“Since the last time you entered a room full of women,” Lily said. She cut a playful glance at her friends. “Your timing couldn’t be better. There’s another gallery—a naughty gallery, apparently—and the owner won’t let us view it without our husbands present.”
“Hm.” Julian surveyed the hopeful trio. “I don’t suppose I can pose as a sheik with my harem of wives, can I?”
“Why not?” Amelia asked slyly. “You do have a certain reputation.”
Meredith linked her hand through Julian’s free arm. “Let’s have a go.”
“Why, Lady Ashworth,” he said, pretending shock.
Or perhaps not pretending. On closer inspection, Lily thought he might actually be blushing. How very sweet.
With good-natured charm, he extricated himself from Meredith’s grasp. “I’m a confirmed monogamist now, I’m afraid. And even if I weren’t, both your husbands are confirmed barbarians, whom I know better than to cross. I’ve just come from meeting with them. We made plans to go out early tomorrow for a ride in open country. Shouldn’t like to make it a daybreak duel.”
“You’re going riding?” Lily asked. It had been ages since she’d been out riding. “Where to? May I join you?”
“No, you may not. It’s a gentlemen’s excursion.” He paused. “And I’m not precisely sure where to. Down the Thames a bit, I think.”
“Down the Thames? Whyever—”
“Morland’s looking at property down that way.”
“He is?” Amelia asked. “First I’ve heard of it.”
“Yes, well.” Julian’s smile was strained. “Perhaps I misunderstood.”
Lily could tell he was uncomfortable. Uncomfortable with the entire outing, most likely. Julian’s horsemanship was nowhere near the level of Morland’s and Ashworth’s, and he was probably a bit worried about being shown up by them. But he was going to ride out with them anyway, and that pleased Lily no end. She was so gratified to see the three of them becoming close friends. Leo would have been happy, too.
Meredith spoke. “Well, if you’ve just come from meeting with Rhys and the duke, where are they? We can all view the naughty paintings together.”
“I’m afraid they stayed at Morland House.”
Amelia rested one hand atop her pregnant belly and rubbed her lower back with the other. “Then I should go home, too.” She looked to Meredith. “Care to join me in the carriage? You and Lord Ashworth are welcome to stay for dinner.”
Out of habit, she extended the invitation to Julian and Lily as well, and they politely declined.
Once they’d left, Lily and Julian were the only remaining customers in the gallery.
“I bought a desk,” Lily said.
“Did you?” But he didn’t ask about it. He simply offered her his arm and walked her straight back to the gallery owner, whose buttoned pink waistcoat scalloped like the edge of a seashell as he bent to arrange some books.
When he noticed Julian, the man stood and bowed. “Good afternoon, sir. How may I be of service?”
“My wife would like to see the nudes.” Her impossible husband grinned down at her, daring her to contradict.
Scoundrel. Lily introduced the sharp point of her elbow to his ribs.
Although she was certain her cheeks were twin banners of crimson, she faced the owner and hoisted them high. She wasn’t about to demur. She wanted to be able to crow about this to Amelia and Meredith tomorrow.
And atop that, she did want to see the nudes.
The gallery owner tugged on his waistcoat. “As you wish, sir.”
With all the élan of a carnival barker, he swept aside the heavy velvet drape. Feeling a tingle of excitement, Lily nestled closer to her husband.
Together, they entered the forbidden room.
The “secret” gallery was rather a disappointment, as forbidden things all too often turned out to be. Julian was well-acquainted with the phenomenon.
But it did serve as a welcome diversion.
He carefully watched Lily’s expression as they entered the narrow room. She seemed to have no care for anything but the pictures on the walls, which put him somewhat at ease, after their conversation about tomorrow’s ride. He hated lying to her. Despised it with a dark, unwavering passion. After today, never again.
Tomorrow morning, he, Morland, and Ashworth would ride some ways out of Town, down to Woolwich, where Stone and Macleod were due to be released. The brutes would never even be freed of their chains. Once the men were hauled back to Newgate, Julian and Morland would bring Faraday to identify them. Charges would be pressed. The courts would carry the matter from there.
It would all be over tomorrow.
Three Nights with a Scoundrel (Stud Club #3)
Tessa Dare's books
- When a Scot Ties the Knot
- Romancing the Duke
- Say Yes to the Marquess (BOOK 2 OF CASTLES EVER AFTER)
- A Night to Surrender (Spindle Cove #1)
- Once Upon a Winter's Eve (Spindle Cove #1.5)
- A Week to Be Wicked (Spindle Cove #2)
- A Lady by Midnight (Spindle Cove #3)
- Beauty and the Blacksmith (Spindle Cove #3.5)
- Any Duchess Will Do (Spindle Cove #4)
- One Dance with a Duke (Stud Club #1)
- Twice Tempted by a Rogue (Stud Club #2)