The River Knows

14

Anthony handed Louisa up into the carriage. He had hired a cab for the afternoon rather than use his own vehicle. There was no need to advertise to the world that he and Louisa were calling on the retired actress.

When he sat down across from her, he realized that Louisa was fairly shimmering with suppressed curiosity. It occurred to him that no matter what her mood, he was fascinated by her. Whenever he was in her presence he was aware of a deeply sensual, mysteriously feminine energy that compelled all that was male in him. He felt drawn to her by invisible bonds. It had never been like this with any other woman.

“What was in that envelope?” she demanded.

He made himself pay attention to the question. “Some papers relating to the investment consortium that Hastings recently formed with Hammond and Wellsworth,” he said.

“I don’t understand. Why do you think Mr. Corvus would be interested?”

“Because according to those papers, he is the fourth investor in the consortium.”

Her eyes widened. “Oh, my.”

“But by far the more intriguing part is that it appears Hastings and the others are planning to cheat Corvus out of his fair share of the profits. Evidently they have concluded that if they keep certain facts about the venture from him, he will never realize that the slice of the pie he will eventually receive will be much smaller than that of the others.”

“They assume that because Clement Corvus does not come from their world and cannot join their clubs he will never discover the truth. They are happy to take his money and then turn around and cheat him.” She made a tight little fist with one hand. “That is so typical of that sort.”

“Corvus is a crime lord, Louisa. Not a saint. There is no need to feel sorry for him. He has cheated his fair share of people over the years and no doubt done a good deal worse.”

“I suppose that is true.” She turned her attention to the street scene beyond the carriage window. “It is the arrogance of Hastings and the others that I cannot bear. Men like that think nothing of crushing someone else, provided that person is of a lower class.”

“Have you always been this concerned about the villains who move in Society?” he asked quietly.

She flinched a little, as if she had forgotten he was there until he spoke. When she turned back to him he saw wariness in her eyes. He sensed she regretted the small display of intensity.

“Forgive me,” she said, keeping her voice very even. “I am aware that there are occasions when I become too emotional about my work.”

He smiled. “I do not mind strong passions.”

She blinked. “You don’t?”

“No. In fact, I find them quite exhilarating at times.”

She searched his face, bewildered. “I don’t understand what you mean, sir.”

“This is what I mean, Mrs. Bryce.”

He leaned forward, cupped the back of her head with one hand, brought her face very close to his, and covered her mouth with his own.

She seemed stunned for a few seconds, but she did not try to pull away. He felt a shiver course through her. He tightened his grip. She put one gloved hand very delicately on his shoulder. Her lips parted slightly.

Everything inside him leaped with excitement. It was all he could do not to pull her down onto the seat, push up her skirts, and sink himself into her. That thought made him realize that the windows were uncovered. Without releasing Louisa he used one hand to yank down the blinds.

When the shadows of the closed cab enveloped them, he gripped her head with both hands, anchored her, and deliberately deepened the kiss. Her mouth was soft and infinitely inviting. He drank from the warm well she offered as though he had been deprived of water for months, maybe years.

He heard the tiniest of feminine moans. The small sound enthralled him. He was thoroughly aroused now, hard and straining against his trousers. He lowered one hand to Louisa’s breast, learning the shape of her through the fabric of the gown.

There was another little sound, a small gasp of surprise this time, and then her fingers tightened convulsively around his shoulders.

“Mr. Stalbridge,” she got out in a choked voice.

“I know.” He groaned and raised his head reluctantly. “This is hardly the time or place. My apologies, madam. I am aware that this is not the way this sort of thing is usually done. All I can say is that where you are concerned, nothing seems to occur in a predictable fashion.”

She stared at him through fogged-up spectacles, her mouth open, cheeks flushed.

Amused, he removed her spectacles. She blinked and then frowned ever so slightly when he took out a freshly laundered handkerchief and proceeded to polish the lenses.

He handed the spectacles back to her.

“Thank you,” she said, sounding breathless.

She put on the spectacles and suddenly became very busy adjusting her hat and straightening the skirts of her gown.

He watched her for a moment, enjoying the sight of her sitting there across from him, savoring the knowledge that she had responded to him. After a time he raised the blinds.

When Louisa eventually ran out of small chores she cleared her throat, sat back, and clasped her hands very tightly together.

“Well, then,” she said, and then stopped.

“You didn’t answer my question,” he reminded her gently.

Her brows snapped together. “What question?”

“When did you develop your great passion for bringing the criminals of the Polite World to justice?”

“Oh. After I came to stay with Emma.” She looked out the window. “Before that I took it for granted that there was nothing that could be done about such people.”

“Did something happen to someone you care about?” he asked, probing carefully. “Something that inspired your desire to see justice rendered among those who move in Society?”

“It was nothing personal,” she said smoothly. “Merely my observations of the world.”

She was lying, he realized. Very interesting.

He smiled slightly. “One of these days I will have to introduce you to a friend of mine. He is a man who understands what it is to be driven by a passion for justice. The two of you will have much to talk about, I think.”

She glanced at him, frowning slightly. “Who is he?”

“His name is Fowler. He is a detective in Scotland Yard.”

An expression that could only have been horror flashed across her face. It was gone almost immediately, but not before it had made a forceful impression on him.

“You are personally acquainted with a policeman?” she asked tightly.

There was mystery upon mystery here. He folded his arms and lounged deeper into the corner of the carriage, his curiosity thoroughly aroused.

“Fowler was the man who investigated Fiona’s death,” he explained. “He also dealt with the suicide of Victoria Hastings. Like me, he was convinced that there was a connection to Elwin Hastings, but he could find no way to prove it.”

She was gripping her parasol so fiercely now, it was a wonder the handle did not snap. “Did this detective also investigate the third suicide that you mentioned? The one that took place that same month?”

“Joanna Barclay? Yes. He was obliged to look into it because he investigated the murder of Lord Gavin.”

“I see.”

She seemed to be having difficulty breathing.

“Are you feeling unwell?” he asked, abruptly concerned.

“No, I’m fine, thank you.” She hesitated. “I was not aware that you were associated with someone from Scotland Yard.”

“I do not advertise it to the world for obvious reasons. Fowler is equally cautious about keeping our connection quiet.”

“I see. You must admit that it is somewhat unusual for a gentleman of your rank to have a close acquaintance with a policeman.”

He shrugged. “Fowler and I share a mutual interest.”

“Proving that Hastings murdered Fiona?”

“Yes.”

“Can I assume that Mr. Fowler is the source of your information concerning Elwin Hastings?”

Anthony inclined his head. “He also supplied me with some background on Clement Corvus. Fowler has been most helpful.”

She gave him a brittle little smile. “How nice for you.”