The comment wrenched a growl from his throat. “Just one last kiss before we go.”
“One last kiss,” she breathed, tugging his waistcoat and pulling him closer.
And so he spent the next five minutes showing her the depth of his gratitude, tasting her passionately in a bid to satisfy the crippling ache.
Chapter 15
“For my damn sake, just tell them what they want to know and let that be an end to the matter.” Lord Newberry’s frustrated demand reached Eva’s ears as she waited with Mr Cole in the hall of Lord Benham’s house in Portman Square.
The snooty butler remained as stiff as a statue beside them and made no apology for the obvious row.
“I’ll not have them question me like a criminal in my own house,” the viscount countered. “If you don’t bloody well throw them out, I will.”
“Someone attempted to murder Miss Dunn last night,” came Lord Newberry’s reply. “When they apprehended the villain, he named you as the devil who hired him. Daventry has already mentioned the matter to Sir Malcolm Langley. Look, I want these bastards off my back.”
Mr Cole glared at the study door before glancing at Eva. “Brace yourself. If he refuses to see us, I’m liable to kick down the door.”
This time the butler released a faint gasp.
Eva smiled despite Mr Cole’s gruff countenance. “These are new boots, though I’m more than happy to help, and have a reasonably good aim.”
The faintest flicker of amusement passed over Mr Cole’s features. “It may mean being arrested by a constable.”
“A travesty of justice I shall write about in any newspaper willing to publish the article. Indeed, I shall print pamphlets, stand in the street and thrust them at every passer-by.”
Mr Cole considered her through narrow eyes. “Daventry said you came to Ashwood’s defence with the same fiery passion.”
“I’ll not have Mr Ashwood demeaned when he deserves the opposite. I might have died last night had he not been there to save me.”
“The fact he was there at such an early hour of—”
A shout from the drawing room brought their conversation to a halt.
“Do they know who I am?” Lord Benham yelled.
“These bastards don’t care who you are,” Lord Newberry countered. “They find your weakness and keep stabbing with their damn blades. Just tell them what you told me.”
The loud bang and vile curse proved the last straw for Mr Cole. He stepped forward, ignoring the butler’s protests, and barged into the room.
Eva hurried along behind.
“You may have nothing better to do with your time,” Mr Cole barked, folding his muscular arms across his chest, “but I’m a busy man. I’m due at Bow Street in an hour to meet with Sir Malcolm. I’m sure he’ll be interested to hear why I kept him waiting.”
“Don’t forget your appointment with Peel, sir,” Eva added, her temper roused by the arrogant glare of both pompous lords. “You promised to explain that Lord Benham hired the thug who sought to raze my house to the ground.”
In truth, there wasn’t a magistrate in the land willing to prosecute a member of the peerage. Still, her comment ruffled Lord Benham’s feathers.
“Do you think I would take myself to the depths of the devil’s underbelly and pay a miscreant to do my bidding?” Lord Benham stared down his hooked nose. “Now get the hell out of my house.”
Panicked, Lord Newberry tried to reason with his friend. “Just tell them about the last time you saw Howard Dunn, and that will be the end of the matter.”
“Listen to your friend, Benham.” Mr Cole’s tone was as menacing as the look in his eyes. “Prove your innocence else I fear Ashwood will call you out for insulting his mother, and for the shocking way you treated Miss Dunn. I’m sure I don’t need to remind you of his skill with a pistol.”
Lord Benham gritted his teeth, though uncertainty flashed in his eyes.
Eva hurried forward. “Be assured, my lord, my brother is no longer welcome in my house. It is only a matter of time before someone beats him to death and throws his body in the Thames. But do I deserve to suffer because of his foolish actions?”
The viscount sneered. “You’re not the only person suffering, Miss Dunn. Why should you sleep peacefully when someone else must forever hide in the shadows?”
Hypocrite!
“Had you won the bet, my lord, you would be guilty of sentencing me to the same fate. But I suppose you do not consider my life as important.”
The viscount remained silent.
“Did you pay someone to attack Miss Dunn’s home?” Mr Cole snapped. “Was your mind clouded with the need for vengeance?”
“I know you hate me,” Eva blurted, unable to suppress the sudden rush of emotion. There had been too many problems to deal with of late. “But do you really wish me dead?”
A muscle twitched beneath the viscount’s beady left eye. “I do not hate you, Miss Dunn. I’m simply unused to rejection.”
Eva took another tentative step closer. “Please, my lord. They say a kindness bestowed is repaid tenfold. Tell me what you know about my brother.”
“Just tell her!” Lord Newberry interjected. It was plain to see he had his own interests at heart.
Lord Benham shot his friend an irate glare before turning to Eva. “I did see him in Cockburns, but not on the night I mentioned. It was two weeks ago now.”
Eva’s blood boiled. Her brother was an utter buffoon. “He was still gambling despite his mounting debts?”
“Gambling with what pittance he had left in his pocket. The proprietor refused to extend his credit.”
“And did you speak to him?” Eva asked.
Lord Benham marched to the side table and unstoppered a crystal decanter. “I left before he did, waited in the alley.” He filled a goblet with brandy, swallowed the contents and hissed a breath. “Dunn sauntered past as if he hadn’t a care in the world, while my sister—”
The viscount refilled his glass and emptied it just as quickly.
“Did you speak to him, my lord?”
“Speak to
