precisely prohibited in writing, Lucien Remington would do it. He showed no leniency when it came to expanding his empire. He was widely disparaged for his 'vulgar pursuit of money,' but Julienne found it rather thrilling. He cared nothing for the regard of others, a nonchalance she wished she could affect herself.
'Now, about your brother…?'
'Lord Montrose,' she blurted.
A devilish smile teased the corners of Remington's mouth. 'That explains why he hasn't answered your messages, sweetheart. The earl owes me a great deal of money. I suspect he's avoiding me.'
She said nothing, but she clenched her fists. Their situation must be worse than she'd thought. It was common for Hugh to carouse and spend days on end with his scapegrace associates. From experience she knew he most likely wasn't in danger. But that didn't ease her worry. Or their predicament.
'Why don't you tell me what you need?' Remington coaxed, his long fingers rhythmically kneading her lower thighs. 'Perhaps I can help.'
The sensations he elicited spread up her legs and into her breasts, flushing her skin. Her nipples hardened. 'Why would you want to do that?'
His powerful shoulders flexed as he shrugged. 'You are a beautiful woman. I like beautiful women. Especially troubled ones who require my assistance.'
'So you can take advantage?' She stood, her thoughts and body in turmoil, and his hands fell away. 'I should not have come in here.'
'No, you shouldn't have,' he agreed, his voice soft. Remington rose at the same time, towering over her. The top of her head barely reached his shoulders, and Julienne was forced to tilt her head back to look at him.
She turned to leave, but his grip on her elbow stayed her. Heat radiated from his fingers and spread through her body.
'Unhand me,' she ordered in an unsteady voice. 'I wish to leave.'
She didn't, not truly, but she must. Remington's proximity was doing terrible things to her. Wonderful, terrible things. Things it most likely did to countless other women.
He shook his head and grinned. 'Pity that, since you're not going anywhere. Not until morning. You've created enough of a stir as it is, coughing brandy all over Lord Ridgely. Returning to the floor, however briefly, would stir up the whole mess again. You've wounded his pride, and he's a pompous ass.'
'What do you suggest I do then?'
The amusement in his eyes never wavered. 'You'll stay the night in one of the rooms upstairs. I'll entertain Ridgely and his cronies until the whole debacle is forgotten.'
She gaped. 'You're mad! I cannot remain in this establishment overnight!'
Remington laughed. The deep, rich sound gathered around her like an embrace and made her shiver. But she wasn't cold. To her dismay, she was growing hotter by the moment. She couldn't help it with the way he looked at her. Julienne had seen that look before. But no man had ever dared to give it to her.
She found she rather liked it.
'You went to a hell of a lot of trouble to get in here,' he purred. 'And now you're anxious to leave?'
Julienne sidestepped, but he didn't release her. 'My need was especially dire. I apologize for any trouble I-'
'You don't sound very sorry.'
'I'll leave immediately,' she offered.
'You'll leave in the morning. The hour is late. The streets aren't safe.'
'My aunt will worry,' she argued.
'I'll send Lady Whitfield a note. She'll know you're well.'
She stilled, her eyes narrowing. 'How do you know about my aunt?'
'I know everything about every one of the members of my club. Especially those who enjoy lines of credit.' Remington's thumb began an absentminded caress of the hollow of her elbow. Julienne felt the warmth of his touch all the way to her bones.
'I know your parents died when you were very young and your Aunt Eugenia's been your guardian for years. You and Montrose are always running roughshod over her. Your brother is brash, hotheaded, and still too young for the responsibilities of his title. You're always bailing him out of one mess or another. And now I know how seriously you take that responsibility.'
She looked away, flustered that he knew such intimate details. 'Do you also know how sick to death I am of that chore?' she said finally, surprising herself with the admission.
His voice turned soft and sympathetic. 'I'm certain you must be. But you've done an admirable job. There's not been even a breath of scandal attached to the La Coeur name.'
Julienne looked up at him, overwhelmed by his nearness. She felt slightly tipsy, but she couldn't blame it on the brandy. Lord Ridgely was presently wearing most of it.
Remington led her across the room and pulled the bell. 'I'll have one of the courtesans give you a night rail. You'll be comfortable. My hospitality is legendary.'
She scowled. 'That's not all that's legendary.'
Unperturbed, he gave her a wink. A lock of silky hair fell across his forehead, and Julienne fought the unaccountable urge to brush it away with her fingertips.
An attendant came, and Remington drew him aside. When the servant left, she tried again to reason her way out of trouble.
'Mr. Remington, I must insist you allow me to leave. It is most improper for me to spend the evening here.'
'And masquerading your way into my club is proper?' Remington's brilliant gaze hardened with determination. 'You've created an inconvenience for me, Lady Julienne. The least you can do is minimize the damage.'
Everything they said about the man was true. Single-minded. Stubborn. Relentless. She could always slip away. She was good at-
'Don't even consider sneaking out,' he warned. 'I've already instructed the attendant. You won't get far.'
'Of all the-!' she sputtered.
Abruptly the wall opened, revealing a hidden passageway and a young, scantily dressed woman.
'Escort my'-he shot her an amused glance and chuckled-'lady friend to the Sapphire Room, Janice. Give her a night rail, and order her a supper tray.'
The courtesan's eyes widened as she studied Julienne with obvious interest.
With a hand at the small of her back, Remington propelled her toward the opening. He bent low, his lips brushing her ear. 'Stay in your room until I send for you in the morning. I would hate for you to be seen without your disguise.'
Julienne stared at the open portal. 'Don't you have one of these that lead out-'
'No. This goes from here to my room. Nowhere else.'
She shivered as his breath danced across her throat, the feeling so intimate as to have been almost a caress. 'Mr. Remington, is there any way I could convince you of the impropriety of this arrangement? I'm truly sorry to have disturbed you.'
His blue eyes darkened, and he opened his mouth to speak. Then he shut it and shook his head. 'Go on now,' he urged in a husky whisper. 'I have work to do.'
Muttering under her breath, Julienne followed Janice into the secret hallway, feeling Remington's eyes on her until she disappeared from sight. It took only moments to reach the upstairs gallery, where the courtesan ushered her into an opulent bedchamber. As soon as she stepped inside, Julienne paused, entranced.
The Sapphire Room was the loveliest room she'd ever seen. The walls were covered in deep blue-and-cream stripes of silk, the massive bed was layered in lush indigo velvet, and the parquet floors were covered with rich Aubusson rugs. She spun slowly, attempting to picture Remington here.
'My lady?'
Julienne started in surprise at the use of her courtesy title. 'How did you know?'
Janice smiled. ''Tis impossible to hide good breeding. I'll go now and fetch you something else to wear and some supper. I won't be long.'
'Thank you. I'd be very grateful to get out of these clothes.'
After the courtesan left, Julienne tossed the wig into the coal bucket and sank into a chair, once again admiring
