A frisson of uncontrollable lust speared through his belly as he recalled the lush, liquid taste of her, the soft, sensuous curves—
“Wrexham!”
His eyes flew open.
“How f’rtuitous to run into you here.”
John would have chosen a different adjective. Viscount Lumley looked as though he had already been drinking heavily, despite the fact that it was barely past noon. “Indeed?” he replied coolly. “Why is that?”
“Because I know a m’litary man will listen to reason.” The viscount fell in step beside him. “You un’erstand the notions of duty and loyalty, and the importance of rigid dis’pline. Can’t let the common ranks get out of control, right?”
John felt his jaw tighten.
“The vote on this damned bill f’r veterans looks like it will be closer than it should be. You, as a r’spected war hero, will have a great deal of influence on the undecided peers. Sommers and I wish to, shall we say, encourage you to say the right thing.”
“I assure you, that is my wish, too.” It took all of his considerable discipline to keep his temper in check. “Be assured that I am reading all I can about the issues and will make a thorough study of their complexities before I draft my speech.”
Lumley made a rude sound. “To hell with reading and thi’nking about the issue, man. We intend to make it easy f’r you. Come out in favor of our side and we shall see you are generously rewarded. Sommers and I have friends among the East India Company governors who are willing to give you stock in the new diamond trading venture.”
“You are offering me a bribe?” asked John softly.
Lumley winked. “Call it an exc’hange of favors between g’ntlemen. It’s done all the time.”
“Save your breath,” he snapped. “My principles are not for sale.”
“Principles?” Lumley’s eyes widened for an instance in surprise, and then narrowed to a slitted stare. “What about the principle of siding with your own kind against the rabble, eh?”
“My own kind?” said John, anger causing him to quicken his stride. “You are mistaken—I’ve nothing in common with parasites who feed with self-satisfied smugness off the sweat and suffering of others.”
“You’re a God-benighted fool, Wrexham,” snarled the viscount as he struggled to keep pace. “The stock we are offering is worth a very large sum of money.”
“I don’t need money.”
“A very large sum of money,” repeated Lumley.
“No amount of blunt is worth my self-respect.”
“You are not only a fool but also a traitor to your class. Mark my words, if you don’t rec’nsider your position, you will be sorry.”
John curled a contemptuous smile. “That’s the second time you’ve threatened me, Lumley. Do it again and it is you who will be sorry.”
Chapter Fourteen
After a few early spitting showers, the next morning turned clear and cloudless, giving reason to believe that the planned meeting with Wrexham’s son should go as planned.
Olivia insisted on accompanying Caro to the rendezvous in Grosvenor Square, and Anna decided to join in, too.
“Seeing as I am the expert at choreographing clandestine meetings,” she announced, “I had better come along to ensure that nothing goes amiss.”
They arrived at the large, leafy gardens of Berkeley Square well before the appointed rendezvous and took up a position within the thick ornamental bushes clustered near the central fountain.
“You are sure that you remember exactly what you are to tell Prescott?” asked Olivia, feeling a twinge of nerves.
Caro nodded. “You’ve had me repeat it enough times.”
“And you won’t forget that you mustn’t on any account mention that I am Lady Loose Screw?”
Caro made a face. “That’s the fourth time you have reminded me. I’m not a complete ninnyhammer, you know.”