The Virgin Who Ruined Lord Gray - Anna Bradley Page 0,43

to kiss him?

The tip of her tongue darted out to touch her upper lip. She didn’t realize she’d done it until a flicker in the gray eyes drew her gaze back to his. He’d followed the movement, and was now staring at her mouth.

Well, that was…strangely titillating. She didn’t realize she’d instinctively parted her lips until his eyes darkened, and suddenly flustered, Sophia rushed awkwardly into speech. “Were you injured while chasing down a criminal? Is it a knife wound, or—”

“No, no, it’s…nothing like that.”

She cocked her head to the side to study it. “Were you struck? A fist, one with a jeweled ring on the finger might have left such a scar as that.”

“I assure you, Miss Monmouth, the story will disappoint you.”

She rested her hand on the seat between them, leaning closer to get a better look at his lips. “Was it a thief with long, sharp fingernails, or—”

“No!” He jerked his head back. “As I said, it’s a dull story.”

Was he blushing? Goodness, the origin of that scar grew more fascinating by the moment. “I think it must be something terribly exciting, for you to be so secretive about it.” Sophia tapped her lip as she considered the scar. “Was it a quarrel with one of your mistresses? Or a duel over one of your mistresses? Or perhaps one of your mistresses found out about another and she—”

“For God’s sake, Miss Monmouth!” The hint of color on his cheekbones had deepened to crimson. “Your fevered imagination does you no credit at all, and in any case, we’ve arrived.”

Sophia glanced out the window. They had indeed arrived, and Lord Gray was mightily relieved at it. She frowned. There must be quite a story behind that scar if he preferred a wander through Newgate Prison to divulging it.

She hopped out of the carriage without waiting for the coachman’s assistance, but Lord Gray stopped her with a hand on her arm when she stepped toward the main entrance of the prison. “Not that way. Follow me, Miss Monmouth.”

He led her to a smaller doorway on the left with an arch above it, and two narrow windows set high into the brick on either side. He reached up to rap the end of his walking stick against one of these windows, and a few seconds later a face appeared behind the glass. Lord Gray jerked his head toward the left, and the face disappeared.

A few moments later, the door opened and a grimy man with a long, narrow chin peered out. He didn’t look pleased to see Lord Gray, but he managed a sullen bow. “Afternoon, yer lordship.”

“Hogg. Just the man I’d hoped to find.” Lord Gray twirled his walking stick between his spotlessly clean white gloves. “I need your assistance.”

Hogg glanced from Lord Gray to Sophia and back again. “An’ what kind of ’elp would ye be needing?”

“Nothing too taxing. This lady and I need a word with one of your prisoners.”

Hogg ran dirty fingers over his stubbled jaw. “Aw right. What prisoner ye want, milord?”

Lord Gray studied the silver tip of his walking stick for a moment, then lowered it to the ground and met Hogg’s gaze. “Jeremy Ives.”

Hogg’s face went white. “Nay, milord. Can’t help ye there. No one sees Ives, on orders from the guv’nor.”

“But you’ll make an exception for me, won’t you, Hogg? It’s the least you can do, given our long and mutually beneficial…friendship.” Lord Gray reached into a pocket of his coat and drew out a small pouch. Coins clinked together as he tossed it into the air and caught it again. “I’ll make it worth your while, of course.”

Hogg’s gaze locked on the pouch with a look so greedy, Sophia half-expected to see drool run down his chin. He glanced around, then peered behind him into the dim hallway. “I’ll lose me place if anyone sees—”

“The longer you keep us standing here, the greater the chance someone will. Best make up your mind quickly, Hogg.”

“Aw right then, but ye’ll have to be quick, like. No mor’n a few minutes, milord,” Hogg hissed, backing away from the door.

Lord Gray pushed it open with the tip of his walking stick. “After you, Miss Monmouth.”

Sophia ascended the step, but hesitated before passing through. She wasn’t a timid sort of lady, but that darkened doorway looked like the very portal into hell.

To her surprise, a large, warm hand settled on her back. “I’m right behind you,” Lord Gray murmured into her ear, his deep, rough velvet voice