Chapter Thirty-Two

L ord Flynn, Earl of Larsson

The thick carpet covering the hardwood floors muted my footsteps as I paced the suite. The clock on the mantel continued to tick away the minutes, each seeming to take forever. I had left Eleanor with an ultimatum. Either she and Rex talk and clear the air between them, or I wouldn't continue with the affair.

Thus far, the two-hour time frame she'd given me had crept by. My hands on my hips, I moved to the window and pulled back the drapes to stare at the London skyline. Would they be coming, or was I wasting my time? The two had a bad habit of avoiding conflict, or their feelings for that matter.

Or Rex might have decided he didn't wish to carry on the affair. A lump settled into my stomach and I pressed my hand to it. There was always the possibility. I loved my friend but he could be stubborn sometimes. My own doubts continued to play inside my head. We'd proven to each other that our passions were strong, but were they strong enough?

The lantern light from a carriage caught my eye, the steady swing of the golden light indicating that an equipage was coming at a clipped rate.

I lifted my hand to my forehead and rested it against the glass, trying my best to see if the carriage had the ducal crest. The Stratham was a popular dining destination among the aristocracy after attending the theater; thus, no one would question their arrival at such a late hour.

After a breathless moment, the carriage slowed in front of the hotel. My heart raced, excitement and relief fighting for supremacy. The next hurdle was to see if both exited or just one. A liveried coachman went to the door and opened it, standing away from the door. I stared, my pulse pounding with anticipation. Nobody got out, and the fear I carried jumped to the fore.

Patience.

Rex stepped out and holding his hand up, helped Eleanor alight. Joy permeated my entire being, and I continued to watch them. The hotel valet approached the couple and then they disappeared from view, blocked by the hotel awning. A grin cut across my face, my mood much improved by seeing them. They might be here, but that didn't mean all was well.

I dropped the drapes and went to the table where a bottle of champagne and three glasses were placed. My mouth dry, I popped the cork and after the initial spray from the bottle, poured myself a glass. Tonight had been fraught with uncertainty, and matters still hadn't been settled.

The champagne felt good against my throat. My entire day had been full of ups and downs, and if nothing else happened, I wanted to commiserate with my friends. A soft knock at the door, followed by voices, caused me to snap my head around, my grip on the glass tightening.

Withers appeared and stepped inside, his handsome face enhanced by his smile. "Your guests have arrived," he said, forever discreet.

"Please see them in." I sipped my drink and waited with anticipation to see them.

Eleanor entered first, removing the hood of the cape, her red hair askew. She had a glassy look, her lips plumper than usual. Withers helped her out of her outerwear, removing the material to expose a pale cream dress, the gown accentuating her lovely shoulders.

My own smile began to bloom. They had been kissing.

After removing his greatcoat, Rex handed it to the servant. Ever solicitous of his wife, he placed his hand on Eleanor's back. He turned to look at me, his expression giving nothing away. They might have made up, but I was dying to know the answer to one question.

"Thank you, Withers. You may go." I dismissed the servant, wishing him to leave so I could have a conversation with my friends. Once the door clicked shut, I turned to Eleanor and Rex. "I took the liberty of ordering a spread of cold meats and cheeses. Come, let's sit and talk."

I led the way to the table near the fireplace, a coal fire hissing in the grate. I knew that Rex had been at Parliament and often forgot to eat. The idea of food turned my own stomach, my emotions in turmoil after a long and exhausting day. It was silly to be nervous, yet there I was.

"Thank you, the food looks lovely." Eleanor removed her gloves to expose her slender hands, and I held the chair for her. She slipped into it, a rush of soft roses tempting my nose. Until I learned my answer, I needed to refrain from kissing her tempting neck.

"I am very hungry, thank you for the forethought." Rex clasped me on the shoulder before taking his own seat. His back to me, I tried to gauge the situation between them. The animosity seemed to be gone, which was promising. Whether they wished to continue with the affair was what had me on pins and needles.

"It appears that Flynn has ordered your favorite cheeses and the bread you like." Eleanor began to fill a plate with the cheese and meats while Rex tore off a piece of rustic bread. She leaned into him, her head coming to rest on his shoulder. He angled his head to press a kiss on her temple. If I didn't know better, I would never guess they had been on the outs. "Would you like some butter?" she asked her husband.

I wanted some answers. The words settled on the tip of my tongue but never found their way out. I poured two more glasses of champagne and rounded the table. Both Eleanor and Rex appeared obsessed with the food. I set the glasses in front of them, the tension in me growing. My future rode on this agreement.

"Yes, a lot of butter. You know how fond of it I am." Rex never looked at me, seemingly enthralled with the food. A beard shadowed his jaw, and his clothing was rumpled.

"How do you think the girls will take the news of Olivia leaving?" Eleanor asked, buttering her own bread. The gaslight cast fiery red highlights in her hair. She had continued to wear her hair in the same fashion the maid I had hired to tend to her toilet at the Stratham had styled it. The less severe style complimented her heart-shaped face. "I am sure they will be devastated."

"They will be distraught, no doubt." As was I. Had tonight not been so important, I would have stayed at Larsson House with them. But it was well past their bedtime thus my guilt was relieved somewhat. Despite tonight's outcome, I would be home before they awoke to share the news and mop up their tears.

"How are you faring?" Rex asked, popping a grape into his mouth. The subtle darkness of his pupils gave away his unsuppressed desire.

For me? Hope replaced my earlier unease. "I will miss her, but Olivia isn't my concern right now."

"Did something else happen?" He lowered his lashes and ate a strawberry, his profile to me.

Annoyance crept into my consciousness. Either he was playing with my emotions, or he had no idea of the anguish I suffered because of our falling out. Granted, he had apologized to me for being an arrogant prat concerning Eleanor, yet I selfishly wanted his attention. The time for subtlety was over. "Of course something bloody well happened. By the looks of the two of you, you were doing more than riding in the carriage together."

The corners of his mouth lifted, a smile dimpling his cheek. He met my gaze once more, laughter in his eyes as he drank from his glass. "Are you jealous?"

"Yes." I narrowed my eyes at him, and half-standing, I looped my hand around his neck, pulling him toward the middle of the table. Eleanor laughed at our antics, her hand floating to her chest. With a low growl, I caught Rex's smiling mouth with mine. I angled my head, my tongue breaching his lips. He kissed me back without hesitation, his response telling me all I needed to know.

A soft knock sounded, and I cursed the interruption. I withdrew from our kiss and reclined back in my seat before calling to enter.

Withers, followed by an attractive waiter with pomaded black hair, stepped into the room. "The chef has sent up a special dessert for you."

The waiter held a silver tray with a cover. With a flourish, he lifted the cover to reveal a plate of chocolate truffles decorated with gold leaf.

"Oh, Guy, those are beautiful." Eleanor stared at the truffles as he settled them on the table.

I frowned, the name sounding vaguely familiar.

Rex stiffened, his gaze shooting to Eleanor and then back to the waiter. "You are Guy?"

"Indeed, monsieur." Guy bowed as was proper, looking uncomfortable at Rex's scowl.

"He is a very efficient waiter." Eleanor pulled the dessert plate toward her and gave her husband a warning glance. "Thank the chef for us."

"Of course. Is there anything else I can get for you?" Withers dismissed Guy with a wave, and the waiter scurried out.

"No, you may go. I will ring if we require anything else." I kept my voice light and polite when I wanted to order him to leave posthaste. Time was wasting. Where before it had crawled, time had picked up the pace.

The second Withers left, I sipped my champagne.

"Bloody wanker," Rex mumbled under his breath.

"Mind your tongue," I said. "There is a lady present."

"Better yet, your tongue needs to be minding me," Eleanor said, her cheeks flushed a flattering rosy hue. She settled the truffle on her tongue and licked the underside of it. The erotic action fired my blood, and I nodded.

"I would gladly do so, except we had a deal." It was time for them to give me their reply. The wine soured on my tongue, my need to put this all behind me strong. "And you have yet to give me an answer."

"I fulfilled my end of our bargain. I spoke to Rex, and we have come to an understanding." She put the chocolate in her mouth, closing her eyes, and releasing a soft moan. "I have already said yes to the affair. It is up to Rex to determine our fates."

"You are my best friend, and I value our friendship." Rex exhaled a noticeable breath, the coat straining at his shoulders. Head angled, he drifted his stare over my face with longing. "If this is going to work, we will need to be careful. More than our lives will be disrupted if we're discovered."

"Fair enough." I knew the risks, but the rewards were worth taking chances.

"We already have the advantage of spending time together," Eleanor said. She bit into another truffle, chocolate smearing her fingers. Had I known she adored them, I would have given her some as a peace offering.

"Indeed, it is the intimacy that might be an issue." Rex rubbed his thumb along the rim of the glass, the food forgotten in the face of our conversation. "I would like to say I would be happy to continue our relationship as it was before our affair, but the thought of never kissing you again tears me apart."

"It would be hell." I nodded, my hand moving to his. He turned his wrist and linked his fingers with mine. Throughout my life, he had been my friend and now he was my lover.

Eleanor lifted another truffle and inspected it, a small smile tilting her mouth. "It would be like having a plate of truffles and never being able to eat them."

"I believe you are obsessed with those confections." Rex used his other hand to clasp Eleanor's left hand.

"I am obsessed with more than the confections. We have covered the risks, but we haven't covered the rewards." She licked the fingertips of her right hand, her breasts straining at the bodice. The sensual woman was back in play. "I know you like to be careful, but Flynn is right, it would be hell to not exchange intimacies. Thus, you need to decide."

"Speed is of the essence," I said, running my fingers through my hair. The suspense was killing me. "I have to get back home before the girls rise, and I don't wish to wait another moment for your agreement."

"You have always been impatient." Rex shook his head, his fingers in mine squeezing. The telling gesture telegraphed his answer. "However, I happen to agree with both of you. I don't wish to go back, only forward. Starting with tonight."

I lifted my glass, my heart expanding in love for them. "Tonight begins a new journey."

"A new journey," Eleanor repeated, tilting her glass in my direction.

Rex stood, intent in his regard. He helped Eleanor to her feet. "I think we should begin our new journey right now."

"I agree wholeheartedly. To the bedroom, gentlemen." Contentment radiated from her, along with eagerness. Rex led the way, Eleanor on his arm. I followed, feeling the luckiest of men to have gained the favors of two such loving people. While they were bound by marriage, the love between the three of us transcended the boundaries of societal norms.

I had doubts about how I would fit into their lives until I realized I was already firmly entrenched. I had been since meeting Rex and courting Eleanor twenty-some years ago. Time might have slipped by too fast, but one thing was constant, my love for Rex and Eleanor. As I closed the door and began to shed my coat, I was walking into my future with the people I loved.