Wylde’s hot smile made her pulse skyrocket. He gestured for her to proceed him downstairs. “Quite so. Important things to do,” he murmured as she brushed past him.

Georgie barely remembered taking her leave. Pieter was waiting with the carriage outside, and she got in, scarcely able to look at Wylde as he settled himself on the seat opposite her. Her stomach churned. Where had she found the nerve? She’d actually propositioned him!

The carriage lurched forward, and she kept her eyes on her hands. The silence became almost unbearable.

“When?” His low baritone sent shivers through her.

She couldn’t look at him. Doubtless the other women he’d made such arrangements with knew exactly how this game was played. They’d be bold and flirtatious, breezily confident. She was finding it hard to breathe, caught in a tumult of conflicting emotions.

“Will you come to me at the Tricorn?”

The question was soft, almost lazy. With infinite implications. It made her pulse flutter and her heart pound. She sucked in a shocked gasp. “What, now? It’s the middle of the day! Pieter—”

“Look at me, Georgie.” His tone was teasing, gently amused.

She did what he ordered and was struck once again by just how ridiculously attractive he was. Like some wicked fallen angel. Good Lord, what was she getting herself into? How could she possibly handle a man like this?

“Breathe.”

She let out a sharp exhale.

“Stop worrying. There’s nothing to it, believe me.” His smile made her insides quiver. “You’re going to enjoy every minute, I promise.”

Could a person expire from anticipation?

“Can you get away this evening?” he asked. “I can send Mickey with a carriage. You can slip out and meet him at the corner.”

“I’m supposed to be attending the Evans’ rout, but I could say I have a headache and leave early. Mother won’t check on me until morning if I say I’m going straight to bed.”

“Perfect.” His appreciative gaze roved over her face and lingered on her lips as if he were already imagining the taste of them.

Georgie decided to press her luck. She leaned forward and rapped on the roof of the carriage.

“Yes, miss?” Pieter shouted down.

“We’d like to make a stop on the way home,” she called out before Wylde could speak. “Ore Street in Limehouse.”

Wylde sent her an exasperated look, and she arched her brows at him, suddenly confident.

“We’re going to need something seriously distracting to get us through the next few hours, don’t you think?” she whispered.

He gave a reluctant sigh. “Oh, very well. You shall have your adventure. But I warn you, if there’s the least sign of trouble, we’ll be leaving, understood?”

She sent him a delighted nod of agreement.

Chapter 26.