William said, “Perhaps Mr. Ellerey will give us the papers documenting the buying of the building. It could lead us closer to the man he bought it from.”
Francis nodded idly as he stared out the window, the gray eating at the last of his joy.
“Should we head back to Cort now?” Hugh asked. “We could still very well meet Morris on the road.”
“Not yet,” Francis whispered. “Let’s stay and see how the club is faring without us.” Usually, it was Calvin who oversaw the club but since fleeing to the country, Hugh’s younger brother Ray had been more than willing to see to it. They’d spent the night just outside the city and had only made it back that morning in time to speak to Mr. Ellerey.
“You think it’s still there?” Will grinned.
“I’m sure Ray has done fine.” Hugh looked out the window. “You know he wishes to become one of us.” Ray Vance’s wish to follow in his brother’s footsteps and become one of the Men of Nashwood was clear.
Francis smiled. He was glad for the lighter subject. “Did you inform him that we are no longer accepting members?”
Hugh laughed. “Oh, he knows. He simply thinks you’ll change your minds if I ask on his behalf.”
Francis shook his head and looked at the other two men in the carriage before saying, “Thank you.” He’d no idea where he’d be without his brothers.
Hugh nodded.
Will grinned.
The carriage stopped in front of Francis’ door and from the outside all seemed well. The mansion was beautiful and more a piece of art than anything it could ever hold inside. Designed by a Valdeston before him, the stone, windows, and arched entryway all told the story of either a genius or a madman. Perhaps both. It was the most envied home in London and since Francis had opened most of it to the club, he’d been asked to hold special exhibits of interest as well in other parts of the house. Yet, however fine the house was, the wish to go inside died. There’d be no perennial waiting for him in the morning. Genie’s laughter would not be heard from his cabinet room when the men decided to hold a meeting with the Spinster’s Society, who oversaw their social calendar. He’d not see her face or smell her scent there.
“Let’s head to Cort,” he said aloud. He was over his melancholy for the moment and the need to see Genie overruled every other thought.
Will sighed heavily. “Thank God. If we stay, we’ll likely be dragged into some social event.”
Francis stiffened as he realized what he’d almost made them suffer through. Though it was October, there were members of society who made London their permanent home and it seemed that since the Men of Nashwood had made their debut earlier that year, everyone wished to host the most eligible bachelors in London.
Hugh sat up straighter. “I hadn’t thought about that. We’d best get the driver moving immediately.”
“With haste.” Francis took one final look at his home and hoped the next time he saw it would be with Genie at his side… if he ever saw it again at all, because if the chance to run away presented itself, he’d be leaving it all behind.
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CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
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Genie knelt by the perennial bush and used the barest light of the fresh morning to see to their care. She enjoyed waking up early mornings and did so even when Francis was away. She enjoyed being able to watch the sun rise over the horizon and feel the changes in the air. At the moment, there was much moisture and the earth had a blue tint painted over it, covering the high dew that stretched over Aunt Tilda’s garden, the other flower beds, and far into the forest behind.
She grabbed the ends of her coat closer to her body as a chilly wind blew. She was startled by a noise and jumped when a pair of arms wrapped around her waist and pulled her up to her toes. Her back hit a hard chest and the scent of sandalwood filled her nose.
“How did you know I was here?” Francis’ arms tightened around her as he whispered in her ear.
Genie relaxed in his arms and smiled. She wrapped her arms about his and settled deeper into his embrace. “I didn’t know you were here at all.” But she was very glad that he was. It had been two weeks since she’d seen him.
“Then why are you by the perennials?”
“I simply woke early and thought of you.”
He turned her around and, without a word, kissed her. The kiss grew heated and Genie’s hands slid down his chest before settling over his already enlarged members. For some reason, he seemed larger to her and she shivered at the thought of his every inch inside her, filling her. Her need was all consuming.
Francis took an unstable breath, pulled away, and looked into her eyes. He grabbed her hands and kissed them. “I want you terribly but I better leave before I’m seen.”
Genie bit her lip, her arousal causing her to be slightly dizzy. “Don’t go. I need you.”
She could see his hard breathing with every puff of air. He groaned and looked around them before returning his eyes to hers. “Where could we go?”
“The gardener’s shed. It’s unlocked.”
He grinned. “Lead the way.”
She took his hand and nearly ran toward her destination and could hear Francis’ masculine chuckle with every step but didn’t care. The moment the door was closed, she went straight to the button of his breeches.
“Slow down, Evie.” His smile was evident in his voice.
She dropped to her knees, not caring if she dirtied her black dress, and pressed her lips to Francis’ erection, cupping it with her mouth through the confines of his breeches, blowing her hot breath on his cock.
The sound that ripped from his lungs was a primal mix of pain and ecstasy.
She grinned as he lifted her and she finally saw her hunger reflected in his own eyes.
He turned her around. “Brace her your hands on the door.”
She obliged and yet the cold touched the back of her thighs as he lifted her skirts.
His hand found her mound wet and she shamelessly ground her body against it. He entered a finger and worked her into an earth-shattering orgasm.
She pressed her head against the wooden door as she struggled to breathe and moaned when she felt his hard member probing her entrance. He filled her with one strong thrust and Genie screamed with pleasure. He held her hips and pumped hard into her, using her body as though it were made for his pleasure and inciting her own.
She came again and he filled her, driving himself deeper and emptying himself of seed and energy before collapsing on her back. His arms went around her, holding her up just as much as himself, and keeping himself inside her.
He kissed the back of her neck. “I love being inside you.”
She smiled and reached back with one of her hands to stroke his hair. “I love having you in me.”
His prick twitched inside her then he withdrew. A moment later, she felt a cloth being placed between her legs and knew it to be his handkerchief. He wiped her dry and straightened her clothes before straightening his own.
She watched him button himself, fascinated by him, and not yet ready for their time to end but knew he’d leave before the rest of the house arose. “How was London?”
He frowned. “Uneventful.”
“Why did you go?”
He sighed. “I can’t say. Not yet.”
She thought it best to tell him the truth about their situation. “Sophia knows.”
Francis dropped his arms. “You told her.”
“No, she guessed and I didn’t deny it.” Genie bit her lip. “She might have caught me in your room in Kidd Castle.”
He frowned and reached out to straighten her coat. “What were you doing there?” He kept his fingers at her lapel.
“I missed you,” she told him, as though it explained everything.
He smiled, leaned forward and kissed her. “I missed you
, too, but you must be careful. Will Sophia keep our secret?”
“She swears she will.” She wrapped her arms around his waist.
He lifted a brow and placed his hands on her lower back. “She won’t try to get involved, will she?”
“She won’t.”
He kissed her again and sighed heavily, misery on his face. “I have to go.”
“Why?” she asked.
He touched her cheek. “I’ll tell you soon.”
She decided to address her worries. “Is it the money?”
Francis stilled. “What are you talking about?”
“The money you earn teaching me to ride. I saw the note in your room. Is that the reason you refuse to marry me? Do you need the source of income?”
He shook his head. “That has nothing to do with it.”
“Then is it my cousin? Is Lord Archie keeping you from me?”
He drew his brows together. “What makes you ask me this?”
She shrugged, not willing to reveal that it had been Sophia who’d given her the idea and over the last two weeks it seemed the only thing that made any sense. “You were obviously putting on a show for someone in the sitting room the night I kissed you. You wanted to but you acted as though you didn’t. It must have been for Archie.”
Francis’ face became hard. “Stay out of this, Evie.”
She didn’t want to but nodded. Though she wished they didn’t have to hide, what they did have was so much more than she’d ever had before. But she wouldn’t last long in this position. She didn’t care to sneak around or lie to her friends.
“Leave and I’ll follow in a few minutes.” He kissed her again and then let her go.
Genie took one final look at him and departed.
Inside the house, she found everything to be as it was when she left. It was quiet and after what she and Francis had just done in the shed, she was tired. In her room, she changed and slipped back under the covers, planning to sleep for only an hour or so.
She was woken much later than that and knew that to be so by the level of warmth in the room. It was midday, which meant she’d slept through breakfast.
She was unsurprised to find that the person who’d woken her was Lorena.
Genie sat up and met her saddened eyes. Lorena had been in a state of grief on Genie’s behalf for two weeks and every day the betrayal hurt worse than the previous day.
“My brother has returned if you didn’t know.” Lorena touched her shoulder.
Genie’s throat tightened with the need to spill everything, telling Lorena the truth and being done with it. Instead, she looked away. She couldn’t understand how Francis had managed to hold the truth in himself for so long when she was ready to burst after only a few weeks. She couldn’t recall the last time she’d lied to Lorena about anything and hoped her friend forgave her once the dust settled. She hoped the settling would come soon.
“A letter came for you as well.” Lorena handed her a note. “I’ve no idea who it’s from.”
Genie looked down at the letter, saw that only her name was on the front, and turned to Lorena. “Thank you.”
Lorena’s eyes moved from the paper to Genie’s eyes expectantly, waiting for Genie to open it and share all but there was a chance that her sender was Francis, which meant Genie had to hold her peace.
When it became obvious that she wouldn’t, Lorena sighed, stood, and shook the wrinkles from her skirts. “Well, I suppose I’ll simply leave.” A wedge was growing between them because Genie had always been a terrible liar, so instead of lying, she was remaining silent.
“You don’t have to.” Genie put the note on the nightstand. “Stay.”
“And what?” Lorena asked. “You tell me nothing anymore.” She pressed her lips together. “And I’ve noticed on more than one occasion you whispering with Sophia and though I’m very glad for your closeness, I’m starting to feel left out.” Tears glittered in her eyes.
Genie’s heartbeat quickened. “I’m sorry, Lorena, it’s just…” She looked for something to say that would stop her friend’s pain. “I find it strange to speak to you about your own brother. Don’t you believe it an odd thing to do so? Your loyalty should lay with Francis.”
“But it doesn’t when he’s being a fool!” Lorena placed her hands on her hips. “How could you think that I’d side with Francis on this matter? You’ve always been willing to share your feeling with me about my brother before. What has changed?”
“My feelings have changed,” Genie looked down at her lap, her hands twisted together. “I’m no longer in love with Francis. I’m through with him.”
“Does that mean you’re through with me as well?”
Genie looked up and found tears sliding down Lorena’s face. A pain ripped through her heart. “Never, Lorena.” She rose from the bed and went to her friend, taking her in her arms and pulling her against her smaller frame. “I will always love you, Lorena, no matter what happens between Francis and me.”
Lorena leaned away, her cheeks reddened, her eyes reflecting dismay. “I hope so, Genie, because if I lose your friendship, I shall never speak to my brother again.”
“You won’t.” Genie thought her situation could not get any worse. “In time, all will be well.” And then she could tell Lorena everything. She wiped away Lorena's tears with her fingers.
Lorena nodded softly and closed her eyes, unsure if her words had any effect at all. She could give Francis a facer for the pain she was causing Lorena.
“What say you and I go for a drive alone?” Genie asked.
Lorena’s eyes popped open and she grinned. “Splendid idea. I’ll go get ready.” She kissed Genie’s cheeks, leaned away, and smiled before leaving the room.
Genie sat back on the edge of the bed and took a deep breath. Part of her looked forward to the drive with Lorena while the other feared it. What would they talk about? A subject had never been hard to find before. It seemed that the lies were hurting their relationship and something had to be done about it.
She turned to her nightstand and read the note, surprised it had come from her cousin. He demanded her presence at the estate the next morning. Genie couldn’t think of what he wished to discuss but put her thoughts of him away and tried to find a way to fix her relationship with her friend.
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CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
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Francis was surprised when he heard feminine laughter coming from the drawing room by the foyer and paused at the door. Most of the men were there but Genie stood out among them. Even in her black attire, she was radiant, yet before his pleasure at his presence led to a reaction, he saw his sister sitting under Emmett’s arm.
Lorena had been laughing as well but, upon seeing him, her smile fell away and anger burned in her blue eyes. She rose and started in his direction. “I need to have a word with you.”
He was unsurprised by his sister’s reaction, and in fact, had expected her at Morris’ door weeks ago. She passed him in the foyer and Francis followed her as she turned down a hall, then came to a full stop before spinning toward him.
She narrowed her eyes and Francis prepared for the onslaught but instead of words, she burst into tears. He gathered her into his arms and took her into the empty music room. He set Lorena down and she continued to cry behind the hands that covered her face.
Francis’ heart raced as he tried to recall the last time Lorena had cried for anything. She was usually a very strong woman, which had been necessary with all the changes that had taken place through their lives, including periods of comfortable living with staff to periods where they’d had very few servants at all. Lorena had not had the chance to live the normal life that was due the daughter of a duke, and for many reasons, they would always be far different from the rest of the ton but Francis was trying to give Lorena the life she de
served, one without worry that would allow her to have the small pleasure of keeping their mother’s home.
He stroked her arms and tried to quiet her. “Lorena, please don’t cry.”
His sister lifted her head and she whispered, “I’m losing her, Francis.” Her eyes were red.
“Losing who?” He handed her a new handkerchief.
“Genie. She won’t speak to me anymore and when she does, our conversations are always strained.” Lorena shook her head. “It’s almost as if no longer loving you means she no longer loves me.” Lorena hiccupped and pressed her fingers to her lips. “What if she was never my friend? What if she only used me to get to you and now I’m of no more use to her?”
Francis narrowed his eyes as he watched his sister mentally deteriorate before his eyes. “Lorena, you know that’s not true. Genie has always been loyal to you even when I disapproved of your antics. Don’t you recall all the many times you both drove me mad?” Those years had yet to cease.
Lorena placed her hands in her lap and looked down at him. “I know you’re right but I simply don’t understand why she won’t speak to me.” She shook her head and looked at him. “You’ve made her terribly upset, Francis.”
As Francis recalled, he’d left Genie more than satisfied but that was the issue, was it not? He couldn’t share the truth with Lorena because he knew what she would give up to ensure that he and Genie remained together. She’d give up everything.
But he wanted so much more for Lorena. He’d been happy for her when she’d accepted Emmett’s proposal and admittedly, he’d felt some of the burden of caring for her being lifted off his shoulder’s. Emmett’s wealth was out of Buckley’s reach and so long as Lorena had him, she’d be well but he knew she enjoyed their mother’s home and had dreamed of passing it on to her own daughter someday. Besides, where would her annoying Spinster’s Society meet?
Genie’s Scandalous Spinster’s Society Page 17
