Free In the Devil's Bed (Sins of the Duke Book 1) by Eva Devon

aristocracy did not plan on fixing the problem?
    “Lady Regan,” he called.
    At the foot of the steps, she stopped. Calmly, she clasped her hands in front of her. “Yes?”
    “Do not ever walk off without me.”
    “Of course.”
    Jack shook his head, not understanding her. “Might I ask why you are always so damned cheerful considering someone wishes to snuff you out?”
    She stared at him for a moment. Her tongue darted out, wetting her lips. “I feel safe with you.”
    With a twist of her wrist, she lifted her veil. She took a step closer to him, as if she didn’t understand the danger. “You inspire great confidence.”
    Hell. The woman had no bloody idea that she was making him hard as stone. It was damned tempting to yank her to him so she could feel it. Then he could feel her against him . Jack cleared his throat and tore his gaze away from her, searching for a safe topic.
    Damnation, any topic to keep him from sliding his hands into her red hair and tilting her head back for his kiss would do. “These schools you speak of. How will they help?”
    She reached out and placed her hand on his arm. “Education will help the poor rise above their present station. Finally, they will take their rightful place in the world.”
    Jack stared at her small hand resting on the dark folds of his coat. The gentle, firm warmth of it seeped through the fabric. If he ripped off her black glove, brought her hand to his mouth, and nibbled and licked her fingers, would she call him mad? He was mad.
    Taking in a slow breath, he shunted the image away. He would find a way to shed her of her puritanical black. To see her alight with life. But not in a construction site in the East End.
    Jack stepped away, needing the distance between their bodies. “Education? Tell me more.”
    As her smile broadened, warmth flooded through his body. It hit him like a blow to his chest. Though hidden pain shadowed her eyes, pure enthusiasm and optimism shone on her pale face. A light glowed from inside her that was free of true cynicism.
    A sharp tug of regret and guilt stung Jack. Quickly, he shoved it aside. That light would be gone once he’d finished with the Chances. It would be replaced by the hardness of reality. Still, she would have other comforts. Comforts that boys like Devlin had never known.
    ***
    R egan braced her hands against the rough wood of a temporary table as she pored over the plans for the hospital. Her father had designed every aspect of the building, making certain that the ceilings were high enough to accommodate plenty of vents for good circulation. Plus there was the added ability to shut contagious rooms off from the rest of the hospital.
    Glancing out of the corner of her eye, Regan looked at Jack’s strong back. His thick, dark hair brushed the lapels of his coat as he stared out the window.
    So much depended on her success. The lives and welfares of so many people who would never gain care without such a place. Now, because of Jack, she could carry on the work. A smile tilted her lips. “Captain Hazard, come. Have a look at this.”
    The full folds of his great coat spun out as he turned towards her. His hair glinted obsidian in the morning sun with no hat to cover his head. His hands rested inside his coat folds. Near a pistol, most likely.
    His eyes shifted over the busy workers as he walked towards her. “Lady Regan. I am glad my opinion means something to you, but I must keep a watchful eye if I am to protect you.”
    “I see.” He was right, of course.
    “If you have a copy of that at your townhouse, I would be more than happy to look at it later.”
    Regan smiled. He was so hardened to the world, as if he believed nothing could change the darkness and, yet, there was a glimmering sense of humanity to him.
    “I have several copies,” she replied.
    He nodded then turned back to the window.
    Regan stepped away from the table and picked up her umbrella. “I must speak with the foreman.”
    “Of course.”