with further proof of the fact you’ve lost your bloody mind, I truly must go.”
Sin’s expression had turned maudlin. “A cat could be just the thing. You are brilliant, Decker.”
“I suggested a dog,” he muttered, bemused.
What the devil had happened to his friend?
Love was a horrid thing.
Best to stay his course—wickedness.
Now, Decker just had to find his quarry.
For the first time, the weekly meeting of the Lady’s Suffrage Society had convened at the townhome of the Earl and Countess of Sinclair. The gathering was being held in the library, and Jo was listening to Lady Helena Davenport discussing suggestions for hosting a charity bazaar to encourage new society members to join.
And that was when she saw him standing at the threshold of the open library door.
Mr. Elijah Decker.
Their gazes connected.
He beckoned her. She glanced wildly about to see if anyone else had noticed him. Everyone’s attention was directed toward Lady Helena, however. Her gaze flicked back to him. He was still there.
He motioned again.
She shook her head, mouthed a frantic denial. No.
He flashed her the grin that made heat pool between her thighs. His lips moved in a soundless response. Yes.
For a frantic moment, she remained where she was, frozen. Wondering if she ought to go, just so that he would cease hovering at the threshold, trying to lure her nearer to danger, or if she ought to stay put and ignore him. He crooked a finger.
She swallowed. Looked away. But Lady Helena’s dulcet voice was not sufficient distraction. She could not concentrate upon a single word Lady Helena uttered. When she glanced toward the door once more, he was gone. She could not deny the swift rush of disappointment lancing her.
Had he truly left? Was he so certain she would do his bidding that he was awaiting her now? Moreover, what did he want?
She was curious. And foolish.
Jo quietly excused herself and left the library. The hallway was empty. She had a choice. She could return to the safety of the gathering. Or she could try to find Mr. Decker.
Her feet made the decision for her, guiding her down the hall, one tentative step at a time.
“Psssst.”
The hushed sound had come from behind her. Jo spun about, heart pounding.
A sliver of Mr. Decker’s handsome face emerged from the music room. The corner of his sensual mouth was kicked up in a tempting grin. Then, he disappeared within.
Another decision faced her. Flee or join him.
Taking care to make sure none of her fellow ladies had emerged from the library to see where she had gone, she hastened into the music room. Mr. Decker was nowhere to be found. The new piano Callie had recently purchased to replace the previous old monstrosity, which had never been tuned to suit her, gleamed, the bench empty. So, too, the overstuffed chaise longue and the matching chairs.
The door slid closed at her back.
Jo whirled, finding Mr. Decker at last, leaning indolently against the wall, still grinning as if he had not a care. He was as insufferably attractive as ever this afternoon. His mouth looked like the sort that knew how to kiss. His wavy dark hair was tousled, a lock falling over his brow in rakish fashion, and the most ridiculous urge to run her fingers through those inky strands hit her.
He had been hiding behind the door, the rotter.
Jo clung to her irritation, which seemed the wisest course. “What are you doing here, Mr. Decker?”
“Visiting my friend, Lord Sinclair.” His blue gaze swept down Jo’s form, assessing.
Bringing heat to her cheeks and elsewhere, too. She fought the urge to smooth an imaginary wrinkle from her skirts. What gown had she chosen? Amethyst satin, trimmed with lace. Not her favorite, but passable, she supposed. Oh, why did she care?
She frowned at him. “You know very well what I meant, sir. What are you doing here, in the music room?”
“I could ask the same of you,” he pointed out.
Even his voice was beautiful. Deep and decadent, sending a trill down her spine. It washed over her like silk.
She tamped down the strange, unwanted sensations flitting through her. “I should go. The other ladies will wonder where I am.”
He shrugged and pushed away from the wall at last, sauntering slowly toward her. “Let them wonder.”
The risk of being caught here, alone with him, was great. Still, she told herself they had unfinished business. He was yet in possession of her list. She wanted it back. Yes, that was the sole reason she remained. Why she