Page 14 of Sir Hugo Seeks a Wife
“No,” she said faintly.“He might come back.”
The words “I could stay” rushed to his lips, but he bit them back.She was already frightened.He didn’t want to frighten her further.
In her office, she made a formidable figure.Strong.Confident.Commanding.Now he held her, he realized that she wasn’t as tall as he’d thought and her body was willowy rather than whipcord.She was trembling.He hated that.
He resisted the urge to tighten his embrace, even if every masculine instinct urged him to shield and comfort.He was well aware that in her eyes, he could pose a threat as much as the man he’d sent off.
Although he noticed that she wasn’t doing much to break free.Interesting.“Where do you live?My carriage is at your disposal.”
“I have a room behind the office.”
So that wouldn’t work.“Do you have family or friends I can deliver you to?”
“No…no family.”
“Friends then?”
“Only Sylvie.”
How was it that this resplendent creature was so alone?“Where does Madame Lebeau live?”
“Blackfriars.”
“Then let me take you there.”
The weakness had subsided and she straightened.Hugo should release her, he knew.She was capable of standing now.His arm didn’t heed the command of his brain.Miss de Smith remained pressed against his side.She was close enough for him to catch a drift of her scent.Something warm and vaguely redolent of paper and ink, with an underlay of lovely woman.He resisted the impulse to bury his nose in the nape of her neck.
“Thank you,” she said.“And you should let me go.”
He should, by Jupiter.She’d already told him that she had to be careful of her reputation.Cuddling up to a man outside Sweet Little Nothings would cause talk.
The street was quiet and night had fallen.Nevertheless, Hugo swung around until they stood in shadow.He was in a heavy black greatcoat and her pelisse matched the depressing shades of the rest of her wardrobe.Or at least what he’d seen of it.
Instead of releasing her – his gut still churned with the anger and dread that had surged when he realized someone was bullying her – he asked, “Who is he?”
“Lord Alfred Plunkett.He came into the shop yesterday with Alexander Comerford and made a nuisance of himself.”
“Comerford seems a good fellow.”The young Viscount Orford was one of London’s most eligible bachelors and heir to his father Lord Lumsden’s title.
“He is.He gave Plunkett a dressing-down and got him out of the shop quick smart.I thought that was the end of it.But Plunkett was waiting after I finished up tonight.”
When she shuddered, Hugo’s rage threatened to slip out of control.“You need protection.Two lone women together are asking for trouble, especially when you’re dealing with all these men.”
“We’ve got our storeman Joseph.He used to be a prizefighter.Although most of the time, Sylvie turns on her aristocratic tone and that keeps any unruly gentlemen in line.”
“And you do your best to crush any disrespect,” he said, relieved that someone was on the premises to repel unwelcome advances.
“It doesn’t seem to have worked in your case,” she said with something approaching her usual crispness.“I really must insist you let me go, Sir Hugo.”
She was right.They were in a public street.Not to mention that she’d already fought off one importunate male this evening.
He set his jaw and made himself step back.Releasing her required an enormous effort, completely out of scale with the action.She’d been beguiling in his grasp.Even more, it had felt right to him.Like someone had opened a window to a new and beautiful landscape that he’d never known lay just outside.
“I should apologise,” he said.“I could promise that I mean you no harm, but because you don’t know me, that’s just words.You’ve already had to fight off one knave tonight.I’d hate you to put me in the same category.”
“I don’t think Lord Alfred is coming back.”
Hugo bit back his disappointment when Miss de Smith didn’t insist that of course she trusted him.Even though it was unfair to expect that she would.“Nonetheless, I’d feel better if I took you to Madame Lebeau.Will you allow me that privilege?I swear I’ll keep my distance.”
