Page 15 of Sir Hugo Seeks a Wife
He felt her studying him through the gloom.“I can walk there.It’s not far.”
“I’d rather make sure you arrived safely.”
“A gentleman’s carriage turning up at Sylvie’s will create too much interest.”
She had a point.But if she thought that he was going to let her wander off without his protection, she had another think coming.“Very well.I’ll drive you back to my stables.My tiger will act as chaperone.Then we can take a hackney to Madame Lebeau’s rooms where I’ll consign you to her care.”
“You’re very high-handed,” she said in a neutral voice.“I’ve coped on my own in London for several years without you.”
“Do you want to walk unescorted halfway across London and through a cold night when Lord Alfred may be waiting?”
“You scared him off.”
Hugo thought so, too.He’d straightaway recognized that the bastard was an arrant coward, ready to impose himself on someone who couldn’t fight back but quick to turn tail when faced with a genuine threat.“He’s not the only dangerous man in London.”
She released a breath that sounded like impatience.“No, so I gather.”Before Hugo could protest at the unspoken accusation that he was dangerous as well, she went on.“What a very persistent man you are.”
“I am.But I can’t in conscience permit a lady to put herself at risk.You have my word as a gentleman that I won’t do anything to make you uncomfortable.”
“Very gallant.”
He ignored the irony in her response.“I’ve got a pistol in my pocket.I’m happy to hand that over, if you fear my intentions.”
Her eyes rounded.“You expect me to shoot you?”
“No, I don’t.Because I’ll behave with perfect decorum.”
To his regret.
Her short laugh conveyed both chagrin and surrender.“Very well.”
This swift capitulation surprised him.“You’ll let me accompany you?”
“Yes.It’s too cold to stand out here arguing and you’re right – I’ve had a long day and a nasty fright.Riding to Sylvie’s in a nice warm carriage appeals more than a freezing hike where I jump at every shadow.”
“Excellent.”He took her arm.Really what he wanted to do was sweep her back to his house on Jermyn Street.That time would come, but not yet.Miss de Smith was right.He was a determined man.Even more, he was a patient man.
“Paul, over here,” he called.
“Aye, Sir Hugo,” the lad replied and brought the carriage up to where Hugo and Miss de Smith stood.“I started walking the horses.It’s too cold to let them stand.”
“Good thinking, lad.It’s too cold for mortal folk to stand, too.We’re taking Miss de Smith to Jermyn Street, then I’ll send you for a hackney.”
“Aye, sir.”While the boy held the horses’ heads, Hugo handed Miss de Smith up into the carriage.She moved with a smooth elegance that made his heart skip in admiration.Her confidence when she settled into her seat suggested a familiarity with expensive conveyances.
There was a mystery about the ladies at Sweet Little Nothings.Both carried themselves like women of breeding.Both wore invisible but unmissable signs around their necks which said, “Don’t touch and don’t ask questions.”More patience was required, but Hugo promised himself that one day, he’d learn all this woman’s secrets.
He wasn’t convinced by Miss de Smith’s unlikely name.He wasn’t convinced about much that he knew about her at all.Perhaps she was attached after all.Perhaps there was a husband, dead or alive, in the shadows.
By Jove, he didn’t like that idea.
Hugo jumped in beside her and gathered up the reins in one hand.“I’ve got them, Paul.Into the back with you.”
He held the horses, while he dug in his coat and produced the small pearl-handled pistol that he’d inherited from his father.“Here.”
They were under one of the street lamps, so he could see Miss de Smith’s face below the plain black bonnet.By heaven, she dressed like a poor parson’s widow.
She was staring at him as if he was mad.“I couldn’t shoot you.”
