“Let me check the records, my lord. If we have any clients who are printing material of that nature, what would you like me to do?”
“Cancel the contracts, of course.”
Evan said the words, but in no way did he believe that there was a contract with his business to print such literature. This was going on under the table, and he had a feeling Gunderson knew all about it. Jenkins seemed to be in the clear because he had clearly not warned the night staff that Evan had made inquiries. Whatever was going on, Evan would find out about it and put a stop to it.
“I think I’ll take a look around back and see what’s going to print tonight,” Evan said.
“Absolutely, my lord. The morning journal is about to go to print in a few hours. They haven’t sent over the final copy yet. Right now we’re finishing up a pamphlet printing for the ladies’ garment store on Orchard.”
“Excellent,” Evan said. “I’d like to take a look for quality control. If you could please show me around, I would appreciate it.”
During his tour through the presses, Evan found nothing to indicate that anything untoward was going on. However, something did not sit right with him. Either Gunderson or someone who worked under him was lying. He could feel it in his gut. He had become the businessman he was not only because of his business sense, but also because of his gut instinct. He had learned to trust it.
“Thank you, Gunderson. You seem to be running a tight ship here, and I appreciate it.”
“You’re very welcome, my lord. I take my work here quite seriously.”
“I’ll be in touch.” Evan nodded and left via the back entrance.
His mind was whirling. Though he knew he needed rest, he was agitated and needed to work off some energy. He dismissed his coach, deciding to walk back to his rooming house.
Alexandra invaded his thoughts. Though he’d always thought her beautiful, he’d never known what internal strength she possessed. Unconventional, yes, but who wouldn’t be after the life she had lived?
His cock pulsed. Damn it all. Just what he didn’t need tonight. What the hell? He knew damned well where he could sate his appetite. There was a high-class gaming hall and brothel nearby, and he hadn’t frequented the place in a while. He turned off the road to his hotel and ambled toward the seedier section of the city.
“Evening, sir,” a long-haired boy said. “Care for a bit of reading material?”
“Thank you, no,” Evan replied.
“Sure you do, old bloke. This is a free sample. If you like it, you can find it in several places in Bath and in London.” The boy pushed a paper into Evan’s hand and walked swiftly away.
Evan shoved it in his pocket and continued to the gaming hall. He entered, ordered a brandy, and looked around. No shortage of beautiful women here, but for some strange reason none of them appealed to him. He was looking for a tall woman with chestnut hair, sparkling brown eyes, and the most luscious breasts he’d ever been privileged to see. And she certainly wasn’t here.
He sighed and gulped down the rest of his brandy. As he got up to leave, the paper the young boy had handed him crunched in his pocket. He pulled it out and held it up to the lamp on his table. He squinted to read the calligraphic title.
The Ruby.
Confessions of La
dy Prudence
by Madame O
My skin was so tight, my nerves so tingly. I eased Hattie’s drawers over her hips and then disposed of mine as well. She had a triangle of honey-blond curls over her mound, and I ached to run my fingers through their softness.
Instead, I pressed against her in a soft hug and whispered, “Would you lie with me on my bed? Kiss me some more?”
She nodded hesitantly.
I took her hands, and together we lay down atop my quilt. I took her into my arms and pressed my mouth to hers. She opened for me quickly, thrust her tongue into my mouth. Pure heaven, Amelia, kissing her. She might not have had much experience, but kissing came very naturally to her.
We ate at each other’s mouths, sighing, moaning, swirling our tongues around each other’s, sucking and licking. My quim grew wetter and wetter, and my nipples hardened again, aching for her twisting fingertips. She hadn’t yet tasted my nipples, but I could no longer stay away from the sweet heaven that beckoned me.
I broke our kiss with a loud smack. “Hattie?”
“Yes, my lady?”
“I should like very much to kiss you…other places.”