Read Online The Copper and the Madam by Karyn Gerrard - Free Book Online

man?”
    Billon took a couple of steps closer to their
carriage and lowered his voice. “Well, your lordship, we did have a
murder here, about ten months gone. First one in decades. Had the
countryside in an uproar. Never solved.”
    Rea acted appropriately horrified, and Rory
made a show of patting her hand in comfort. What a great team.
    “Do you have a proper police force? Just want
to assure her ladyship.”
    “We have a parish constable. He has a small
office in Sutton-On-Sea.”
    Rory nodded. “Thank you, Mr. Billon. Oh, the
earl, I assume, is at his townhouse in...Mayfair is it?”
    “Yes, your lordship. Hyde Park Corner.”
    Rory snapped the reins and the horse moved
forward in a light canter.
    Rea clutched his arm. “Do you really think
Southen is in London?”
    “It is possible. I can usually tell when
someone is lying to me. Billon seemed sincere in his statements. I
will head back into the village and seek out this parish
constable.” He kissed her cheek. “Well done, Rhiannon. You are a
natural.”
    His gentle kiss and admiring words caused
such pleasure to cover her, she thought she would burst.
    “You are a natural mimic,” she said. “Where
ever did you learn that high-class accent?”
    “The Baron of Stonecliff.”
    They both laughed.
    How handsome he looked in his fine black
suit. He appeared every inch an aristocrat. While it was enjoyable
to playact and pretend, reality came crashing to the forefront of
her mind. If Southen resided in London, that meant he had been
there when Gordon was killed. A murder in this sleepy country
setting? Could Southen be involved? Lord, her imagination could run
wild.
    “In what guise will you approach the
constable? This is a small area. People talk. You can’t be the
baron then identify yourself as a detective with Scotland
Yard.”
    “I was thinking about the very same thing. I
noticed a pub next to the inn where I will bet the men congregate
in the evening hours, including the constable. With a few ales in
them, men’s tongues can loosen nicely. I will saunter in and buy
everyone a few rounds. That should do the trick.”
    Rea moved closer, leaning in to Rory’s
strength. Already she became used to his nearness and his touch. He
wanted to do more at the inn tonight? Well . Apprehension
filled her, but also exultation. Could she allow Rory to touch her,
or more? She yearned to explore the option, but crushing doubts
made her wary. The dreams of the past several years held dozens of
creative scenarios. Far safer to keep Rory hidden away in the
twilight of her imaginings. He spoke the truth about one thing,
however, they had to try. This could be the only chance she would
have to test her readiness with accepting a man in a carnal
way.
     
    ***
     
    Rory waited for Rhiannon’s arrival in the
private dining room. He’d booked the room using the false name he
gave the groundskeeper. Once the owner of the inn believed him a
baron, the man pulled out all the stops.
    The menu for supper originally consisted of a
beef stew, now Rory had been told roast turkey would be served to
him tonight. The perks of being an aristocrat. Rory curled his lip.
He had no use for the peerage, all the way to the queen. They all
lived as if everyone owed them, yet people died of starvation and
disease in sewage-filled alleys every day. He had observed the
worst of humanity and also the best under the most horrible of
circumstances.
    The skin of his inner thigh burned, as if her
hand still caressed and explored. His long coat hid his aroused
state. His cock had been hard for the last several hours.
Proceeding in a slow manner would be agony, but Rory would keep his
promise. He would not fall on her as a rutting beast might, as
tempted as he was to do that very thing.
    The difference in her appearance astonished
him. A very attractive woman, who hid behind the brashest and most
brazen of disguises. Her abundance of flesh did not disgust him. He
found her sensually appealing with her