“Good Lord!” No wonder Aramis Chance was cold and unfeeling to the opposite sex. No wonder he thought affairs of the heart always ended in disaster.
“Aaron would have killed the man had Aramis not demanded the right to seek vengeance. He’s never said what happened afterwards, and none of us have asked.”
Isabella peeked at Ethel. The woman clung to Aramis as if desperate to prolong the kiss. “Well, it hasn’t prevented him from pursuing romantic relationships.”
Christian laughed. “There’s nothing romantic about the way Aramis takes his pleasure. Unlike me, Isabella, he has yet to find a woman who gives him the incentive to change.”
And there it was—as constant as ever—the hope they would survive her father’s schemes. The desire for her to stop running and give their friendship a chance. The need to explore their undeniable connection.
She reached across the table and clutched his hand. “How might I escape Mrs Maloney’s watchful eye to visit you in your chamber tonight?”
He moistened his lips, his breath quickening like he was already pushing inside her. “Be honest. Tell her everything. Listen to her advice. If she’s the woman I think she is, you will find my door unlocked and me waiting naked beneath the bedsheets.”
Her sex clenched in anticipation. “Now we’ve questioned Miss Cartwright, I see little point remaining here.”
She wanted to hold him close in the darkness.
Never let go.
“We must speak to at least one of Snell’s men,” he said with obvious regret. “It will be the first question Daventry asks tomorrow. Any insight into who’s buying his contraband will be invaluable.”
A sigh escaped her. “Yes, you’re right.”
His gaze dipped to her mouth. “Don’t look so downhearted. I’ll be inside you before the night is through. Even if I have to bind and gag Mrs Maloney.”
Her temperature soaring, Isabella fanned her face with her hand. “What about Aaron?” She would risk his wrath for one night of heavenly bliss.
Christian shrugged. “He’s hot-headed but will calm down eventually. I’ll not let his fears stop me from pursuing you.” He stood. “Come. Let’s return to the carriage and see if Gibbs has learnt anything new. If one of Snell’s men means to spill his guts, he’ll want to do so where there are no witnesses.”
All heads turned in their direction as they stood.
There was no need to alert Aramis of their intention to leave. His eyes were open as he kissed Ethel Cartwright. He moved his hands from her buttocks to her shoulders and held her upright as he tore his mouth away.
Aramis crossed the room, Ethel staring at his retreating figure as if he were the Messiah. The man was no one’s saviour. He flayed people alive with his intense eyes and brooding temperament.
“Are you quite finished?” Christian teased.
Aramis wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and grinned. “Miss Cartwright wasn’t lying. She knows how to kiss. A mortal man would have been tripping over his feet to take her upstairs.”
Isabella studied him. His eyes were like dull black marbles. His pulse wasn’t beating so hard in his throat it left him breathless. He was entirely unaffected.
“I beg to differ,” she said, feeling a little more confident around the man now she knew his weaknesses. “A passionless kiss is no kiss at all.”
Aramis arched a brow. “Who said it was passionless?”
“It was mechanical. A staged act.”
Christian cleared his throat. “Miss Lawton is trying to say passion makes for a more enlightening experience.”
“Like you’d know,” Aramis scoffed. He looked at Isabella as heat rose to her cheeks, then uttered something inaudible.
She suggested they step outside into the cool night air before Aramis demanded to know the exact nature of their relationship.
How could she explain what Christian meant to her when she hardly understood it herself? Yes, she had praised his character. Made it clear she would put his needs before her own. How could she make a cold-hearted man understand that loving Christian was like craving a drug?
A drug she couldn’t live without.
ChapterFifteen
