The Lady Tamed by Boyd, Heather (urban books to read TXT) 📗

tamed Lady Fanny Rivers. He’d be a valuable commodity.”

“He would not seek to benefit in that way,” she insisted.

Father seemed surprised by her response. “Why shouldn’t he earn his way in the world? Or have you paid him so well for his company that he might never need to perform again?”

“The sum I have given him is fair,” she promised. But it might be wise to revise the terms of their arrangement to ensure he wouldn’t seek to profit from a scandal.

“There’s more to him than meets the eye then, as you claimed from the beginning.” He shrugged. “Secret affairs do not last forever, and it is my fervent hope that Dawes will not cause a fuss.”

The idea of that happening sent a shiver down Fanny’s spine, but she gritted her teeth to hide her fear. Jeremy’s role in her life was fleeting. Father’s warning was timely for her not to forget that. Not to be swept away by her growing infatuation. She had no future with Jeremy. They were acting the part of friends and lovers. “Have you seen him this afternoon?”

“I saw him talking with Wilks earlier,” Father said in an offhand way. “I’m sure he’ll come back. He usually does.”

“Yes,” Fanny agreed, starting to climb to her feet.

Father smiled. “Well, I’d best go find my Gillian.”

“Yes of course. Give her my love.”

“I will.”

Father sauntered out ahead of her.

Fanny waited a beat then hurried upstairs, looking for Jeremy. She went first to her own chamber, finding it still locked, and then went to her safe. She’d made a careful study of Jeremy unlocking her safe, and she’d learned the trick of opening it up herself very quickly.

Once she had what she required, she slipped along to the guest bedroom Jeremy had been given and tapped on his door, then let herself in.

Jeremy appeared caught by surprise, quickly shoving whatever he’d been reading behind him.

Fanny narrowed her eyes. “What are you doing?”

“Nothing important.”

“Show me what’s behind your back.”

His cheeks turned red as he reluctantly produced a slim volume. Fanny snatched it up to read the cover.

It was a book for children, surely not his, but a well-read one taken from the family library downstairs. She handed it back. “Are you not a bit old for nursery tales?”

Jeremy grimaced. “What did you want to see me for?”

For so much that she almost for a moment doubted her decision. But it was the right thing to do to protect her reputation. He could stay in her life but he would advance his career because of his own hard work. She’d always doubt his affections otherwise and that would grow and spoil any friendship between them. “I want to honor your work.”

A frown creased his face, and he stood. “Why?”

“While my initial idea was a good one, unfortunately, your performance was a little too convincing for certain people.” She waved her hand about in the direction of his bed. “And what happened between us, while enjoyable, should not happen again.”

He folded his arms over his chest. “So just like that, you’re done with me.”

“Now, Mr. Dawes, we both knew it was a risk I was taking with my reputation pretending you were my beau. Wilks has gone, Thwaite too. Letterford has set his sights on another. All the guests are departing today. From now on, I prefer a clear distinction between your performance here and the reality of our relationship.”

She waved their agreement in the air and committed it to the flames. “Good riddance. I’ll write another upon my return to London. One with better terms to see you rise through the ranks of the theatre.”

“I don’t need another agreement.”

“We both know your heart’s desire is to perform before an adoring audience in London,” she chided. She produced a wad of money from her reticule and held it out.

He looked at it with suspicion. “What’s that?”

“Your bonus for an outstanding performance here,” she told him. “You can count it if you like but I promise I’d never short-change anyone so talented.”

“Thank you, but no.” Jeremy turned away and started gathering up his possessions.

Fanny looked at her hand full of money, then at him. “What are you doing? Was it not enough?”

“I don’t deserve a single penny. I thought … I thought I had earned your respect, but it’s clear to see I don’t have any such thing if at the first argument between us has you throwing your money around.”

“I could pay you more if I must?”

“I don’t want more. I don’t want any.” He riffled through the closet but removed nothing before he shut the door. “I’ll leave all of this lot for your next stray, shall I? It shouldn’t be too hard to find a man of my build if you frequent the poorer parts of London. We’re all underfed and grateful for a rich lady’s charity.”

“My next? Sir, you go too far!”

“Too far with you. Everyone told me you’re fond of taking in strays. Perfumed imbeciles. Where are they now? Well-funded by your charity still. I’m nothing like those men.” He looked at her a long time, a look of hopelessness coming into his eyes she’d never seen there before. He brushed past her on the way to the door.

“Jeremy.” Fanny rushed after him. “Where do you think you are going?”

“What do you care?”

“I never said I didn’t care about you!”

He was suddenly towering over her. “You offered me that money because I shared your bed, admit it, not because of my performance in front of your friends and family.”

She grabbed hold of his arm. “Quiet. Someone in the hall might hear you.”

“What does it matter? I’ll be gone and forgotten in a moment anyway.”

She blanched. “Jeremy, calm down. Let’s talk about this.”

He perched a shabby wool cap on his head and pulled it low over his eyes. “It’s Mr. Dawes to you from now on, Lady Rivers. I’ve got my own code of honor, and the first item is to never fuck someone who wants to pay me