no woman for me but you, goddess. I hope you will remember that when considering your options. If you need more incentive … well, there are a number of other things I can do to make you scream my name, and I’d be happy to perform them at your command.”
Laughter bubbled up from her throat. “I will keep that in mind, Mr. Burke. Now, I think we had better part ways.”
Raking her from head to toe with his gaze, his tongue crept out to wet his lips, the urge to lay her back on the settee and pick up where they’d left off nearly irresistible.
“Yes, I think we had better. I’m going to have the damnedest time keeping my hands off you. If you value your reputation, I suggest you stay out of my reach when we’re in the presence of others.”
She gave him a wide berth on her way to the door, stooping to retrieve her fichu and the few pins she could find scattered on the rug.
“Perhaps you can behave yourself long enough for us to speak later?” she asked. “Will you meet me in the garden tonight after everyone’s gone to bed?”
“Certainly, though I say you’re simply begging to be debauched with that strategy. Or perhaps you are the one with ill intentions. Will I find myself ravished if I venture into the garden after dark? Will I have to defend my virtue? Though I fear I shall be utterly helpless in the face of your wanton advances.”
She laughed again, and Nick loved the sound as much as he did her moans of pleasure. He’d never heard her laugh without restraint, and it stunned him to realize how thoroughly enchanting she was when her guard was lowered. The sparks he had noticed here and there were now a shining beacon as bright as the sun, captivating and magical.
“Behave yourself, Mr. Burke.”
“I will do my best, Miss Barrington. Until this evening.”
She gave him a final glance over her shoulder before making her exit, freeing him from the thrall that had him standing there, staring after her like a lovesick idiot.
Pacing the length of the room, he turned his thoughts to the things he would have to do once he returned to London.
He was going to have to tell his friends that his days as a gentleman courtesan were now at an end. Despite knowing it was what needed to be done, he realized this might cause him to lose one of the best friends he’d ever had. Because, when Nick confessed to being in love and wanting to marry his keeper—the third courtesan in the span of a year to do so—Benedict was quite possibly going to murder him.
Chapter 11
“An interesting development to come out of the previous Season is the sudden popularity of one, Mr. G. With no actual ties to le bon ton, one must wonder just how he’s managed to earn himself invitations into so many illustrious homes of late. I suppose one need only look at the man to determine why so many mamas crave his attendance at their soirees—the man is as beautiful as Michelangelo’s David, and is charming besides. Of course, if any of you have set your caps for him as a marriage prospect, I must caution you—the gentry gent is set to inherit a crumbling country pile that is so deep in debt it is a wonder his father hasn’t yet been dragged off to debtor’s prison.”
The London Gossip, September 24, 1819
Calliope spent the rest of the day feeling as if she floated on air, her feet inches above the ground and her head in the clouds. The shame she ought to feel at allowing Dominick to take liberties with her body was notably absent, and there was nothing but joy. It should distress her to think the guests might see the life-changing shift that had occurred within her, her eyes now opened and her heart clutched firmly in the hands of Dominick Burke.
However, she found it difficult to care what anyone might assume or think when she was so illogically happy. In the back of her mind, she was aware that the burgeoning feelings she had tried so hard to fight further complicated matters. There was still Martin, who only awaited the approval of her father before making an official proposal. There was her papa, who was under the impression that she would choose the man she had praised only a few days ago while deemphasizing her connection to