Addicted to the Duke (Imperfect Lords #1)(14)
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It didn’t take him long to reach Mrs. Kinlock’s. As Alex stepped from the carriage, he noticed another hackney parked farther down the street, but no one alighted. His senses heightened, and it took only a few seconds to understand that Fredrick Cary was having him followed. Probably since he’d left Hestia’s. Thank goodness he’d stuck to his original plans and gone to Lord Foxhurst’s gathering. If he’d gone straight home Cary might have suspected something.
He stumbled as if he’d had too much to drink and leaned against the gaslight post before sauntering in the door of one of London’s most popular gentleman’s club.
It was late, well after midnight, so the stylishly decorated brothel was busy. The card room was smoky and the low murmur accompanying the wagers being placed sent a serious hush over the room.
Stephen would not be spending his time wagering with other men. He preferred other manly pursuits. Alex kept walking until he was deep into the middle of the drawing room. The lighting was dim and he could hardly make out the identity of each guest. All he heard were the sounds of pleasure reverberating within the fashionable red raised velvet wallpapered room.
He inwardly smiled, remembering many a night spent there with Stephen just before they had stupidly enlisted to fight the Turks back in 1807. He couldn’t believe it had been nine years ago. He swallowed hard. It felt like a lifetime. They were both not quite twenty years of age and thought sailing the high seas would be an adventure. His smile dimmed. It had been an adventure, but one that filled his nightmares and cost him more than any man should have to pay.
Chasing the horrors of the past away, Alex stood in the center of the room praying Stephen hadn’t gone to one of the private rooms upstairs. It would be embarrassing knocking on each of the doors to find him, and rather indiscreet if he were being watched. Although no one other than a very wealthy member of the ton could gain entrance, which was in his favor.
He picked a glass of brandy off the tray a servant proffered and asked, “Have you seen his lordship Clevedon?” The servant pointed. He could just make out Stephen’s profile over in the darkened alcove, watching the marquis’s hand sliding up a rather splendid naked leg. Before Alex could make his way to his friend’s side, a delicate feminine hand brushed over his chest.
“Your Grace, it’s been over six months since you deigned to visit us—or should I say visit me.”
Edith. She was his favorite of the women here. She was quiet yet self-assured, and he found he could relax in her company. She did not judge any of his habits. “I’ve been in Bedfordshire looking after my estate, sweeting. This is only my second day back in London and yet here I am.”
She gave him a saucy smile. “It must have been lonely. And exhausting. All that responsibility.” She pressed her near-naked body against his, the flimsy sheer cover no barrier to her warmth and feminine charms. Arousal stirred within him. Her arms slid to his shoulder and firm hands began massaging them. “Perhaps I could relieve all that tension I feel coiled in this magnificent body.” The tension she wanted to relieve was obvious as her hand trailed to his groin.
The idea of seeking relief between Edith’s experienced thighs pulled at his senses and desire pooled lower. If he hadn’t already spent the afternoon with Dianne in his bed he could have been tempted. However, he had a lot to organize this night. Speed was required if they were to steal a march on Fredrick.
He briefly closed his eyes against temptation. He was here for something far more important than sex: revenge.
“Before we play, my lovely, I have a friend I need to talk to. He’s over there. Shall we go and interrupt them?”
Edith glanced in Stephen’s direction. “He seems to be totally engrossed in private play. Perhaps we should leave them be and instead indulge in our own play—upstairs.”
He tapped her nose. “If it was private play his lordship wanted he’d have taken it upstairs.” He knew Stephen had certain tastes. The marquis enjoyed watching and being watched. Many thought him perverted, but in terms of men’s vices it was pretty harmless.
He tugged her along with him as Alex made his way across the room to the alcove. He pushed the curtain aside and sat on the end of the long daybed, pulling Edith onto his lap.
It took Stephen a few minutes before he lifted his head from between the young lady’s large breasts. He took one look at Alex and said, “As you know, I do love an audience, or perhaps you’ll let me watch you. Either way, it’s a pleasure to see you, my friend. When did you come to town?”
“Yesterday.” He tried to ignore Edith’s hand as it stroked him through his breeches. Deep breaths. “I hate to do this, but I need a quick chat before you get too engrossed.”
Stephen stared at him for a long minute. “It can’t wait until tomorrow in my study?”
Alex shook his head. “I’m afraid not. Plus, best it seem like we are having nothing more than a night of amorous pleasure.”
“That’s exactly what I was planning—and I’m still planning on accomplishing.” Alex could tell Stephen was intrigued. “Should I send our playmates upstairs to ready a room we can move to once we have chatted?” Stephen asked.
He was about to say no when Alex looked to the right and bloody hell, Fredrick Cary was entering the drawing room dressed in his mourning black. Alex knew why Cary was here. One of his scouts could not gain entrance, so Cary risked society’s displeasure and had taken the scandalous step of attending a brothel while still in mourning for the man whose title and estate he’d just inherited. All in order to spy on Alex.