In Your Arms Again by Kathryn Smith Read Free Book Online

Spinton. He probably wouldn’t even notice that she wasn’t a virgin bride. Her maidenhead had been taken—no, given—a lifetime ago, so it seemed. Even though her life had turned in a much different direction than the one she hadfeared, she never once regretted asking North to be her first lover. To this day, the memory of that sweet, awkward fumbling brought a lump of emotion to her throat.
    “Do drop the blind, Octavia,” Spinton requested. “We do not want to encourage footpads.”
    Octavia did as he bid, even though she thought it foolish. Footpads wouldn’t be encouraged by an open blind any more than they’d be discouraged by a lowered one. Those who made their living from crime would attack whenever they felt like it. The only thing that discouraged them was a weapon—and a familiar face.
    At one time she had run the streets around Covent Garden and its neighboring environs with North, safe in her familiarity with the people and the area. Safe with her champion by her side, even though there had been times when they were younger that he hadn’t wanted her dogging his footsteps. She wouldn’t be safe out there now—not with Spinton by her side.
    They arrived at Eden shortly after eight o’clock. Octavia concealed her agitation as Spinton teased her about her hurry to get to inside. She couldn’t tell him that her anxiety stemmed from the fact that tonight was about so much more than an evening out. She could go out into society whenever she wanted. No, tonight Eden was playing host to a party she wanted to visit. A party for a young woman she had known at the theater—Madeline DuBois, a young actress who recently made her debut and set London on its ear. Tonight Madeline and her fiancé were celebrating their engagement.
    Octavia avoided the theater now, afraid that someone might recognize her and say something to make the gossips’ tongues wag. There would be no one to be concerned about tonight, however. It was a private party in one of Eden’s suites, arranged because the club’s owner, Lady Lilith Warren, Countess Angelwood, was one of Madeline’s biggest fans.
    When Spinton and Beatrice were enjoying the assembly rooms or the games tables, she would sneak off on her own—if only for a few moments—to join Maddie’s celebration.
    Entering Eden was like entering another world. Lord and Lady Angelwood had designed the club to be the most elegant in all of London, and they had succeeded. Soothing colors and soft decor were set off by stunning works of art and muted lighting. Much of Octavia’s anxiety melted away as soon as she stepped inside. The majordomo approached to direct them to the dining room.
    Another man met them inside the large dining area. Tables set with pristine white cloths and sparkling crystal dotted the Italian marble floor. Candelabras on each table gave off a soft glow, but were small enough not to emit too much heat in the warmer weather. Wall sconces lined the soft yellow walls, adding more light were it was needed.
    A few heads turned as they were shown to their table. Octavia waved to acquaintances and Spinton did the same. Thankfully there was no one in attendance that she felt it necessary to stop and speak to—not because she was feeling particularly unsocial, but because they might try to seize her attention later, and she wanted to spend as much time at Maddie’s party as she could.
    “What a lovely room,” Beatrice remarked breathily.
    Octavia made a mental note to take her cousin to Eden at least once a month from then on. Beatrice didn’t get out of the house nearly as much as she should. That aside, Beatrice was right—it was a lovely room. And Octavia knew before the footman brought them their wine that the food would be just as impressive. She wasn’t wrong.
    Dinner was sumptuous—quail in a succulent wine sauce with buttered vegetables; warm breads; crisp salads; a sharp, sweet wine; and followed by sinfully decadent chocolate-covered fruits for