The Lady and the Vixen Read online

  Seeing Abbie outside Pythos gave Colby a surge of energy. He suddenly felt wide awake, and the fuzziness in his head vanished. Instead of calling to her, he continued watching the young woman who wore a fetching yellow gown with a green hem, and instead of her usual white cap, a high-brimmed bonnet that matched her dress. She looks radiant. He dug his fingers into his legs, blocking the urge to sift his fingers through her hair cascading around her shoulders and down her back.

  “H’llo, Mr. Daugherty!” Benji greeted him and ran up to the table.

  Abbie turned, her smile warm. He lifted his hand in greeting, quickly dropping it as it trembled.

  She approached him with her pouch of coffee. Benji sat down, eyeing Colby’s plate of biscuits and licking his lips.

  “Here, have one.” He slid the plate toward Benji, whose eyes widened but he didn’t take one until Abbie nodded. He snatched a biscuit, happily munching.

  “It’s nice of you to let Benji take part of your repast.” She ran a hand over the boy’s head.

  He remembered a time when Lucy and Rue treated him in the same manner Abbie did her brother. But that had been years ago, before both women had married, and he had been more carefree and open in receiving their affections.

  “Would you like to join me? I can order you tea or coffee,” he said, impatient for her answer. Please say yes.

  “Unfortunately, we can’t. We have medicine for my mother, and I must return to Aidan. He sent me out to buy his favorite coffee.” She indicated the package.

  “Your kind to go out of your way to buy your employer his coffee.”

  “Aidan is more than just my employer, Mr. Daugherty. We’re planning on marrying soon.”

  So there it is, then. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. Until she had said it out loud, he didn’t want to admit it. He had no hope now that Abbie and Aidan were truly promised to one another and would soon speak marriage vows.

  “Congratulations. When is the happy day?”

  She held the coffee to her chest. “We haven’t discussed it yet. Aidan’s been very busy. Perhaps next year.”

  No ring on her finger yet. He swept his thumb on the ridges of his finger where his own wedding band would be if and when he married. It was unlikely he would marry within the year, or the next few years for that matter. If only he had met Abbie before Aidan—

  “Benji, we should go. Mama is expecting her medicine.” She shook her head when Benji tried swiping another biscuit from the plate.

  “M’kay.” Benji stood and tipped his cap to Colby. “Thank you, sir, for the treats. They was mighty tasty.”

  “It’s were, not was, Benji,” Abbie corrected him. To soften the discipline, she kissed his cheek.

  He rubbed it and smiled. “Why don’t I escort you and your brother to your next stop?”

  A blush covered her cheeks. “That’s kind of you, but I wouldn’t to be an inconvenience.”

  “No inconvenience at all. I don’t mind the walk.” He wiped down the front of his jacket and rose from his seat.

  Benji ran ahead, and Colby held the door open for Abbie. She thanked him and stepped out on the sidewalk. When he held out his arm for her to take, she gave him an odd look but took his offering.

  He couldn’t help puffing up his chest while he escorted Abbie down the street. Benji skipped ahead as if he didn’t have a care in the world, which he envied. He couldn’t remember the last time he felt so carefree and innocent, like the lad.

  “Look, sis! It’s the Grand Exhibition!” Benji stopped in front of a lamppost where a flier had been posted.

  “For some reason, Benji is stuck on going to the Exhibition,” Abbie said.

  “I haven’t had the chance to attend yet. I guess I should go before it ends next weekend.” Colby stopped when she halted in front of the side gate to the Pythos Club.

  “Benji can talk of nothing else.” She called her brother. He rushed to her side.

  “Go home to Mama and don’t dawdle. I’ll be home in time for dinner.” She kissed Benji on the cheek.

  He nodded, lifting the bag he held. “You can count on me, Abbie. I’ll make sure Mama takes her medicine.” He tipped his cap to Colby and darted down the sidewalk.

  “That boy has too much energy.” He held open the gate for Abbie to enter.

  “Benji is high-strung. He’s up at the crack of dawn almost every day.” She knocked on the back door, and one of the kitchen boys opened it, greeting her and Colby.

  “Thank you for walking with me and Benji.” She entered the kitchen.

  He followed her inside, and she gave him a startled look. Why did she seem bothered with him around?

  “It was my pleasure.” He bowed. He should leave, but he didn’t want to. “If you and young Benji would like to go to the Exhibition, I don’t mind being your escort for the day.”

  “Um, ah.…” She dropped the package on one of the tables.

  “Have I been too forward? If I have, I apologize.” He quickly patted her arm.

  She sent him a tentative smile. “Benji would love that. He doesn’t have many friends.”

  “And what about you, Abigail?” he said her full name softly, his hand sliding down to her wrist.

  “Colby, this is unexpected.” Aidan appeared in front of the doorway with a piqued expression.

  Abbie walked to Aidan. He ran the back of his hand across her cheek. She stared up at him, enthralled.

  He swallowed, his throat tightening. Staring at the floor, he waited for the couple to finish with their affections.

  “Mr. Daugherty was at the cafe when I picked up your coffee. He was kind enough to join me and Benji on our walk.” Abbie rubbed Aidan’s chest. “He’s volunteered to take Benji to the Exhibition before it ends.”

  Aidan turned his attention on Colby with a shrewd stare. “Is that so, Daugherty?”

  Colby stretched his lips in a semblance of a smile to hide his dismay. Abbie continued rubbing Aidan’s chest, as if she was trying to calm him for some odd reason.

  “I’m fond of Benji, and I think of him like a younger brother. It would be my pleasure, if Miss Hale permits it.”

  “Hm.” Aidan lifted Abbie’s chin, smiling at her. “I don’t see the harm. It might do your brother some good to have a gentleman like Mr. Daugherty take a shine to him.” He sighed loudly. “I would love to take Benji myself, but I’m too busy here at the club.”

  “Of course, your work comes first.” She nodded in acceptance and finally dropped her hand away.

  He charted the movement and rubbed his own chest. Would he ever feel a tender touch like the one Abbie gave her lover?

  Aidan tweaked her chin then rubbed his hands together when he spied the coffee. “Abbie, be a dear and put a pot on for me?” He held out his arm toward the hall. “Colby, can I have a moment before you leave?”

  He wasn’t planning on leaving just yet, but the tone in Aidan’s voice told him otherwise. He nodded, and, as he joined Aidan, he gave Abbie a smile. She nodded and turned away with the coffee.

  Aidan clapped him on the back and gripped his shoulder. His hold was firm, but Colby didn’t react when all he wanted to do was push Aidan away. Instead, he walked alongside the man until they reached the front foyer where, just last night, he had passed out in a drunken stupor.

  Aidan stopped and dropped his hand away. He shifted aside his jacket and tapped his fingers on his belt. He stared at Colby, silent. Colby folded his hands behind his back and waited for Aidan to speak first.

  “Colby, Abbie adores Benji. I would hate for the boy to be hurt. In the past, more than a few gentlemen like yourself took an interest in Benji to get under Abbie’s skirts. I won’t allow that to happen.”

  The biting tone he had never heard from Aiden before caused Colby to dig his fingers into his wrists. Many times his father had spoken to him in the same manner. “I respect Miss Hale and wouldn’t dare to think of such a vile thing. I’m fond of Benji, and I know he barely has any free time since his m
other is ill and he and Miss Hale must make ends meet the best way they can.” He cleared his throat and looked Aidan right in the face. “You and Miss Hale have an incredible relationship. It’s obvious how much you care for one another. You’re one of my dearest friends. I would hate for us to have a falling out because you think I would try to steal her from you.”

  Aidan stared, the steely look disappearing and acceptance replacing it. “I’m very protective of Abbie. I’ve known her and her family for years. She’s the first woman—hell, the only woman I’ll ever love. Sometimes, my jealousy gets the better of me. Any man would be lucky to have her as their own.”

  “Perhaps one day I’ll find a special woman to love as deeply as you do Miss Hale.” His yearning expanded until he wanted to choke on it.

  “It will happen. You’re still young.”

  Aidan acted as if he was so sure. At times, he forgot he was a good ten years Aidan’s junior. He wished he had Aiden’s insight for business, as well as the close relationship he had with Teague McGrath, who wasn’t Aidan’s father by blood, but of mutual love and respect. He wished he could have had that with his father. But now it was too late.

  Acid-tasting bile rose in his throat as he thought of his father paralyzed in bed. He hadn’t seen him since he left in a huff during their fight a week ago. He couldn’t ignore it any longer and would have to visit his family, and soon. If not, Chase would have his head and Lucy—Lucy would surely end up hating him.

  “Colby, you’ve gone pale. Has this talk about falling in love made you ill?” Aidan jabbed his elbow in Colby’s side.

  “I think the effects of last night’s…celebration are still with me.” He tugged on his shirt collar that felt more binding than usual. “It’s probably best if I head home for a nap before I have dinner with my sisters and my brother tonight.”

  “Your father is still near death’s door?” Aidan flicked a piece of lint off his wrist.

  “Father isn’t dying just yet. He’s recovering from his stroke.” He didn’t want to talk about Father, even with Aidan. If he did, he was afraid he’d break down in front of the man.

  “There have been rumors….” Aidan waved his hand around. “Never mind them.” He took Colby by the arm and led him to the front door. “Come see me at the end of the week about that business proposition I had mentioned to you when you’re not feeling so peaked, and after you’ve spent time with your family.”

  When Aidan opened the door, Colby walked out onto the front steps. He started to say goodbye, but noticed Abbie partially hidden near the stairs with a tray. He almost waved to her in farewell, but her eyes widened and she shook her head and disappeared down the hall.

  How odd. Hiding his curiosity over Abbie, he said goodbye to Aidan, who looked impatient for him to leave.

  * * *

  Abbie set the tray on Aidan’s desk and stared out the windows overlooking the street. Colby stood on the sidewalk, glancing at the building and hunching his shoulders while he rubbed his palms together. Even though it was October, the weather was still warm. But Colby acted as if he was cold. She felt sorry for the poor man, who had been in much better spirits when he saw her and Benji at the café and walked with them. She wouldn’t have minded him staying and joining her for tea or coffee, but Aidan wouldn’t have liked that. He didn’t like her talking with any of the gentlemen who patronized Pythos, including Colby Daugherty, his younger half-brother. She hoped Aidan would tell Colby about their relationship, and soon.

  The secrets and lies he kept worried her. Desire for revenge against his biological father had consumed him ever since his mother died when he was fourteen. Not even Teague or Tisha could stop him from this obsession. She had tried and failed miserably to help him get past his never-ending grief, but it was no use.

  The office door opened, and based on the heavy footsteps coming toward her and bayberry, Aiden’s soap of choice when he bathed. No cologne for her Aidan.

  His arms wrapped around her from behind, and she tilted her head to the side for him to kiss under her ear. She shuddered when his lips rubbed on that particular spot that made her tummy flip, and a pooling warmth settle in between her thighs. She would never tire of his touches and his kisses. After ten years, she still desired him beyond all reason.

  “Hm, you smell sweet and dark….” His tongue swept down the side of her neck, and he cupped her breasts.

  “I smell like the coffee I made, which is getting cold.” She broke away and stepped toward his desk. He growled and drew her into his arms. She told him to behave but lost her speech when his mouth came down on hers in a hungry kiss.

  Bright lights flashed before her closed eyelids, as was the case whenever he kissed her. But even though she wanted to lie with him now and let him kiss her from head to toe, which he did with such incredible expertise, she needed to keep a steady head.

  She moved her face away and rested her cheek on his chest, listening to his heartbeat. He rubbed her back and kissed the top of her head.

  “Can you promise me something?” She shifted to look him in the face.

  “What is it, darlin’?” he asked with a brogue, sounding much the way Teague did when he was relaxed and playful.

  “Tell Colby you’re his brother and end these secrets. It’s gone on far too long.”

  He dropped his arms and walked to his desk where he poured a cup of coffee and added a dash of cream and a spoonful of sugar. Resting against the desk, he stared at his cup and frowned.

  She waited for his answer. He once said if she asked him for anything within reason, he would give it to her. She felt this was within reason, and it had been a long time since she had asked him for something that meant a great deal to her.

  “The game is almost over. I can promise you that.”

  She gritted her teeth. It wasn’t a game. Her beloved had the power to ruin a person’s life, which he was in the process of doing with Colby Daugherty.

  “This has gone on too long. Isn’t it enough”—she swallowed—“your father is possibly dying? Perhaps it’s best if you make amends with the man. Why not throw aside all the hate you have for him and tell Colby and your other siblings who you are? They may end up accepting you—”

  “So he’s Colby now, not Mr. Daugherty, hmm?” He scowled.

  She sighed loudly and went to him. He set his coffee to the side and crossed his arms, staring at her. She lifted her chin, refusing to back down. She had never done so in his presence and wouldn’t start now.

  She laid her palm on his cheek. He closed his eyes and rested his forehead on hers.

  “Aidan, love, you’re my entire world. There’s no reason for you to be jealous over another man. I belong to you and always will,” she whispered.

  “How can you love me, an illegitimate half Irish Jew whose father rejected me and my mum, thinking were we less than the muck lining the streets?”

  Her heart broke for the man who still couldn’t get over his grief and anger for a selfish, snobbish man who’d rejected him and his mother for a more suitable woman and the children they created.

  “And how could you love me, a woman who’s one step above a guttersnipe with a simple-minded brother and a mother who can’t leave her bed? Remember, my father left my mum after Benji was born. If not for you and Teague, Mum and Benji would be homeless, and I would be out on the street selling my—”

  He cupped her face, and his mouth came within in an inch of her own. His eyes lit up in anger, and his breath quickened.

  “You will never have to worry about going hungry or not having a roof over your head. As long as I live, you’ll be clothed and fed. I’m not some lofty gentleman like Colby Daugherty and his ilk, but I have money and respect.” His grip tightened, and she gasped, partly in trepidation. “Soon enough, those rich titled bastards will have what’s coming to them. It’s all going according to plan.”

  She longed to ask him more about his plan, but a chill spread through her. When he talked this way, she couldn’t reach
him. He would shut himself off, muttering. Only when she gave herself over to him and took his mind off such dreadful things, did he come back to her.

  She brushed away the hair falling over his forehead and kissed him softly, running her tongue on his dry lips, hoping to soothe him. She wanted to show him he had a place in this world, no matter if he had been tossed aside by some haughty, nose-in-the-air gentleman who used people for his own amusement.

  “You work too hard and worry too much. I think you need a break.” She locked the door. Slowly unbuttoning the front of her dress, she approached him with a sly smile.

  Aidan sat in his leather chair and beckoned her to join him. After sharing a multitude of hungry kisses and tender caresses and strokes, she knelt before him, and, with her mouth and nimble hands, she proved the undying love she had for him and no other.

  CHAPTER NINE

  The room Irena took Lucy to was three times the size of her father’s drawing room. Her mansion was one of the largest in London, taking up a quarter of the block in Hampstead. But Irena had been used to such luxuries. Her childhood home had been large as well.

  Lucy sat on a divan, wiping her damp palms on her skirt. Irena had left her to call for tea and sandwiches. She didn’t have an appetite and could barely sit still. Lying to Viola and Polly about having an appointment with Irena had made her nauseous. The sisters weren’t upset and wanted to make future plans for dinner next week, but Irena hadn’t bothered to hide her impatience and dragged Lucy into her carriage. The ride was thankfully silent, although Irena had studied her the entire time.

  Irena followed a maid pushing a trolley cart topped with a teapot and dishes with small sandwiches and pastries. The maid curtsied, and Irena waved her away, sitting far too close to Lucy. The maid shut the door, and she stared at the door, deciding whether or not to open it.