Page 3 of The Duke of Daring (The Untouchables)
Not always and not when it mattered, but Andrew wouldn’t illuminate them. “See you tomorrow.”
“I’ve got quite a wager on you,” Charles said, his dark gaze piercing him. “Don’t let me down.”
Andrew grinned. “When’s the last time I lost?”
Charles smiled in return. “Never. But there’s a first time for everything.”
“Do me a favor.” Beaumont dug around in his coat and beckoned for Andrew to come forward. “Have your friend there place a bet for me. I want some of his luck too.” He tossed a few guineas into Andrew’s hand.
Andrew tucked the coins into his coat. “Now domea favor and don’t allow the fair Mrs. Longley to abuse you overmuch.”
Beaumont flashed a toothy smile. “But I like that.”
Andrew rolled his eyes as he turned back to Smith, or whatever her name was. Only she wasn’t there.
He turned his head to look up and down the streets. They were at an intersection, so she could’ve departed any number of ways.Silly chit.
One of his friends pointed down the street they’d just come to. “He went that way. Looked like he was in a hurry. Maybe he’d rather be alone. Just come with us, Dart.”
Not a chance. He looked back toward the hell, trying to discern if the man in the shadows was still there or if he was even now tracking down the enigmatic and excessively foolish young woman. “Thank you, but I must catch up to Smitty. Beaumont’s counting on us.” He tossed them a careless grin in the hope that they would just continue on their way.
Thankfully they did just that, and Andrew turned in the direction she’d gone. He walked quickly, his gait devouring the pavement in his haste. He scanned both sides of the street, reasoning that she had to have ducked in somewhere or turned a corner, because he couldn’t see her.
He detected something moving across the street and craned his neck to see if he could make it out in the shadows. Then he heard the cock of a pistol behind him, and he froze.
Very slowly, he turned, his hands outstretched. He carried a blade in his boot when they visited the hells. He’d whisk it out if necessary…
He exhaled because it wasn’t necessary. Smith—the young woman—glared at him from the alleyway he’d neglected to check while he’d studied the opposite side of the street.
“Stop following me.” Her words came out in a near growl. He was impressed with just how dark and fierce she could sound.
He inclined his head toward the pocket pistol in her hand. “Do you know how to use that?” He was surprised to find that she was armed, but at least she hadn’t been quite as foolish as he’d thought.
“Of course I do. And if I had a sword, I’d know how to use that too.”
He appreciated her bravado but wondered if she was exaggerating her abilities. “So you’re a gentleman in every way but the most”—his gaze dipped down her body—“fundamental.”
She scowled at him again. “Just turn around and go on your way. Catch up to your friends. It sounded as if you have quite an evening planned.”
Andrew dropped his hands to his sides and took a step toward her. He froze again as she aimed the gun at his chest. “I only want to help you, see you home at the very least. I mean you absolutely no harm. Wouldn’t I have taken advantage by now?”
She lifted a shoulder. “Rather difficult when I’m the one with the deadly weapon.”
He let a smile open his lips. “Just so.” He tried another tack. “Where are you going now?”
“None of your business.”
“I’d still like to offer my assistance—wherever you’re going. Please, I don’t know that I’d forgive myself if I let you go off alone into the night, even with a pistol at the ready. You can trust me. Will you?”
Her gaze was shrewd, skeptical.
A movement down the street lured Andrew’s attention. He couldn’t know if it was whomever he’d seen lurking outside the hell, but he wanted to get her away from this area. “Come on.” He grabbed the arm that wasn’t holding the pistol and turned her away from the man down the street. “We need to go.”
She wrenched her elbow free. “Don’t touch me. I could’ve shot you.”
“Doubtful. You’ll need to work on your reflexes as well as your distance. You were much too close. I could’ve overpowered you at any moment.”
She made a deep sound in her throat—somewhere between a dark laugh and a cough. He found it oddly enticing. “Then why didn’t you?”
