Page 11 of Tender Blackguard

There had been too many sly comments from the man, too much innuendo when he’d inquired about Alastair’s preferences when it came to gentlemanly diversions. And far too many whispered conversations with the known members of the brotherhood had been witnessed from across dinner tables and billiard rooms.

Alastair was hoping to further their acquaintance tonight.

He’d been at the club for a couple hours now and had yet to spot the man. Already having extended his social experience beyond his usual comfort level in all the small talk and introductions he’d been forced to endure so far this evening, Alastair was just about to leave when Lowndes strolled into the club’s drawing room.

Luckily, the other man spied him almost immediately. His smile was almost crafty as he crossed the room to Alastair’s private table.

“My Lord Warfield,” he noted smoothly, “what a pleasure.”

Alastair rose to his feet. “Hello, Lowndes. I wasn’t aware you were a member of this club.” An easy lie.

Black brows arched over small dark eyes as Lowndes gestured to the empty chair at the table. “Would you mind if I joined you?”

“Not at all.”

As the gentlemen took their seats, a footman brought a snifter of brandy to Lowndes’s waiting hand. The lord didn’t bother to mutter a thank-you as he eyed Alastair across the table.

“You know, I’m rather pleased to run into you, Warfield.”

“Are you?” Alastair swept a casual gaze about the room, as though slightly bored.

“Indeed. You see, I have a way of reading people and I’ve long suspected something about you.”

The look in the man’s black eyes—pretentious and smug—nearly had Alastair curling his hand into a fist. But he managed to eye the man with a suggestion of curiosity. “And what is that?”

Lowndes leaned forward with a conspiratorial air. “I recognize the look in your eyes. You’re seeking something. Something beyond the typical diversions with which we attempt to distract ourselves. And you’ve been unsuccessful in finding it, haven’t you?”

“That’s a specific and rather intrusive observation,” he replied coolly, hoping to gently force the other man’s hand.

But Lowndes simply leaned back in his chair and swirled his brandy. As he stared into the amber liquor as it spun about in the snifter, his mouth lifted at the corners. “I know I’m right because I was once just like you. In possession of a newly inherited title and all the wealth a man could dream of. In desperate need of some worthy pursuit to balance out the drudgery of duty and responsibility. Something that goes beyond the dull entertainments so many gentlemen satisfy themselves with.”

Anticipation pricked at Alastair’s nape. But he arched a disdainful brow. “I assure you I’ve thoroughly explored all manner of entertainments London has to offer.”

“Have you? Really? What if I said I could guide you to pleasures you haven’t even imagined?”

Though it was certainly possible Lowndes was talking about something entirely unconnected to the brotherhood, Alastair’s instincts told him otherwise. A long moment passed as he openly assessed the other man before he allowed a slow smile to widen his mouth. “I’d have to say that my imagination is quite good.”

“Perhaps,” Lowndes allowed. The lord’s arrogance was as thick as his hair pomade. But then he leaned forward with a conspiratorial glimmer in his gaze. “But have you ever had an opportunity to fully explore your most base desires?”

Alastair narrowed his gaze but didn’t reply.

Lowndes lowered his voice. “Have you ever wondered what it might be like to simply indulge your secret primitive urges and experience the pleasures our civilized society has deemed...unacceptable?”

Alastair arched a brow and met the other man’s dark stare. “I’m not sure I know what you mean.”

Lowndes leaned back again in his chair, a smirk curving his mouth. “Ah, but you’re intrigued. I knew you would be. I’ll be hosting a private party in the coming week. Just a small taste of what I’m talking about. I think you’d enjoy it.”

Alastair took a long swallow of his drink to hide his anticipation. This could be exactly what he’d been waiting for. Then he gave a quick smile. “If that’s an invitation, I accept.”

Lowndes grinned as he lifted his brandy. “You’d be a fool not to.”

#

ALASTAIR AWOKE THE next morning to one of the upstairs maids opening the drapes and stirring the coals in the grate. He ignored the prick of disappointment at not seeing the small, dark figure of Mrs. Evans moving silently about. The sight of his housekeeper within the privacy of his bedroom the previous morning had caught him off guard and unprepared to completely contain the physical response she unknowingly invoked.

At least the woman had heeded his instruction to ensure there was not a reoccurrence.

He waited until the maid finished her tasks and left his bedroom before rising. A glance out the window suggested it’d be a good morning for a ride. The fresh air would be a welcome change from the dark passages and oppressive drawing rooms he’d been haunting of late.

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