Miss Taygete’s Sweet Sister’s Society

by Charlotte Stone

  Dear God, was she the reason he’d not married?

  All because of a stupid kiss by the pond.

  But still, she knew it had been more than the kiss, at least for her. It had been that first look that had sealed her heart. She loved him. She’d never love any man more, but she wasn’t sure if her love was enough to atone for her sins.

  She blinked when hands grabbed her arms and her vision was cut off by the presence of an ivory linen shirt. She looked up and met Hugh’s eyes.

  “What’s the matter?” he asked.

  She hadn’t known she’d been giving her thoughts away.

  She was conflicted, but the issues she had were not ones she wanted to share with him. Her only issue was she didn’t know who she should share them with. Not her mother or Electra. She’d never spoken to Alcyone about such things as love and life. Alcyone preferred books, though at the moment, she’d made a friend out of Maura.

  Taygete needed to speak to someone who knew Hugh, knew about the man he’d become in the last eight years.

  She supposed she could speak to Lorena and Genie. They’d seemed close to Hugh. She thought it a good idea.

  Hugh turned to Lawson. “Give us a moment.”

  “Of course.” The earl bowed and left, closing the door behind him.

  “Tell me what troubles you,” he said calmly.

  Those words made her catch her breath. How could she not love a man who wished to take her pain away? If only he knew that he was at the heart of it.

  Taygete asked, “Do you think we’ve time for me to call on Lorena today?”

  He nodded, though his brows were still pulled together. “We can go there once you tell me what’s the matter.”

  She placed her hands on his chest, ready to push him away, but found herself playing with the buttons there. They were a fine distraction from his eyes. “I’d rather not discuss it.”

  “Is it about Jennie?” he asked.

  She nodded slowly, since it was only partly the truth. “I simply feel terrible for Titan. He didn’t deserve what she did to him.”

  Hugh’s arms went around her back and pulled her closer. Her shuffling feet were the only sounds in the otherwise quiet room. She could also hear Hugh’s breathing and took no small amount of joy in it.

  “She was a fool to choose position over your brother… something I myself know much about.”

  She caught his eyes again and said, “You didn’t choose Maia for position. You chose her because your mother did.”

  “But my mother would have loved you all the same.” He looked pained. How long had he lived with his pain?

  She lifted her hands and wrapped them around his neck. Then, to stop him from speaking anymore, she pulled him down and kissed him. His mouth was warm and the growl he released struck pleasure down her legs.

  He pulled her closer and took over, his tongue slipping between her lips as he pressed her closer. She felt his body rise and stiffen between them. His breathing became hard, and Taygete’s body ached as moisture built.

  She pressed her lips more firmly against him to stop herself from begging for his touch, the kissing growing desperate.

  He broke from her with a loud sigh. “We should leave before I do something that will leave you good and well compromised.” His hands went to her waist and tightened on her hip, still keeping her close.

  Taygete could imagine just what he would do and imagined herself letting him. He’d woken something that had been resting within her for years and she didn’t want to deny him anymore.

  Just this once. Was she a horrible sister for wanting it?

  She was far too needy to consider otherwise at the moment. It was a boon that they were not in a bedchamber. “Yes, let’s leave.”

  He took her hand and started for the door.

  “The painting,” she reminded him.

  He looked at her, grinned, then kissed her before walking over to retrieve the item he’d come for. He returned to her with the painting in his hands. “One kiss from you and I forget everything.”

  Taygete smiled.

  He leaned over and whispered, “But I haven’t forgotten that you’ve not answered my question from the carriage.”

  She stilled and stopped breathing. She would not confess to touching herself.

  He grinned. “It’s all right. I already know you do. I can’t wait to see it for myself.”

  “I would never do that with you,” she said without thinking. Her cheeks went hot.

  He chuckled. “I’ll add that to my list.”

  “What list?”

  He lifted the painting farther up in his arms but kept his eyes on her. “The list of things you’ll never say to me again.”

  Taygete could only imagine how very long that list was and what was on it. Already, she was thinking of taking a few of those things off herself. It was all a matter of when now.

  When she didn’t reply, his expression changed, and he asked, “You’ve nothing to say?”

  Taygete needed to distract him again but decided that if she kissed him they might crush the painting. So instead, she opened the door and simply walked away. It was the best she could do at the moment.

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  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

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  Hugh loathed parting from Taygete but chose that opportunity to check on the development of his courtship where the legal terms stood. He walked to Francis’ and was let in by the butler. As usual, the club portion of the residence was alive and well. He spotted Ray at a table in the large room that used to be a sitting room, not playing, yet still in his own way playing on the men, beguiling them to bet recklessly.

  Ray’s eyes met his and, without being prompted, he followed him.

  Hugh looked in on the parlor and saw Julius and William speaking by a window. Will spotted him and tapped Julius. Julius turned about and then the two started for the door. Hugh took the stairs and walked toward the family residence of the house and into Francis’ cabinet.

  The sound of laughter was cut short, and Hugh noticed that Francis had his lovely wife, Genie, pinned in a corner. Francis looked up, and Genie took that moment to slip away, but she didn’t get far. Francis grabbed her around the waist as he grinned up at Hugh. “Are we having a meeting?”

  Will came around Hugh. “I can’t believe it.” His green eyes were wide, and he ran a hand through his dark hair as he glared at Francis and Gennie. “I can’t go anywhere without seeing this. Are you two at it again? Could not one room in this bloody house be secret?”

  A docile woman would have fainted or at least covered her face with embarrassment.

  Genie did neither and met Will head on. “Well, we’ve not touched your room... yet.”

  Will went white.

  Hugh looked away as he heard Julius chuckle. His eyes caught Ray’s and his brother shook his head with an exasperated look in his eyes. Hugh understood it well. Apparently, this was not William’s first time walking in on Genie and Francis in the middle of… whatever it was they were up to.

  Likely, it was no different than what Hugh almost had almost done with Taygete at Lawson’s residence. What he still wanted to do with her.

  He turned to see that Francis simply lifted a brow in response while tightening his hold on Genie. His answer was clear. He’d please his wife where and when he wished to. The other men would simply have to deal with it.

  Hugh spoke then. “Where are the others?”

  “They’re the usual places,” Francis said. “Morris is at his other club, meeting with like minds; Emmett's at his side. Calvin and Alice went to Greenmoor to see to a problem at the family estate. Frank doesn’t leave his teacher’s side. Aaron, Rollo, and Florence are taking the girls to buy ribbon.”

  It wasn’t that everyone purposefully made their whereabouts known to Francis, it was simply the fact
that nearly all the men, and now even their wives, still enjoyed staying at the Valdeston mansion. The men liked to stay together, and the women liked that Lorena was right next door.

  Julius sucked his teeth. “Ribbon. I knew I was missing some vital appointment today.” Julius was in a bid to be Mary and Lily’s favorite uncle. So far, it was between him and Rollo. The girls adored them all, but they especially loved Aunt Florence, which gave Rollo a slight lead.

  That buying ribbon was a vital appointment told Hugh that the girls were being well loved by their new family. It had only been months since their father’s death, but the Brotherhood and the Spinsters tried to make the loss bearable.

  Hugh turned to Julius. “Go to them. Buy ribbon for the cats and tell them it’s from me.”

  “Clever,” Julius said before leaving.

  Francis turned Genie toward him and kissed her right in front of the others before saying, “We won’t be long.”

  “Are you removing me from the room?” Genie asked.

  “Yes,” William answered.

  “William,” Francis warned.

  Genie turned to William and ever so very slowly smiled. “Very well. I’ll leave. Perhaps, I’ll even visit Lorena and begin planning for the next wedding.” Her green eyes showed the threat for what it was. William, out of all the men who were still unmarried, made it clear that he didn’t wish to take a wife.

  He pointed a finger at Genie and said, “You mind your tongue, Genie.”

  Genie kept her smile in place as she left the room and closed the door behind her.

  Hugh looked around a moment later to find he’d not been the only one watching the door after Genie departed.

  Ray shivered and said, “I’m glad I’m not on her bad side.”

  “It’s no matter,” William said, though he didn’t sound confident. “I’ll not marry no matter what the women plot.”

  Hugh had once feared the thought of Lorena and Genie plotting for him to marry, but now he wondered if they could assist him in getting Taygete. They likely could depend on whatever reason Taygete saw to seek Lorena out today. He supposed that some of her questions would center around the Duchess of Adenburg, but he knew there was more to it than that.

  “I spoke with a few judges who attend the club,” Francis began. “As you know, if you and Taygete marry, you will not be the first to have done so. Lords and ladies have been facing this problem since the day the law was made. One judge surmised that it would take an ill-natured person to make a case of it. Do you think anyone in Taygete’s family would do such a thing?”

  “No,” Hugh said immediately. “I believe her mother and sisters already like me, though I should visit Titan before I move forward with any other plans.” Still, he didn’t see her family wishing to void their marriage.

  “And your family?” Francis asked. “Is there anyone who wishes ill on you?”

  Hugh looked at Ray, and his brother glared before stating, “I’m saddened that you even had to ask.”

  Hugh smiled. “Actually, I was going to ask after our cousin Alan. Have you spoken to him recently?” Alan was in line for Hugh’s title after Ray. He was also the men’s only living relative.

  “Alan would never.” Ray crossed his arms and looked away before he thought for a moment and then looked up. “I’ll have a word with him on the matter to be sure though.”

  “Good.”

  Francis looked at Will before meeting Hugh’s eyes again. “There is another way to have all this done away with.”

  “What would that be?” Hugh asked.

  “Renouncement of Maia,” William moved closer. “I came up with the idea while recalling Dovehaven’s situation. If proof could be presented that Maia was not truly a Bellenger.”

  “But she was,” Hugh cut him off. “I’ll not ask Mary to join in such a scheme.” He wouldn’t even allow the thought to tempt him. He understood what his friend was trying to say. If some sort of document could be created that proved Maia was not of legitimate blood, then Hugh would have nothing to worry about where the courts were concerned. But he would never ask that of Mary. He’d already taken Maia’s life. He’d not take her away completely. “Never suggest it again.”

  William shared a look with Ray before lowering his eyes and then bringing them to Hugh again. “As you wish.”

  Hugh looked at the three men who stood around him and asked the obvious question. “You’ve all discussed this.”

  “Wouldn’t be the first time we’ve banded together and lied in court,” Francis whispered.

  Hugh shook his head, recalling that at times, the lengths the Brotherhood would go to protect each other would astonish some. “This is different. You’re asking Mary to all but declare herself a harlot before the courts.”

  “As Morris said, there are worse things,” William said, letting him know that Morris as well had had his say on the issue. Hugh didn’t have to guess when this conversation had taken place. The men usually had full discussions late in the evening in the very room Hugh stood in, but since he’d moved into his own residence, he’d apparently missed last night’s discussion. “Mothers have been known not to be perfect,” Will went on.

  He was speaking about Morris’ mother.

  After the death of Morris’ father, the woman had been called the Grand Lynx for the way she at one time had devoured every young gentleman who dared cross her path. Even Hugh had found pleasure with that woman, a pleasure so intense he’d had to be pried from her clutches.

  He’d only gone there to get Julius out. His friend had managed to gain the woman’s interest. It had taken Hugh longer than usual to find him and when he had, it had been in a hotel room. But the rescue had been cut short when Lady Cort turned her eyes on Hugh. For the next few days, there’d been little food and water, his only need purely sexual.

  And only to himself did he admit that there’d been some healing with her. He’d been able to forget about the world outside of that hotel room. He’d lived to serve and be served, all but forgetting the reason he’d gone to her from the start.

  For years after, Hugh and Julius had avoided the lady, not only to avoid Morris’ wrath, but also to keep their minds clear of whatever spell the woman could set on a man. It was a boon that she was happily married again.

  But he did not want to think about Lady Cort at the moment. “Morris’ situation is different. Though his mother can be quite… entertaining, she’s never had a child out of wedlock. She was always careful of it. I’ll not do this to Mary.”

  “I believe Mrs. Bellenger should have a choice in the matter,” Francis suggested. “She may be willing to do whatever is necessary to see to her living daughter’s happiness.”

  “And you believe this would make Taygete happy?” Hugh asked.

  Ray answered, “She’d never have to know unless someone took you to court, which is unlikely. Like Francis said, you’re not the first. Why would anyone wish to bother with you of all people?”

  “I truly appreciate what everyone has done so far, but think of another way,” Hugh said as he met every man’s eye in the room.

  “You could also marry across the channel,” William added. “There has been some question as to whether or not the marriage would still be voidable, but it is another way in-laws have been marrying.”

  Hugh recalled this way as well and said, “If we must, so be it.”

  Ray asked, “How is Taygete taking the courtship?”

  Hugh relaxed for the first time since he walked into the room. “She’s adjusting well.”

  His words were met with grins.

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  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

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  Taygete knew she surprised Hugh when she switched to sit by his side in the carriage as it rolled through the dark streets of London. Alcyone, who’d been at Lorena’s house as well,
looking around the basement with Maura, had been surprised and had worn a little smile before falling asleep on her side of the carriage in the shadows.

  They’d stayed for dinner. Some of the men had come over as well, and Hugh took his place beside her before they’d left. Their first stop had been at a Lord Harving’s, where Hugh had dropped off the painting before heading home.

  And when Alcyone was at rest, which was made known by the sounds of her quiet breathing, Hugh put an arm around Taygete’s shoulders and she did not protest.

  Instead, she leaned more into him and placed a hand on his chest while her cheek rested on his jacket.

  She closed her eyes in the dark and breathed in his scent. Mixed with the summer air, she thought the smell pleasant and inhaled deeply.

  Her conversation with Lorena had been fruitful and short.

  After Taygete had shared what had developed in the last few hours with Hugh, without speaking about their play in the carriage, Lorena had held tears in her eyes when she said, “My mother and I had lost hope after Maia and Artemis’ death. Were she still alive, my mother would have been happy to meet you. You’ve returned hope.”

  After eight years of believing Hugh would never find happiness, Taygete, in a matter of knowing Lorena for a day, had given her hope. If that didn’t say something, then Taygete didn’t know what would.

  She should marry Hugh so that he wouldn’t become like Titan, closed off from the world and alone even when he was surrounded by people. But her guilt still ate at her.

  “Something on your mind?” he whispered against her bonnet.

  It was maddening how he knew her so well. She saw other men and women every day and didn’t know them at all, but it seemed that every moment Hugh was in her presence, he was learning something about her, soaking her in.

  And she was doing the same.

  She shook her head against his chest but knew it was better to say something than nothing at all or he’d never let it go. “What are your plans for tomorrow?”