well you are.”
Evelyn turned her attention back to him. “I am not sure you know me that well, Cynfell. Our acquaintance is only short.”
“Yes, but you are honest. Forthright. There’s no puzzle to your character.”
“As are you.”
Pierce lifted a shoulder. He supposed he was. What reason was there to hide the truth? Evelyn had come upon him at the lowest moment in his life. “It’s not as if I could hide much from you.”
“No, indeed. Nor I you. But perhaps I should work on an air of mystery. A lady should never give away all her secrets.”
“What nonsense,” he scoffed. “A man would far rather a woman be forthright than play silly games.”
She tilted her head to eye him. “No games then? What a shame. I had many in mind for you.”
He chuckled low in this throat. She liked to get a rise from him but he wouldn’t bite. Games had taken up too much of his life recently and for the first time in his life, he had figured out when he would lose. It didn’t mean he’d surrendered. He’d merely put away his cards for the moment. Later, he’d show her what sort of games he could play and all of them would involve her body.
Pierce curled his fingers and concentrated on keeping his arousal in check. This journey was going to be a long one. In fact, the entire evening would be if he didn’t learn to control his imaginings.
They travelled at a brisk enough pace on the dark roads. Evelyn’s fine carriage made light work of the ruts in the road so that their journey to the outskirts of Berkshire only took another forty-five minutes. Lamps lit the private road to the house. He’d seen illustrations of Stourbridge in the gossip rags and when the occasional scandal broke out.
Smaller than Lockwood or Fairchester, the Georgian house was square and ornately decorated at the front. A warm ambience spilled out onto the lawns as they drew up in front of it and he could hear music and laughter. When the door of the carriage opened, he latched a hand around Evelyn’s wrist before she moved.
“Are you sure about this?”
She nodded. “Perfectly.”
Resigned, he exited the vehicle and placed his hat on. Pierce offered her his arm and she at least took it. That was something, he supposed, but he feared greatly he wouldn’t be able to protect her in a place like this. Tales of the fights and sexual antics at Stourbridge were legendary. Every rake and debauched character longed to come to Stourbridge. He thought Jasper had visited once or twice but he’d not uttered a word about it. If his older brother wouldn’t mention it, God only knew what must happen behind the walls of the old house. Jasper was never known for his discretion.
They took the single step up to the glossy black doors and he pulled the bell. When the door opened, noise spilled out into the night. An elegant woman with blonde hair piled high and a fashionable red gown silently put out a hand. Evelyn slipped a card into it and they waited as she retreated inside and closed the door again.
Finally the door opened once more and the woman offered a wide smile. “Come in.” She made a sweeping gesture once they had stepped inside the main hall. “Welcome to Stourbridge. I’m Anna and I will be your hostess for the evening. Miss Trenton will take your hats and coats.” She motioned to a svelte young creature standing to one side. “Please be aware we do not use forms of address here. Everyone at Stourbridge is equal. I hope you will not find this offensive.” Anna addressed Evelyn, leaving him feeling close to invisible. But he supposed Evelyn was the one with the coin and power so he could hardly blame her.
Damned annoying to be ignored by an attractive woman, though.
Two pillars reached up to the ceiling and the decor was lavish and overdone. Statues of couples in various stages of copulation were scattered about the hall and pictures of voluptuous naked ladies done in the renaissance style covered the walls. Pierce fought the need