?” Minnie asked as they rounded the corner. She opened a door and gestured for Diana to enter. A maid already waited to help Diana undress.
Diana shrugged. “I know she’s deranged but what happened to make her that way? I mean it, Minnie. I feel like we’re more alike than everyone wants to acknowledge. She’s strong and tough. What would happen if someone took a woman like that and broke her?”
Minnie shook her head. “You’re making a few large leaps there. How do you know she isn’t just evil?”
Diana sighed. She couldn’t prove her theory but she sensed Lady Abernath hurt deep inside. No Diana didn’t have four lovers at once, but she had allowed more than one man access to her and she knew the pain that came with being rejected. What if Lady Abernath’s past was far darker than hers? “You’re right. I have no proof. Just a feeling.”
“Ok, so what does your feeling tell you?” The maid began unbuttoning Diana’s dress.
“She’s growing desperate. Now she’s out of her home, her son is gone, nothing has happened to the men she’s tried to hurt. Whatever she does next, it will be big and it will strike hard.”
“Who?” Minnie’s voice had a breathy quality that expressed her fear.
Diana winced. “Honestly, either you, because you are Daring’s wife, or me.”
“Why you?” Minnie asked clutching her own neck.
“I’m bait. We’ve tucked Ada and Grace away.” At least until the season started in a few short weeks.
Minnie closed her eyes. “Do you have any theories on what she might do?”
Diana bit her lip. The truth was, she did. They’d gone from verbal threats, to kidnapping. The next logical bridge was physical violence. But how far would she take that, and would she come at them herself? With Cordelia, she’d sent a lover to do the actual snatching. Lady Abernath’s most significant quality was her ability to manipulate men. “I have some ideas…” But she didn’t want to tell Minnie. Because Minnie would then tuck Diana away with Ada and Grace. “But they’re nothing you should be worried about.” Lie. It was a complete lie.
Chapter Six
Callum stepped out of his carriage into the dark alley behind the club. After what had happened, he had no intention of going home. Instead, he wanted to look about the area where they’d been attacked and warn the men about the attacker.
The sun would start to rise soon enough but for now, the night still shrouded the city in darkness. He was only able to find a few spots of blood. Whoever the man had been, his coat had received the worst of the blow. Exile unsheathed his short sword. Only the very tip had a staining of red blood. He grimaced. The man had only received a scratch.
Scrubbing his face, he entered the back door of the club using his key. The gaming hell had shut down hours before and the guards had all retired for the night. As he made his way down the hall, however, he realized that Bad and Vice were still here. Their voices floating down to him in the darkness. Then he heard another male’s voice, his deep timbre unrecognizable. Drawing his blade again, he stalked down the hall.
The narrow passage opened into their back room. Bad sat with his feet upon the table while Vice casually shuffled cards.
Exile’s eyes narrowed. A third man sat next to Vice as though he owned the place. Who the hell was he and why was he back here? “I don’t believe we’ve met,” he growled out in his deepest voice.
“Exile.” Vice dropped the cards. “You came back. I…I’m surprised.”
“Obviously,” he answered, still staring at the newcomer. The man was ridiculously handsome, though rather pale. He looked back at Exile with weary eyes, his head cocked to the side. “Who is he and why is he here?”
“He’s my second cousin.” Vice stood. “And he helped Bad out of a scrape this evening.”
That got Exile’s attention and he turned to Bad. “What sort of scrape?”
Bad looked Exile up and down. “Why is your short sword drawn?”