The Lady and the Vixen Read online

  She trembled with indignation. One too many times she had allowed Father to talk to her in such a way. She refused to let her brother do the same.

  “How dare you speak to me this way? You have no right to do so.” She pointed a finger in Chase’s face. He tried to touch her. She drew her arm away, ready to march out of the room, when Freddy stood.

  “Throwing accusations around won’t solve anything. The best thing is for both of you to keep a level head.”

  She slowed her breathing, and when Chase apologized, she accepted. He gave her a quick hug and lowered his head in supplication. She combed her fingers through his hair like she used to do when he was a boy. He smiled. She smiled in return, and they both sat down.

  Freddy settled back in his chair, looking pleased. “Lucy, you must speak with Colby. He’ll listen to you.”

  “Fine, let’s go get him now. Maybe I can talk some sense into him.”

  “It’s not as easy as it sounds.” Chase crossed one leg over the other. The lines on his forehead became more evident.

  “Do you know where he is?” Trepidation for her younger brother ran down her spine.

  “Yes. He’s at his favorite place in all of London, the Pythos Club.”

  Pythos Club? The probability it was a den of inequity with licentious activities and unscrupulous people fed into her fears that Colby had succumbed to the darker side of London.

  “Is this Pythos Club is located in Whitechapel, or near the docks where most of these clubs of ill repute are?” She shuddered, glad she lived in a village where no such corruptible place tempted young, impressionable men like her brother.

  Chase chuckled. “Pythos is one of the most popular gaming establishments in all of London, located on St. James Street. There are card games, dicing, and drinking, of course. A few times a month, there’s a singing and dancing show.” The corner of his mouth tilted up. “Genteel women may also attend and take part of the festivities there.”

  “Excuse me? You can’t be serious.” Shock ran through her, not at the location of the club, but that any decent woman would dare enter such an environment.

  “I’m very serious,” Chase said. “I’ve been there many times, usually with Colby. The Pythos Club is run by an Irish businessman named Teague McGrath. He has a daughter who acts as hostess, and a stepson, Aidan, who is his right-hand man. Aidan and Colby have become good friends.” He slouched back in his chair. “Colby prefers his company over mine.”

  “Oh, Chase.” She lay her hand on his arm, feeling his tremors. He not only hurt for his brother but the loss of his best friend. “Do you think this Aidan is leading Colby astray?”

  “I can’t really say. Aidan is an amicable sort, but something about him rubs me the wrong way. He once invited me to a high-stakes card game, and when the pot became too much for my blood, I backed out. He didn’t like it and said a few insulting words, calling me a coward and the like. I thought it best to take a break from Pythos after that altercation. I tried to talk Colby out of going back there, but he wouldn’t listen. Most nights he comes home in the wee hours of the morning. He sleeps all day and wakes up right before sunset, only to visit Pythos.” He rubbed the sides of his head. “He’s drinking and gambling his money away until there’s nothing left. I have no idea what debt he’s accrued. Father refused to give him a loan or to pay off anything.”

  “This is horrible.” She twisted one of her buttons. If Chase couldn’t help Colby, how could she?

  “Earlier, I stopped by the club to see if Colby was there or perhaps talk to McGrath about Colby’s situation. I was hoping if I appealed to McGrath, he would bar Colby. The majordomo wouldn’t let me in or tell me if Colby was there. I’m truly at a loss at what to do.”

  “You could always go there tonight. Don’t they have some type of celebration planned in honor of the end of the Great Exhibition?” Freddy asked.

  “I forgot it’s been going on these past few months. It’s something I would like to see, but with Father and now Colby….” She shrugged. Shame overcame her at daring to entertain the notion of attending the exhibition while there was so much sadness in her family.

  “It’s a masquerade. Most of the women there wear masks. The men can also, but some don’t. Perhaps Lucy can…no, I can’t ask that of you.” Chase shook his head even as he gave her an inquisitive stare.

  “You want me to go to this club with you tonight in order to find Colby, who may or may not be there? What about my reputation?” she asked.

  “If you wore a mask and a different style gown, no one would have any idea.” Freddy walked to the bar in the corner and selected a bottle filled with amber liquid.

  Chase stroked his chin, observing Lucy. She cleared her throat and studied her lap with great interest.

  “It was a farfetched idea. I don’t know what I was thinking. Although, you are a widow and have more freedom than single misses,” Chase said in the cajoling tone he used when he wanted something.

  “Freddy, couldn’t you go with Chase? Colby will listen to you,” she volunteered when Freddy returned with three glasses.

  He set two glasses on the table and kept one for himself. “How would I explain to Rue? She tends to become more emotional now with the babe on the way. Why, last week when I was late for dinner, she burst into tears and locked herself in our bedroom. It took me hours to get her to unlock the door,” he grumbled then sipped from his glass.

  “But you know I’m not comfortable in such large crowds. I never have been,” she lamented, wondering what it would be like to pretend to be someone other than the proper and befitting Mrs. Endcott most thought her to be.

  “Like I said, it was farfetched. You’re too dignified now, and your days of such daring acts are long past,” Chase said with a teasing lilt.

  “Whatever are you going on about?” She lifted a glass and sniffed. The fumes from the brandy burned her eyes.

  “I remember a time when you and Irena, the Marchioness de Macey, stripped down to your chemises and bloomers in the Serpentine on a dare.”

  The mention of Irena’s name caused a slight buzzing in her ears. She ignored it and slapped his hand. “We were ten years old at the time! Father’s rage was unlike anything I’d ever seen. I couldn’t sit still for days after the strapping he gave me.” Her bottom grew numb just thinking about it.

  “You’re no longer a little girl who will be punished by her father. It might do you a spot of good to see how the other side of London lives. Most who visit the Pythos Club are respected members of society. Only the best are allowed in. Even Rue attended one night,” Chase added.

  “When was this?” She turned to Freddy, who stared at his glass.

  “When we first got engaged. It was um…something she wanted to do and asked it as an engagement gift.”

  “Really? I remember it differently.” Chase grinned, showing teeth. “Before you and Rue were engaged, you used to visit Pythos once a week, or so you had said. And when you found out Rue went there with her friends and no chaperone, you—”

  “Lucy doesn’t want to hear about this.” Freddy downed his drink and shot Chase a warning with eyes suddenly transformed into slits.

  Hmm, interesting. She was more curious than ever about this Pythos Club. Perhaps she should investigate it like Chase wanted her to. If Rue had gone, why couldn’t she?

  “I would love to hear more about Rue’s adventures at Pythos, but for now I think it’s best if we concentrate at the matter at hand. If you think it would help Colby for me to attend tonight with you, then I’ll go. As long as I wear a mask and can find something sufficient to wear.” She plucked at her drab wool skirt.

  Chase clapped. “It’s all settled. We’ll go and search for Colby. We should be there an hour or two at the most. I’ll make sure to be by your side the entire time.” He puffed out his chest, looking pleased with himself.

  She rolled her eyes at her brother’s playfulness. “But where would I get a mask and a suitable dress in time?”
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br />   “I may have a solution.” Freddy tapped his glass to hers. “Rue has a few masks from various masquerade balls she’s attended in the past. I don’t think she’ll have a problem with you borrowing one of her gowns as well since she can’t fit in any of them. She likes to take a nap before dinner. While she’s resting, you can look through her wardrobe.”

  “Um, all right.” She and Rue were comparable in the waist and height, but her chest was a cause for concern. Rue was tiny in that area, whereas she had too much. Hopefully, one of the maids had a solution to her problem.

  “Excellent.” Chase raised his glass. “Here’s to our Lucy, who will prevail in helping Colby get back on the right track, with a little adventure in the mix.”

  She drank more than half the glass to settle her nerves. Once upon a time, she had been a willing participant in her share of adventures that had led to her father’s disappointment. But it had been when she was much younger and idealistic about her future, especially with a companion who enjoyed those fancies. Now she was alone and had others counting on her to be successful in order to save her wayward brother. How? She had no clue, since she usually ended up destroying those who loved her because, underneath it all, she was selfish and wanton. Giles had learned all too well what darkness lay inside her. He had paid for it with his own life.

  She would save Colby by any means at her disposal. She refused to have another death on her conscience because of her unscrupulous nature.

  CHAPTER THREE

  The midafternoon sun shining brightly through the window emphasized the section of the hem Tisha was in the middle of stitching. Dressed in only her chemise, she finished and bit off the thread. Brushing her palm over her work, she mentally patted herself on her back for a job well done. Behind her, the woman dozing in her bed snored softly. Soon enough she’d awaken Donna to show off the new dress she’d wear tonight for her performance at the masquerade.

  Tisha peeked outside when she heard a woman’s laugh. Her bedroom overlooked the back, where she had an open view of the small garden. Near the corner was a shed, and next to it was Abbie, one of servants canoodling with Aidan. Abbie and Aidan kissed, their arms around one another. She smiled, not disconcerted by their public display of affection. She approved of Abbie and Aidan’s relationship, and she hoped her stepbrother would soon marry Abbie, who’d been dedicated to him for years.

  The two broke apart, and when Aidan boosted Abbie up, she wrapped her legs around his waist, and he carried her behind the shed. Soon, the only sounds Tisha heard from the two were some moans and sighs. She couldn’t fault them their happiness. Abbie worked the hardest of any woman she knew, not only laboring late into the night at Pythos, but also taking care of her sick mother and her younger brother who’d just started his employment at the club. Benji was a diligent worker at seventeen, although his mind was slower than most boys his age. As for Aidan, he was an entirely different kettle of fish and the one she worried about most of all.

  “You look striking with the sunlight in your hair. I wish I had beautiful red hair like yours.”

  Tisha went to her bed where Donna, better known as La Donna, lay on her side with her cheek on her arm. Her black, waist-length hair covered her like a blanket. One of her nipples, an appealing piece of flesh Tisha had enjoyed licking during the night, poked through the locks.

  “I wish I had long, full curls as yours.” She flipped her pin-straight hair over one shoulder as she leaned down to kiss the Frenchwoman.

  Donna moved to her back and lifted her face to receive Tisha’s kiss. Their tongues tangled together, and their breath mingled. She brushed Donna’s hair and down her front, finding her nipple and giving it a pinch.

  Donna giggled and bit Tisha’s lip. “You want another tickle, ma belle?”

  She smiled and cupped Donna’s breast. Donna reached up to possess both Tisha’s breasts in return. She flicked her tongue on Donna’s top lip and raised up on an elbow, closing her eyes while Donna stroked and circled with her fingers.

  “Your tits are like the most succulent of cherries.” Donna’s voice became breathy when Tisha cupped her between her legs.

  “Is that what Finley calls your tits when he gooses you after a performance?” She sat back cross-legged when Donna removed her hands and lifted an arm over her head.

  “Are you jealous I also share my body with a lusty gentleman like Mr. Finley?” Donna wiggled her eyebrows.

  She shrugged and set her chin on Donna’s shoulder, circling a nail across Donna’s breast.

  Donna dropped her hand on Tisha’s and cleared her throat. She recognized that sign. Donna had something important to announce. She stroked the beautiful woman’s cheek. “What is it?”

  Donna twined a curl around her finger. “I’ve enjoyed spending last night and the morning with you. The past six months have been incredible, but Finley doesn’t want me to share my favors with anyone else. He wants to become my protector and remain exclusive to him.”

  “Does he know I’m your lover?” Tisha asked.

  “I’ve led him to believe I have multiple lovers, but only men. I’m afraid if I tell him I enjoy the company of women, he’d want them to join us in bed.” She smiled coyly. “A few weeks ago we attended a party, and he not only shared me with one of his male friends, but another woman there.” She stretched both her arms high above her head and arched her back. “It was beyond decadent and naughty. I loved every second of it.”

  She snickered and flicked Donna’s nipple. “So, you prefer to be with Finley and not with me?”

  Donna lifted Tisha’s chin. Her eyes dampened, and Tisha’s stomach clenched. She cared for Donna as a friend, but nothing more. She hoped Donna didn’t feel differently. If so, it would make things awkward for both, since Donna was Pythos’s most popular performer.

  “My dear, I love you as a friend, and have enjoyed the intimacies we’ve shared with one another. But Finley has found a special place in my heart. I can’t imagine my life without him. I want to give it a go with him and see where it leads.” A tear slipped down Donna’s cheek. “Please don’t be angry.”

  She wiped the tear away with her tongue. She kissed Donna’s palm and closed the woman’s fingers around the kiss she left there. “I’m not angry at all. I wish you the best with your beau. We’ll part as friends.”

  Donna engulfed Tisha in her arms. “I adore you so much. One day you’ll find someone special whom you want to belong to. Then your heart will burst with love and happiness for the entire world to see!”

  “You’re a true poet, La Donna.” She tapped Donna’s nose and pressed a lusty kiss to her lips. It was goodbye kiss, a remembrance of what they had shared together these past months.

  “I’ll always cherish our time together, mon poupee,” Donna said on Tisha’s mouth, the French endearment rolling off her tongue and making Tisha shiver with need.

  “I will also. But before we part, you must try on the dress I’ve created for you to wear tonight,” she announced, spanning Donna’s hips with her hands. Slowly, she moved down toward the apex of Donna’s thighs.

  Donna’s breath hitched as she spread her legs. “First, we must share one last goodbye tumble with one another. Bon son?”

  She murmured her consent, involved with running her fingers through Donna’s dark bush. One last time, she would make Donna sing her pleasure for all to hear.

  “Climb up on my chest so I can thank you properly,” Donna purred, and began rolling up Tisha’s chemise.

  Not wanting to refuse Donna’s gift, she threw off her chemise, and, resting her hands on Donna’s shoulders, she presented her cunny for Donna to taste with her talented tongue and mouth.

  * * *

  Tisha whistled as she walked to her Da’s office. She fixed her damp hair, braiding it tightly, hoping it would have some curl to it by the time the club opened its doors to the public. Although she’d received many compliments on the shade of her hair, she couldn’t do much with it other than pull it back in a b
raid or pile it up on top of her head. She hoped the new floral scented soap she used to wash it gave it some decent shape. She didn’t mind smelling like roses, not at all.

  “I always come up smelling like roses anyway.” She snickered and turned the corner, pausing when she heard two male voices. One was Da’s, the other Aidan’s cackle.

  Aidan had the most annoying laugh, one she couldn’t help but poke fun at. In return, he loved teasing her about the abundance of freckles covering her face. She grinned, remembering the way Donna appreciated those freckles and the ones on her chest and lower—

  “I hope the bastard dies a slow and painful death,” Aidan announced, glee prominent in his voice.

  Curious over whom he wished dead, she peeked inside the half-open door. Da leaned against his desk, chewing on a cigar, while Aidan paced, clearly agitated as he swung his arms to and fro.

  “Calm yourself, lad. I wouldn’t want anyone to overhear and confuse what you said.”

  She winced. Her father didn’t mind her listening in on the staff, but he would be disappointed if he found she eavesdropping on his conversation with Aidan. She backed away and puckered her lips to start whistling when she stalled upon Aidan mentioning the name—Daugherty.

  “It’s not like I’m planning on murdering Daugherty. I just want him to suffer for all he’s done to me and what he did to my ma. How would I to know the letter I sent him would make him sick?”

  Sick? The last she’d heard was Daugherty was healthy as a horse for a man of his advanced age of sixty or so. No matter the amount of times Aidan cursed his biological father to hell and wished a pox on his soul, the man lived a full and healthy life, or had until last week. She’d heard Aidan’s tangents many times before. He rarely kept anything from her or Da. It had been like that since Aidan was a small boy and Da married Aidan’s mother, Maire, and adopted Aidan.

  “Blackmail can cause any man, or person for that matter, to lose years off their life. What was in that letter you sent him?” Da asked in a collected and steady voice.