“That’s it, then!” A tall, dark-haired man stepped out from the sea of faces. “Nothing to see here. I think I heard his Royal Highness announce dinner was being served in the Circular Room. Right through there.”
The crowd reluctantly began to disperse, and the man, who looked somewhat familiar, held his hand out to Jack. “Quint Childers, the Earl of Valentine.”
Jack took his hand absently, still looking for Maddie. He had to find her. “John Martingale, Marquess—”
“I know who you are, my lord. And I suppose I have the advantage because I also know where your wife is.”
Jack gripped Valentine’s hand hard. “Where is she? Is she safe?”
“She’s fine. She’s with her cousins on the balcony.”
Jack nodded, starting in that direction. “And how do you know this?”
“I’m married to Lady Madeleine’s cousin—excuse me, she’s Lady Blackthorne’s cousin now. I’m married to Catherine, Lady Valentine.”
“I see.”
“You don’t have to rush. Lord Westman is keeping an eye on them.”
“Westman?” Jack gave Valentine a skeptical look.
“He’s married to your wife’s other cousin, Josephine. When Castleigh told us you’d rubbed Bleven the wrong way, we decided we’d better keep an eye on all the girls. You never know when or how the Black Duke will attack.”
They’d reached the French doors, and through the glass Jack could see Maddie laughing with the two women from before. He felt the pinch in his shoulders lessen and the constriction around his chest give way. He turned back to Valentine. “It sounds like you’ve dealt with Bleven before.”
“Only in Parliament. But I’ve heard what he’s capable of.”
Jack reached for the French doors, but Valentine’s hand on his shoulder stopped him. “Blackthorne, just in case you need it spelled out, we love Maddie, too. You don’t have to protect her alone.”
Jack nodded his assent, but he knew, in the end, saving her would fall to him.
And this time he wouldn’t fail.
Chapter Twenty
“Jack,” Maddie said, smiling. “I have to get out of bed. My cousins will be here soon.”
“What is this aversion to beds?” Jack asked, rolling her over, settling his weight comfortably on top of her.
She sighed, finding him even more difficult to resist than usual. Outside the bedclothes, the air was so cold, and inside, Jack was so wonderfully hot. She could have stayed wrapped around him all day . . . if her cousins weren’t due any moment.
“I don’t have an aversion to beds,” she said. “After all the time I’ve spent recently in carriages and on the ground, I rather appreciate beds.”
“And I’d like to appreciate you in one,” Jack said, smiling his wicked smile. His dark eyes were filled with desire for her, and it made her own blood heat. “Do you know that I’ve never had you in a bed?”
Maddie blinked. She hadn’t realized. She and Jack had made love so many times now. How could they have never done so in a bed? What kind of wanton woman was she? She smiled. Very wanton. Jack had always made her feel wild and uninhibited, and she loved that sense of freedom. If only he would stop trying to control her outside the bedroom.
She kissed his nose. “I promise to rectify the situation soon, but right now isn’t the time. Catie and Josie will be here shortly.” She pushed against Jack, but he didn’t release his hold. Instead, he bent to her ear and whispered a very sinful alternative to her charity meeting.
Maddie blushed all the way to her toes, and if pressed, she would have admitted that she was very tempted by the suggestion. But she couldn’t justify neglecting her work today. After all, today’s meeting would not wait. And she had so much to do.
She just hoped she could concentrate. Jack and his creative diversions had a way of invading her thoughts at the most inopportune moments.
“Jack,” she said regretfully, moving away from him. “I must go. We’re starting plans for the fundraiser for His Royal Highness’s Society for Invalid Veterans of Overseas Conflicts today.”
Maddie rose from the bed, and Jack propped his head on a stack of pillows, watching her. “The Society for Invalid Overseas—What is this cause?”
“Why don’t you come to our meeting and find out?”
