Free Traveller by Abigail Drake

gentle.”
    “Gentle?” Lucinda thought about it and sighed. “That would be new for me. Oh, Em. I think actually might like him.”
    Lucinda had never used that word before. The only nice things she ever said about her other lovers were adjectives to describe their skill in bed, or their size, things like, “I had a lovely time exploring Brazil last night,”or “That was quite the safari in Africa.” Lucinda saw them more as case studies than actual people, but this time seemed different.
    “I’m sure he likes you, too, Lucinda. All men like you. You’re like a walking, talking sex dream.”
    She smiled. “That is the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me. Thank you, Emerson.”
    I stood up and stretched. “I have to pack. I’m staying with Michael for a few days.”
    “What?” Lucinda asked. They both folded their arms across their chests and literally blocked the door with their bodies.
    I rolled my eyes. They weren’t going to budge until they got answers. “Michael usually works nights, but he’s off right now. It’s a chance for us to spend a bit of time together.”
    They still looked unconvinced, so I played my ace in the hole. “Do you really want me to go back to Kentucky a virgin?”
    Lucinda and Poppy locked eyes, and then Lucinda winked at me. “If that’s the case, I have something for you.” She slipped out of the room, and came back with a tiny scrap of black lace hidden under her shirt. She waved it at me triumphantly.
    “What in tarnation is this?” I took it tentatively from her hands and held it up against my body. It was a very tiny, very sexy black lace teddy. “Oh, my. If I wear this, I could catch old and new-monia.”
    Lucinda grabbed it out of my hands and shoved it into my bag. “If you wear this, you’ll catch Michael Nightingale, and it’s about damned time.”

Chapter Nine
    If “ifs” and “buts” were candies and nuts, then every day would be Christmas.
    ~Grandma Sugar
    Michael and I left the apartment and walked down the street. “I can’t believe you know Nigel. That made this whole situation a lot better.”
    “He’s a good man.” Michael went to shove his hands into his pockets, seemed to remember his cuts at the last moment, and linked his fingers through his belt loops instead. He’d dressed all in black again, looking like a dark, avenging angel. I’d fallen asleep with my hair wet, and still wore the clothes I’d slept in, so I looked like a weird cross between a ragamuffin and the bride of Frankenstein. We were quite the pair.
    “How long have you known Nigel?” he asked.
    “As long as I’ve known Poppy. They’ve been together forever.”
    Michael thought about this. “Has she met his parents?”
    “Not yet. Why?”
    Michael nibbled on the silver ring on his lip. “I met them once. They were proper snobs. You know they’re titled, right?”
    “The whole Nigel is really Lord Nigel or something? Yeah, I know. What difference does it make?”
    “It can make quite a difference.” Michael sighed. “This isn’t America, Emerson. Poppy isn’t in the same social class as Nigel. I could tell as soon as she opened her mouth to speak.” I heard the pain in his voice and knew it came from personal experience.
    I measured my words carefully. “Well, Nigel doesn’t think like that. A lot of people don’t think like that. He loves Poppy and won’t let his parents come between them.”
    “I hope you’re right.” He looked at his watch. “Is there anything else you need to do before we go back?”
    “Can I stop at Mrs. Burke’s?”
    “You two are rather close, aren’t you? Especially after you beat up that thief for her.” Michael looked at me with a smile, but it froze on his face when I glared at him.
    “You were watching me. I knew it.”
    “Someone had to keep an eye on you. You’re completely mad, you know.” He clenched his jaw in irritation, two bright spots of color appearing on his cheeks.
    “And you elected yourself