Ascension by A.S. Fenichel

might have changed as well. She would give the matter some thought. She inclined her head. “Will you call tomorrow then?”
    With a nod, he took her hand and kissed the palm. His tongue slipped out and traced a circle there. Belinda gasped and tugged her hand away.
    “Good-night, Bella.”
    She turned without another word and went to the house.
     
     

Chapter 4
     
    Thoughts of Belinda’s firm rounded bottom nestled on his lap haunted his night and kept sleep at bay. The way she had touched his cock had kept him hard long after he’d returned to his own townhome and tucked himself in to bed. Two glasses of brandy had eventually pushed him into a fitful slumber, which had not lasted very long.
    It seemed only polite to wait until late in the morning to call on his fiancée, since he knew she had been up until nearly dawn. At shortly before noon, the butler admitted him to the parlor of the Clayton townhouse.
    “Lady Belinda has not yet come down this morning, my lord.”
    The butler was quite young for the post. It was uncommon for a butler in an earl’s home to be less than a curmudgeon. The man was probably in his late twenties. His shoulders were broad and the livery strained across his chest and back. He looked more the part of a street thug or a bodyguard than a butler. “It is Faust, correct?” Gabriel asked.
    The young man’s eyes widened. Perhaps he was surprised an earl would bother to remember his name. “Yes, my lord.”
    “Were you still about last evening when Lady Belinda arrived home?”
    Faust’s wide eyes narrowed and he pulled his shoulders back. At his full height, he towered over Gabriel.
    The butler knew what Bella was up to at night.
    After a pause, Faust responded as any seasoned servant might have done. “I always wait for my lady to arrive home before retiring.”
    “A very well thought out answer.”
    “Thank you, my lord.”
    Whatever Faust’s purpose beyond managing the other servants might be, and he suspected he had other duties. Gabriel liked the butler. “You’re not going to tell me anything, are you, Faust?”
    The butler’s face changed once again to the staid mask of his profession. “It would not be my place to offer information outside the family, my lord. I hope you will forgive me.”
    “Of course. Will you have the maid alert Lady Belinda of my arrival?” He couldn’t fault the butler for loyalty. He wanted to know what his beloved was up to until the pre-dawn hours, but he admired the servant for his devotion.
    “She has already been informed, my lord.”
    “Thank you.”
    Faust slipped from the parlor.
    Gabriel studied the books that lined the shelves. Most were of little interest, tomes common in almost every fine home in London. An ancient volume with faded gold lettering, stuck out from the rest. Perhaps it had been put away hastily. Guide to the Underworld .
    He touched the rough binding. “What in the world?”
    The door creaked. He smiled and turned.
    Unfortunately, his grin was wasted. Belinda was not in the room, and her mother wavered on her feet. The countess was already in her cups even at that early hour. It was quite sad that a woman of her rank, beauty, and advantages had needed to turn to the bottle.
    “Lord Gabriel, how wonderful to see you again. It is rather early for a call.”
    Gabriel bowed. “It is nearly luncheon, my lady.”
    She giggled girlishly. “Is it? How silly of me.” She waved her hand in dismissal of the notion. The motion of her own fingers grabbed her attention and she stared at them while continuing to wave her hand in front of her face. Her eyes became distant and empty.
    More than just drink, opium perhaps.
    Gabriel stepped forward and offered the lady his arm. It wouldn’t do for her ladyship to collapse and injure herself in the parlor. “Lady Clayton, it is good to see you again.”
    She turned and smiled as if seeing him for the first time. “I’m so glad you’re here, my lord. I want to speak to you about