Page 36 of His Scandal
He shook himself back to reality.
“I thank you, too, Robbie,” Alex said, handing the tankard over, “for taking care of my brother. Good day to you.”
He gripped Emmeline’s elbow and pulled her away from the pit. When they reached the grounds outside the entrance, he continued to drag her along.
“You can let go of me now.”
“I don’t think I shall.” He managed to frown down at her. “You’re drunk enough to be a danger to yourself.”
“I am not inebriated, I assure you,” she said, pulling away and straightening her doublet.
“Youmusthave been drunk to even think ofcoming here dressed like that. This is a dangerous place for a woman alone.”
“But I’ve got you to guard me, don’t I?” Grinning, she leaned against his arm.
As Alex felt the insistent pressure of her breasts, perspiration broke out above his lip. When he gave her a little push upright, she stumbled and staggered ahead of him.
“So whyareyou here?” he asked.
She didn’t answer. He stayed behind her just to watch her hips sway, then realized what this might look like to other men.
Suddenly her feet went out from under her, and he caught her from behind, his arms beneath hers, his hands overflowing with her breasts. His palms burned as he felt her pointed nipples. With perfect aim, her backside landed against his hips, and his erection went from a possibility to a certainty.
He stood her upright so fast she almost went face-first into a ditch. He grabbed her elbow and steered her across a little river of sewage, trying not to breathe in the odor.
“Where are we going?” she demanded.
“Down to the river. I’m going to make sure you arrive safely home.” He leaned nearer and whispered, “Unless you wish to return to my lodgings. I live nearby, you know.”
“I know.”
Though her voice had a huskiness that intrigued him, she also sounded guilty, and he tried to read the truth in her face. Had she been to the Rooster today? Was shefollowinghim?
For a moment, he desperately wanted to take her to his chamber, because from the look on her face, she wouldn’t refuse.
Desperation?he thought suddenly. Was that what Emmeline Prescott had reduced him to? No, he would have none of it.
He escorted her through an alley to the river’s edge, then tossed a sovereign to a waterman standing near his boat. The man gaped into his hand and back at Alex.
“Let me borrow the wherry,” Alex said, helping Emmeline in and stepping down beside her. The craft almost capsized as she sat back heavily on the wooden bench. “I need to take the lad across while I speak to him alone. I promise to return this to you within the hour.”
The man fisted his hand about the coin and bobbed his head. “Aye, guv’nor.”
Alex settled down between the oars as the man gave them a push away from the dock. He began to row slowly, watching Emmeline. Their knees practically touched, and her gaze was almost a caress. He had to think of something besides the unfulfilled passion gnawing a hole in his gut.
Shehadbeen following him, he reminded himself. Why?
He knew she probably wouldn’t answer such adirect question, so he let the rocking of the boat and the cry of the gulls relax her. Gradually they pulled away from the city traffic as they headed upstream.
Emmeline swayed, then straightened stiffly. Her gaze narrowed on him, and when she spoke, her words were cautious and slurred. “You obviously know you are sinfully handsome.”
“I beg your pardon?”
She rolled her eyes. “Now you sound likeme.”
He could barely keep from gaping. She reached out to touch his hand when it neared her as he rowed. He pulled back hard on the oars, cursing their lack of privacy.
“There’s another bench behind you,” he said. “Why not lean back?”
