Chapter Seventeen

P atience entered the Hampton townhouse with Moriah and Josephine by her side. Their husbands trailed in behind them and were deep in conversation. It was clear to Patience that Mrs. Dove-Lyon had made the perfect matches for Moriah and Josephine for reasons far beyond the two of them being once again accepted into Society, now that they were wed to marquises. The couples were truly happy and loving, complementing each other perfectly. She could only hope her match with Asher would turn out as well.

She missed having Cassandra with her since moving back in with her parents after their reconciliation. In the days since Patience left Cassandra's townhouse for the last time, she had come to feel the loss of no longer seeing her friend on a daily basis. Cassie had promised her that they would see each other again soon and that Cassie's time to reenter Society was coming. She just needed to ensure that Patience was also settled with the man chosen for her. The fact that all three men were friends seemed to say much and Patience wondered who the widow had in store for Cassandra.

Patience had a difficult time convincing her father to allow her to attend the Hampton affair until he learned that she would be accompanied by two married women. He seemed to still be having a difficult time of seeing her as an adult and not the young maiden she had been when she first left his house. But he was coming around and seemed happy that she was once again with her family where she belonged. She was grateful they had been able to overcome their differences.

Still… being summoned to the Lyon's Den later this evening puzzled her. She had followed all of Mrs. Dove-Lyon's instructions so Patience couldn't think why the Widow of Whitehall needed to see her.

"Rowley," Lord Saxton said raising his hand to greet his friend. "Good of you to finally show up."

Patience turned to see Asher walking through the front door and her heart soared seeing him looking resplendent in his evening attire. Not that he was ever dressed inappropriately but there was always just something about the man that caused her head to spin in delight. She was about to step forward when a young lady came up to Asher and took his arm.

"Lord Rowley," she purred loud enough for everyone nearby to hear, "you look very dapper this evening."

Asher gave a pained glance toward Patience who waited calmly for the scene to unfold. She wasn't the jealous type and this young miss wasn't going to cause her to lose her composure now.

"Lady Maribel… a pleasure to see you this evening," Asher began looking toward the ballroom as another young woman came forward. "And Lady Juliet… good evening."

Josephine rolled her eyes as Gyles took her arm and began ushering his wife into the ballroom. Patience leaned over to whisper in Moriah's ear.

"What am I missing?" Patience asked quietly as she watched Asher conduct himself as a gentleman with polite conversation with the two women, despite the stiff expression on his face that made his lack of enjoyment in the conversation quite clear.

"Last Season, Lady Juliet was attempting to get Lord Wickes to marry her so you can imagine why Josephine wouldn't want to be around her," Moriah said looking up to her husband who gave her a strained smile.

"And Lady Maribel?" Patience inquired of the other woman.

"As you can tell from the grip she has on Lord Rowley's arm, she set her hook in him and had no plans to let go. But watch… he's already disengaged her hand and obviously has no intention of pursuing a relationship with her," Moriah finally answered.

"I still worry if his feelings for me are lasting," Patience said in concern. "We're still getting to know one another. While I must admit he has been most attentive, I fear what will happen when the early excitement of our romance has worn off."

Moriah gave a light laugh. "Patience, darling… anyone with eyes in their head can see for themselves how much Lord Rowley adores you. You have nothing to worry about. Trust me."

Patience continued to watch the scene unfolding in front of her. When Asher stepped aside with Lady Maribel, Patience was certain Asher was making it clear that he wasn't interested in the lady. She had a moment of sadness fill her heart for the woman when Patience saw her chin quiver and tears fill her eyes before she stormed off with Lady Juliet. Asher immediately came over to Patience and offered her his arm.

He looked down upon her and gave her what appeared an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry you had to witness that but it's been a long time coming."

"Being told you don't hold an affection for her had to be hard for her to hear," Patience said quietly. "Of course, I'm assuming that's what was said between you."

A chuckle rumbled in his chest. "Wickes had been warning me if I didn't cut the girl off soon, I'd find myself compromised in the garden and have to marry the chit." He ran a finger through the neckline of his shirt before continuing. "I had no intention of ever marrying her but she assumed much and attempted to increase our familiarity at every ball we happened to be at."

Patience squeezed his arm and he put his hands over hers briefly before they continued into the ballroom. "I can understand why she would be upset and hope you said your piece gently."

"As gently as possible. She was about to cause a scene before her friend Lady Juliet stepped forward and they excused themselves."

"Are there other women here who will be vying for your attention tonight, Hades?" she teased softly already knowing his answer.

When he turned his hazel eyes to her, there was so much love shining in them Patience began to wonder how she ever doubted his feelings for her. "There is only one woman who holds all my admiration—tonight or any night for the rest of our days together, Persephone. That one pomegranate reaffirmed we shall be as one for more years than I can count."

"I look forward to the years ahead, my lord."

"Let's get through the evening and later our meetings with Mrs. Dove-Lyon," Asher suggested before he reached for the dance card dangling at her wrist. "I had best claim my dances before I find myself without the opportunity to spend part of my evening skipping with you to a lively tune."

"We couldn't let that happen, now could we?" she said as he filled in two places on her card. She would prefer that she spend all her time dancing with Asher alone but she supposed if, or when, they married she could do so. She turned her eyes up to stare into his handsome face and could only think about his kisses. She must have conveyed her longing for him because he quickly switched direction and pulled her down a hallway.

The first room they came to was a library and he quickly scanned the room to see that it was empty. Once he was assured that they were alone, he pulled her into his arms, then bent forward and kissed her lips. She sighed and wound her arms around his waist.

"Asher…" she whispered softly. "How did you know I needed your kiss?"

"Your look told me more than you might have thought, my dear," Asher murmured into her ear. He began nibbling his way down her neck and she moaned in pleasure.

"We should return to the ballroom before we're caught here," Patience warned him.

"So what if we are? It would allow us to marry sooner. I would not mind as long as you were the lady," Asher said placing another quick kiss across her lips.

She rubbed her hand down his jacket. "I don't want our marriage to begin with you being forced to marry me, Asher. I want that to happen because you willingly choose me as your wife."

"I thought I had already proven that to you over the past several weeks. I must up my game if I have failed to demonstrate my affection," he teased her while running a finger down her cheek.

She offered him a smile. "You have proven yourself to me, my lord, in so many ways," Patience replied forgetting all about her earlier words of doubt.

"As long as I have redeemed myself in your eyes," he said before he kissed her again.

As much as she didn't want this moment to end, she finally forced herself to pull away before they could be missed. They left the library and returned to the ballroom. Patience was enjoying herself. Moriah and Josephine had introduced her to many of their friends including Lady Versey who was a delight and accepted Patience as though she was one of the ton her entire life. Overall, most of Society had been welcoming with the help of two future duchesses as friends. She had never been more grateful to Moriah and Josephine for leading the way.

The night progressed and after her second dance with Asher, he excused himself and told her he would look for her on the balcony at the Lyon's Den. Patience had almost forgotten about her meeting with Mrs. Dove-Lyon and Asher's departure was a reminder that she, too, should gather her cloak. The hour was later than she thought and her carriage should be waiting for her outside.

Once she retrieved her cloak, she headed outside to look for her carriage. She finally noticed it was parked several conveyances down from the entrance, almost hidden in the shadows of the night. Not seeing her driver sitting in his seat, she decided to make her way and wait for him inside. Opening the door, she stepped up and immediately regretted not waiting for her driver to bring the horses around to the front door. She was not alone!

"Mrs. Moore," a deep voice hummed from the forward seat before a man leaned toward her. "I hope you don't mind this intrusion."

"I most certainly do," she protested as she attempted to back out of the carriage.

He took hold of her wrist preventing her descent to the ground. "I only wished a private word with you. I thought perhaps we could share a ride to the Lyon's Den," he explained.

Recognition finally dawned on her. "Lord Pitt… this is highly inappropriate and I am certainly not about to share anything with you, let alone allow you to share my carriage with me."

"I must insist," he said giving her arm a yank so she was pulled inside. Luckily, he didn't force her to sit next to him so she took the opposite seat. Once she was settled, he tapped on the roof of the carriage and the driver began to put her horses into motion.

"What do you want from me, sir?" Patience asked through clenched lips.

He watched her for several minutes before he finally began to speak his mind. "You are a very beautiful woman, Patience," he began, but she cut him off before he could continue.

"And I have not given you permission to use my first name, my lord. I would prefer to keep this conversation you are forcing me to have… formal."

"And it is my preference that this conversation be more intimate… Patience ," he said emphasizing her name.

"What do you want from me?" she repeated firmly.

"I want what you've been giving Rowley, of course. I am well aware that you are a member of the Wicked Widow's Club and I would like to take you under my wing as my mistress. I can provide you a handsome settlement once our association is at an end and in the meantime you will want for nothing. I can guarantee you won't leave my bed unsatisfied," he said telling her his terms.

Patience was at a loss for words and she took several gulps of air trying to calm herself.

A chuckle rumbled in Pitt's chest. "Yes… I know… you are overwhelmed by such an offer but I promise you I'll be a much better lover than Rowley."

"I am not Asher Tyler's mistress. He has been nothing but a gentleman toward me. What a pity I cannot say the same of you," she shouted and hit her clenched fist on the seat.

Laugher filled the interior of the carriage. "Rowley? A gentleman? Why, he's made his way through most of the prostitutes at the Lyon's Den on top of all the mistresses he's kept over the past several years."

"His past matters little to me. We have come to an understanding, and Lord Rowley has all but offered to marry me," Patience continued to drive her point across to this unsufferable beast of a man.

"You amuse me with your naivete, Patience. Do you really believe he will ever be faithful to one woman?" He took a glance out the window then tapped again on the roof causing the carriage to slow. "I will let you think more about what I can offer you. You won't be disappointed with me as your lover."

"It will be a cold day in hell before I would ever let you in my bed," Patience declared.

As the carriage slowed and came to a halt, Oliver sat forward in his seat, coming so close to her that she could feel his breath on her face. Before she knew what he was about, he took hold of her, pulling her forward, and began his attempt to kiss her. She clenched her lips together thereby denying him what he was attempting to steal from her. When he finally let her go, he stared at her in disappointment.

"Next time, you'll give me everything I desire from you and more, Patience," he warned opening the door and stepping to the ground. "I'll look forward to seeing you tonight on the balcony at the Lyon's Den, my pet."

He shut the door and Patience heard his call to the driver to continue onward to her destination. She swiped her hand across her lips in an attempt to wipe away the memory of Oliver's kiss. She would never give in to his demands but now she worried just how she would protect herself from his advances.

She called up to the driver and an unfamiliar face peeked through the hatch. She gave the stranger Cassandra's address and ordered him to take her there. She would take no further chances by traveling alone. She'd get refreshed at home and ask Cassandra to go with her to the Lyon's Den. It couldn't help to have reinforcements on whatever awaited her for the rest of the evening.