A Most Dangerous Profession

chapter 6





A note slipped into a birthday gift from Robert Hurst to his brother Michael for his sixteenth birthday.


Since you are so enamored of travel tomes, I have sent you these. Consider them your birthday gift, as I ate the Turkish delight I had purchased for you last month from a London confectionery shop.

I’m sure you will prefer the books anyway, so enjoy your dry, dusty tomes and I hope they sweeten that soured disposition of yours.

Moira couldn’t breathe. How had he guessed the truth?

He cocked a brow at her. “Well? Do we have a child or not?”

“Don’t be silly.” She dipped the sponge into the water to give herself time to think. “Us, with a child? I can’t even imagine it.”

He frowned, his gaze narrowing. “There is no child?”

“No. I’m not a very maternal sort of woman. What would I do with a brat?” Even saying the words seemed a betrayal to Rowena.

“I don’t know if I believe you.”

She forced a chuckle. “Feel free to search my luggage, my apartment, whatever you wish. I prefer my life unfettered, as do you, I thought.”

He was silent a moment, his gaze assessing her. “So you tricked me into marrying you because . . .”

“It was a challenge. I just wished to see if I could do it.”

“Ma chère, allow me to disabuse you of the notion that that makes any sense. You tricked me and left me for some purpose. The only purpose you could have is that you were with child.”

For one wild moment Moira thought about telling him the truth, but even as she had the thought, her sponge slipped from her fingers onto the floor. The splash brought her back to her senses. She was so close to getting Rowena back; all she needed was that damn onyx box. There was no need to deal with this complication.

What if he decides he wants to keep her? Moira’s heart stuttered. I can’t get her back only to lose her again!

The courts would never be kind to a woman alone, especially with her dubious history. Robert had connections in the government and he would use them to his benefit. I can’t chance it. He must never know about Rowena.

Moira leaned over the edge of the tub for the dropped sponge, stretching to reach it. When she slid back into the water, she caught the faint flush on Robert’s face.

So you aren’t immune to me.

Watching him from under her lashes, she pulled her hair to one side and laid an arm on the rim of the tub, baring her breast.

His lips tightened slightly, a significant response for a man who was always in control. Satisfaction buoyed her. “Perhaps I married you because I knew it would inflame you,” she said calmly, rubbing the lavender soap on the sponge and then circling it around her breast.

This time he visibly caught his breath. You aren’t made of stone, are you?

“Stop that right now.”

“Stop what?”

“Distracting me. I know what you’re doing and it’s not going to work. If you don’t wish to discuss why you tricked me into marriage, then let’s talk of something else.”

“Please, let’s.”

“Good. Tell me about George Aniston. Why is that scoundrel in your life? And don’t pretend you’re in his employ. I know you and if there’s one thing you possess, it’s pride. You’d never work for a worm like him.”

Suddenly, Moira was tired . . . tired of dissembling, tired of always being wary, tired of hating George Aniston and yet having to be polite to him while having to be hateful to Robert, when all she really wanted to do was—

No, don’t, she told herself severely. “As you’ve already guessed, I’m assisting Aniston in collecting the onyx boxes.”

“That tells me what, not why.” Robert leaned forward and she was struck by his strength. Despite his lace and fine clothing, there was no mistaking that he was a man through and through. He’d proven that to her between the sheets and in other ways as well. He might look a dandy, but he was hard-bodied, cool-mannered, and deadly when the situation warranted it. Anyone who thought differently was a fool.

He fixed his blue, blue gaze upon her now. “Moira, whatever Aniston has over you, it can’t be worth degrading yourself to doing his bidding. Nothing is worth that.”

Oh, but there is, she thought, her chest tight with anguish. “There’s nothing to tell you about Aniston. He and I’ve done business a few times. That’s all.”

“So you’re friendly.”

“No.” The word cracked through the air.

Robert’s brows rose and she knew she’d betrayed her feelings too much.

She scowled. “He’s a cheat and no friend of mine. He never has been.”

“I can see that.” Robert’s soft voice held a wealth of meaning. “Then why do you assist him? It can’t be the money, for you’re quite capable of making money whenever you wish. You’re very resourceful.”

She sighed. Perhaps part of the truth would assuage his curiosity. “Aniston is blackmailing me. He specializes in that low art.”

“True. He was using it against my sister-in-law, from whom you stole the first onyx box.”

“Miss Beauchamp is married to William?”

“Yes, though she keeps her maiden name for her career upon the stage.”

“Her marriage must be a blow to Lord Covington. Wasn’t she his mistress?”

“In name only. Covington is more likely to get engaged to George Aniston, if his preferences are any indication.”

Moira started. “Covington and Aniston are lovers?”

“For almost two years. Covington dropped Aniston after his blackmail schemes were revealed. It was then revealed that not only was Aniston blackmailing Miss Beauchamp, but he was also pledging Covington’s funds around town and had run up a huge number of bills. Once Covington dropped Aniston, he was forced to leave London or be thrown into debtor’s prison.

“Which brings us back to: Why is Aniston blackmailing you? Forgive me if I indulge in some speculation, but you seem to be unable to share the truth.” Robert templed his hands, resting his fingers against his chin, his dark blue eyes agleam. “You say Aniston is holding something over your head in order to secure your very considerable services.”

“Yes.” More or less.

“Hmm. Forgive me for stating the obvious, but it’s not as if you have a reputation to uphold or a family to protect. And I cannot imagine you abide him for the money. As you said, you had retired, so I’m assuming you had sufficient funds stashed away to do so.”

She didn’t answer, and he smiled. “I know for a fact that you did retire, because there has been no mention of you for over five years in any investigation run by the Home Office.”

“I could have been overseas,” she said waspishly, hating that he had deduced so much from so little.

“I had people watching even there. You disappeared and then about six months ago, there you were, back in business and in a big way. There has to be a reason.”

“Perhaps I was bored.”

He shook his head. “No, Aniston has something he is holding over you, forcing you to fetch and scheme for him. Something significant.”

She puffed a frustrated sigh. “I’m done with this conversation. If you’ll excuse me, I must get out of this cold water.” She grasped the sides of the tub and stood, water running down her skin, her nipples peaking in the cold air.

Robert had thought he was completely under control, but the sight of her naked body glistening, as if she were Venus arising from the ocean, made his heart stop. Every drop caught his attention as they slowly ran down the top of her full breasts, slid down the flat plane of her stomach, then caressed the smooth curve of her hips and thighs.

Robert’s body tightened, his cock hardening.

She wrung her wet hair over the tub, then flipped it over one shoulder before she picked up a towel and dried herself.

“I don’t know that brunette hair is your best look. It makes you appear a bit witchy.”

She slipped on a silk robe. “It will fade within two weeks.” She rubbed the towel on her hair and showed him the faint dark smear left upon the cloth. “See?”

The long robe belted about her narrow waist, her hair wrapped in a towel, she sauntered across the room to take the settee next to him.

She had no shame. Nothing but the thin silk of the robe separated her from him, a maddening thought.

As if she knew, she tucked her legs beside her into the settee, the movement tugging the robe open so that the deep cleavage between her breasts was revealed. The thin robe clung to her damp skin and her nipples were clearly outlined.

No other woman he knew was so comfortable being nearly nude before a male. Not the opera singer he’d sponsored for a year, not the ballet dancer, nor the actress. Or the many others he’d bedded.

Only Moira.

“Enough of this,” he snapped. “I can see you’re not going to be honest about your connection to Aniston. There is another reason I came here. There’s no need to visit Ross tomorrow, as you were instructed. That onyx box will be mine.”

Her lashes flickered, then she shrugged. “Perhaps.”

“Ma chère, I’m doing you a favor—there’s no need for you to waste your time. If I see you in the highlands, I will personally tie you up, put you in my coach, and have you delivered to the Home Office to face the charges of treason which still await.”

She leaned back, sleek and elegant. “Am I to suppose that you’ve already found a way to acquire the box?”

“Ross and I have already agreed upon a price. I have but to deliver the funds and it is mine.”

Robert saw the fleeting disappointment in her eyes. Good. That’s all I need. He stood. “I believe I’ve been quite clear. You’ll inform Aniston that the onyx box is not available to him.”

“And if I can’t?”

“Tell him now or tell him later, after you have failed to fetch the box. It doesn’t matter.”

Very real fear crossed her face, surprising him. What in the hell is she hiding? Moira was no coward, so if she feared Aniston, then she had good reason.

Robert grasped her wrist and hauled her to her feet, the scent of lavender tickling his nose, her body pressed to his. His temperature rose, his breath quickening as his body reacted to her. This is not why I pulled her into my arms.

He held her away from him and gave her a little shake. “Damn it, stop being so stubborn. Tell me what hold that fool has over you.”

Her gaze went to his and held it. “Why do you care?”

He didn’t know why. He only knew that when he saw the fear in her eyes, he was overcome with the need to act, to take charge, to protect her.

Which was entirely foolish.

A look of amazement arose in her gaze. Then, before he knew what she was about, she slipped an arm about his neck, lifted onto her toes, and kissed him.

The kiss was bold, like Moira herself. She made full use of her curves, pressing against him as she pulled one of his hands to her hip.

Robert’s resolve fled. God, she drove him mad with desire. He still wanted her, desired her, dreamed of her—he’d never stopped.

He wrapped himself around her, deepening the kiss, molding her to him, the thin silk urging him on.

She moaned, her thigh rubbing his rigid cock. Robert cupped her rounded ass and lifted her, carrying her to the bed, where he joined her on the coverlet, his hands roaming over her body like a starved man gorging himself. God, how he’d longed to have her like this. How he’d dreamed of it.

No other woman could inflame his passions as quickly as this one. She knew just where to touch, how to stroke; even her kisses were more intoxicating than any others.

He ran his hands up to her breasts and impatiently pushed aside her robe. Her creamy breasts were revealed, the dusky rose-colored nipples begging for attention. She didn’t have the overly large breasts some men craved; hers were more delicate in size, fitting the palm of his hand perfectly.

He bent and captured one of her nipples between his lips, teasing her to gasping moans, his body aflame as she tugged at his trousers, releasing his shirt.

He slipped his knee between hers and opened her thighs. Her robe slipped even more, revealing her body to his hungry gaze. God, but she was seductive; he ached for her touch even as she gave it. Her hands never stilled, seeking, stroking, undoing buttons until she’d opened his breeches.

The feel of her hands on his bared waist brought him to his senses.

This was how she tricked me before. It is how she will trick me again. The thought was like ice water upon his passion.

He pushed himself away and looked down at her. She appeared somehow vulnerable, her eyes were half closed, her face flushed with desire, her lips swollen from his kisses. Her skin white against the blue silk robe, her dark hair making her eyes appear almost emerald.

Never had any woman worn the flush of passion better, yet Robert found the strength to leave her by remembering the last time she’d been like this, moaning beneath him. He’d been enthralled, enraptured . . . and at the end of that day, she’d tricked him into marriage and disappeared.

Ignoring the thundering of his heart, he rose from the bed and adjusted his clothing, saying with a coolness he was far from feeling, “I shall send my carriage in the morning to convey you wherever you wish. Just don’t make the mistake of appearing at Ross’s.”

She sat upright, tightening her robe, her cheeks pink. “And what am I to tell Aniston?”

“The truth; that I informed you that it would be a wasted effort.” He lifted his brows. “Or you can tell me what that cretin holds over you, and I will deal with him for you. However you wish it.”

Her lashes dropped as she looked down at the robe sash between her fingers. “No. I will deal with Aniston. He is my problem, not yours.”

Robert shrugged. “Have it as you will.” He went to the door and unlocked it. “When I’ve retrieved that damned box, I’ll return.”

“I won’t be here,” she said sharply.

“Go where you will; I will find you nonetheless.” He smiled. “I always have.”

And with that he was gone, the door closing firmly behind him.