Chapter 14

CHAPTER 14

T hat evening, walking next to Drake in his formal attire, his Baker's boy hat ever present so that there was no doubt who he truly was, Fleur lifted her chin with pride. She had chosen a deep violet gown to wear, complete with a fur lined pelisse. Although it wasn't that cool during the day, the nights were starting to bring a slight chill with the autumn. Knowing that Drake would share her bed from that night on, she decided that she would remain quite warm.

It was odd, that a few hours earlier, she wasn't sure what sort of man she had sold herself to at that auction. Although the stories she'd read were horrible and she knew that Mr. Porter was responsible for the demise of so many, she couldn't seem to feel as though he was the same man at her side. Drake seemed far removed from such a calculating criminal, even if she knew he was still that dangerous man who had stopped at nothing to gain what he wanted. The fact he seemed to want her was somewhat… flattering.

It made no sense, of course, nor this heated attraction that she felt toward him, but perhaps she was hoping that he was sincere, that he did intend to alter his life. She wanted to cheer him on if that were true, not chastise him for the misdeeds of his past.

She could certainly atone for some things herself. Masquerading as her brother during a fencing duel certainly came to mind. She could have ruined herself long before now if anyone had discovered the true identity behind that dark shroud.

But something had led her here—to Drake. Her mother had always said things happen for a reason. Perhaps that reason was she was meant to rescue Drake from himself.

Unfortunately, memories of how she'd failed her brother so terribly flooded her thoughts. She had demanded they leave Greenwich and thus, put them both in an untenable situation that they might never recover. She yearned to know how Flavian was faring but she hadn't the courage to go to that house again. She couldn't bear to see the smug expression on Harriette's face and know that dreadful woman had taken everything away from Fleur in one night.

For now, she would content herself by being with Drake and finding the peace she'd long been searching for. She hoped that her brother was able to do the same. As much as she loved Flavian, he was a man grown and he had to make his own choices. She could no longer take care of his mistakes. He would have to find a way to take care of them on his own.

Nevertheless, her heart ached thinking of their separation. It was the longest they had been apart since their parents had died. But she forced herself to focus on the evening before her, and the night ahead.

She was thankful that Drake was a considerate lover. He never found his pleasure until he was confident she had found hers. While their affair might never lead to anything more permanent, most of the society unions she knew of lacked true adoration. The majority of those happy family portraits were fabricated for one reason or another.

With Drake, she could be honest, because he wasn't trying to be someone else. He admitted to some of the darkest parts of his history. There was nothing for her to fear, because although he had done some terrible things, something told her that he wouldn't hurt her. At least, not physically.

As far as her heart…

But no, she wasn't going to think about that now. She was here to enjoy herself and that is what she would do.

She thought about the hungry, promising look in Drake's eyes when she had come down the stairs that evening in that silver gown which hugged all of her curves. With its plunging neckline and the diamonds combs placed in her dark updo, he hadn't been able to take his eyes off of her. When she'd joined him in the foyer, his nostrils had flared when he said, "You shall be the envy of the moonlight this evening."

It was the highest compliment she had ever received. And by Drake's side, she could almost feel as though she was as beautiful as he'd claimed her to be.

Thus far, he hadn't allowed her to walk on her own, keeping her firmly at his side so everyone present knew that she was spoken for.

Fleur's heart was skipping with joy at the possessiveness of his actions, because it told her that he cared. If he didn't, he would have gotten lost in the crowd and left her to fend for herself.

With a permanent curve to her lips, Fleur realized it had been a long time since she had felt so… free. She had always been burdened with trying to survive and keep Flavian out of trouble that she had lost herself somewhere along the way. It was nice to finally be able to take some time for her own enjoyment.

As soon as the thought crossed her mind, Fleur noticed a familiar face in one of the private booths near the heart of the entertainment. Her steps faltered and Drake looked at her. "Do you want to ignore them?"

Fleur exhaled slowly. Did she want to approach her brother and Harriette in the midst of such a public place? "I don't want to make a scene."

"You won't. And I won't allow her to do so." His focus was as direct as it usually was. "If you wish to speak to your brother, I will make it happen."

Fleur twisted her hands in front of her. Although she had told herself to leave Flavian to his own devices, she couldn't, in all good conscience, walk by without a single word. It would hurt too much for her to give him the cut direct. He was her flesh and blood and the trials they had faced together meant something to her, even if they didn't mean much to him.

"Yes. I would like that."

Drake inclined his head and they made their way across the lawn.

* * *

Drake knew it had taken a lot of courage for Fleur to agree to meet with the man who had betrayed her in the worst sort of way. He didn't know if the scoundrel actually understood everything that Fleur had gone through since they had parted. The initial melancholy was followed by the shock and anger of his actions with the woman who had traded her as effortlessly as a sack of grain.

He was surprised that she wasn't bitter to the point she never wanted to see either of them again, but that was another part of Fleur's kind nature that had called to him. While there wasn't an actual angel halo around her head, tonight he could almost believe it. There was still compassion and love in those green eyes, something he had long ignored, nor cared about. But because he didn't want to see her as jaded as he was, he was willing to do whatever it took to keep that beautiful smile on her face.

Miss Wilson saw them approaching before Flavian had glanced up. He appeared a bit rumpled in his finery, slumped in his chair with a glass dangling from his grasp. Drake clenched his jaw at the sight of the drink in his hand. The idiot had learned nothing. He was making the same mistakes now as he had in Greenwich, allowing his vices to consume him. Drake had known men like him, and sadly, they never changed until it was too late.

"Mr. Porter," the famed courtesan preened as they stopped before her. "I didn't expect to see you out this evening." She flicked a glance at Fleur. "And Miss Davies. How… altered you look." She returned her focus to Drake. "I see that the current situation suits you both. I'm quite relieved."

It was all Drake could do to retain his composure. Luckily, Flavian seemed to notice them out of his drunken stupor. He stared at his sister as if he didn't recognize her and then he quickly stumbled to his feet. "Fleur."

"Flavian."

Drake wasn't sure how to interpret the tone of Fleur's voice, but he imagined it was a mixture of disappointment and resignation. "Would you mind giving us a few moments alone?" she whispered to him.

He said nothing, just reached out and grasped Harriette's elbow and steered her toward the back of the tent. "Let's allow the siblings a chance to catch up," he uttered.

Miss Wilson laughed gaily. "Of course. I shall certainly not pass up an opportunity to entertain you, Mr. Porter."

Once they were out of earshot, Drake released her as if she was venomous snake and the truth wasn't that far removed. "What are you doing with Flavian Davies?"

She shrugged her narrow shoulders and tossed her brunette head. Pinning him with a flirtatious expression out of her green eyes, she returned smoothly, "He's actually a rather competent lover. He is learning quickly and eager to please."

Drake clenched his fists. "You can find a suitable cock anywhere. He has nothing else to offer you. You know he has no funds at his disposal."

She gave a mock gasp. "Don't be so crude. I know you have a reputation to uphold, but truly, it doesn't become you."

Drake ignored her. "Release the young pup and let him roam free where he might have a chance at repairing the life you are trying to destroy for your own amusement. Wasn't it enough that you separated Fleur from her flesh and blood?"

Her eyes narrowed slightly. "My, my. Who would have thought the Devil would ever care about anyone's circumstances other than his own. You are either besotted with the chit, or you are becoming soft. If the former, I shall have to rethink the additional funds I requested for Miss Davies. It appears she might be worth more." She smiled in a cunning manner, and again, Drake saw a slithering snake coiling to strike. "If the latter, I should warn you that would be quite drastic for your future happiness."

Drake took an intimidating step forward. "I am well aware of the coin you are trying to lighten from my coffers. We have already had this discussion. Is that why you are keeping Flavian comfortable at your side?"

She lifted a delicate brow but said nothing. It was all the confirmation he needed.

However, something else was niggling at his brain now. "You mentioned that my future happiness might be at stake. Is there something you aren't telling me?"

Harriette gave an exaggerated sigh. "Don't be so tiresome, Mr. Porter. I merely wanted to offer a cautionary. I heard about the fire. It would be drastic should it consume you. I do wish for your continued safety."

He snorted. "I assume your silence comes with an additional sum?"

She smiled broadly. "I have always admired you, Mr. Porter. We can come to an agreement if you would but put your faith in me in return." She reached out and drew a finger down the center of his chest. "Say the word and I will release Flavian in return for you. I have heard about your prowess in the bedchamber and am eager to see if the rumors are true."

He reached out and calmly took her hand and removed it from him. "You would do well to remember that I can also be a formidable foe, Miss Wilson. It is not wise to test my patience."

* * *

Once Drake and Miss Wilson had left, Fleur waited for her brother to speak, if he was even capable of it. She shook her head. "I can see you are getting on well with Harriette." She looked at the empty bottle by his feet and the nearly empty tumbler in his grasp. "Or rather, you are continuing to get on well with your brandy. I had hoped things might change, that you might change?—"

As tears started to sting her eyes, Fleur turned to leave. She didn't know where she would go without Drake, but neither could she stay there and continue to watch her dear brother ruin himself further.

There was a tug on her sleeve. "Fleur, wait!"

She didn't want to turn around, but the desperate whine in his tone caused her to pause. Reluctantly, she faced him once more. The glazed sheen over his brown eyes cut her to the quick. "I have found a way to set us free."

"Have you?" she whispered sadly.

He nodded almost emphatically. "There is a card game tomorrow evening?—"

She jerked her arm away. "If you recall, that is what got us in this mess in the first place."

He frowned, as if confused. "You are the one who insisted we come to London!"

"I did." She looked down at her hands. "To my everlasting regret. Look what has happened to you. You are in deeper now than you've ever been. You're going to end up indebted to the wrong person, someone that will demand immediate satisfaction." She lifted her gaze once more. "I won't be there to help you this time."

He gave a loud guffaws, causing a few of the passerby to glance in their direction. "I don't need you to fight my battles for my any longer, Fleur. I am capable of handling myself."

All that Fleur heard was I don't need you. She swallowed over the bitterness rising in her throat. At least she didn't want to cry any longer. She wanted to hit him in the chest and demand that he see reason, but it was useless. "I'm relieved to hear that, Flavian. I wish you all the best."

Again, she turned to go. "Are you happy, Fleur?"

She paused. It was the first time he'd ever asked her that question. Glancing back at him, she said, "As happy as a courtesan can be, I suppose." She wanted to tell him that she enjoyed being with Drake, but Flavian would only see it as a conquest, that he had done his part by standing aside and allowing the auction to take place. And since there were no promises or confessions of anything other than carnal adoration, she couldn't very well say that she was wading in blissful contentment.

She saw his throat work as he swallowed. By the way his forehead was starting to bead with perspiration, she knew that he was starting to crave his true mistress yet again. His hands shook slightly as he said, "Is he good to you, at least?"

She couldn't lie about that. "Yes. He is very kind."

Flavian inclined his head sharply and returned his attention to the tumbler that was still in his grasp. As he lifted it to his lips, Fleur walked away, determined not to see the rest of her twin's downfall.

She put a hand to her stomach as she moved to the edge of the main entertainment. She was still well within the public eye, but far enough removed that she could watch everything from a distance.

She made it in enough time to bend over and wretch all over the neatly trimmed lawn. Putting a hand to her mouth, she tried to breathe deeply, to calm herself after the tumultuous reunion with her brother. She had told herself that he was well but perhaps it was an intuition she had as his twin, she knew that things were not as they had seemed when she'd stumbled upon him with Harriette. She was manipulating Flavian's weaknesses, tearing him down just as she had enjoyed watching her ruination.

It wasn't much different than what Mr. Porter had done to those poor, lost souls.

No. She couldn't think like that, or she would not be able to make it through the rest of the night at his side. Perhaps it would have been best should she passed Flavian by. At least that way she could have remained in that solitary bubble of joy and pretend that nothing was amiss. But she had to see the reality for what it was.

And it wasn't very pretty.

"Feeling better?"

Fleur spun at the sound of the soft, masculine voice. When she saw Drake she wanted to rush into his arms, but they didn't have that sort of understanding. Emotions could not get involved. It would make things entirely too complicated and make a ruin of her heart until it was no longer recognizable—until it resembled his.

"I appreciate the chance to experience the magic of Vauxhall, but I would like to retire now, if you don't mind."

He stepped closer to her. "I know you want nothing more than to run and hide, to recover your defeat in private, but that isn't what you need."

"How do you know what I need?" she countered.

He held out his hand. "Come with me."

With an unsteady extension, Fleur gave him her palm.

His grasp was sure and steady, warm, as he led her toward the Dark Walks that branched away from the majority of the assembled. There were lanterns flickering among the paths, but cast very little light. The sliver of moon overhead offered slightly more in a cloudless sky, twinkling with brilliant stars.

It would have been a perfectly romantic night, except that her chest was aching with grief.

Through several twists and turns, Drake led her through the labyrinth, until he finally stopped near the water's edge. There, bobbing all alone, was a dinghy with two oars on the sand—just large enough for two.

"It would be a shame to miss the fireworks display. I thought you deserved a front row seat for your first viewing. It is best from the water."

Fleur's chest tightened, but this time, it was for a different reason. She reached out and threaded her hand through his. It was probably more intimate than sharing his bed. That was just a sexual act, but this showed how much she appreciated his thoughtfulness. "Thank you."

He clenched his jaw as if he was uncomfortable with the praise and assisted her into the small boat. Once he'd shoved the hull into the river, he climbed in opposite her and took up the wooden paddles. She was impressed by the strength in his torso as he easily sailed them through the smooth water. It was a still night with light wind, so when he finally paused a short distance from a few other boats floating nearby, they bobbed gently on the lapping waves.

After a time, the easy sway of the boat lulled her into a sense of security. Out here, so far removed from the shore and the troubles that had dogged her heels there suddenly seemed very far away.

"How long do we have to wait for them to begin?" she asked. The purple hue of dusk had long given way to the darkness. There were a few candles flickering from some of the other boats, but their dinghy remained mysterious and subdued.

"They should be starting anytime." Allowing the oars to drift, he held out a hand to her. "Would you care to lean against me? It might be more comfortable."

Fleur decided she would like that very much. Carefully moving so that she didn't tip the boat, she relaxed against his strong warm chest, her head lying in the crook of his shoulder. It quickly swept away all of her earlier cares.

"You looked enchanting this evening." His breath teased the fine hairs near her temple and sent shivers down her spine and gooseflesh along her arms.

Suddenly, she didn't care about anything but being with Drake.

As if reading her thoughts, his right hand slipped beneath her bodice to cup her naked breast. She gasped as he toyed with her taut nipple, rolling it between his fingers and palming her flesh until her core was pulsing.

At the same time, the first sparks erupted overhead. She gasped again and the pressure increased. She bit her lip and arched into his touch.

"You're so responsive," he growled deeply. "You drive me mad with desire for you."

Fleur could say the same, but the combination of the light flashes overhead and the passion flowing through her body, she was quite at a loss for words.

"Bend your legs and spread them for me. I want to feel you come."

Obediently, she did as he asked, eager for his ministrations. Now she understood why they had remained further away from the rest of the spectators. She wondered if he'd also planned this seduction all along.

The moment he inserted a finger into her wet passage, Fleur's eyes rolled back in her head. She could still hear the loud booms and the applause in the distance, but all of her senses were focused on Drake and the pleasure he was causing with her.

She clutched at his arms and moaned lightly.

"That's it. Give yourself to me."

Fleur could tell she was close to her peak. And as the display turned fervent overhead, the sensations inside of her exploded when he flicked his finger along her sensitive bud.

She cried out as her body tightened and then became awash with a glorious release that made her cheeks flush and her legs tremble with the force of it.

As the fireworks ceased, Fleur floated back to reality. Her eyes fluttering open, she felt like a woman who had been well and truly loved. She sat up and turned to look at Drake. "Take me home."

He bent forward and kissed her tenderly. "As my lady wishes."