Page 25 of One Night of Temptation
He retrieved their hats and handed her the gloves she’d deposited on the dresser before opening the door. Checking the corridor to ensure it was empty, he nodded toward her. “After you, but let me lead the way down the stairs. The common room is still full of people at this hour.”
She nodded, then preceded him into the corridor. He moved past her, then reached to take her hand. Their eyes connected, and his chest warmed at the trust in her gaze.
He squeezed her hand, then led her down the stairs. “Stay close behind me,” he said.
At the bottom, he assessed the common room. It was full of men and a handful of women, but they weren’t overly boisterous. He clung to the wall and guided her toward the door to the kitchen. Moving quickly, they made their way to a narrow corridor that led to the rear door. He set his hat on his head and gave her the bonnet.
While there wasn’t a cloak hanging near the door, there was a great coat that would work. He held it up for her to put her arms through the sleeves. “Try this.”
She slid her arms into the coat, and he settled it on her shoulders. It dwarfed her frame, but that only added to her disguise. It also covered her gown to great effect. However, he wished there was a hood to cover her bonnet.
He reached over and plucked all the decoration from her hat.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
“Making your bonnet less attractive. And conspicuous.”
She nodded as he tossed the faux flowers and ribbon into the corner.
“This coat smells.” She wrinkled her nose.
He leaned forward and inhaled. It did smell—of whiskey and unwashed male. “My apologies. We’ll hurry.”
He opened the door and led her into the alley behind the Craven Cock. Pausing, he contemplated the best path to take. He wished he knew what direction the Runner had gone so he could go the opposite way.
Deciding he couldn’t possibly know and they were better off taking the most direct route, he turned down Carrier Street. He clasped her hand tightly and looked into her upturned face. “Do not let go of me. Walk quickly, and don’t look at anyone. Keep your head slightly downcast so they can’t see your face well. The darkness will help, but there’s enough light around for someone to see you if they’re paying attention. I’m going to rely on the fact that most people in St. Giles at this hour are not giving much notice to others. Ready?”
She took a deep breath and nodded.
Without thinking, he lifted her hand to his lips and placed a kiss on the back of her glove. Her eyes widened slightly, and he could have sworn the corners of her mouth curled up. But he couldn’t be sure in the darkness.
He gave her an encouraging smile, despite the fact she probably couldn’t see it either, and they started on their way. He prayed for a quick passage, no trouble, and most of all, the absence of any Bow Street Runners.
The night was cool but dry as they made their way along Carrier Street. Hugh held her hand tightly, and she lengthened her stride to keep up with him.
There were enough people about that Penelope worked very hard to keep her head down. It was challenging in that she wanted to look at the environment around her. When would she ever be in St. Giles in the middle of the night again?
Someone stumbled into Penelope as they neared the corner. Hugh pulled her tight against him, and they didn’t slow. If anything, he increased their pace.
They turned right onto a larger thoroughfare that was surprisingly busy given the time of night. Though she tried to keep her head down, Penelope glanced around as much as she could. Men were gathered in groups, laughing and drinking. A few pairs of men and women stood together embracing, most of them in the shadows.
“Hell.”
Penelope snapped her head up and looked to her companion. Had he just said hell? What had provoked him to swear?
He stopped and turned toward her. “There’s a Runner coming this way. We need to move quickly in order to blend in. Please trust me.”
And then he swept her into a doorway and pressed her against the brick building. He murmured, “This is not what I planned,” just before his lips found hers.
The shock of the kiss flashed through her but was quickly replaced by a scorching heat. His hands came around her, securing her between the building and him. She was vaguely aware of what he was doing—providing safety from the Bow Street Runner. But mostly, she was falling into his kiss.
She thrust her arms beneath his coat and curled them around his back, pulling him tight to her chest. It wasn’t about protection, at least not entirely. It was about discovery and desire and pursuing something that was wholly for her.
And him.
His lips moved over hers as his heat seeped into her, igniting a passion she’d never imagined. When she’d thought of kissing before, it had always been some unknown activity she’d have to perform with her husband.
This was so much more. It was the continuation ofsomething. The something that had started between them the previous afternoon.
