Page 13 of Sir Hugo Seeks a Wife
Have sparked so sweet a dream
In a longing heart that’s true.
Hugo smiled as he tooled his stylish yellow-and-black curricle onto Bond Street.Under instruction from Ivor, who might be a nitwit but who had very strict ideas on how a Town buck should comport himself, Hugo had joined the parade of notables in Hyde Park.Each afternoon, everyone who was anyone made an appearance to see and be seen.
On a cold October afternoon, Hugo had a suspicion that numbers had been down, but he’d been game.And the idea of taking his spirited pair of black horses out had appealed.He’d bought them at Tattersall’s last week and so far was delighted with their high-stepping magnificence.He’d never imagined that he’d take to cutting a dash in London, but the admiring glances his smart vehicle and fine horses attracted had provided unexpected satisfaction.Even Ivor had tendered his approval when he and his sister had promenaded past Hugo.
Now he deviated from Ivor’s instructions and took a detour past a certain sweet shop on his way home.
Hugo hadn’t thought that he was so superficial as to desire the crowd’s admiration, but it seemed he was.Even worse, he drove along Bond Street now because he hoped to encounter Miss de Smith on her way home.His natty rig and skill with the ribbons might gain her attention.If his sisters could see him, they’d mock him unmercifully as a vain popinjay.
As he rolled up to Sweet Little Nothings, he was delighted to see Miss de Smith standing outside the shop.He was less delighted to see a heavyset gentleman looming over her.He was positively furious to notice the possessive way that the man’s hand curled around her arm.
Hugo reined the horses back to a walk, as he paused to assess the situation.He knew nothing about Aphrodite de Smith’s private life.She could have a suitor, or even a lover.But something about the man’s belligerent manner and Miss de Smith’s defiant stance told him that she was afraid.
The idea of Miss de Smith being afraid made Hugo livid, although even in the light of the street lamp, she was too far away for him to see her expression.“Hold the horses’ heads, Paul,” he called to his tiger.
“Aye, Sir Hugo,” the lad said, jumping off the back of the carriage and scampering up to grab the halter.
Without being aware of running, Hugo leaped from the curricle and covered the distance to the couple near the sweet shop.Now he was closer, he read the tension in Miss de Smith’s delicate jaw and the way she braced her shoulders.
“Miss de Smith, is this gentleman inconveniencing you?”
She turned to him with unhidden relief.“Sir Hugo!”
The man, swarthy and dark-browed, shot him a hostile glance.“Not your concern, old man.Go on your way.”
Hugo planted himself at Miss de Smith’s side.“I’d like to hear from the lady.”
“You’re interfering.”
“No manners.Never had any,” he said cheerfully.“Happy to brawl in the street like a ruffian if I have to.”
He saw the sod consider pushing the point, but something about Hugo must convince him that he didn’t want to provoke a physical confrontation.Perhaps that Hugo was a good five inches taller and knew that he could beat any ham-fisted Londoner if it came to a fight.
“No harm meant, old chap.”
Hugo kept his smile in place.He could see it unnerved the lout.“You should release the lady, sir.”
When the man’s expression turned savage, Hugo prepared to use his fists.He wasn’t by nature a violent man, but the prospect of pummeling the brute’s oafish features to a pulp was fiendishly tempting.
After a suspenseful second, the fellow lifted his hand away from Miss de Smith and stepped back.“You’re welcome to the bitch.”
Hugo’s vision turned red and he lurched forward to eradicate this presumptuous slug, only to stop at the sound of a soft protest.“Please, Sir Hugo.I don’t want a scandal.”
He sucked in a shaky breath and forced his gloved fists to his sides.Controlling his temper felt like putting a stopper in a volcano.“He should pay for his discourtesy, madam.”
“He doesn’t matter,” she said in a reedy voice.
Hugo had calmed down enough to see the barely hidden alarm on the man’s face.They both knew that Hugo had come close to committing murder.“Get out of my sight.And leave Miss de Smith alone from now on.”
The man looked like he wanted to object, but caution overcame bravado and he performed a curt bow.“Miss de Smith.”
Hugo took her arm, worried that she might crumple.It was the first time that he’d touched her.Even through layers of winter clothing and his leather gloves, he felt the thundering impact.After his anger of seconds ago, the powerful reaction left him reeling.“Are you all right?”
“I…”
The man in the black greatcoat had turned the corner and was no longer in view.Hugo felt Miss de Smith slump.He shifted to put his arm around her.“Let me take you inside.”
