Page 2 of The Duke of Daring (The Untouchables)
Andrew nodded toward his small group of friends as they joined them on the pavement. “Gentlemen, meet my new acquaintance, Smitty.”
Pleasantries were exchanged, and then Roderick Beaumont, a young viscount whose preferred vice was that of the flesh, looked around at everyone. “Another hell, or is it time for Mrs. Longley’s? I’m sure you know my vote.” He grinned, and there was no doubt he would end up at his favorite brothel—either now or at some point later.
“Longley’s,” Charles said. “I can’t afford another hell tonight.”
The group consensus was quickly made—Longley’s was their destination.
As they started along the street, Andrew looked at Smith. “You should come along with us.”
“To a brothel?” His deep voice had climbed a bit on that last word.
Andrew laughed. “Why, Smitty, are you a virgin?”
“No.” The answer came too swiftly to be believed.
“Then you should definitely…come.” Andrew looked at the young man’s face to see whether he registered the double entendre, but there was no indication.
“I don’t think so. I need to get home.” Smith turned from him and started to walk away.
Andrew caught the shadowed movement near the hell they’d just left. He reached out and snagged Smith’s arm, drawing him back. What he felt beneath the sleeve was soft but not fleshy. And the gentleman was not as heavy as he looked, for though Andrew hardly exerted any effort, the man came crashing into Andrew’s side. His head tipped back, and the full illumination of the lamp spilled over his features.
Those ink-black lashes curled away from moss-laden hazel eyes, and the gasp that leapt from the too-supple lips gave the man away completely.
“Damn me,” Andrew breathed. He kept his hand firmly clasped around thewoman’selbow and tugged her along with him as he followed his group of friends.
“I’m not going with you.” Her voice had gone low again as she yanked the brim of her hat down.
“You’ve no choice.”
She tried to pull free of his grip. “You can’t force me.”
Andrew stopped, and she nearly tripped. He held her upright. “Should I let you wander off alone? There’s a man—perhaps more than one—waiting for you back by the hell. He’s probably going to rob you, and when he finds out you’re a woman, I daresay he’ll do far more.”
She gasped again, and this time when she looked up at him, her face was scrunched into a scowl. “How did you know?”
“I’m very observant.”
“Damn.” She brushed her fingertips against what had to be fake sideburns glued to her face. “I worked so hard.”
She probably would’ve succeeded too, if Andrew hadn’t taken an interest in her. But he was glad he had, or she might find herself in dire straits indeed. “Come on.” He pulled her along again, but she tried to resist.
“I amnotgoing to a brothel.” She didn’t bother lowering her voice anymore, but it was still deeper than most women’s. It possessed a dark, raspy quality that stirred Andrew’s interest. The curiosity he’d felt at the hell intensified.
“What the devil were you doing in a hell?”
She looked up at him, blinking, with a saucy curve to her mouth. “Winning.”
He laughed, loud and boisterous. He liked her instantly, even if she was as foolish as she was alluring. Alluring? Yes, because any woman who would dare to venture into a gaming hell alone was a mystery Andrew wanted to unravel.
The small group of men stopped at the street corner. Charles called back, “Dart, you coming?”
Andrew started forward, but she dug in her heels. He backed up and looked at her. “We aren’t going to the brothel, but I need to part ways with them. Just follow my lead.”
This time when he moved ahead, she went with him. Still, he sensed her reluctance. He let go of her as they approached his friends.
He gave them all a jovial grin. “Smitty and I’ve decided to find another game. Perhaps his luck will rub off on me.”
Beaumont snorted. “As if you need it. You’re one of the luckiest bastards I know.”
