‘But why would they risk incriminating themselves?’
‘I learned later that two girls had died, a day apart and in different areas of London, but both had been physically tormented and their bodies were left in parks in Mayfair. Government officials were sent to investigate after a minister’s wife and children stumbled upon one of them, and there was a push to find the culprit and to close down any houses of ill repute in respectable neighborhoods.’
‘I read about the murders, but surely they don’t think Geoffrey had anything to do with that. He wasn’t the most respected man and nor was he a decent husband, but I cannot imagine him killing women.’
‘The enquiry cleared Geoffrey, but as those houses were places that Geoffrey and his cohorts visited, his so-called friends decided to toss out Geoffrey’s name and draw the scrutiny away from them.’
Brent took her hands and shook them lightly. ‘Why didn’t you tell me?’
She shrugged. ‘Geoffrey was dead and I simply wanted to forget all the sordidness and start afresh.’ She waved a hand at the guests, whose conversations had become bawdier and louder the more punch was consumed and, as inhibitions were drowned in liquor, both women and men had stripped away clothing and were well on their way to public sex. ‘Here, I can reclaim myself, because everyone indulges in excesses and they don’t judge each other badly because they’ve let down their guards for an evening. Look around you.’ She pointed to a curtained alcove across for them. ‘Lord Hastings has been in there for twenty minutes with a lady. Actually, a young girl.’
‘Hastings is the son of a duke so he has plenty of blunt to purchase a mistress, or two. And though he’s known to prefer young blondes, he rewards the girls well and he’d never harm them.’ He looked her in the eyes and spoke with sincerity. ‘Every woman, or girl, invited tonight comes willingly, and knows what to expect. News of these balls is kept secret from the sticklers, but many women are off the streets because they’re kept by men.’
She glanced from his polished evening shoes to his perfectly-tied cravat. His vest was shot with gold, his coat of the finest deep blue wool, and his accessories of a stick pin and fob watch looked expensive. ‘You must be in demand. You’re handsome, wealthy, and well-presented.’
He chuckled. ‘My valet took extra care with my accouterments. As to the rest, I’m flattered that you think me handsome.’
She rolled her eyes. ‘You’ve noticed the women looking you over as much as I have.’
‘I’ve no desire for a mistress.’
She frowned. ‘What do you want? You can’t shut yourself away for ever, you know.’
Creases appeared between his brows while he considered his answer, and those lines added to his appearance as a gentleman of distinction and experience. Whenever she was this close, she longed to lay her hands on his chest and feel the vitality that pumped through his strong body. She knew his legs and arms were strong and muscled for riding, but she wanted to feel his heart pumping and to absorb his heat and energy. Would he be shocked if she accepted the invitation he’d blithely tossed out earlier?
She’d ignored it at the time because she’d be mortified if she said yes and discovered that he hadn’t been serious. After two hours in this enervated gathering, watching and learning, her own excitement had risen to such a state that her body clamored for more and her mind whirled with the possibilities of what she might try, and with whom. In reality, the person she’d most like to engage in a bout of earthy sex with stood beside her, unaware that her fantasies always included Brent as her hero, her masterful seducer, and her introduction to the gratification she’d been denied during her marriage.
‘I want,’ he said, breaking her reverie and forcing her attention back to her question. ‘I want what any man wants. A home, a wife, and children. But if I take a second wife, she’ll be sweet and biddable and faithful. The complete opposite of Marion.’ He grinned. ‘Somewhat like you, though you’re never biddable.’